30 Masjids 🟩

When planning 30 Masjids CANADA earlier this year, it was always a personal priority to make it to Prince George and pray Jumah-tul-Widah, the Final Friday Prayer in Ramadan.

I was last here in 2004. In visiting friends who were studying at the Newish University of Northern British Columbia, I found myself alone without any Muslim Community to speak of.

Looking through the Phone Book, something people did back then, I only found a single Muslim sounding name, yet was unable to make a connection.

For the one Friday I was here back then, I prayed Dhuhr. I can’t say for sure, but knowing myself, it’s likely I prayed that one day, there would in fact be a Masjid in Prince George, and along with that, a local Muslim Community to go with it.

Alhumdulillah, in the time since, 12 years later, here I am attending not only a regular Congregational Friday Prayer, Jumah, but Jumah-tul-Widah, the last Friday Prayer of Ramadan 2016.

After Jumah, I await my turn and am able to introduce myself to the Iman, Sheikh Muhammad, and Chairperson, Mostafa Mohammad.

I learn there may be 500 Muslims living in and around Prince George today.

Prince George Islamic Centre is the only Masjid for 600 miles in any direction. Masjids in Edmonton and Kelowna, both effectively remain a day’s drive away.

Now, they are even four or five families from “away” that attend Jumah regularly here since Prince George got its Masjid. “Away” being Quesnel, about 2 hours driving distance.

I have more questions, but learning these first few facts are enough for now. The rest can wait until after Iftar tonight.

After Jumah, boys play soccer while parents catch up with one another…