Al-Rashid Mosque facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Al-Rashid Mosque
Al Rashid Mosque in Fort Edmonton Park
Religion
Affiliation	Sunni Islam
Location
Location	Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Architecture
Architectural type	Mosque
Completed	1938
Dome(s)	2

The Al-Rashid Mosque (French: Mosquée Al-Rashid) was the first mosque built in Canada. It was constructed in Edmonton, Alberta. This special building has a rich history. It shows how different communities worked together.

Building Canada's First Mosque

Al-Rashid Mosque at its opening in 1938

The Al-Rashid Mosque opened in 1938. It was the first mosque ever built in Canada. At that time, about 700 Muslims lived in Canada.

Many people helped make this mosque a reality. A woman named Hilwie Hamdon was very important. She spoke with Edmonton Mayor John Fry. She wanted to buy land to build the mosque.

A Community Effort

Hilwie Hamdon and her friends worked hard. They collected money from many different people. Jews, Christians, and Muslims all gave funds. This showed how different faiths could come together.

A Ukrainian-Canadian builder named Mike Drewoth constructed the mosque. He built it in a style similar to local churches. The mosque officially opened its doors on December 12, 1938.

Moving the Mosque

The Al-Rashid Mosque has moved twice! In the 1940s, it was moved a few blocks away. This was done to make space for a school to expand.

By the 1980s, the Muslim community in Edmonton had grown a lot. The mosque became too small for everyone. It also started to show its age. The city thought about tearing it down to build a hospital.

However, in 1991, a different plan was made. It was decided to move the mosque to Fort Edmonton Park. This move cost $75,000. On May 28, 1992, the mosque reopened in the park. It became a historical landmark there.

Muhammad Abdul Aleem Siddiqi also played a key role in the mosque's early development.

See also

• List of mosques in Canada
• List of first mosques by country
• List of mosques in the Americas
• Lists of mosques