Kamloops Islamic Association hoping to relocate mosque from Knutsford to TRU area

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Islamic Association is making another attempt to relocate its current mosque closer to the city.

Because of the increase in the Muslim population in the community, the association is looking to relocate the mosque to a city-owned property at McGill Road and Bunker Road. Ayesha Mosque has been located in Knutsford for more than 15 years. The association believes being closer to Kamloops will benefit the community.

“We feel like, for one, this is a perfect spot for our association as we are in close proximity to [Thompson Rivers University] where we have over 50 per cent of our population within TRU,” President of the Islamic Association Faisal Siddiqui told CFJC Today. “It has a greater impact for the citizens of Kamloops as well so it will be more centrally located.”

Siddiqui also mentions having the mosque relocated to the city would make it more accessible. The association claims they do have funding to purchase the land if it’s available for purchase.

“The next phase would be budgeting the construction phase. Then bringing in the investors or donors to the project, getting them engaged in the project. Mostly within a year or two, a mosque can be constructed and operational based on the other cities we have seen.”

The association will appear as a delegation before city council Tuesday (July 11) at 1:30 p.m.