Followers of Islam in the Battlefords and area will soon have a place of worship to call their own.
Monday, city council unanimously approved a discretionary use application to develop a mosque, public hall and residence for a full-time Imam and a caretaker at 1761-99th St.
The location is the former Army Cadets Hall that was in regular use by the cadets for marches and meetings until recently.
The building was put up for sale in 2013 and should be in good shape to take over quickly, though some renovations are needed.
City Planner Tim LaFreniere noted the mosque would be a good fit for the location, as it was a church before the army cadets took it over.
"It's now going back to a place of worship," said LaFreniere, who added "I think it's working out for the community." No objections were filed to the proposal from nearby property owners.
The application and approval is good news for the small but growing Muslim community in the Battlefords and surrounding area. Two members of the community group supporting the mosque were in attendance.
Imran Zaka, one of those behind the proposal for a mosque in North Battleford, estimates there are almost 25 families living in the area of the Islam faith.
To this point, local Muslims were in a difficult situation pursuing their religion, having to go out of town to attend regular services.
"When they need something in terms of funeral services or religious (services) they had to go to Calgary or Regina or Saskatoon. So there was very much a need," said Zaka.
It was a particularly difficult situation when organizing funerals as mourners would have to travel elsewhere to mourn the loss of loved ones. That was cited as a main driver behind the push for a mosque in the community.
But it is also a sign of the changing face of the Battlefords, as ethnic minorities come to the area from other countries and other parts of Canada to pursue opportunities and be part of the growing Saskatchewan economy.
Zaka pointed to the Husky project in Edam and Vawn attracting workers and the new Saskatchewan Hospital as spurring growth.
Organizers expressed the desire to make other Muslims feel at home so they would want to stay here.
"Saskatchewan is growing because of new immigrants," said Zaka, who pointed to the benefits of living in North Battleford. "The cost of living is less, and if we give them reason to come and stay here, it's good for the community, for the city."
The hope is that the new mosque will have its first services in time for Ramadan that starts June 29 and runs until July 29. Zaka expects his group will know more by next week.
