Invercargill (Waihopai in Maori) is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world (near South Pole). It is the commercial centre of the Southland region.

The first Europeans to set foot on the South Island’s southern coast were sealers in the late 1700s. Others intent on harvesting flax came in the early 1800s and whalers began arriving from 1829. Sailors, traders, and entrepreneurs followed. Maori had arrived over 600 years earlier.

Alhamdulillah over the last few years the Muslim population in Invercargill has increased appreciably. Up until recently there was no community facility dedicated to the needs of the local Muslims and the city was lacking in facilities for the elderly, women and our Muslim youth. For us building a Mosque and Islamic Community Centre was essential to the continued education of young Muslims, help maintain Islamic values and give a better understanding of our religion to the wider community.  A dedicated group of Muslims undertook in 2008 a project to build the first Masjid in this city which is the southern most part of land.  Southland Muslim Association Incorporated (SMA) was registered for managing this project as well as the future activities of the Muslim Community in Southland. Funds were raised locally, nationally and internationally for this project.  The support we got was astounding due to the Blessing of Allah Subhanhu wa Ta'alah.  We were fully backed by Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ), the umbrella national organisation representing Muslims in New Zealand.

A small industrial facility at 31 Fairview Avenue, Invercargill which had the potential for converting it to our permanent Masjid/ Community Centre was purchased in 2009.  After a lengthy process of obtaining from Invercargill City Council, the Resource Consent and various Building Consents the construction of the SMA Masid/ Community Centre facility started in April 2010 and was completed in August 2010 just in time for the holy month of Ramadan 1431.

  

 

Please deposit your generous donations in our bank account with the following details:

PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY. Your co-operation is much appreciated.

 If you would like more information about the New Mosque Project please contact:

Reza Abdul Jabbar
Ph: +64 (0) 27 2404382
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it