– official opening set for June 15

THE Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC), which is said to be Guyana’s leading Islamic center and hub for the international cooperation between the Muslims of Guyana and the rest of the world, has completed Phases 1 & 2 of a four-phased multi-million-dollar upgrading and expansion of its facilities to better serve the needs of its membership and the hundreds of persons who use these facilities each year. Public Relations Executive of the ACIC, Mr. Reyaz Hussein, said the Complex which is also the centre of Sunni Islam in Guyana, is the venue of more than eighty per cent of the national Muslim programmes in Guyana and headquarters of several organisations and institutions both local and overseas.
According to Hussein, the first phase was the construction of a canopy on the western section of the Masjid, just off the main entrance to the Complex; and this was done, keeping in place the beautiful architecture of the mosque. This area will 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 of the masjid. A wheel chair ramp has been constructed to allow persons utilising wheelchairs, to gain easy access into the masjid. The entire wudu (ablution) area has also been upgraded, Hussein said.
The second phase is the construction of a new annex for ladies praying at the Complex. This facility is fully air-conditioned and carries 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. Hussein said Muslim sisters can be in the annex and able to view any programme in the lecture hall, through the one-way glass or on the TV monitor.

The official opening of this new annex will be done on Sunday June 15, 2014 at 13.00hrs at the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex, West Coast Demerara. World famous female Qaseeda singer, Sister Nazeema Khan of Toronto, Canada is expected to grace the event.

Hussein said 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. Invited for the opening are contributors to the projects, the wider Muslim community, members of the political parties, civic society, representatives of other religious groups, as well as delegations from Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Canada.