Manitoba Islamic Association opens new school, community centre

It's a new beginning for the Manitoba Islamic Association. Some of the students helped cut the ribbon at this community center and building for the association's school programming on Saturday morning. More than $6 million was raised to help bring the project to life. It is for our community, for our younger generation who are going to run this project. About 80 students from kindergarten to grade 7 currently attend the funded independent school at the association's mosque on Waverley Street. Their principal says the new space is a dream come true. I have the language, I share the same religion with them, so it's good to be with them to teach them the Canadian curriculum and at the same time they will keep their culture, their language, their religion. The building is located on 67 Scherfield Boulevard and used to be part of the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology. MITT closed earlier this year. Manitoba's education minister says she's excited for the future of the space. It is a bittersweet process. Certainly, you know, in Manitoba here we don't want to see institutions closing, but to see the MIA come together and turn what was a bad news story into really such an exciting, beautiful celebration is just thrilling to be a part of. And for the kids, it's already a hit. I feel happy, and I feel like a celebrity. Thank you for giving us this opportunity. I'd also like to thank you for fundraising for us, putting lots of your time and work in. Work that helps give them a new place where they'll learn and grow for years to come. Gavin Axelrod, CBC News, Winnipeg.