Fundraising for an indigent community Masjid

My wife and I own a small lot of land that I intended to sell at its present market value. But it turned out that a masjid has been built on it. Leaders of the community could not get their people to pay for it themselves as it is beyond their capacity; nor are we wealthy enough to give the lot away for free. Bringing this problem to court will be costly; and tearing down the mosque could result to unnecessary conflict and violence. We decided instead to reach out to you through crowdfunding so we could raise the money for the purchase of the lot and donate it to the people, as well as make improvements to the dilapidated building.

Masjid Shariff was founded by a small Muslim community in the 1980s, built with low-cost materials like nipa, sawali and coco lumber. One small renovation after another gradually transformed it into this concrete structure. Aside from being a place of worship, this mosque serves as the community town hall, a vital resource for the surrounding homes.

Masjid Shariff miraculously survived a series of fires and a rebel uprising. In September of 2013, this area served as ground zero for what came to be known later as the MNLF Siege of Zamboanga City. Majority of the surrounding houses were riddled with bullets and looted or burned to the ground. As families came back to rebuild their homes, they also dedicated whatever small resource they have into renovating the mosque. As you can see, they could only afford so much.

I am pleading for your generous hearts to donate any amount as we attempt to raise at least $20,000. Your donations could realize the purchase of the 274 square-meter lot, set up solar panels to achieve energy independence, fix the leaky roof, finish the walls, paint the mosque, install ablution faucets, and do other miscellaneous renovations.

Masjid Shariff is counting on your gracious contribution.