Iqaluit mosque fundraiser launched by Islamic Society of Nunavut
Online appeal raises more than half of its $100K goal in one week
Organizers with the Islamic Society of Nunavut say they need more money to finish Nunavut's first mosque, which is currently under construction in Iqaluit.
The Islamic Society has enlisted the help of Islamic scholar Dr. Abdullah Hakim Quick. Quick launched a online crowd-funding campaign a week ago with the goal of raising $100,000. As of early July 9 the campaign had already raised nearly $62,000 with donations from around the world.
"Hopefully with these funds we will have enough to enclose the building and have the basic amenities but you always need more money to finish the interior," said Sadaqat Ali, a long-time Iqaluit resident and volunteer co-ordinator for the mosque project.
Money left over after the building is finished will be transferred into programming, he said.
"We'd like to get it kick-started, not only for the Muslim community but for all of Iqaluit."
Construction has been underway for six weeks and the building is beginning to take shape.Two floors have been built and the sewage line was connected on Wednesday.
Ali says the society plans to open the mosque by December this year.