Canadian Muslim Mosque Different Opinions About the Meaning

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Dr Hashmi (tg) standing with his supporters in front of the Mosque of Charlottetown. (News CAIRO)

Dr Hashmi (tg) standing with his supporters in front of the Mosque of Charlottetown. (News CAIRO)
Charlottetown, CANADA (News CAIRO) - The Muslims who use a basement in downtown Charlottetown as the mosque was disappointed when a local doctor said that the place was not good enough.

Sefau Doctors said last week that he and a group of Muslims has asked the government to help build a mosque "official" for Muslims in PEI (Prince Edward Island - Prince Edward Island).

Sohail Hashmi has offered the basement on Queen Street for praying five times over the last five years. About 80 people use the mosque regularly.

"If you remember the time of Prophet Muhammad, the mosque when it was actually building with walls made of mud and thatched branches of the trees," said Hashmi.

Dr. Suleiman Hashmi said that the Muslim population in PEI only about 250 people and not enough to need a bigger place. He said that Muslims who use the mosque was annoyed with Sefau statement.

"They were really disappointed with Sefau statement that there was no mosque in PEI, we have to build a mosque number one, We have no mosques number one," said Hashmi.

"Stop begging people, do this first, make the mosque is a mosque that success, then we increase our own resources."

Sefau not alone in his call for a new mosque. Najmul, president of the Muslim Community PEI, Hashmi said that he appreciates that permit people to use the basement, but it would be better if the Muslims have their own place of worship.

Late last October the provincial government refused requests for assistance Sefau to build the first mosque in PEI

Dr. Sefau Suleiman said that other Muslim professionals have left the island because there is no place for them to worship.

Sefau moved to Charlottetown with his wife and three sons two years ago. He said that his family liked the island, except for the absence of a mosque. On Friday, Muslims perform Friday prayers in the basement Hashmi. However, Sefau want a real mosque.

"The Muslims perform prayers five times a day. In my hometown, mosque also serves as a school. It is a place to learn Arabic, which is the language of the Koran. The mosque is part of Muslim lives," said Sefau.

The Muslim community in that place has been raising funds, said Sefau, but it takes four to five years longer to reach the amount needed, $ 500,000, and some of them do not want to wait that long.

"I have a friend who moved two months ago," said Sefau.

"He was a radiologist and he went to British Columbia (Canada) just because there is no mosque here. That is the main reason."

Sefau ask for help from the provincial government. He expects the price cut may lease land or buildings, but he was told that the government does not give aid money to religious groups.

However, the government of Prince Edward region have taken different approaches. Mayor Brian Skakun said that makes sense economically for the city to help the Muslims built the first mosque in the area by giving them a piece of land.

"We want to diversify our economy, but we also want to diversify the basis of our culture and it will help the economy in the long run," said Sakkun.

"If your community does not build it, anyone else who will do it."

Charlottetown Mayor David MacDonald said that he wanted to meet with Sefau to see whether the city can help the construction of mosques in the region.