–projected to be completed ‘within a month’

THE Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) is in Phases One and Two of the four-phase multi-million dollar upgrading and expansion works, and this is expected to be completed within a month.

ACIC is considered Guyana’s leading Islamic centre and hub for international cooperation between the Muslims of Guyana and the rest of the world.

The works commenced a month ago with the aim of better serving the needs of its membership and the hundreds of persons who use the facilities each year. The complex, which is also the centre of Sunni Islam in Guyana, is the venue of more than 80 per cent of the national Muslim programmes in Guyana and headquarters of several organisations and institutions, both local and overseas.

These first two phases now in construction will see a canopy on the western section of the Masjid, just off the main entrance, keeping in place the beautiful architecture of the centre.
This project will also allow the area to be used as an extension of the Masjid when the capacity of the mosque is exhausted and persons have to pray or be seated outside. In addition, a wheel-chair ramp will now be constructed to allow persons utilizing wheelchairs to gain easy access into the masjid. Phase 2 is the construction of a new annex for ladies praying at the complex. This facility will be fully air-conditioned and will carry a large television monitor to allow the sisters to see the Imam Khateeb at Juma Prayers and other activities held in the Masjid itself.

The 80% glass facility will also allow the annex to be used as part of the Lecture Hall for programmes and sisters can be in the annex and be able to view any programme in the lecture hall.

The third phase will see the complete upgrading of the famous Akbar Hussain Lecture Hall, where all lectures and other large programmes are held. Most local and international scholars visiting Guyana have spoken from the podium of this facility and it has been blessed with the presence of some of the greatest Sunni scholars ever to visit this country.
Recently, His Eminence Maulana Dr. Hisham Kabbani and Maulana Dr. Waffee Mohammed spoke at programmes held in this hall. The upgrading of this hall will also allow it to be used as classrooms for the Markaz Al Ihsan Guyana Branch.

The final phase of the project will see the expansion of the building currently being used as the sisters’ annex, to an indoor facility capable of hosting weddings, receptions and other private functions. It will be able to accommodate 300 persons seated at tables and will be equipped with all modern amenities, in addition to being fully air-conditioned.

(By Michel Outridge)