Winnipeg’s Nigerian Muslim Community Celebrates New Mosque Opening

A significant milestone for Winnipeg’s Nigerian Muslim community was celebrated on March 16, 2024, with the official opening of the Al-Haqq Masjid at 500 Dovercourt Drive. This mosque marks the first of its kind built specifically for and by the Nigerian Muslim community in Manitoba, embodying a long-held aspiration for many in the area.

The event attracted a large gathering of community members, including Titi Tijani, who expressed her joy at this momentous occasion. “This is a dream come true,” she stated, reflecting on her journey since arriving in Manitoba 37 years ago. Tijani noted that the community was much smaller back then and had to gather in homes for prayers due to the absence of a dedicated mosque.

Over the years, the Nigerian Muslim community has experienced substantial growth, particularly in the last 15 years. Tijani remarked, “When you have more people here, that’s when we come together and say, ‘where can we gather, where can we pray together?’” Previously, community members met at the Manitoba Islamic Association building on Waverley Street, but the opening of the Al-Haqq Masjid represents a new chapter.

Community-Funded Initiative

The mosque was entirely funded through contributions from community members, organized by the Winnipeg-based Al-Haqq Prayer Group of Canada Inc., which set a goal of $1.5 million for the project. Tijani emphasized the communal effort, stating, “It is a community mosque, but it is funded by the Nigerian Muslim community, so we are very happy today to open it.”

The Imam of Al-Haqq Masjid, Yunus Salami, highlighted the significance of the new space for the growing Muslim population in Manitoba. “We discovered many years back that the Muslim population is growing rapidly in Manitoba,” he explained. Salami noted the importance of having a dedicated area to accommodate the needs of this expanding community, stating, “Today everybody is happy that our dream became a reality.”

A Welcoming Space for All

The mosque is envisioned not only as a place for worship but also as a resource center for education and community programming. Tijani shared that Al-Haqq Masjid will welcome individuals from all faiths and backgrounds, providing resources to help the wider community learn about Islam.

The officials and worshippers present at the opening celebrated the occasion with great enthusiasm. The venue was packed with attendees, highlighting the unity and joy experienced by the community. “This is one of the happiest moments in my life for having the dream come to reality,” Salami declared, expressing gratitude for the support that made the mosque possible.

With the establishment of Al-Haqq Masjid, Tijani anticipates a continued rise in the number of mosques in Winnipeg, driven by the increasing Muslim population in the province. “There are many mosques coming up with the population of Muslims in Manitoba, and we needed this for the whole community and the whole of Winnipeg,” she said. The opening of Al-Haqq Masjid stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of a community that has long sought a space to call their own.