Canada: New Islamic center planned in Moncton to serve growing Muslim community

In response to the growing needs of the Muslim population, plans are underway to build a new mosque and Islamic center in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. The project, led by the Peace Social Center initiative, aims to provide adequate space and services for the city’s expanding Muslim community.

Organizer Ibrahim Najm noted that existing mosques—Yusuf Mosque, Moncton Mosque, and Hassanein Kareem Mosque—are no longer able to accommodate Friday prayer crowds, often forcing worshippers to pray outside or in multiple shifts.

New Muslim convert Ewan (Yahya) Briggs echoed this concern, stressing the lack of space during major gatherings. Census data shows Moncton’s Muslim population grew from 835 in 2011 to 3,515 in 2021, while the provincial Muslim population rose from 2,640 to 9,190 in the same period.

The planned center will include a mosque, gym, business hub, and Arabic school for children, offering comprehensive religious, educational, and social services.