Canadian Muslims will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Al-Rashid Mosque in Fort Edmonton Park, Canada's largest historical museum, in May 2012. Highlights will be on the leadership role of Muslim women in the historic events about the mosque.
Fifty years after they were on the front lines of completing construction of Canada's first mosque in 1938, Muslim women took over a campaign to save it from demolition.
Their action surprised many because they not only succeeded in preserving the mosque as an irreplaceable part of the Islamic historical heritage in Canada, but also enshrined it in a history museum.
The Al-Rashid Mosque nearly collapsed after the new Islamic center was built in 1982. Attempts to raise money and find a new location for the old structure failed. Al-Rashid was set for demolition in 1988. The Muslim community at that time could only hope for a miracle.
For many people, including Canadians of various other religions, the loss of the oldest mosque which became a historical building in Canada is unthinkable.
Al-Rashid is more than just a place of worship. He also describes the history of struggle and integration of the early Muslim population in Canada.
To save the mosque, 12 Muslim women founded the Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) organization in 1982. Led by Lila Fahlman and Razia Jaffer, the founders and president, CCMW campaigned among Muslim women to try to save mosques.
Thanks to their struggle, in 1992 the Al-Rasyid Mosque was repaired by maintaining the authenticity of the building as it was in 1938. The mosque was then opened to the public. Today, the mosque is a living legacy for all Canadians. (Mel / Arabnews.com / ddhongkong.org). *
