New Islamic School Open in Edmonton

- The $23-million Edmonton Islamic Academy is up and running after years of fundraising and construction.

At 12,500 square metres and with capacity for 1,000 students, it is billed as the largest stand-alone Muslim academic school in North America

The academy represents the local Muslim community's big dream, says Khalid Tarrabain, president of the Canadian Islamic Centre and vice-chairman of the private school's board of trustees.

"Our school represents an identity, a pride, an achievement," Tarrabain said. "The community is behind this project and recognizes the importance of the project."

Local Muslim families and corporate donors -- including Atco Group, The Brick, Triple Five Corp. and Dairy Queen -- have donated $10 million towards the project, fundraising chairman Sine Chadi said. A similar amount remains to be raised.

Edmonton's Islamic school opened in 1988. That year, 21 elementary students attended classes in the basement of the Al-Rashid mosque. Eighteen years later, the academy has 675 students in kindergarten through Grade 9. High school grades will be phased in over the next three years.

The new academy's design incorporates traditional Islamic influences within a modern North American context, said lead architect Steve Barr, of Barr Ryder Architects and Planners.

Victoria Times Colonist