Dome and minaret
In the style of the Middle East.
Mesquita Brasil is the oldest mosque in Brazil and one of the oldest in South America, in the Cambuci district near central São Paulo. Its story begins in 1927, when Palestinian immigrants founded a Muslim charitable society; Syrians and Lebanese joined, and in 1929 it became the Muslim Beneficent Society of São Paulo, praying in rented rooms until it bought land on Avenida do Estado in 1938. Building began in 1940 and took many years, funded by the community, until the mosque was officially inaugurated in 1960 in the presence of Arab and Brazilian officials, among them the deputy foreign minister of the United Arab Republic. With its dome and minaret it carries the style of the mosques of the Middle East, and it remains a centre of Muslim life in the city. The five daily prayers and Friday prayer are held here; lunch is served for a small charge after Friday prayer, and the society runs Arabic and religious classes. Visitors are welcome outside prayer times in modest dress. São Paulo is the easiest city in Brazil for halal food, so ask at the mosque for the nearest places.
In the style of the Middle East.
And the community lunch.
Palestinians, Syrians, Lebanese.
Avenida do Estado 5382, Cambuci
At Mesquita Brasil in Cambuci, Avenida do Estado 5382, Brazil's oldest mosque, where lunch is served for a small charge after the prayer. The city has other mosques in its Arab neighbourhoods too.
