History
The gathering
1981 – 82
Muslims of Edmonton in general and those in Millwoods area and south side in particular gathered many times in 1981-82 to discuss the need of praying Salat in congregation and provide Islamic education for children. Subsequently, an Ad hoc committee was formed to search for a permanent location for the Masjid.
The society
1982
The land was bought in 1982 and application for rezoning was made.
The Markaz-ul-Islam Society of Edmonton (MSE) was established in 1982 and is registered for a non-profit charitable religious organization with Revenue Canada.
The objectives
Our mission
The main objectives of the society are to preserve Muslim identity in a non-Islamic environment, to present true meaning of Islam to non-Muslims, to establish an Islamic center, to provide religo-social services, and to promote Islamic education and values.
The Masjid opens
Fall 1986
Alhamdulillah, by the efforts, hard work and dedication of our brothers and sisters in this community, the Masjid (Markaz) was built and opened for worshipping Allah (SWT) in the fall of 1986.
The Masjid project brought the Muslim community as one Ummah who showed that they could achieve their goal of building a Masjid by the help of Allah (SWT) and through their own local efforts and resources.
Mill Woods’ community history records it as the first mosque built by the South Asian community in Edmonton.†Source: Mill Woods Story — Timeline
Learning & forum
Over the years
Over the years the MSE has managed a Madrasah for providing Quranic teaching and Islamic education. It has also provided a forum to the Muslim Community by organizing seminars, workshops and conferences to sensitize, discuss and find solutions to the socio-religious issues being faced by the Edmonton Muslim Community, specifically the youth.
The Masjid has always been in the forefront in recognizing and presenting awards and certificates to the Madrasah students (children and the youth) for their accomplishments.
Mill Woods today
Today
We are dedicated to serving the needs of our community regardless of their ethnic, economic, language or racial background. We endeavor to be a catalyst for positive changes within our community through unity, leadership and action.
The Edmonton Journal has described it as Edmonton’s oldest South Asian mosque, gathering from about 100 people for early morning prayers to 2,000 for Friday prayers.†Source: Edmonton Journal — ‘The mosque builds the community’
† Concept note: lines marked † supplement Markaz Ul Islam’s own history copy with facts from Mill Woods Story — Timeline; Edmonton Journal — ‘The mosque builds the community’. Please review before publishing.
Read the full storyarkaz ul Islam strives to be a vibrant source of guidance and knowledge of our community in Edmonton. We have established, maintained and conducted a diverse array of programs, activities and classes according to the Quran and the Sunnah of our Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H). We are dedicated to serving the needs of our community regardless of their ethnic, economic, language or racial background. We endeavor to be a catalyst for positive changes within our community through unity, leadership and action.
Please contact Imam Subrathi (imam@markaz.ca) for any advice on religious matters, madrasah programs, personal questions, etc. They are great sources of knowledge and guidance for our community.
