Ottawa Muslim Association

The story of the Ottawa Mosque starts in the 1940s and 50s with the first few Muslim families in Ottawa. Surrounded by a different and new environment, the families sought to strengthen Islamic values and understanding in their children, as well as maintain their cultural awareness. To this end, the community rented out the basement of Northwestern United Church every Sunday to teach Quran, Islamic studies, and Arabic to the children, and then share a meal together. As the community grew, the need for a Mosque in the city of Ottawa became prominent. While different options for locations and lands for this Mosque were considered, the two houses on Northwestern Avenue came with the wonderful benefit of remaining near our longtime friends and neighbors, United Church. And so, the Ottawa Mosque, the first in Ottawa and one of the first in Canada, was constructed in 1970.