FUNDRAISERS in Bahrain have collected hundreds of dinars during the first five days of Ramadan to build a BD8,000 mosque and Islamic school in India.

They have already raised BD600 through charity drives, but hope to gather the entire cost of the project, which would feature a mosque, a Quran memorisation centre and an Islamic madarassa (school).

The scheme is being spearheaded by Muntadha Bawabat Al Bahrain (Bahrain Gate Forum) in collaboration with Al Eslah Society and Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Ansari Grand Mosque in Isa Town.

"We have a target to build 20 to 30 mosques in Muslim countries across the globe and this year we selected India," said a society spokesman. "We initiate the project each Ramadan and get good response from the donors.

"The aim this year is to raise BD8,000, out of which, we have already raised BD600 in the first five days of Ramadan. "We are grateful to all the donors and hoping to reach our target in 15 days. "The cost of the project is BD8,000 and we need BD5,000 for construction of the mosque and BD3,000 for the madarassa and memorisation centre. "The construction of the mosque would take one year to complete.

"Worshippers would be able to pray five times a day, seven days. They can listen to Friday sermons by imams and Quran lessons." The spokesman appealed to the community to continue donating as campaigners still need BD7,400 to start work on the project after Ramadan. The project would cover an area of 15sqm with two rooms for the memorisation centre, a terrace, an open courtyard and a large room for ablution.

"We haven't decided the city or town yet and we will finalise with our team in India once we raise the required amount," he added. "We have a list of countries which are in need of a mosque, including Somalia, Pakistan, India and Syria.

"We cannot build a mosque in a day, it takes time. "So we build one mosque in India for example, then take another step to raise funds for another mosque." The society built a mosque in Orissa, India, last year. Donations can be made at the society in Riffa from 9am to 11pm or contact 33455678 for more information. aneeqa@gdn.com.bh