By Michel Outridge

THE Hujjatul Ulama Masjid, an Institute of Higher Islamic Education, is an impressive structure that sits just off the public road at #74 Village, Lower Corentyne, Berbice.
This beautiful, circular, two-flat mosque doubles as an Islamic Boarding School for youngsters of the faith.
Faraz Khan, who oversees the smooth operation of the masjid and school, told the Pepperpot Magazine that after considerable research, which included analysing various designs of masjids, construction of the building commenced in 2010.

Faraz noted that he and his brother Ramzan Khan decided to draft the design together, so that it would be a unique structure.
“When we constructed this masjid we didn’t want to copy any designs of other mosques, so we looked through many other designs of such buildings of international standards and we got an idea of how we wanted this masjid to be built,” he said.

Khan disclosed that the designs inside and outside were intricately done with tiled walls in the interior and plush rugs on the floor, which was imported from Turkey.
He related that the masjid has two flats, upstairs for women outfitted with modern washroom facilities and the lower flat, used by men.
At any given time, the masjid can accommodate 500 worshippers, but restrictions due to COVID-19 have resulted in far fewer attending.

Khan added that the place of worship also has its regular feeding and outreach programmes, which targets less fortunate members of the community, especially needy children.
He explained that the Islamic School is their focus and it is a full-time boarding facility for children from broken homes.
The school was established in 1999 and they admit children from age 12. Along with an Islamic education, it also provides all basic necessities such as clothing, food and stationery to go with a weekly stipend.
The youngsters have all-day classes that go way up to 21:00hrs.
Students are allowed to go home at least three times per year, during Easter, Christmas and Ramadan breaks.
Presently, the Islamic Boarding School has 15 students, but it has the capacity to house 100 at any given time.

SELF-SUFFICIENT

Khan revealed that school funds are garnered from a 15-acre farm of coconuts, cash crops and fruits, which the Masjid sells to wholesalers and the markets.
Meanwhile, teacher Taahir Haniff told the Pepperpot Magazine that the non-profit Muslim organisation teaches jurisprudence and Islamic law for students who have reached puberty.
He pointed out that it is a full-time, six-year course and after completion, the student is awarded a degree in Islamic Law and Jurisprudence, which is internationally recognised.
The 22-year-old related that he was a student of the school and took up the role of a teacher as his way of giving back.