For many years, the Muslim community in Gatineau has shown exemplary organizational skills on the religious and social levels. This was also reflected in its dealings with the society at large, with the authorities in the city, and with the media. The regular prayer services are offered daily in congregation, and the Friday prayers know a special attendance. During Ramadan, Taraweeh prayers draw large numbers of believers. Iftar meals are offered daily free of charge for several dozens of persons mostly students. The collection and distribution of Zakat is done according to the prescribed rules. The days of Eid are the most awaited events. This year was the seventh year during which we organize both Eid prayers in a large Hall rented for this purpose. It is a great event where people feel the happiness of Eid, and which starts with the prayer, followed by the gift distribution to the children and then the Eid party starts for everyone until Dhuhr prayer. For several hours, Muslim families spend a good time with each other celebrating this great occasion. It should be mentioned that on occasions, these events knew some media coverage, and also every year, a large number of non-Muslims attend these celebrations in order to express their best wishes to the Muslim community and to learn more about it.

The children attend the Arabic school regularly on Saturdays, and today there are nine classes of different levels. Our school also includes two classes for adults with one intended for non-Muslims who wish to learn the Arabic language along with a few cultural components, and the second one is intended for non Arabic-speaking Muslims who wish to learn Arabic with an emphasis on Koran reading and the Tajweed rules. We also organize public lectures and conferences about Islam and related issues.

The organization of these events is always done in a professional manner. The only inconvenience is that we do not have appropriate premises and logistics to hold them. The places used so far are either expensive or inappropriate for the events. By Allah’s will, the Muslim community feels mature and ready enough to embark on the endeavour of building a mosque that will meet its needs and be up to its expectations.

The first step dates back to September 2002 when a general assembly was held and gave birth to the Outaouais Islamic Center (OIC); it is a non-profit organization with a constitution and bylaws. It was incorporated with the provincial and federal governments. The Outaouais Islamic Center was also registered as a charity organization and thus can issue tax receipts for its donors.

The Outaouais Islamic Center soon received full moral and financial support from the community and from several well-known organizations as well as recognition from the political authorities.

A first meeting took place with the mayor of the city to present our project. We asked him to help us find and buy an appropriately located land for the founding of the mosque. The mayor promised he would spare no effort to help us.

Meanwhile, a piece land with 1265 square meters area, at 4 Lois Street was for sale from a private company. This land looked very appropriate to us because it is located in the center of the city with quick access from all major roads of the area. It is also close to the university and to several public and social installations. After long negotiations with the city and the owner, the OIC was able to purchase this land at a total cost of 43,000 Canadian dollars, which represent less than half of its current market value. We were able to pay it fully and it was the first concrete step toward realizing our project. The funds used for this transaction, for the engineers’ fees and the cost of the subsequent construction works were collected via local fundraising events.