Canadian Islamic Center - Al Rashid Mosque (Masjid) — Attraction in Northern Mature Area

I’m going to leave the most honest review right now:

The masjid is beautiful. Beautiful renovations. However, the problem is the people who seem to run it. I have volunteered at this masjid before, and the environment is hostile and has its issues. But to the most recent day, a lady named Aneesa was so aggressive and rude.

Ramadan is a busy month, but something these people running the masjid should understand is: aggression gets nobody anywhere. At first I wanted to go upstairs and pray taraweeh and I was told it was busy. Of course, I was upset because my friend saved me a spot, but I let it go. My friend however asked me to bring her water because she gets light-headed, and during Ramadan, the water bottles during Taraweeh can run out fast (I know this because I volunteered for the last year’s taraweeh prayers). Aneesa and some Arab lady behind her proceeded to get verbally aggressive and YELLED at me??? I was calling my friend to literally tell her “hey, come downstairs and get your water, the ladies are yelling at me because they think I’m going upstairs” and then Aneesa starts yelling in front of people coming and going “call her, yeah call her”. At this point I’m confused who she’s yelling at?

And the Arab lady behind her gets on the disrespectful bandwagon and grows and attitude even more saying “who cares, don’t stress they aren’t allowed to go up even if they want.” Her and Aneesa started calling me “disrespectful” because I was calling my friend??? I genuinely believe that is mental behaviour apart from lacking mannerisms. I literally had to ask her “why are you tripping?! I am calling her to grab water!” Aneesa and the disrespectful Arab lady got some random guy volunteering to approach me and ask me if I had a problem? I showed him I was calling my friend and the water bottle and he said “okay that’s fine”….. like honestly what ugly people (minus the nice volunteer guy who was thrown into their little drama).

Like hello? Why are you people employing rude women even as supervisors. And on another note, during my volunteering experience at the masjid, Aneesa has went out of her way before to accuse random young girls who wanted to go outside the masjid for fresh air of wanting to go outside to meet guys? All because some small amount of people have done it (got caught and yelled at by security) she grew some assumption and basically projected it onto these girls. If the girls wanted to leave the masjid doors she would say to me and to then that she will not allow them in (mind you, it was very cold as well the last year she was doing this).

Whether she is older or not, I’ve seen some people older than her with way better mannerisms. Being disrespectful is not cute, and is not tolerable. Literally no shame, no respect and genuinely disappointments. Each year I hear people not wanting to come back to the mosque because of her? I promise you all this is not the first time.

Out of respect for the masjid once more, it is a beautiful prayed space. But if any of you ever get shoved around by Aneesa and whichever other Arab lady, it’s not...

The el rashid mosque periodically blares their outside loudspeakers at odd times of the day and night disturbing the neighbourhood. Attendees consistently park illegally and race around the neighbourhood Fridays in search of parking. Their vehicles fill up the streets and alleys nearby and completely fill the Grande Trunk Arena parking lot. They jam up the alley, parking illegally, and create a serious safety hazard. Eg, illegally parked vehicles obstruct fire truck access and fire hydrants. Why not be responsible and obey the laws and take responsibility for the problems the mosque creates? Maybe build a Parkade?

All of the other houses of worship in the neighbourhood are very respectful, unlike the mosque which is extremely inconsiderate of their neighbours. Last night they were blaring their speakers at 10:30PM. The mosque does not obey the basic noise bylaws, nor bother to monitor and educate their patrons of the parking and traffic offenses that they commit around the mosque. It seems as if they want to provoke criticism and encourage irresponsibility instead of be a law abiding member of the community. Ramadan is a bad time here with plenty of late night noise, unsupervised youth who sometimes do vandalism, and illegal parking. Street fights have broken out in front of the mosque. None of this occurs in all the other houses of worship close to the mosque. The mosque and it's users were quiet and respectful up until a few years ago, then the noise started sporadically, and now, it occurs at all times of the day and night. There have been many police complaints to the mosque which are apparently ignored. Initially when I complained about the noise, the mosque representatives misled the police and said they had no outside speakers. Why can't the mosque be honest and good neighbours like all the Christian Churches nearby? During Covid19 lockdown, some of the Churches respectfully transmitted their services through telephone or FM broadcast not to affect the neighbourhood. The mosque did not consider their inconsiderate noise or the ability of those nearby to peacefully enjoy the privacy of their homes. Instead neighbours are accosted with loud preaching in a foreign language. None of the neighbourhood Churches cause any such problems and are very good neighbours, yet this mosque seems to encourage lawlessness. The mosque and some of its users are disrespectful neighbours, and some appear to not respect our laws and bylaws. Mosque patrons drive overweight semi trucks and trailers off the truck route to attend, disobeying the bylaws and beating up the roads. My neighbour was compelled to install barricades and a fence to stop vehicles driving and parking on his lawn. Why not be respectful and educate your congregation? Why not be good neighbours? And, please stop the unnecessary noise. Keep it indoors and try to be a good community member. ...

First of all, I’d like to say. May Allah continue to guide and bless this beautiful mosque, and the incredible people who make it a sanctuary for so many.🥹❤️ This mosque is probably one of the most beautiful mosques, I’ve stepped foot in. There’s a very calming atmosphere, and really feels comforting enough to feel like a place of worship~❤️

I cannot thank the Alrashid Mosque and its incredible staff enough for all the kindness, and compassion they have shown me and my family during such a difficult time in my life.🥹 Losing my father at such an early age has been one of the hardest challenges of my life, but the support and care we received from the mosque made the process more bearable.🥹❤️ Today, after seeing my father’s headstone completed and placed at his grave was an indescribable moment of closure and peace..🥹 It brought immense comfort to my heart, knowing that he has been honoured so beautifully This would not have been possible without the dedication and care of the Alrashid Mosque staff, and for that, I will be forever grateful

I’d also like to Thank Uruj and Anisa Aunty, who went above and beyond to help guide my family and me through this process. Their patience, empathy, and unwavering support meant the world to us. From helping us navigate the complexities of such a loss, to offering a shoulder to lean on. Their presence was truly a blessing, during this incredibly emotional time.🥹

I pray that Allah (SWT) blesses each and every one of the staff at Alrashid Mosque with good health, protection, peace, and endless happiness. Your kindness and compassion touched my heart in ways words cannot fully express, and I am deeply thankful to have had such a supportive community by my side when I needed it the most. Thank you, from the depths of my heart, for...