Indonesia Inaugurates First Mosque in Western Canada Ahead of 81st Independence Day

Indonesia has celebrated the inauguration of its first mosque in Western Canada, the Al-Ikhlas Centre in Edmonton. This significant milestone, achieved through a collaborative "gotong royong" (mutual cooperation) spirit, aims to foster community and spread Islamic values beyond national borders.

The mosque was initiated by the Indonesian Muslim Community in Edmonton (IMCE) and supported by the Cinta Quran Foundation's "wakaf" (charitable endowment) movement. Over 200,000 donors from Indonesia and other countries, along with influencers and corporate partners, contributed to raising CAD 1,140,446.09 (approximately $14.6 million USD) for its construction.

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Inaugurating the Al-Ikhlas Centre is a source of pride and a very meaningful moment. I witnessed the journey of this mosque from the initial construction process until today it stands beautifully. Hopefully, its presence becomes a space that strengthens brotherhood, reinforces the role of the Indonesian community in Canada, and also becomes a bridge of friendship between Indonesia and Canada through the values of peace, tolerance, and humanity.

Consul General of Indonesia in Vancouver, Nina Kurnia Widhi, expressed pride at the mosque's completion, highlighting its role in strengthening the Indonesian diaspora's presence in Canada and serving as a bridge of friendship between the two nations through peace, tolerance, and humanitarian values.

Ustadz Fatih Karim, advisor for the Cinta Quran Foundation, noted that Al-Ikhlas Centre is the third Indonesian mosque built abroad by the foundation, following projects in Japan and Australia. This achievement underscores the global impact of Indonesian "wakaf" initiatives, demonstrating their ability to benefit Muslim communities worldwide and contribute to civilization-building across generations.

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Today we are not just inaugurating a building, but inaugurating hope. The Al-Ikhlas Centre is proof that when the community unites, national borders are no longer an obstacle to bringing benefits. Wakaf not only builds mosques, but also builds civilization that will continue to flow goodness across generations.