Al-Rashid Mosque facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Al-Rashid Mosque |
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French: Mosquée Al-Rashid
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Sunni Islam |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Mosque |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Fort Edmonton Park, Edmonton, Alberta |
| Country | Canada |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Mosque |
| Architectural style | Eastern Orthodox |
| Completed |
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| Minaret(s) | 2 |
The Al-Rashid Mosque was the very first mosque ever built in Canada. It was first built in 1938 in the city of Edmonton, Alberta. Today, you can visit this historic building in Fort Edmonton Park, where it was moved in 1992. The mosque is an important place of worship for the Sunni Islam community.
Contents
The Story of Canada's First Mosque
The Al-Rashid Mosque was almost the first mosque in all of North America. It was finished in 1938, just after a mosque in Iowa, USA. Back then, Canada's entire Muslim population was only about 700 people.
A Community's Dream
A woman named Hilwie Hamdon was a key leader in the project. She spoke with Edmonton's mayor, John Fry, to get land for the mosque. To raise money, she and her friends asked for help from people of all faiths. Many Jewish, Christian, and Muslim people donated money to help build the mosque.
Building the Mosque
A Ukrainian-Canadian builder named Mike Drewoth constructed the mosque. He designed it to look like the churches built by Christian immigrants from Eastern Europe. This is why it has a unique style for a mosque.
The Al-Rashid Mosque officially opened on December 12, 1938. A respected scholar, Muhammad Abdul Aleem Siddiqi, was also very important in helping the mosque get started.
Moving to a New Home
In the 1940s, the mosque had to be moved from its original spot to make way for a new school. The building was moved a few blocks away.
By the 1980s, the Muslim community in Edmonton had grown much larger. The small mosque was no longer big enough, and the building was getting old. The city was even thinking about tearing it down to build a bigger hospital.
However, many people wanted to save the historic building. In 1991, a plan was made to move the mosque to Fort Edmonton Park, a large park that shows the city's history. The move cost $75,000. On May 28, 1992, the Al-Rashid Mosque reopened in the park, where it stands today for everyone to see.
See also
- Islam in Canada
- List of mosques in Canada
External links
