Edmonton has been home to Muslim citizens since the beginning of the 20th century and, in 1931, the Census of Canada registered 645 Muslim residents. In the early days, there was nowhere for Muslims to celebrate their faith and strengthen their culture.
Al-Rashid Mosque, constructed in 1938, was North America's first mosque (or maybe not; some suggest there was an earlier mosque established in Cedar Rapids, Iowa). Originally located at 101 Street and 108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, it was moved a few blocks in 1946.
The dedication ceremony was conducted by Allamah Abdallah Yusef Ali, a renowned Pakistani translator of the Qur’an. Speakers included Mayor of Edmonton John Fry and I.F. Shaker, a Christian Arab and mayor of the town of Hanna.
"This could not have happened in some lands,” Mayor Fry told the gathering. “It is significant that people of many faiths are sitting friendly together."
Th Al Rashid Mosque is now part of Fort Edmonton -- if you are in Edmonton it is well worth a trip.
2 comments:
why do you post stuff about these savages? all they want to do is take over the country!
how very interesting! I may have to travel to Edmonton for work in the near future and will be sure to check this out. Your blog is such an interesting collage of little-known facts!
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