Winnipeg’s First Nigerian Mosque Opens, A Dream Fulfilled

UPDATE: The first mosque built by Winnipeg’s Nigerian Muslim community, the Al-Haqq Masjid, officially opened its doors on Saturday, October 21, 2023, marking a significant milestone in the city’s religious landscape. Located at 500 Dovercourt Dr. in the Whyte Ridge neighborhood, this new mosque serves as a beacon of hope and unity for the growing population of Nigerian Muslims in Manitoba.

Titi Tijani, a long-time member of the community, expressed her joy, stating, “This is a dream come true.” The mosque is fully funded by community contributions, reflecting a collective effort by the Al-Haqq Prayer Group of Canada Inc., which set a fundraising goal of $1.5 million to realize this vision.

The grand opening attracted dozens of worshippers, all eager to celebrate this historic occasion. Tijani noted that the Nigerian Muslim community in Manitoba has expanded significantly over the past 15 years. “When you have more people here, that’s when we come together and say, ‘where can we gather, where can we pray together?’” she stated. Previously, the community gathered at the Manitoba Islamic Association building on Waverley Street, but now they have their own dedicated space.

Imam Yunus Salami, the mosque’s spiritual leader, emphasized the importance of this development for the community. “We discovered many years back that the Muslim population is growing rapidly in Manitoba,” he said. “It’s so important for us to see that we have a new area to accommodate the ever-growing Muslim community here.”

The Al-Haqq Masjid not only serves as a place of worship but also as a resource center for education about Islam. Tijani assured that the mosque will welcome individuals from all faiths and backgrounds, aiming to foster understanding and cooperation in the community.

As the opening ceremony concluded, community members celebrated what they described as “one of the happiest moments” in their lives, marking the realization of a long-held aspiration. “Today everybody is happy that our dream became a reality,” Imam Salami said, highlighting the emotional significance of the event.

This development is part of a broader trend, with expectations that more mosques will emerge in Winnipeg as the Muslim population continues to grow.

With the launch of the Al-Haqq Masjid, the Nigerian Muslim community in Manitoba is poised to strengthen its presence and deepen its roots in the region. This mosque stands as a testament to the power of community engagement and dedication, ensuring that the faith and culture of Nigerian Muslims are preserved and celebrated for generations to come.

Stay tuned for updates as the community embarks on this new chapter, and watch for further developments in Winnipeg’s evolving religious landscape.