Titi Tijani expressed immense joy as she witnessed the inauguration of the inaugural mosque constructed by Winnipeg’s Nigerian Muslim community, referring to it as the realization of a long-held aspiration.
She joined a large crowd at the official unveiling of the new mosque and community center located at 500 Dovercourt Dr. in Winnipeg’s Whyte Ridge neighborhood on a Saturday morning.
Named Al-Haqq Masjid, it stands as the pioneer mosque in Manitoba established by and for the Nigerian Muslim populace, with “Al-Haqq” translating to “truth” in Arabic.
Funded entirely by community contributions, the mosque was made possible through the efforts of the Al-Haqq Prayer Group of Canada Inc. based in Winnipeg.
Tijani recalled the modest beginnings of the Nigerian Muslim community in Manitoba 37 years ago when they lacked a dedicated mosque. Together with fellow community members, she initiated a prayer group in her home to address this need.
The new mosque saw a full house of worshippers on its inauguration day, reflecting the substantial growth of the community in recent years.
Speaking on the community’s previous gathering place at the Manitoba Islamic Association building on Waverley Street, Tijani highlighted the significance of having their own mosque now.
She emphasized that while the mosque is a community asset open to all, it was proudly funded by the Nigerian Muslim community, marking a significant milestone for them.
The longstanding dream of Winnipeg’s Nigerian community to establish their mosque has materialized. Founding member and Imam, Yunusa Salami, shared the community’s jubilation over this significant achievement.
Tijani underlined the mosque’s inclusive stance, welcoming individuals of all faiths and backgrounds while offering educational programs and resources to promote understanding of Islam.
She predicted a rise in the number of mosques in Winnipeg as the Muslim population continues to grow in the city and province.
“Given the increasing Muslim population in Manitoba, the emergence of numerous mosques is essential for the whole community and Winnipeg as a whole,” she remarked.
The Al-Haqq Prayer Group of Canada officials revealed that the fundraising target of $1.5 million set for the mosque’s construction was met solely through community donations.
Imam Yunusa Salami, overseeing the new mosque, highlighted