This has been the dream of this community for many years and Alhamdullilah, the Islamic Centre Project has reached this day, another milestone: the starting of the construction of the first Masjid in Northern BC after five years of fund raising. Indeed the task is daunting, but it is not un-surmountable with the help of Almighty, Allah Soubhana t’ala.

Alameen Post (Vancouver)

BCMA's Jewel in the Northern BC

  The significant of the ground breaking ceremony for Canada’s first mosque in the far northwest corner of BC on Sunday, June 7th, 2009 is symbolic for all Canadians. It is the symbol of triumph – faith matters and faith can move mountains for a tiny but determined Muslim community of Prince George, opting for integration over assimilation; also of realization, inclusiveness, acceptance, of what Canadian Multiculturalism is all about; and illustration of how successful nation treats its citizens by the city council of Prince George in assisting the tiny but influential Muslim community in building the very first mosque and Islamic cultural center. It is a cause of celebration, not only for the Muslims, rather for all Canadians, that Multiculturalism in Canada is “strong and free.” The strength of Canadian Multiculturalism where the interests, welfare and well-being of all Canadians – cultures and faiths – are so intertwined that the needs and expectations of any one group can neither be ignored nor disregarded, and the different facets of this beautiful mosaic working together in absolute harmony which gives Canada its distinct culture and flavour that remains unmatched.” 

The Prince George Citizen

Mosque project breaks ground

Beginning with a celebration by Prince George's Muslim community, work has begun on construction of a new mosque at the corner of Foothills Boulevard and Fifth Avenue.

"Everybody's feeling excited about it. It's a good thing, not just for the Muslim community but the Prince George community at large, " said Mostafa Mohamed, president of the Prince George chapter of the B.C. Muslim Association and a physics professor at UNBC.

The celebration, held Sunday, drew most of the city's congregation of about families and some out-of-town guests. An even bigger one is planned for when the project is completed in about a year's time. The first phase, which will cost $1.2 million and cover about 650 square metres (7,000 square feet), will hold a main prayer hall and a multi-purpose hall for holding conventions, youth and sport activities and other gatherings. Future phases call for classrooms, a day care and a library. About $400,000 has been raised for the project so far, and once the foundation is in place, Mohamed hopes the ball will start rolling.

"We are hoping to collect another $800,000 to $1 million," he said. City council approved a rezoning application for the project in April 2004 and a building permit was taken out this month. ” 

CBC News

Ground breaks on first mosque in northern B.C.

Construction started Sunday on a mosque in Prince George – the first in northern B.C. The Islamic Cultural and Educational Centre will be built at 5th Avenue and Foothills Boulevard on a site that once housed a drive-in movie theatre.

Sharifa Mohamed is one of the many Muslims in Prince George celebrating the start of construction.

"We were waiting for this for a long time," he said. "We were hoping one day we will have something, you know, to pray, as everybody else have."

When Ibrahim Karidio arrived in Prince George, he combed the phone book, cold-calling anyone with an Islamic-sounding name to find others with whom he could worship.

He said the mosque is important to the Muslim community.

"I think it's a sense of identity, a sense of belonging," he said.

The two closest mosques are in Kelowna, B.C., and Edmonton, Alta., both a day's drive away.

Without a mosque, Prince George's 200 Muslim families have been worshipping in rented motel rooms, family homes, the Native Friendship Centre and in the hall at the Knox United Church downtown.

They say they still need to raise two-thirds of the money to complete the $1.5-million project, but they're adamant the mosque will be finished in one year.

Locals are turning to Muslims in Vancouver and Edmonton to help raise the money they need to complete the Islamic Cultural and Educational Centre. ” 

Globe and Mail

BC city pins big hopes on new mosque

CBC Radio

Mosque project breaks ground

AUDIO: Wil Fundal reports: Ground breaks on first mosque in northern B.C. (Runs 5:01)

http://www.cbc.ca/mrl3/8752/bc/ondemand/audio/bc-090609-mosque-northern-bc-FUNDAL.wma