North Vancouver Islamic Association acquired a church in North Vancouver and with the grace of Allah transformed it and founded Masjid Ar-Rahman & Islamic Center by early 2013 to be the first Sunni Masjid in North Vancouver.
This project united all Muslims who follow the Qur’an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم with the understanding of his noble companions (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman & Ali) رضي الله عنهم أجمعين, as it enjoys a solid foundation and support from the local Muslim community. With a permanent place of worship, Muslims are attracted to the North Shore area, which will further enrich the community.
Be mindful of the words of our beloved Prophet, may Allah exalt his mention, (as in the hadeeth of Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him):
ما نقصت صدقة من مال
“No one’s wealth would diminish on account of what they have given for the sake of Allah.”– Tirmidthi
Project Phases
Phase 1: (Completed) To purchase a church and transform it into an Islamic Center. This phase has been completed, and it has cost 3.050 million dollars. ((This phase has been completed!))
Phase 2: (Completed 1/2/2013) Renovation of the Church to render it into a Masjid. It may cost between 1,200.000 – 1,400,000 Canadian Dollars. This phase includes: ((This phase has been completed )).
- Removing the old religous symbols from the interior and exterior of the building.
- Building wudhu and washroom areas according to Islamic Principles.
- Builing a fence to run along the edge of the property.
- Building a Minaret and a dome for the Masjid.
- Carpets to cover approximately 500 square meters. This has already been taken care of by donors from Saudi, who are always in the fore-fronts donating generously. May Allah reward them.
- Paitning the interior and exterior of the church.
- General renovations to the ground floor so that it can be used as a school.
Phase 3: (Completed 2018) Buy a part of the cemetery in Chilliwack.
Elevations of the Masjid from all sides
Allah, the Exalted, says:
لَن تَنَالُواْ الْبِرَّ حَتَّى تُنفِقُواْ مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِن شَيْءٍ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ – آل عمران 92
You will not attain piety until you spend of that which you love. And whatsoever you spend, Allah is aware of it.
– Quran 3:92
وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَلأنفُسِكُمْ وَمَا تُنفِقُونَ إِلاَّ ابْتِغَاء وَجْهِ اللّهِ وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لاَ تُظْلَمُونَ – البقرة 272
And whatever good you [believers] spend is for yourselves, and you do not spend except seeking the countenance of Allah. And whatever you spend of good – it will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.
– Quran 2:272
الأنفال 60 – وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِن شَيْءٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لاَ تُظْلَمُونَ
Whatsoever you spend in the way of Allah it will be repaid to you in full, and you will not be wronged.– Quran 8:60
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ أَنفِقُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَاكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ يَوْمٌ لاَّ بَيْعٌ فِيهِ وَلاَ خُلَّةٌ وَلاَ شَفَاعَةٌ وَالْكَافِرُونَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ – البقرة254
O you who believe, spend from that which We have provided for you before there comes a Day in which there is no exchange and no friendship and no intercession. And the disbelievers – they are the wrongdoers.
– Quran 2:254
وما أنفقتم من شيء فهو يخلفه وهو خير الرازقين – سبأ 39
And whatsoever you spend (for good) He will replace it. And He is the Best of Providers.– Quran 34:39
هَاأَنتُمْ هَؤُلَاء تُدْعَوْنَ لِتُنفِقُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَمِنكُم مَّن يَبْخَلُ وَمَن يَبْخَلْ فَإِنَّمَا يَبْخَلُ عَن نَّفْسِهِ وَاللَّهُ الْغَنِيُّ وَأَنتُمُ الْفُقَرَاء وَإِن تَتَوَلَّوْا يَسْتَبْدِلْ قَوْماً غَيْرَكُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَكُونُوا أَمْثَالَكُمْ – محمد 38
Here you are – those invited to spend in the cause of Allah – but among you are those who withhold [out of greed]. And whoever withholds only withholds [benefit] from himself; and Allah is the Free of need, while you are the needy. And if you turn away, He will replace you with another people; then they will not be the likes of you.– Quran 47:38
إِن تُقْرِضُوا اللَّهَ قَرْضاً حَسَناً يُضَاعِفْهُ لَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ شَكُورٌ حَلِيمٌ – التغابن 17
If you loan Allah a goodly loan, He will multiply it for you and forgive you. And Allah is Most Appreciative and Forbearing.
– Quran 64:17