It's a very special day for the Muslim community in Moose Jaw as they celebrate the grand opening of their brand new Masjid, also known as a mosque.

Until just recently, they had called the basement of a downtown building home but Dr. Fauzi Ramadan, President of the Moose Jaw Branch of the Islamic Association of Saskatchewan, says it's just not the same as the real thing.

"The turning of the sod was in 2015 while planning and thinking of building, then collecting of donations started not less than five or six years before." said Ramadan following morning prayers at 4am. "To collect enough money to build this building was no easy task."

Morning prayers are held at 4am

With about 500 members, $1.4 million is a tremendous fundraising effort but they received an outpouring of support from the province as a while. Donations came in from other Muslims and non-Muslims who recognized the importance of having a home of their own. Carpet, tiles and the iconic green domes were all donated along with labour to install some of the features of the Masjid. Ramadan says even the contractor was able to help them out by staggering the construction schedule so they could accommodate the efforts to fundraiser.

Having a home deigned by their members, partially built by members and paid for by donations from all faiths, is a great source of pride according to Ramadan and it's something that they hope to share with the entire community through their grand opening Friday, May 11th. A ceremony will be held with their weekly prayer at 12:30 followed by an open house at 2 o'clock.

"Building this place is very good encouragement for newcomers to stay in Moose Jaw," said Ramadan when asked what the building will mean to the city in the future. "We have people who are already moving, just because we have this building."

"This is the first Islamic Masjid, built in Islamic way, built for that purpose." added Ramadan who explained most Muslim communities in Canada are trying to re-purpose old buildings like schools to serve as their Masjid.

The Masjid is on Lancaster Road, southeast of the old cable plant and everyone is encouraged to help celebrate the achievement.