www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, November 29, 2013 | 6 Editorial When dreams become reality The thread of Oakville's cultural landscape is about to become stronger. After more than 15 years of planning, World Islamic Mission (WIM) Canada has announced that its vision to build a spectacular, 5,700-square-metre facility on Ninth Line will be realized in 2014, when construction begins on the $12-million project. When nished, it will include a mosque to accommodate up to 1,000 worshippers and a community centre that will be available for use by all residents, making it not just a stunning gateway to Oakville, but one of the largest religious centres of its kind in Canada. The World Islamic Mission (WIM) Canada, and speci cally the worshippers of the Masjid NoorUL-Haram mosque, is a congregation that has been worshipping in this community for many years. They have worked hard and diligently to create a contribution to the community of Oakville. It was in 1998 that WIM Canada of cials took the rst steps on the long journey to realize a dream. An 11-acre property on Ninth Line, just south of Dundas Street, was purchased for $780,000. Bit by bit, members of the congregation donated in order to pay off the purchase -- while they continued to worship in the current bungalow on the site. Since buying the property, WIM Canada of cials have worked closely with the Town of Oakville and the Region of Halton to satisfy all requirements for securing permits. It has taken years. And they have gone beyond that, committing to making a reality their dream of a majestic centre that is also environmentally-friendly and welcoming to the wider community. At every turn, WIM Canada of cials have been open and forthcoming about their plans, and they welcome questions from anyone who wants to learn more about the centre. We think this new addition to the community represents an excellent opportunity to learn more about the Muslim faith and culture. And we admire such big thinking and dedication in an age where it is easy to settle for something smaller, something easier. Like all the faith communities and their members who contribute to the fabric of the community of Oakville, it's already apparent that the members of the Masjid Noor-UL-Haram mosque take this responsibility seriously. Oakville Mayor Rob Burton has witnessed the integrity of the local Muslim congregation as it established its home in the existing bungalow on the Ninth Line property. "Oakville welcomes all faiths and their places of worship and appreciates how much they do to help make Oakville Canada's most livable town," said the mayor. We couldn't agree more. "Connected to your Community" N O U R S 447 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 51 | Number 143 O P T I M I S T S H O The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS The Optimist Club of Oakville in its support of local youths annually honours the accomplishments of one student role model from each Oakville high school. In front, from left, Optimist Tom McNaught, chair, Robin Sassi (Oakville Trafalgar High School), Erin Homer (King's Christian Collegiate), Meredith Johnson (T. A. Blakelock), and Maame Yaa O. Brako (St. Thomas Aquinas). In back, from left, Maxwell Boateng (White Oaks Secondary School (WOSS) North), Aravind Rajendran (WOSS South), Charlee Grace (Holy Trinity), Alex Jeong (Abbey Park), D'Arcy Cantion (Appleby College), Joel Louzado (St. Ignatius of Loyola), Samuel Lehner (Iroquois Ridge), and Simran Kaura (St. Mildred's-Lightbourn). Absent from photo is Nathan Scott (MacLachlan College). | submitted photo Advertising Director DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production SANDY PARE MARK DILLS Sending thanks for a Christmas tradition Santa Claus came to Town on Nov. 16 for a parade in his honour, as we celebrated 65 years of parade magic. Once again, we had incredible weather and the theme saw new entrants and old favourites delight the crowds. The record-numbered crowd was in the tens of thousands and we calculate more than 1,500 people were part of the parade itself. A huge thank you is extended to: · Everyone who came out to watch the parade -- just when we think the crowds can't get any larger, they do and we are amazed at the number of Oakville residents lining the streets of Downtown Oakville and Kerr Village · The community groups, schools and businesses who worked so hard putting together the outstanding entries this year. Volunteers from many of these groups put in hundreds of hours to ensure their entry was entertaining for the children of Oakville. The quality of entries was certainly the best Oakville has ever seen. Santa made note of those who put in that extra effort and has de nitely included them on his nice list · The topsoil companies, garden centres, trucking rms, towing rms and others who donated the use of a truck or atbed to the Letter to the Editor MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager parade entrants' use in the parade -- we noticed how shiny the trucks were and know the parade wouldn't be possible without your generosity · The close to 150 volunteers who came out very early Saturday morning to assist with the parade. These volunteers were wearing costumed characters and in atable costumes, escorting the costumed participants through the parade, acting as marshals, assisting with traf c or serving hot chocolate · The businesses and homeowners on Lakeshore, Robinson, Reynolds, Felan, Stewart and Kerr streets for their patience and understanding for the disruption to their businesses and homes that morning. Some businesses really got into the Christmas spirit by serving free hot chocolate, or making their washroom facilities available · Our generous sponsors, without whom the parade could not happen. These sponsorship dollars pay for advertising, hiring marching bands, renting costumed character out ts (including those amazing in atable snowmen, toy soldiers and elves), police and much, much more · Oakville Transit for providing a bus for see Everyone on p.7 Proud official media sponsor for: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud official media sponsor for: The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. 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