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Northern British Columbia in Canada Gets its 1st Mosque

islamtoday

Published On: 15/10/2011 A.D. - 17/11/1432 H. Visited: 16458 times

The first mosque in the vast northern region of Canada's British Columbia opened in the city of Prince George.

Two years after ground was broken, at a formal reception, the Muslim community community welcomed family, friends and guests from across the country to the new 7,000 square foot prayer and multi-purpose cultural space.

"This beautiful center is a dream come true. It was a dream for our community for more than 15 years," said Dr. Mostafa Mohamed, president of the Prince George chapter of the British Columbia Muslim Association (BCMA).

"Our mosque is a symbol of light, perfectly located at the Foothills site," said opening ceremonies emcee Jamil Akhtar in a recurring refrain.

Prince George, with a population of 71,030 (census agglomeration of 83,225) is the largest city in northern British Columbia, and is known as "BC's Northern Capital".

The new mosque, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Foothills Boulevard, was designed by architect Sharif Senbel, who said he didn't let the fact it was the north's first mosque influence his work.

"I was just hoping to make a beautiful building, wherever it is," said Senbel, whose work on the Prince George building marks his fifth mosque design.

With a steadily growing Muslim population in the area, a focal point for the community was becoming a greater necessity.

In a post-9/11 society, Islam is the most misunderstood religion, said BCMA president Sikander Khan, who traveled from Vancouver for the opening.

Not only is a mosque a place of prayer for Muslims, but it is also a space for learning and education for Muslims and non-Muslims alike - a place to share experiences and cultures and to promote the faith and the faithful's activities.

The community needs to see its neighbors practicing Islam to be a correct representation of the religion, said Islamic scholar Mufti Aasim Rashid.

"When we establish a house of Allah, when we establish a mosque, it's a very auspicious occasion," Rashid said. "But this is the beginning, where the journey starts. It's not about erecting a building... it's about the purpose behind it." Part of that purpose will be to unite people of different faiths into one functioning society.

"Where our political leaders have failed, we as religious leaders can succeed in bringing people together," Khan said.

That spirit of sharing and collaboration has been evident in Prince George for years, reflected in the thanks and well wishes to various community partners.

Established in 1995, the Prince George BCMA held congregational prayers in classrooms at the local post-secondary institutions, rented motel rooms and finally weekly classes were held in rooms provided by the Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society. Friday prayers were also offered in space rented from Knox United Church.

Built from local wood, the mosque has received overwhelming support from the broader community.

Local residents helped raise more than $1 million for construction costs.

They even got a helping hand from a seven-year-old girl who asked her party guests to bring donations for the mosque instead of gifts for her.

"A girl came that evening after the birthday party here and made the contribution," Mansour said.

"And we were extremely happy to see the involvement. It is an important sign to show how the community at large is supportive. If the parents weren't supportive, the kids would not be supportive."

Mansour said Prince George residents have warmly welcomed the mosque.

"It's definitely one of the misperceptions of many immigrants, that smaller communities are not welcoming as the larger urban communities."

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