Salamun alaykum
It’s been seven years:
It was on Friday 10th Dhulq’adah 1433 A.H. (28th September, 2012) that the flame of life of this Al Mahdi centre, Fontley Road, was ignited by the performance of Salatul Jum’ah on that day. The next day on 11th Dhulq’adah, during the celebrations of wiladat-birthdate- of our 8th Imam Ali ar Ridha a.s., the formal handing over of the Al Mahdi centre project was solemnized. These are important dates in the history of our community- The Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat.
A dream come true:
After being housed in the ‘Pink Bungalow’ on the Hoads Hill / Wickham Road for eighteen years, the dream for having a Centre for the children of Al Mahdi became a reality by setting foot into our new Al Mahdi Centre, Bihamdillah. Prior to that the community used to meet for some eighteen years in a flat on Elm Grove, Portsmouth.
Inauguration of Al Mahdi Centre, Fontley Road:
The initiation of our new home, on the blessed day of Yawmul Jum’ah is a significant blessing. In addition to enjoying the abundant blessings of the auspicious day of Jum’ah, it links us to the establishment of the first Salatul Jum’ah by the Noble Prophet. This was held in Masjid Al Quba, the first mosque, that the Noble Prophet led the Muslims to build during the hijra – migration- from Makka to Yathrib; later renamed Madina. On arriving in Madina with the construction of Masjid An Nabi, the commitment of the early Muslims led to the establishment of the Ummah.
Slogan: Building in this life for the next:
To motivate the community towards the project of Al Mahdi Centre, the rallying call “Building in this life for the next” was echoed at all times.
Bihamdillah, through the devotion, dedication, perseverance and philanthropy of the muminin, the fruition of the vision “Building in this life for the next” has occurred.
MashAllah, all this has come about due to the love of service in the way of Ahlul Bayt a.s. by muminin. It is this noble devotion that has nourished this community to attain this great achievement.
It is indeed through the fervent prayers, devotion, dedication, perseverance and philanthropy of the community, both locally and around the world, the artist’s impression of the Centre came to fruition into the real world of existence.
At all times the spirit of volunteering has catalyzed the production of this beautiful centre which is indeed a landmark in various aspects of design and construction on the local scene. The devotion of one and all in the community is a priceless gem.
Is the building for our life completed?
Seven years later as we sit back to celebrate this wonderful achievement of the completion of building Al Mahdi Centre, let us ponder over the slogan “Building in this life for the next.”
Let one inquire within ones’ self that by completion of building Al Mahdi Centre, has one completed building the next life of hereafter?
Like the impetus provided by the Masjid An Nabi to the early Muslim community in establishment of the ummah and the sharing of noble message of Islam with humanity, what momentum is one providing towards this direction?
What more does one need to do towards nurturing their families to becoming virtuous?
What is your engagement as a volunteer at Al Mahdi Centre?
Under the blessed shelter of Al Mahdi Centre, what else needs to be done to complete building for our life in the hereafter?
Will one lose sight of the slogan: “Building in this life for the next.”?
It is our fervent prayers to Allah SWT to abundantly reward all who have selflessly contributed in various forms towards the Al Mahdi Centre. May Allah SWT accept our token efforts of service and provide us with tawfiq to always lead our lives as per teachings of Thaqalayn. AAMIN.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat