A Saudi philanthropist, known only as Abu Hashim, has donated 5.5 million krona for a mosque in the Swedish city of Eskilstuna.
The generous donation has helped the mosque from being auctioned.
The mosque was to be auctioned on April 15 because it was running into a debt of 750,000 krona.
The new management of the mosque expressed sincere appreciation to the Saudi philanthropist for his efforts as well as the role of the Saudi community in Sweden in supporting Islam and the Muslim community in Sweden.
Sheikh Abdul Haq Kellan, one of the early Muslims who converted to Islam, had previously issued an urgent appeal to communities in Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states, and the Muslim world to donate funds in order to halt the sale of the first mosque in Sweden.
“A total of 335,000 krona is needed for immediate payment in order to stop the sale of the mosque,” said Kellan in his public appeal.
The mosque is part of the Swedish Islamic Center which consists of Al-Manara College for Qur’an Memorization, Family Association of Muslims and Eskilstuna Council of Imams.
Thanks to the generosity of Abu Hashim, the auction has now been called off.
Saudi philanthropist saves mosque from going on the block
Saudi philanthropist saves mosque from going on the block
Najran farmers find sugarcane cultivation viable, promising lucrative economic returns
- Mountain regions in Najran have a temperate climate and abundant water resources, suitable for sugarcane production
NAJRAN: Farmers in Saudi Arabia’s southwestern region of Najran are finding that sugarcane production is a viable enterprise, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
One farmer, Ibrahim Shakwan, confirmed to SPA the success of his 7.3-hectare sugarcane farm and noted “growing regional interest due to its high productivity and lucrative economic returns.”
Najran was chosen as a trial area for sugarcane production owing to the temperate climate, diverse soils, and abundant water resources in its mountainous parts. The experiment is in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which calls for enhancing food security and self-sufficiency.
Other regions in the Kingdom’s southwest, such as Jazan, Asir and Baha, have features similar to Najran.
Sugarcane is easily propagated via cuttings that yield a high number of plantable segments. Planting occurs primarily in the summer, although seedlings can be planted year round.
Effective cultivation methods include selecting disease-resistant varieties, proper soil preparation, and balanced irrigation and fertilization, according to the report.
The crop is harvested about eight months after planting, with fertilization ending three months before and irrigation ceasing 20 days prior to harvest to boost sugar concentration and improve juice quality, which is rich in natural sugars, vitamins, and minerals.
Several countries in the Middle East have long been growing sugarcane, with Egypt and Iran the key producers.
Botanists believe sugarcane was first cultivated 10,000 years ago in what is now New Guinea in the southwest Pacific Ocean, where the environment is humid, according to an article titled Sugar Please published in the Aramcoworld magazine in 2012.
