The Beneficent Muslim Society

of Rio de Jandeiro

The Beneficent Muslim Society (Sociedade Beneficente Muculmana) was founded in 1951 and it is installed in two rooms and a total area of 40 square meters, in the downtown of Rio de Janeiro City. In 1993, a group of young Muslims with different origins began to work at this institution management. Some of them were ex-student of Islamic Universities who had started to divulge Islam through seminars, lectures and courses about the introduction of Islam and Arabic language. Beneficent Muslim Society had elaborated a program of work, which principles are stated in a coherent way on the Message revealed of Quran, on the Sunnah confirmed by the prophet Mohammad and the Islamic Jurisprudence. A methodology was developed to attend the need of comprehension of those who are non-speakers of Arabic language. As a result we have a crescent number of Brazilian people who embrace Islam. Today the majority of brothers and sisters who compose this society are native Brazilian people. It’s recognized by the International Islamic League; The Awkaf Ministry and Religious Issues from Kuwait; The Ministry of Awkaf and Religious Issues from Qatar, being mentioned by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and UAE Embassies and by The general Consulate of Arab Republic of Egypt in Rio de Janeiro. This Society was declared as public Utility through the law 3.765 on June 3^rd, 2004. It includes these departments: Education Department, Social and Assistance Department, Financial and Women Department.

Its purposes are:

Divulge Islam using all available modern way.
Working in union and integration benefit among Muslims, beyond defending Islam in communication channels.
Rescue the true History of Islam and Muslims in Brazil.
Contribute to solve the problems of Brazilian society through Islamic orientation.
Working to get better conditions of life to Muslims.
Helping organizations which work to divulge Islam inside and outside Brazil.
Translate, print and distribute Islamic books in Portuguese language.

Its religious activities:

The fulfillment of prayers and Tarawih prayers during Ramadan month; congregational breaking fast; distribution of food and money collected of Zakat, Zakat ul Fitr and of charity to needy Muslims; helping needy Muslims families with money and food; fulfill wedding ceremonies; taking care of burial, etc. The Education Department promotes courses about Islam and Arabic language, special care to new Muslims, meeting to young Muslims, courses to memorize Quran.

The Outdoor Activities are:

Courses about Islamic History and about the presence and the trajectory of Muslims in Brazil. A lot of activities happen at universities and schools, as The Week of Islamic Culture, lectures about diverse issues related to religion and social sciences, meeting in inter-religious dialogs and also in commission at government level.