Airdrie’s Muslim community celebrates new mosque site

After years of praying in local churches and rented spaces, Airdrie’s Muslim community finally has a place of its own.

After years of praying in local churches and rented spaces, Airdrie’s Muslim community finally has a place of its own.

The community now owns a lot and two buildings where it plans to build a brand new mosque that will serve the city’s growing Muslim population.

The two older buildings are currently being renovated and will be used in the short-term before a new mosque is built. One is a small mosque where men, women and children can pray. The other, which was the first mayor of Airdrie’s home, is currently being used as an Islamic education centre for kids and a meeting place.

The buildings will eventually be demolished and replaced by a new mosque, complete with a dome and minaret.

“For the Muslim community of Airdrie it’s something historic, even for the city of Airdrie it’s historic,” said Syed Soharwardy with the Al-Madinah Calgary Islamic Assembly, the organization behind the Airdrie mosque.

Members of the community say the new mosque will be welcoming and much more than a place of worship.

“We are trying to bring the community together. It’s like a cultural hub for us, with potlucks and parties,” said Mona Shehzad.

“We are not only Muslims here but we are trying to be good Canadians also and we want to practice the good values and transfer those good values to our next generation,” said Shehzad.