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WENDY ELLIOTT: New mosque breaks ground in Wolfville

Last week marked both the Lunar New Year and the start of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.

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Both notable occasions, but even more important was the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ummah Masjid and Community Centre in Wolfville.

Joe Rafih, as he usually does, sent out an invitation to attend. Another venerable entrepreneur Sam Kadray loaned some large machinery in order to have earth exposed on a cold and snowy February day. And a good-sized crowd turned up.

I was pleased to visit with Mayar Tahina, his wife, Genevieve, and their adorable daughter, Maeve. It’s been exactly 10 years since the Tahinas became the first Syrian refugee family to arrive in Wolfville. But they were not the last.

Former local resident and Anglican bishop Sandra Fyfe noted recently she is “forever grateful for the opportunity to have been a small part of this effort.”

Looking at decade-old photos of the family being greeted at the airport in Halifax, she said, “I needed this reminder that when the world looks bleak, caring people each offering their gifts and skills and hearts in kindness and compassion can turn that world around, one act of love at a time.”

An increasing number of immigrants coming to Nova Scotia has led to dramatic growth in some religious communities.

According to Statistics Canada, the number of Muslims in this province has nearly doubled in the last 10 years. There were about 15,000 Muslims in Nova Scotia in 2021, up from about 8,500 in 2011.

The Hindu and Sikh communities have also experienced significant growth.

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There are close to 10 mosques around Nova Scotia, from Sydney to Blockhouse. A mosque is also called a masjid, which means a place of worship. I’ve read that it can be simply a place where Islamic prayers are offered, like a courtyard.

The Pictou County Masjid, which opened in 2019, is in a deconsecrated Catholic church. In Wolfville, the current masjid is an old frame house. But that is going to change.

There won’t be any minarets, a tall tower from where Muslims are called to prayer, so I think the only mosque in the Annapolis Valley will fit in perfectly.

The site is located near Acadia University, which has a good population of Muslim students. There are also working professionals moving to the Valley for employment. I got to chat with a fellow doing a challenging tech job.

Acadia has been providing worship space and a classroom for a number of years. Friday prayers have taken place at the house since about 2022.

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Shortly after the community began gathering at the house a package was found on the doorway. A card that came with the anonymous gift said: “Welcome to the neighbourhood. We’re very excited to have you. One of the things that we do when we go to a new home is put up a personal piece of us up on the wall. We didn’t know what you would find fit to put on the wall, so we Googled and found that Muslims put geometric designs.”

This individual created a handmade wood carving with Islamic patterns that was meant to be a welcome gift for the mosque. Community members said it really did make them feel welcome.

Ahmad Nassrat, a volunteer and executive committee member at the mosque, acted as emcee at the groundbreaking ceremony. He introduced several local politicians and religious leaders, known as imans.

I couldn’t understand the Arabic prayers, but Kings-Hants MP Kody Blois, Wolfville Mayor Jodi MacKay and Kings County Mayor Dave Corkum all voiced words of approval.

Kentville Mayor Andrew Zebian, who is Muslim, was happy to be there with his children. Calling the groundbreaking an important milestone, he said, with Ramadan just days away the event felt especially meaningful. He believes this region is strongest when we continue to build welcoming, inclusive communities for everyone.

The Ummah Masjid and Community Centre is a branch of the Halifax mosque of the same name. With that linkage comes support and advice and perhaps help with a $1-million fundraising challenge.

The Muslim community in the Valley will meet for prayers and collective meals for the next month and the building process will continue.

Wendy Elliott is a former reporter for the Kentville Advertiser and Hants Journal. She lives in Wolfville.

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