Location

168 Dundas Street West , M5G 1C6

Contact

(416) 596-0507

Web

http://MasjidToronto.org/

Masjid Toronto is a masjid (mosque) in the heart of downtown. It was originally built as a small bank branch on the corner lot at Dundas and Chestnut around the 1940s.

In 1988 the Royal Bank of Canada expanded the building to cover the adjoining lot.

The building was purchased by the Muslim Association of Canada in 2002 in order to establish a permanent prayer space for the Muslims working and living in downtown Toronto.

Its location just behind the Greyhound bus station makes it an ideal sanctuary for Muslim travelers looking for a place to pray.

Today, hundreds of people each week make use of Masjid Toronto to perform the five daily prayers and the congregational Friday prayer.

The masjid also hosts community events and various classes.

In order to convert the bank to a masjid, several walls were removed to open up office space and transform it into prayer space. Facilities for ablution were added and prayer carpets installed in all three floors of the building.

Window films decorated with Arabic calligraphy were also installed. Several features of the original bank have been preserved including its external structure, some offices, the boardroom and vault.

Doors Open Toronto 2009

Toronto Mayor David Miller saying a few words during Doors Open Toronto 2008. 2009 will be the second year that Masjid Toronto is opening their doors to the public.

In 2008 Toronto Mayor David Miller personally approached the Muslim Community in Downtown Toronto to participate in Doors Open.

This year, visitors can expect a guided tour of the masjid and a chance to view a number of special exhibits.

Throughout the weekend, the masjid will be hosting exhibits of Islamic art and calligraphy by Ibrahim Shalaby and Ibraheem Youssef, as well as architecture by Indonesian masjid architect, Kusdaya Sukada.

Saturday May 23 2009

Masjid Toronto is hosting a unique and rare one day exhibition of original and historical treasures of Islamic arts & antiques from the private collection of Dr. Farhan M. Asrar (resident physician at McMaster University and affiliated hospitals).

Islam, the world's fastest growing religion has been the inspiration for a number of the world's greatest art treasures, these works of art expressing the majesty of Islam, with the words and teachings of God. Dr. Asrar's vast and marvelous collection includes rare and beautifully embellished Qur'ans (Islamic holy book) which are all handwritten and centuries old.

All masterpieces were painstakingly handwritten by world renowned calligraphers, illuminated in gold and precious stones and date back 250-550 years old.

Other items from his collection on display include handwritten manuscripts on Hadith (Prophetic tradition), Duaa (Prayer), historical and renowned handwritten books such as the 'Ain-e- Akbari', 'Tuzukay Jahangiri', illuminated 'Shahnama Firdausi', 'Masnai Manawi' by Jalaluddin Rumi, Nusratul Qulub, etc.

Several masterpieces of Islamic calligraphy in various scripts including original calligraphic works of Emad Al-Hassani, Persia's most celebrated calligrapher.

Dr. Asrar will also be displaying from his private collection, currency notes (banknotes) from around the Islamic world, share certificates and important original Islamic documents from the Ottoman period, Makkah, South Asia, Egypt, Nizam of Hyderabad's period and several other countries.

After their tours, visitors will be invited to explore audio-visual presentations about the Muslim faith and taste snacks and treats from various parts of the Muslim world. Throughout the day, visitors will also have the opportunity to observe the mid-afternoon prayer and listen to Muslim poets and authors present their work.

Program schedule

Saturday, May 23, 2009

• 12:00 - 12:15 p.m. Spoken word by Big Akhee Big Ukhti (BABU) Leadership group,
• 1:30 - 1:40 p.m. Mid-afternoon prayer
• 2:00-2:15 p.m. Haroon Siddiqui, Toronto Star, author of Being Muslim, a criqitue of post-9/11 politics, from Iraq to Afghanistan — via Canada [especially Toronto]. Book signing follows program.
• 3:00-3:15 p.m. Rukhsana Khan, award-winning author and storyteller

Sunday, May 24, 2009

• 12:00-12:15 p.m. Spoken word by BABU Leadership group
• 1:30-1:40 p.m. Mid-afternoon prayer
• 2:00-2:15 p.m. Spoken word (Jafar Alam, Sarah Rostom, BABU Leadership group)
• 3:00-3:15 p.m. Spoken word (Boonaa Mohamed, Michael Cain, BABU Leadership group)

As this is a place of worship, visitors are requested to abide by the following dress code: All clothing must cover shoulders and knees. Footwear must be removed upon entering the building.

Photography permitted: Filming permitted:

Interior Yes tripod: Yes Interior Yes tripod: Yes

Exterior Yes tripod: Yes Exterior Yes tripod: Yes

TTC (nearest station) St. Patrick Station , Bus/streetcar: 505 Dundas

Accessibility: Full Washrooms: Yes Parking: Paid Food/Bev: Yes Highlights: Exhibit Kid-friendly