The Winnipeg Central Mosque’s (WCM) journey

Friday Sermon at WCM. Courtesy: WCM

By: Ismael Mukhtar
The first ever mosque in Manitoba was established in Winnipeg in 1976 on 247 Hazelwood. The mosque served as the only mosque for Muslims of Winnipeg for two decades. The location of the Hazelwood mosque was on the southern end of the city and was somewhat far away from downtown. Commuting to the Hazelwood mosque for Friday (jumma) prayer and other was challenging for downtowners. The Muslim Student Association at  the University of Winnipeg had a temporary prayer room that provided an alternative. 

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This alternative, however, was only available during school year; it was not available in the summer. Various efforts were made to find another alternative, such as approaching the International Center and similar institution in downtown. In early 90s a place owned by a Muslim businessman became available on Ellice Avenue. The place served as a permanent Jumma prayer location for about a year and ceased to be available after wards. Around this time a small building was purchased by the Pakistani Association on Ross Avenue. The place remained empty most of the time. The President of the Pakistani Association at that time, Iqbal Khan, agreed to make the place available for jumma and regular prayers. The place was in dire need of repair and renovation. However, since there was no other alternative, the place  was permanently used for Jumma. As the attendance grew, the renovation of the place became of paramount importance.  A fundraising effort lead by Dr. Ahmed Al-Saghier – a Saudi medical student- was initiated. Within a short period of time, close to $30,000 was collected. The place was soundly renovated. A committee, jointly appointed by Manitoba Islamic Association (MIA) and the Pakistani Association was assigned the management of the place. The place became a source of attraction for downtowners. After few years, it was running out of capacity and  neighbours were complaining of parking jams. Compalints were made to the City, the place was closed pending hearing; but with the intervention of one of our community’s elders, Br. Abdu El-Tasee, the parking issue was resolved, the place was reopened. The growth in attendance kept  on increasing; the need for a larger space was becoming clearly evident.
One of the regular attendees and khateebs of the Ross Pakistani Association Center was one of our community’s elders, Dr. Mujeeb Rahman. Seeing the need for a greater space, Dr. Mujeeb, along with some others, took the initiative of searching for a larger space in downtown. After some search a space previously used by a closed restaurant was available for sale. An offer was made and was accepted; the place was purchased. Buying the place wasn’t easy. There were a number of objections. Some of the objections focused on the fact that the Waverley mosque was under construction and  another undertaking in downtown would negatively  impact the fundraising efforts to compete the Waverley project. Other objections included the fact that the project wasn’t under the auspices of MIA Executive. Despite all the objections and lack of full-fledged support, Dr. Mujeeb was fully determined to see the project to its end.
When I first saw the building after purchase, I was shocked how much in bad shape the interior of the building was. Furthermore, I felt the place was far too big. I was even wondering if the right choice was made in acquiring this building. It took months of cleaning, scrapping, renovation, and hard  work to make the place usable. Weekend after weekend, volunteers led by the whole family of Dr. Mujeeb worked relentlessly to meet their target opening date of first Jumma in Ramadan. By the grace of Allah, the place was opened as planned in the first Jummah of Ramadan 2004.  Having seen how in bad shape the building was when it was purchased and how beautiful it looked when it officially opened, my sense of appreciation for Dr. Mujeeb’s family and all volunteers was huge. I was honoured to lead the first Jummah prayer at WCM. The place was half full. Over the years the attendance kept on growing, to the extent of running over capacity within few years.
The WCM has served the whole community and particularly the downtowners very well. New immigrants, who mostly settle in downtown, found a convenient mosque at a walking distance. Similarly, people who work in downtown have found it very convenient place to come for Jummah. The WCM  has provided an avenue for newcomers to be connected to their new Muslim community and maintain their Islamic values and identity.
The WCM’s success stems, among others, from the fact that it was not a splinter project. It was a project created with the purpose of meeting a need of the community. The WCM  became an open place for all members of the community and has been effectively utilized for all sorts of activities and events. Even though, the WCM, was not formally under MIA governorship structure, it adopted a policy of cooperation and working together with MIA and all other local institutions; thus, enhancing the community’s unity and capacity.
Having WCM was a great blessing from Allah. It wouldn’t have come true if it was not for Allah will first and next to the vision, the will, the determination, and hard work of our esteemed elder Dr. Mujeeb, may Allah bless him, his family and all those who made great contribution to our community.
 
(Reproduced from Manitoba Muslim Magazine, 2014)