LIMA (PERU): Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, together with the Malaysian delegation and representatives from the Malaysian Embassy in Peru, had the opportunity to engage with the Muslim community during Friday prayers at the Magdalena Del Mar Mosque here.
Fadillah said that besides strengthening ukhuwah (brotherhood) among the ummah, the visit reflects Malaysia's commitment to supporting the dakwah efforts of the Muslim community in Peru and, more broadly, South America.
During the visit, he met with Lima Islamic Association president Murad Hamide and discussed Malaysia's potential role in assisting the Muslim community in Peru.
"The mosque's representatives also expressed their interest in collaborating with Malaysia to enhance knowledge, understanding and mastery of Islam... particularly in their efforts to establish an international Islamic school and implement halal standards and certification, which will benefit the Muslim community and local businesses in Peru," he told reporters here.
Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, also presented a waqf donation of Quran translations in Spanish and Latin to the mosque.
He said the Muslim community in Peru appreciated the donation, which would assist them in translating the Quran, thus facilitating the understanding and teaching of Islam to the Peruvian people.
Peru has an estimated population of around 34 million, with approximately 5,000 Muslims.
The Muslim community in Peru is largely composed of immigrants from countries such as Lebanon and Palestine, with a small number of native Peruvians who have embraced Islam.
Fadillah is on a visit to Peru to attend the Energy Ministers' Meeting under the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), which was held over two days from Aug 15 to 16.