The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:

“Whoever builds a mosque intending Allah's pleasure, Allah would build for him a similar home in Paradise.”

We need to raise $1.4M NZD in order for us to be able to secure a place and provide an Islamic Centre for the community in one of the world’s most expensive property market. If we do not raise the money we will lose the opportunity to buy the house we have been searching for for years.

The Problem

Did you know that there is no mosque in Queenstown?

Queenstown is arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Surrounded by majestic mountains and set on the shores of crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu, the natural beauty and the unique energy of the region creates the perfect backdrop all year long.

Receiving close to 3 Million visitors from across the globe annually, this gem of New Zealand is a mecca for travelers who’re looking for a holiday full of adventure, discovery, and rejuvenation. But for Ahmad and 29 other Muslim families, Queenstown is more than that, this little paradise is also a place they call home. Sounds perfect right? Not quite. It’s missing a crucial thing; a mosque and an Islamic & Community Centre.

Since its establishment over ten years ago, our growing Muslim community of 100+ people here in Queenstown has had no proper place to hold our Friday prayers. Members have been fortunate to rent a hall from St. Peter’s church for Friday prayers but as our community grows we need a permanent place for worship as the hall is not always available.

Just imagine for a moment what your daily/weekly life would be without your local masjid. Even if you have to drive a little to get there, it’s pretty important, isn’t it?

Got someone that wants to learn about Islam? Send them to the masjid. Have a charity to distribute? Give it to the masjid to dole out to those most in need. Want to break your fast with your brothers and sisters, and pray into the night with Taraweeh? You probably have several locations from which to choose. But that's not the case for the Muslim citizens of Queenstown, for the closest masjid is over three hours’ drive away. Sure, we can rent space, but we don't have exclusive rights to it sometimes we are forced to pray Taraweeh in our homes, we may even not be able to pray Jummah.

Besides, the recent attacks against Muslims in Christchurch shocked the world. Changes were immediately made in government for gun control. Grief, despair, then love poured out to and from New Zealanders a few months ago, and now many and many people who are in New Zealand are interested in Islam, as well as some of the 3 million tourists who visit Queenstown every year, these people need someone to guide them to learn about Islam, provide information and materials for them to explore Islam, so they may hopefully embrace our deen, but how and where?

From there comes the idea of establishing the Queenstown Islamic Centre. A place to unite Muslims of Queenstown and be a hub for educating Non-Muslim Queenstown visitors about Islam.

How can you help?

You can help in several ways: