Help your sisters establish one of the first Islamic Institutes in Mauritania solely dedicated to the education of women and children. 

In an effort to preserve centuries-old methods of Islamic education in a building that utilizes modern Eco-friendly techniques in its construction, to accommodate and support an oft-forgotten pillar of society. 

As of writing, the superstructure is completed including the roof and now we need additional funds to complete the building.

So they cried, “Where are the female scholars?” And she answered modestly, “There’s a few in the Sahara.”

Living in Matamoulana, a ‘village of learning’ in the south east of the country, I’ve been privileged to witness women of all ages studying under harsh desert conditions.  In the madhara system, they begin by memorising the Quran, followed by the Islamic sciences, mainly taught in the form of poetry.  All these texts (mutoon) are memorised and are taught free of charge to anyone willing to learn. 

“Where else have you heard about people memorising books of Tafsir?”

Women are also memorising traditional poetry in Nahw, Fiqh, Tajweed, Sirah, Balagha, and Hadith such as the Alfiyya Ibn Malik, Qurratul Absaar, Qasidatul Burdah, Ajarru Miyya, and the Ibn Jazairy. 

These are only some examples of the extraordinary students of Markaz Al-Umm wa al-Tifl (The Centre for the Mother and Child).  Who all need a clean, comfortable space to continue their pursuit of knowledge. 

“Where can we find them?” inquired the astonished eyes. “Head southeast (in Mauritania) until you arrive at a patch of green,” came the reply. 

With the support of the South African NGO, The Gift of the Givers Foundation, we undertook an effort to provide them with a sacred space that will enable them to continue this unique religious and cultural legacy. The Eco-Mahdhara is being built in Matamoulana in Mauritania. This city is famous for its emphasis on education and on Tarbiyya (nurturing a student to utilize and live with their knowledge) 

We started building in December last year.  While the Centre has been in existence since 2004, this new development marks the establishment of one of the first traditional Mahdhara in Mauritania dedicated to the education of women and children. 

We were determined to incorporate eco-friendly, sustainable practices into the construction of the centre. Especially in the areas of building design, building materials and water and energy efficiencies and by the grace of Allah ﷻ, we can proudly call this green building an Eco-Mahdhara.

Where will your money go?

We’re in the final building phase of this project.  While the super-structure including the roof has been completed, Alhamdulillah, we now need funding to complete the building including the plastering, tiling, plumbing, toilets, installation of doors and windows, painting, electrical work and gardening.

Please note that Mauritania is an expensive country where everything requires importing.  The transport costs are significant as the material needs to be sent from the capital to the village which is five hours away in the desert. 

How you can help

1. Make duah

2. Donate generously

3. Spread the word

If you have any questions: 

Call or Whatsapp us: +222 4196 4076 

Send us a message on Facebook: facebook.com/ecomahdhara

Or email us at: hajierah@gmail.com

For more information, visit our website  www.ecomahdhara.com

“Will my prayers be answered?” they asked hopefully.

“Remember the story of Sayyida Maryam and seek out the Sacred Spaces Of Women.”

فَتَقَبَّلَهَا رَبُّهَا بِقَبُولٍ حَسَنٍ وَأَنبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنًاوَكَفَّلَهَا زَكَرِيَّا ۖ كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَرِيَّا الْمِحْرَابَوَجَدَ عِندَهَا رِزْقًا ۖ قَالَ يَا مَرْيَمُ أَنَّىٰ لَكِ هَٰذَا ۖ قَالَتْ هُوَمِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَاءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

So her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner and put her in the care of Zechariah. Every time Zechariah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, "O Mary, from where is this [coming] to you?" She said, "It is from Allah. Indeed, Allah provides for whom He wills without account."

هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُ ۖ

 قَالَ رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنلَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ

There, Zechariah called upon his Lord, saying, "My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication."

(Surah Ali Imran; Verses 38-39)

In the tafsir of this verse (39), the People of Allah point out that the place where women worship and study is a place for acceptance of duas.   (هنالك) “There” in verse 39 refers to the mihraab of Sayyida Maryam, or her place of worship.  Zakaria (عليه السلام ) prayed there and his duas were accepted.

Verily Allahﷻ knows best, may He accept your intentions, your duahs and your contributions and may He grant us all success in this life and the hereafter, Ameen.