VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 only mosque is nearly ready for its grand re-opening.

The Masjid Al-Iman mosque, located in the 2200-block of Quadra St., is roughly 85 per cent complete and should be open by the end of October, said Ali Hamado, executive director and treasurer of the B.C. Muslim Association Victoria branch.

B次元官网网址淲hen I first arrived in Victoria, we used to pray off a living room in a rented townhouse,B次元官网网址� said Hamado, who moved from Syria in 1993. B次元官网网址淭he whole community is very excited to have a new mosque.B次元官网网址�

The previous mosque, established in 1997, was comprised of two century-old buildings on the same site across from Crystal Pool.

But with an estimated 1,200 Muslims in the Capital Region, the mosque was overdue for an upgrade.

B次元官网网址淲e always wanted to rebuild the mosque,B次元官网网址� said Hamado, also a student in social work at the University of Victoria. B次元官网网址淭he old buildings were really run down and didnB次元官网网址檛 accommodate the number of worshippers who come.B次元官网网址�

Thanks to help from the 12 other B.C. Muslim Association chapters, the project is only $200,000 away from its $2.2 million fundraising goal. Hamado anticipates raising the remaining money in the next two months.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 for the community, for Muslims and non-Muslims,B次元官网网址� Hamado said, explaining the mosque will include a library and learning centre, ideal for many of the elementary school tours through the place of worship.

B次元官网网址淲e regularly have public schools call us to bring the children, so we can give them a brief introduction about Islam,B次元官网网址� he said.

Weekly prayer services will still be held at various locations across the Capital Region, including UVic, where an estimated 250 international Muslim students attend each year.

Hamado hopes the opening of Masjid Al-Imam will be a celebration for the entire community.

B次元官网网址淓veryone is welcome,B次元官网网址� he said.