History
It was in the late eighteenth century when there was only a handful of muslims at Camp Fouquereaux.The then most respected person of the locality ,Joomun Peerally,invited muslims from other areas to live at Camp Fouquereaux in order to consolidate the muslim community.As he was the owner of many plots of lands throughout the island he also provided the new and existing inhabitants with employment and accomodation facilities.During this period a lot of attention was given to the dissemination of islamic knowledge and much of the work was performed at his residence.Later on his sons took over the responsibility .
The then leading person was Hajee Abdool Cassam Peerally .He continued the good works started by his father and his services to the inhabitants are marked in the history of our village.He helped the inhabitants with employment, donations ,and accomodation facilities in time of need.Prayers in congregation,Majlis,and other social gatherings took place in his own house.The old and elders still remember that era when we all lined up in queue to receive gifts from this great personality on special occasions.
During the period of time His Eminence Mawlanah Shah Abdool Aleem Siddiqui(ra) visited the island.As all the muslims of the island ,the inhabitants of Camp Fouquereaux were also participating in the saint's enlightening discourses . Consequently,many of our old people ,some are still living while others have left us(may Allah forgives their sins and afford them with all the comforts of the 'Qabr'-Ameen),are the sworn disciples of His Eminence.
As time passed by the muslim community at Camp Fouquereaux,St Antoine, Hermitage,and Belle Rive grew larger.It was during this time that two families offered a plot of land for the construction of a madrassah.May Allah bless the Beelut and Hossensaib family for the good deeds of their forefathers and give them the best in the life hereafter-Ameen.This was in the year 1950's and the madrassah was built up with straw .
All religious and social activities were organised in this Madrassah.It was only after a violent cyclone 'Carol' that the madrassh was reconstructed in wood in year 1960's.In 1963 the madrassah was visited by His Eminence Mawlanah Shah Ahmad Noorani Siddiqui(ra) and a memorable event took place .Hajee Abdool Hamid Peerally relates this as below:
'When the Mawlanah Saheb stood up and was about to leave,Hajee Abbas Beelut requested His Eminence to pray that the Madrassah be converted into a masjid one day.The Mawlanah Saheb smiled and in his standing posture raised his hand and prayed Allah for its realisation.'
In the late 1970's the then members of Al Madinah Society ,under the president-ship of Hajee Ali Beelut, reconstructed the madrassah into a one-storey building from donations and help of volunteers.In the early 1980's ,the need for a masjid was deeply felt.Advice was sought from the learned on this issue and in year 1984 the eaxisting building was renovated to serve the purpose of Al Madinah masjid.
By the 1990's many of the founders grew old and some even left us but the work was continued by the new generation.Many of the existing operations were consolidated to suit the new era.Upto year 2003 the only assets of this society comprise the one storey building in 3 perches of land.It was too small an area to carry out our social and religious functions.
By the grace of Allah and his prophet(S.A.W) an opportunity appeared to address this issue in year 2004.The land opposite to the Al Madinah Masjid was being sold.The committee members ,under the presidentship of Mamad Beelut and Abedeen Soogund ,left no rocks unturn to collect 1.2 million rupees in just 3 months time to acquire the 25 perches of land and its building.The Al Madinah society expresses its sincere gratitude to the former owner of this land,Late Brother Idriss Ackbarally .When he was informed that the Al Madinah society wished for this land ,he himself reduced the original price from 1.8 to 1.2 million rupees and gave us the required time limit (may Allah forgives his sins and grant him the best in the next world.-Ameen)
With such a valuable asset in hand the Al Madinah Society came forward with a project under the name of Al Madinah Educational and welfare Centre.This is a concept of Hazrat Mawlana Shameem Ashraf Azhari Saheb.The commitee members ,under the presidentship of Muhammad Ali Hossenboccus,worked on it.In year 2005 the project was initialised from the blessed hands of Hazrat Mawlanah Shameem Saheb and in year 2006 the inauguration of Al Madinah Kids got his blessings.
The foundation stone was laid by Hazrat Mawlana Shameem Ashraf Azhari Saheb in July 2007 and ,all praise be to Allah,on 14th March 2008 the first inauguration of the building ,Al Madinah Educational and Welfare Centre,was done by the Chief Patron of Halquae Quadria Ishaate Islaam,Hazrat Mawlanah Muhammad Anaas Siddiqui.This is a memorable event and it has marked the history of our village.
Besides being a religious organisation it takes a lot of interest in social and educational activities under its educational and welfare profile.
Consequently we aim to organise educational programs ,sports activities ,and outings at least once in a year with a view to regroup all of us in the neighbouring regions.
