Imam Syed Soharwardy (front left), chair and founder of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, stands in front of the former St. Margaret Mary church in Ottawa alongside members of the community. His group is buying the building, with plans to turn it into a mosque and community centre. (Photo provided by Missy Fraser)
After sitting empty for three years, the former St. Margaret Mary Church will welcome worshippers and community members into its halls once again — but this time as a mosque.
In November, Imam Syed Soharwardy announced his organization, the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, would be purchasing the Old Ottawa South church.
The group owns 32 mosques across the country, two of which are former churches.
Soharwardy said Old Ottawa South residents can expect more than just a mosque, however, as most of the property will be used for a multi-faith community centre.
“I [want to show]respect because this has been a church for over a century and people are emotionally, spiritually connected with this church,” he told CBC Radio’s Ottawa Morning.
Over the last month, the Calgary-based Soharwardy has been reaching out to people in the community to gather ideas for renewing the property.
Soharwardy said the centre will be home to a senior citizens’ group, a music and arts group and a Montessori school for children, among other programs. He hoped it would serve as an example for how different faith groups can live in harmony.
“I’m 100 per cent sure when this [sale]is closed in March, it will be a big nice model for the entire society of Canada and maybe for the world,” Soharwardy said.