You’ll easily find it at 4610 49 Avenue in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan :
“From HWY 16 go one block north on 49 Ave and it is located on the left. Lloydminster Islamic Centre is on the South of Post Office”
The Masjid is on a block that has as its neighbours: the town’s four-plex cinema, the Post Office on one side, the Native Friendship Centre as their other next door neighbour, and the Regional Municipal town hall a block away.
The building’s architectural design would stand out were it located in Toronto or even Vancouver.
According to those behind it, it’s the first of its kind in Canada — established specifically for Syrian refugees.
“They needed a place to pray that was convenient. Many of them don’t have cars or have other means of getting to the main Muslim Association of New Brunswick masjid over in Rothesay,” said Syed.
“It’s a bit scratchy but it does the job. It’s much appreciated, that location. It’s cozy, it’s small.”
It’s Friday Morning, Day 19 of Ramadan 2016 and I’ve arrived by bus in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I intend to attend Jumah Prayers in the City’s oldest masjid shortly.
Before Jumah, Evakatrina and I met inside the Main Branch of the Public Library, a short walk from the bus terminal.
Nearby are a couple of young brothers. One of them is Labbaik.
Originally from Toronto, Labbaik has lived in Regina since he was nine. Today, he’s 15.
Labbaik ended up in Regina, because his dad wanted to sponsor his uncle into Canada, and found it would be easier to do so from Saskatchewan, rather than from Toronto.
The familiy then moved from Ontario to Saskatchewan to take advantage of the generous Provincial sponsorship/nominee program at the time. It has since tightened up.
At 15, Labbaik has already memorized the entire Qur’an. Making him Hafiz of Qur’an.
( InshAllah, I’ll be updating numerous recent days’ posts, like this one here, that have only embedded tweets, with full stories and reports as soon as I find good wifi! InshAllah.)
Comments Off on CANADA | Day 17 – VIDEO: Canada’s Masjid “Qiblatain” – 247 Hazelwood Avenue – Winnipeg, Manitoba
In Madinah, there is the original Masjid Qiblatain. The original Qiblah, or direction during prayer, was towards the Dome of The Rock in Jerusalem.
The Prophet Muhammad, Upon Whom be Peace, recieved Revelation that the Qiblah would change from facing North-West and Jerusalem to South, and facing the Kaabah in Makkah.
Winnipeg’s first and oldest masjid, at 247 Hazelwood Avenue in the St. Vital neighbourhood was constructed at a time of questioning by North American Muslims of the then South-East direction towards Makkah, and whether we should face North-East.
That discussion had consequences for Winnipeg’s Muslims, as they ended up building a masjid with Two Qiblahs.
The masjid at 247 Hazelwood, is Canada’s own Masjid Qiblatain.