The new Edmonton Islamic Academy Elementary Campus has opened its doors just in time to welcome a fresh wave of students of all backgrounds. The west Edmonton private school opening marks decades of milestones for the Edmonton Islamic Academy’s presence in the community. The curriculum follows provincial guidelines while integrating Islamic, Quranic and Arabic studies. It also marks nearly 90 years since the city’s Muslim community first built Canada’s inaugural multi-purpose mosque, the Al Rashid Mosque. Saturday marked a grand opening of students, families, alumni and educators to check out the new digs. “The facility is very nice,” Grade 3 teacher Benjamin Gee, who’s been teaching at the academy since its humble beginnings, said on Saturday. “It’s brand new, very shiny, but I think what matters more is that it’s a safe space for our students to learn. “We have an outdoor learning classroom that’s a nice little feature. We’re moving towards land-based education where students can learn a little bit more about nature. Hopefully, they’ll develop a stronger sense of environmental stewardship, which closely ties into Islam here.” Edmonton Islamic Academy first began in the 1980s with a small school in the basement of Al Rashid Mosque to educate a handful of students. School vice principal Waylaid Zahra says it’s a “full circle” moment for him as he remembers his mother’s role in that very basement. “We’re so grateful that our community has expanded and grown so much that we’ve landed here. This facility is state of the art,” he said. “It’s not just the Islamic community. I think it really weaves the fabric of the Islamic community with the greater province of Alberta. “It really gives us a sense of belonging, a sense that we’re not just here to live in Edmonton. We’re here to be a part and produce and give back to Edmonton.” With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Galen McDougall
