Imported post: Facebook Note: 2019-10-18T21:13:37

Lets go back in time. It was in the early 80s, around 83, or maybe 84. The was someone sick at the hospital, I didnt remember whether he/she was a visitor or resident Muslim. A local Muslim sister visited that sick person at the hospital wearing hijab. Not many Muslim ladies wearing hijab in those days. A student doctor at the hospital asked her, “Are you a Muslim?” “Yes. Alhamdulillah” she said. That doctor was Dr Saleh Al Samahi from Saudi Arabia and he was introduced to the Christchurch Muslim community by the end of that week, joining Friday prayer and weekend community gathering. Someone did explained to Dr Saleh Al Samahi about the plan of building a masjid and how we needed more funds to continue building. One winter day, we set up a tent on the site of the masjid to receive visitors from Saudi Arabia, and we received a grant of $460,000 from Saudi Arabian Government. Beside that there were few other large donations came in. We had a breaking ground ceremony that year. During this ceremony, there was a protest gathering by some group. Some people didnt like us building a masjid. (Dr Saleh is in the picture above, 2nd from right. 1st from right was Dr Razzaq Khan, MAC president 1986-88) So the masjid building continue in earnest in 1985. Our architect was Rashid Wallen who worked for architectural firm Endel Lust. Sometime in August 85, the masjid was completed. We invited Dr Jamal Badawi from USA to deliver speech on Islam and Christianity and explained the difference and similarity between Islam and Christianity. At the end of the speech, during question time, one man got up and objected to Dr Jamal Badawi saying that to say that “there is only ONE GOD and not THREE” is a blasphemy. “I am only explaining the difference between Christian belief and Muslim belief, you have the freedom to believe.” Dr Jamal Badawi said. The prayer hall was full. Everyone was invited that night, and there were no chairs, everyone had to sit on the carpet. As I remember, the carpet was green with cream lines, New Zealand made carpet. The architect also explained to us that the artwork on the glass windows were also done locally. That woodwork near the imam alcove is made of local totara wood, so is the mimbar. If you look up where the wall meet the ceiling you would see the word “La ilaha illallah” written in arabic script. the picture above was probably taken one afternoon after Friday prayer.