Asslamu’ Alikum Waraha Maduahallahay Wa Baraka Thuhu

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam,

For a Burmese Muslim, an opportunity to participate in building a new masjid is invaluable as the permission to build a new masjid in our motherland, Myanmar (Burma), has been strictly restricted for many decades. I consider this as a blessing from Allah (s.w.t) to be able to participate in this masjid construction project.

As Muslims, we all know that masjid is very important for every Muslim community in many aspects. Our Burmese Muslim community in Fort Wayne, Indiana is a newly emerging community that the resettlement has begun very recently. In order to enhance a strong community, we initiated a new masjid from the ground in 2011, and Allahumdullillah, we have completed the first three phases of the construction project. The masjid and Islamic school are fully functioning since May 2015 while we continue to finish the rest of the project. Additionally, we have also acquired 15 acres of land for a new cemetery and we hope to start utilizing it soon.

Our motivation is rooted in a struggle to inherit the religious teaching to upcoming generations. More than half of our community members are youths and, no doubt, many new generations will come thereafter. Hence, we strongly believe that our investment of time, energy, and wealth for the cause of establishing infrastructures for the community is incomparable to the contribution those infrastructures will make to future generations.

Our objective is to create an environment where Muslims in Fort Wayne live in dignity, peace, and harmony within the guidance and teaching of Islam, and are able to inherit one generation to another. As we are building the masjid, the school, and the cemetery in the name of Allah (s.w.t) for many generations to come, we invite our brothers and sisters in Islam to join hands and make this effort possible. 

Allah-Hafiz
Kyaw Soe (Mawlawi Rafeeq)
(President)