Ad hoc prayer group helps Syrians settle in Cowichan Valley

A group of about 15 men and boys bow in prayer in a suburban basement in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island.

The worshippers gather at the house every Friday. They listen to a sermon, pray, and eat a meal, while a handful of women stay upstairs.

The Cowichan Valley has about 80,000 people, but few Muslims and no mosque. Nearly 70 Syrian refugees have settled in the area, and for those who follow Islam, the informal prayer group has bridged a spiritual gap and given the newcomers a place to do a little bit of socializing each week.

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"I think they were pleased to see there can be an arrangement," said Mohammad Fazil, a local physician who hosts the prayer at his home.

"The Friday prayer is the most important congregation, and if people are able to get to that, they really like that ... If you miss it, it's not good for you."

Fazil, who is originally from Pakistan, has lived in the area for several years. He and his son used to drive to Nanaimo to fulfil the weekly religious obligation. A little over a year ago, another Muslim man moved to the area and they decided to start a small group.

When Fazil learned the refugees were arriving last year, he welcomed them to join the informal congregation.

"That's one of the concerns that the Syrian people had," he said. "They were apprehensive, coming to a smaller town where there was no Friday prayer and they were upset about that. But once they understood that it's possible, that it's going on here, I think it made them feel comfortable and at ease."

Mohamad Ghunaim came from Syria because he wanted to create a better future for his four children. Ghunaim said he's still anxious about settling in and restarting his life, but he said the weekly prayer has helped him — and other Syrians too.

"We are happy coming here, meeting together. We share the prayer and share the ideas with my friends here, and we are very happy to be here," he said.

"I think the culture here is different, but it's not hard to be together. Different culture, different ideas, but one target."

Ahmad al-Haladi was also at Fazil's house to worship. He fled Syria to Egypt before coming to Canada.

He said he's getting lots of local help starting his Canadian life in the Cowichan Valley.

"It wasn't hard, but I would prefer if I ended up being in a place where there is a bigger Muslim community and a big mosque and a big population of Muslims around," al-Haladi said through an interpreter.

The Muslim population in the area is quickly growing, but it's still small.

Fazil, who often delivers the English sermons at the prayer, said as many as 30 people will sometimes show up at his house on Friday. Most are Syrians, but there are worshippers from other countries too.

He's starting to think that perhaps the community needs to build a mosque.

"I did not contemplate this two years ago, but since the last few months, we have been contemplating [it]. Many people are talking to us about accommodating people in the future and settling people. That would be something that would be desirable and important," he said.

According to Fazil, the Cowichan Valley is a place that many people sort of pass through — they'll spend two or three years living there and then move on.

"That's one of the reasons that these things don't get established so well, but I think if the mosque is established, it definitely would bring more opportunities for people to settle in and grow."

For now, Fazil, Syrian newcomers and any local Muslims who want to pray will meet in his large, lightly furnished basement.

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