Winnipeg’s Nigerian Muslim Community Celebrates New Mosque Opening

The official opening of the first mosque built by Winnipeg’s Nigerian Muslim community, the Al-Haqq Masjid, took place on March 2, 2024, at 500 Dovercourt Drive in the Whyte Ridge neighbourhood. For many, including community leader Titi Tijani, the event marked a significant milestone, described as “a dream come true.”

The mosque represents a dedicated space for the Nigerian Muslim community, which has grown significantly over the past several years. Until now, community members had met in alternative locations, notably at the Manitoba Islamic Association building on Waverley Street. Tijani reflected on the community’s evolution since her arrival in Manitoba 37 years ago, recalling how she and others began a prayer group in her home due to the absence of a dedicated mosque.

Al-Haqq, which translates to “truth” in Arabic, was entirely funded by the local community through the Al-Haqq Prayer Group of Canada Inc.. The group set an ambitious fundraising goal of $1.5 million, which was successfully met through the contributions of committed community members.

Community Growth and Future Aspirations

The mosque was filled with worshippers during its opening, a testament to the growing population of Muslims in the region. “The community has grown tremendously in the past maybe 15 years,” Tijani noted, emphasizing the need for a dedicated space for collective worship and community activities.

Imam Yunusa Salami, who leads the new mosque, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We discovered many years back that the Muslim population is growing rapidly in Manitoba. It’s so important for us to see that we have a new area to accommodate the ever-growing Muslim community here in Manitoba.”

In addition to serving as a place of worship, the Al-Haqq Masjid aims to foster inclusivity by inviting members of all faiths and denominations. The mosque will also provide educational resources and community programming designed to promote understanding of Islam.

Tijani expressed optimism about the future, indicating that more mosques are likely to be established in Winnipeg to meet the needs of the expanding Muslim population. “There are many mosques coming up with the population of Muslims in Manitoba, and so we needed this for the whole community, and the whole of Winnipeg,” she said.

The opening of the Al-Haqq Masjid signifies not only a new chapter for the Nigerian Muslim community but also showcases the broader growth of the Muslim community in Winnipeg. As Tijani put it, “Today everybody is happy that our dream became a reality. This is one of the happiest moments in my life for having the dream come to reality, and this is so wonderful for our community.”