Members of Airdrie’s Muslim community are pleased to finally have a permanent place to worship. “This is the first mosque [in Airdrie],” said founder Syed Soharwardy, who is also the founder of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, to which the mosque belongs.

Jamia Riyadhul Jannah Masjid – which Soharwardy said translates to “garden of heaven” – is located downtown at 121 2 Ave. on a property that was purchased in 2018 with the intent of constructing a mosque. Currently, the facility operates in two existing buildings – a former garage has been converted to host daily prayer, with separate areas for men and women, while a house on the property is used for meetings and children’s classes.

The eventual goal, Soharwardy said, is to demolish the two buildings and construct a mosque, complete with a dome and minaret. While the project remains some distance away, he estimated a preliminary cost could be around $2 million.

The property is currently owned by the Al Madinah Calgary Islamic Assembly, but Soharwardy said the plan is to eventually transfer ownership to the Muslim Council of Airdrie (MCA), which is responsible for the mosque’s operations.

Source: AirdrieToday.com