$20M Islamic school for northeast Calgary breaks ground

Along-awaited Islamic school in northeast Calgary is now a step closer to reality.

Work has startedon the Green Dome IslamicSchool, run by the Al Madinah Calgary Islamic Assembly.

The organization purchased theparcel of landwhere itsGreen Dome Mosque sits, at 4616 80th Ave. N.E.,in 2008.

The Islamic Assembly spent years raising money and obtaining the necessarypermits needed to make the school a reality.

"It's a great moment for the Muslim community in Calgary," said Imam Syed Soharwardy. "Because our community has been waiting for this project to start."

The K to 9 schoolwill cover the Alberta curriculum as well as offering Islamic studies and language studiesfor girls and boys.

"The school, although it's a private school, any Calgarian can be admitted. We'll be teaching the Alberta curriculum with options to learn Islamic studies, Arabicor Urdu languages," Soharwardy said.

The finished school will include a playground, gymnasium, cafeteria and a place for pre-school kids.

The final cost is expected to be in the region of $20 million.

"Ninety-five per cent of our donations came from the Calgary northeast area, and the rest came from the rest of the Calgary area. We heavily rely on our own community, those who pray with us," said Soharwardy.

The long-term vision includes eventually accepting kids up to Grade 12 anda separate fundraising push to build anew mosqueon the same site as the current Green Dome Mosque, which is a temporary facility.

The school is expected to open in the fall of 2024 and is already taking registrations via the Al Madinah Calgary Islamic Assembly.