The Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) has completed Phases 1 & 2 of a four-phased multi-million-dollar upgrading/ expansion of its facilities to better serve the needs of its membership, the organisation said. In a press release, the ACIC said that the complex, which is also the centre of Sunni Islam in Guyana, is the venue of more than 80 per cent of the Muslim programmes in Guyana and headquarters of several organisations and institutions both local and overseas.
The official opening of the complex is scheduled for Sunday June 15 at 1 pm and world famous female Qaseeda singer, Sister Nazeema Khan of Toronto Canada is expected to grace the event.
The complex serves as a branch for the Markaz Al Ihsan Centre of Higher Islamic Education, with headquarters in Trinidad & Tobago. Veteran Muslim Scholar, Maulana Dr Waffee Mohamed is the principal and visits ACIC each month along with other teachers.
According to the release, construction has been funded through the contributions of ACIC’s members, the wider local Muslim community as well as members of its counterpart organisations based in Toronto, Canada.
ACIC said that the first phase was the construction of a canopy in keeping with the architecture of the mosque which will be used as an extension of the masjid when the capacity of the mosque is full. “A wheelchair ramp has been constructed to allow persons utilising wheelchairs, to gain easy access into the masjid. The entire wudu (ablution) area has been upgraded also,” ACIC said. The second phase will see the construction of a new annex for ladies praying at the complex.
Invited for the opening are contributors to the projects, the wider Muslim community, members of the political parties, civic society and representatives of other religious groups. Delegations are also expected from Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Canada, the statement added.
