'Congestion galore': Local Muslims seek more venues for Friday prayer

The Muslim community in London has outgrown itscurrent Mosque on Oxford Street.

The prayer room and basement at the London Muslim Mosque are becoming so crowded during Friday prayers that mosque officials have resorted to outside venues including Farquharsonarena.

"When it comes to Friday prayer, it's congestion galore," said AliChahbar of the Mosque.

"As you know the Muslim community is getting bigger and bigger. The place for offering Friday prayer is not enough, so the [mosque] is trying to expand the locations for the convenience of those who want to pray," saidYahyaKharrat, a professor at Western University, who attended the prayer at the arena last Friday.

Some congregation-goers said that the parking at the mosque fills up in minutes and they often find themselves having to park by the street or in different plazas.

"Some people get discouraged to go just from the anxiety of leaving the parking," saidChahbar.

Southdale project

To further support the growing demand, the Muslim community hopes to build a multi-purpose centre that can provide them with enough prayer space.

Noor Gardens, also known as the Southdale Project, is an initiative by the Muslim Association of Canada.

"We need more space, not just for prayer, but also for activities it's about time our community started accommodating us in that area too," saidChahbar.