New Erin mosque reflects need for mosques in rural Wellington County

The first mosque in Erin reflects a growing Muslim population and need for mosques in rural Wellington County. 

The first mosque in Erin reflects a growing Muslim population and need for mosques in rural Wellington County. 

Formerly the Erin Village Alliance Church, the new mosque and community centre officially opened its doors April 14 after the heritage building was purchased March 21 this year.

Resident of Brampton, business owner in Erin and now president of the mosque, Kashif Ali says he purchased the mosque as an act of sadaqah jariyah – an ongoing charity in Islam that continues to provide benefit to the community long after an individual passes away – as a tribute to his mom who passed away a year ago.

“So I dedicated it to my mom whose name was Qamar, and I decided to give her name to this location,” says Ali who named the mosque Dar Ul Qamar.

“We figured out there is no mosque till far away. Nothing in Rockwood, Georgetown, Orangeville, Fergus, Arthur, Hillsburgh, there are no mosques,” says Ali.

He says he realized he made a good decision by purchasing the mosque when he saw people visiting from neighbouring towns and saw a surge of worshippers in the month of Ramadan at the beginning of May. 

Ali says the mosque offers prayer services and education services for kids and adults for the community. He also encourages community members to come into the mosque to learn about Islam.