St. John's Muslim community finds new home in historic transformation, propelled by Dawood family donation

In a touching story of solace and community, the family of two victims of the tragic Titan submersible implosion has made a significant donation to expand St. John's only mosque.

The gesture, borne out of a profound connection forged in grief, has provided a much-needed new home for the city's burgeoning Muslim population, marking a historic milestone for Newfoundland and Labrador.

This report combines information from articles by the CBC and SaltWire.

As detailed in a CBC article titled "A mosque, in memory" (which can be found here), in June 2023, following the devastating loss of father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood in the deep-sea tragedy, the surviving members of the Dawood family sought comfort and a place for their funeral service at the St. John's mosque.

This initial connection blossomed into a lasting relationship with the local Muslim community.

Moved by the support they received and recognizing the community's growing needs, Hussain Dawood, the patriarch of the family and father/grandfather of the victims, generously donated nearly $2.2 million.

This substantial gift facilitated the purchase of a former Catholic church, Mary Queen of Peace, on Torbay Road.

This transformation has resulted in the Suleman-Dawood Mosque, now the largest mosque in Newfoundland and Labrador, a goal the province's Muslim community had pursued for 15 years, according to a SaltWire article published on April 3, 2025 (contributed by Mohammad Fuaz Khan to The Telegram).

When the first mosque opened on Logy Bay Road in 1989, there were roughly 100 Muslims in the province. Today, that number has swelled to about 10,000.

While the old facility could only accommodate around 500 people, the new mosque is designed to hold up to 2,500 worshippers per session.

The newly acquired and expanded facility, fittingly named the Shaheed Suleman Dawood Mosque in honour of the youngest victim of the Titan implosion, officially opened its doors on March 29, with Eid al-Fitr celebrations held on March 30.

Haseen Khan, president of the Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (MANAL), described the opening as "a big achievement, a major milestone in the history of Muslims in Newfoundland and Labrador," noting that members will now "be able to offer their congregational prayers under one roof."

Khan also highlighted the overwhelming support and volunteer efforts from the community.

Leading the inaugural Eid al-Fitr prayers, Imam Abbas Mamudu found the experience "special," calling the converted church an "iconic structure, now used by Muslims."

A golden crescent moon now graces the entrance, marking its new identity.

Renovations are ongoing, including removing pews and leveling the floor to adapt the space for Islamic prayer while preserving historical elements.

The mosque is a powerful testament to finding light amidst darkness and to the enduring spirit of community, unity, and remembrance.