New mosque opens its doors to public in Niagara Falls

[Guest Nicole]

Lina Lashin, 16, Amal Qayum, 16, and Sara Lashin, 14, were among members of the Peace Mosque Islamic Community and Conference Centre who were on hand to great the public during the mosque's grand opening.

“Don't hear about us, hear from us.”

That was the message Kahled Gebril hoped to share on Saturday at the Peace Mosque Islamic Community and Conference Centre opened its doors to celebrate its grand opening.

“The message that we want to give is ... we can all live together stronger if we know each other,” the religious leader at the mosque said.

The congregation at the Calendonia Street mosque on Saturday hosted a public event as a way to introduce itself to the neighbourhood.

Invitations were sent to residents in the area as well as to various faith groups in Niagara.

“This is not just a place of prayer, rather it's a community centre and by community I mean the Niagara community and not just the Muslim community,” Gebril said. “This space is for everyone.”

The day-long open house included a fun fair, bazaar and barbecue.

“We wanted to have a carnival that was open to all the kids in the community,” said Lina Lashin, 17.

“Everyone is welcome here and we wanted to spread the word around, to say welcome to the community.”

Gebril said the open house was also an opportunity to clear up any misconceptions non-Muslims may have about Islam.

“What you hear in the media is not always a fair representation or a correct picture,” Gebril explained.

“What we want to tell people is that we're just like you...we're doctors and engineers and businessmen. We are all about peace.”

The congregation acquired the building in May after it outgrew its previous home on Stanley Avenue.

The new location, former home of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, will give members an opportunity to expand its services to include youth sports programs and a tutoring program for high school students.

The mosque plans to hold a food drive in the near future as well as offer a soup kitchen for those less fortunate.

“Our beliefs say that we're here to give. We're here to help,” Gebril added. “If we don't do this, then we haven't fulfilled our mission.”

http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/2017/08/05/new-mosque-opens-its-doors-to-public-in-niagara-falls

[The Librarian]

Re-dedicated Kingdom Hall to Allah?

It still looks like a Kingdom Hall to me. 

Anyone know what year this Kingdom Hall was built and by what RBC back then? I'm guessing it was a 2 Day Kingdom Hall in 1988.