Al-Rashid Mosque Unites Canadian Muslims
The survey shows the Muslim population is more than one million out of a total population of 33 million. This figure has nearly doubled for the third consecutive decade.
Canada's Statistics Agency predicts that in 2017 the Muslim population will increase by 160 percent. The majority of Canadian Muslims work in trade and services. Other areas of work that Muslims commonly do are business, finance, administration and management.
The large Muslim population certainly has an impact on the increasing need for places of worship. Similar to their brothers in America, Canadian Muslims have built many mosques or prayer rooms in unused places or buildings. This includes the church.
In Edmonton, the presence of the Al-Rashid Mosque has led to the rapid development of Islamic preaching in this country rich in natural products. The building does not resemble a mosque in general. This is because the Al-Rashid Mosque was formerly a church.
The Muslims there bought the church because of the urgent need for a representative place of worship. Happily, the takeover of the church was peaceful. Indeed, there was controversy about it.
The problem is that the building is not a former church. But the status of the building is considered historic. However, the Muslim community is committed to preserving the building so that there is no change in shape. The only difference is the prayer mat and the symbols of the moon and stars.
For the first time to Edmonton, it may be fooled. They thought the building was a church. But it is an advantage for the Muslim community. The visitors were finally interested in finding out information about Islam and Muslims.
The shape is rectangular, with two domed towers at the front. The main building material is brown brick. Going inside, there are no more benches but old Middle Eastern rugs. This is the specialty of the Al-Rasyid Mosque.
This mosque seems to show an expression of blending identity, the integration of local landscapes with a thick Islamic culture. Understandably, Canada's first Muslim settlers generally came from Syria and Lebanon.
"They are starting a new beginning but do not put local culture aside. This cultural element is maintained, "said Daood Hamdanio, author of the book Al Rasyid, as reported onislam.net, Wednesday (26/3). As an example, he said, male and female congregations were not separated. However, the order of the rows did not change. The female congregation remains behind the men.
Daood revealed that the preaching beat was increasingly alive with the leadership of two priests. Imam Nejib Ailley is a second generation Canadian Muslim. He was accompanied by Imam Abd Al-Ati who is from Egypt. The synergy between the two makes the preaching of Islam at the Al-Rasyid Mosque more harmonious and understands the development of the Muslim community in the West. (ONISLAM / ROL)