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Abbotsford is one of the smaller cities in British Columbia. Still, it provides everything you need for a growing family. There are two large shopping malls, a couple of Walmarts, a Costco, Home Depot, Best Buy, and other big box stores. In addition, there are credible education institutes, the community is welcoming, and job opportunities are available. These factors make Abbotsford attractive to Muslim immigrants.
The Muslim community makes up just 1.4 percent of the population in this city. The need for a functioning mosque is clear, as Muslims need a place of worship to offer their daily Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha namaz. Moreover, Muslims need a social center to gather and connect with other Muslims in the city, and a mosque serves both functions. For now, though, there’s just one mosque within the vicinity of Abbotsford itself. However, there are quite a few mosques in other cities within driving distance of Abbotsford. We’ve collected some of the most accessible options here; check them out and see which one suits you the most.
The Muslim community in Abbotsford started with just four or five families. At first, they would make do with just Eid and Jumma congregations in rented halls or large living rooms. With the community growing every year, it was finally time for a properly established mosque. A non-residential Musallah was founded in 2003, but they kept running out of space. Finally, a church building came up for sale in 2009, and the permanent home of Abbotsford Islamic Center was established the following year.
This mosque has seen very rapid growth over the years, so you may expect great facilities and a lot of space. Along with providing a safe and comfortable center for prayer, this mosque also focuses on Islamic education, activities for kids, lectures by guest speakers, and more. It now caters to over 400 Muslim families, with visitors being always welcome.
*Prayer times as of February 29, 2024. Visit the mosque’s website for updated iqamah times.
The White Rock Muslim Association, or WRMA, started in 2006. It’s situated in Surrey, which is around 50 km away from Abbotsford. While it might be at some distance, the drive is still doable for those who want to benefit from its services. While it started small, this association is now quite active in the Muslim community. It hosts summer picnics, Eid celebrations, volunteer activities, food drives, and clean-up programs. Many Muslims also come from surrounding areas to attend the Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan and the two Eid congregations.
The White Rock Muslim Association also holds Halaqas every week for men and women, with assignments and discussions geared toward developing a strong brotherhood early on. The teachings include Seerah, Tajweed, and many other Islamic topics. The mosque is also in Surrey, so you may have to drive around 40 minutes to get there.
*Prayer times as of February 29, 2024. Visit the mosque’s website for updated iqamah times.
Fleetwood Islamic Center is on the smaller side, but it’s still a well-established mosque that’s been around for two decades. It holds Quran classes every week for both girls and boys. Community members are encouraged to attend and participate in the weekly Halaqas as well. You may also find regular events like guest lectures held in this mosque. These are well-organized occasions, often with dinner served afterward. The mosque seems to be an inclusive one, though there aren’t many facilities. There are also efforts to distribute brochures, English translations of the Quran, and relevant books at the entrance of the mosque.
*Prayer times as of February 29, 2024. Visit the mosque’s website for updated iqamah times.
The Al Kawthar Islamic Association is in Surrey, around 36 minutes from Abbotsford. Although you may have to travel 46 kilometers, this mosque is worth the drive! It’s a very welcoming center for the Muslim community and non-Muslim visitors who want to attend and observe. Overall, this mosque is a safe, peaceful, and active location for people of all ages. Families with young children can also attend prayers without fear of being judged. Everyone can stay in the mosque as long as they like and make it a learning experience for their children. Another inclusive feature of this mosque is that it offers English services. This way, the teachings can reach a wide audience.
*Prayer times as of February 29, 2024. Visit the mosque’s website for updated iqamah times.
Jamia Riyadhul Jannah started its operations in 2010 and has since been a reliable center for the Muslim community. It serves as an institution that offers several kinds of services to local Muslims and anyone else who seeks them out. Its location is in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, which makes it a 34-minute drive from Abbotsford.
There are many mosques by this name in Canada, but this is the only one within driving distance of Abbotsford. Its building is also worth visiting as it dates back over 107 years. The structure was the first mosque in Maple Ridge and is an essential part of the community’s identity here. The congregation times may not be the same as the prayer times in Abbotsford, British Columbia, so make sure to look them up before planning the trip.
*Prayer times as of February 29, 2024. Visit the mosque’s website for updated iqamah times.
| Fajr | Duhur | Asr | Maghrib | Isha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05:22 | 13:14 | 16:45 | 19:36 | 21:06 |