Meet our Partners: Al Rashid Mosque

Over many decades Al Rashid Mosque has become a central part of the city of Edmonton’s social fabric. The Mosque serves both as a place of worship and a community. Founded on December 12, 1938, Al Rashid Mosque boasts a rich history of drawing many new Muslim families to the Edmonton area. The work of Al Rashid grew so rapidly that by the 1980s the Centre was serving over 16,000 Muslims in the region, prompting the need for the construction of a new mosque which today serves over 20,000 Muslims in the Edmonton area.

Notes Executive Director Omar Najmeddine, “Al Rashid offers a wide variety of services starting with prayer services, clergy services and counseling, funeral and burial services, youth programs, educational services (including a scholarship fund), senior services, banquet facility and many more. Al Rashid also is highly engaged with the Canadian community at large with annual open houses for visitors, in addition to holding historical school visits on a yearly basis, food bank drives, and more. Although we are faith based community, we share an open door policy with our Canadian friends and neighbours -Muslim and Non-Muslim.”

Al Rashid has played a pivotal role in the provision of services to new refugees, particularly those Syrian families who have so recently made Canada their home. Reflects Najmeddine, “Al Rashid Mosque was honoured to follow in the footsteps of our Canadian Government who has generously pledged to sponsor nearly 25 000 Syrian refugees.  Our Canadian government has served as the primary inspiration to many faith groups to welcome Syrian refugees.”

Partnership, inclusion, and community collaboration are the hallmarks of Al Rashid community. Indeed, notes the Executive Director, “Through the dedicated support of the Al-Rashid Mosque and the countless number of contributors from among the Canadian Muslim Community, we managed to open in a short time many services for the new comers such as:

Drop Off Center:  Al Rashid has established a drop off center to collect food, clothing, and other critical basic needs.

Furniture Delivery System: We have a team in place to collect household furniture from donors and allocate them directly to the families in need.

ESL program: This is part of a contingency plan to connect families with qualified ESL teachers.

Translation Liaise:  A team of certified interpreters and translators has been formulated to liaise between government officials and newcomers.

Settlement Committee: We have a team of people in place ready to listen to the day to day concerns of each family and provide support and moral support as needed.

Psychological Services:  PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is an unfortunate reality among those who have experienced traumatic events in a war zone.  Al Rashid works with a team of counselors and psychologists who are always ready to help.  

Emergency Housing Service:  We have established a network of realtors and landlords who are able to provide emergency housing when needed

Driving Education Courses: In co-operation with qualified volunteers, we have been able to establish a bilingual driving license workshops.

Resume Building Workshop: This program was created to help our Syrian brothers and sisters get a head start in tackling the workforce.

Career Mentorship Program: Professionals in all areas of the workforce will be assigned a Syrian candidate with similar interest or education to help mentor and guide them to assist in their getting their foot in the door to establish employment in Canada.

Employee Seeking Program: We have had many employers come forward and offer to take newcomers and train and employ them in their companies.

Najmeddine is quick to also highlight the way in which the community seeks to respond to domestic needs. He reports, “Al Rashid Mosque Staff and volunteer responded to the urgent needs of the Evacuees fleeing the fires in Fort McMurray.  Al Rashid staff and volunteers worked hard to provide services for around 500 beneficiaries. We have also committed to delivering supplies to Buffalo Lake, Amber Valley and many other community centers holding Evacuees.”

As 2017 dawns, Canadians from across the nation are beginning to gather to celebrate their country’s 150^th anniversary. This anniversary is one that will be celebrated by the entire Al Rashid community, especially as it represents an opportunity to further what they are passionate about – community and partnership. Notes Najmeddine, “Al Rashid community has a long and vivid history in Edmonton that continues to serve diverse cultures. Canada 150 marks the 79th Anniversary of Al Rashid Mosque. Al Rashid will be holding historical celebrations that will highlight the organization’s success and its presence in serving Canadians.

We are extremely thankful to the many partners of the interfaith community. In 2017 we will be committed to strengthening our relationship with those partners and capitalizing on the great potential of that relationship. For 2017 we pray that God will bless all Canadians immensely and grant us the sincerity and strength to deal with that potential in the best way possible.”

When asked what the Al Rashid community would like to communicate to its Faith Alliance partners Najmeddine enthused, “Al Rashid has almost one-hundred-year history of openness and inclusion. Our community has played an integral role in the development of Alberta and Canada and we love to share this tradition. We believe that having faith and spreading kindness is a pivotal for world peace. We believe that embracing our Canadian values of celebrating diversity and inclusion is the way to success and growth.”

Faith in Canada 150 would like to thank Al Rashid for its generous partnership, without which, this project would not be possible.