Formation 1969 Phone +1 416-754-7752 Province Ontario | Website islamicfoundation.ca Founded 1969 | |
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Location 441 Nugget Avenue, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. M1S 5E1 Address 441 Nugget Ave, Scarborough, ON M1S 5E1, Canada Type of business Islamic Community Center, Mosque with prayer hall and accompanying religious services, Educational Institution and Social Services Facility Profiles | ||
Islamic Foundation of Toronto is one of the largest and oldest Islamic community centers in the city of Toronto and in Canada. It is located in the city of Toronto, and in the inner suburb of Scarborough, more specifically located at the intersection of Markham Road and Nugget Avenue.
Contents
History
The Islamic Foundation of Toronto was established in 1969, when an old 3,000-square-foot (280 m2) building was purchased at Rhodes Avenue and converted into a mosque.
The 2.3-acre (9,300 m2) site, where the Islamic Foundation currently stands, was purchased in 1984. At the time, an elementary school was also conceived as an integral part of the Foundation. The majestic three-storied building in its current form, made from white stone, was completed in 1992 at a cost of about six million dollars, almost all of which was raised by the local Muslim community. A 125 feet (38 m) tall minaret captures the skyline, complemented by a copper-cladded dome, symbolizing the Muslim presence in Canada. The building is 53,000 sq ft (4,900 m2). in area, with prayer halls for men and women, 12 well-equipped classrooms, a cafeteria and kitchen, a gymnasium, a library, a mortuary, wide and bright corridors, an elevator and over 200 parking spaces.
Activities and Organization
The Center is easily accessible by car and public transportation, and is open for the five daily prayers. The Friday congregation prayer is attended by close to 2,000 worshippers. The full-time school has a qualified staff, with over 600 students from Junior Kindergarten to grade twelve. More than four hundred students attend the evening and weekend Islamic classes.
The organizational structure of the Islamic Foundation is in the form of an elected "Majlis" or Governing Body, consisting of seven members. To have checks and balances, there is an elected "Board of Trustees" which holds the title to the property and advises the Majlis. To ensure accountability, the constitution requires that audited accounts be published yearly and that the books and meetings be open to the members.