INUVIK - Muslim residents are getting a proper mosque thanks to a charitable organization in Winnipeg.

"It's exactly what's needed and we're very happy to get it. It's very important to us," Abdalla Mohamed said, speaking on behalf of Inuvik's 100 or so Muslim residents.

Abdalla Mohamed stands at the Wolverine Road location on Tuesday, where the mosque is expected to stand in September. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

But rather than being constructed in Inuvik, the mosque will be built in Winnipeg. From there it will be trucked to Hay River and then sent on barge to town where it's due to arrive in late September.

The Zubaidah Tallab Foundation - a Muslim charity that aids a number of causes - agreed to take responsibility for the project, which required raising $300,000.

The idea was brought to the foundation about a year ago by one of its members, who's also a friend of town resident Jafar Karmalla who told him about the need.

Hussain Guisti, the foundation's general manager, said the decision to build the structure was easy.

"It's an opportunity to make history and spread Islam - that's the main reason. You always help Muslims out when they're in need. It's part of the Muslim faith and the Muslim upbringing and tradition, so that's pretty much why we're doing it."

The proposed 1,554-square-foot mosque will be located at the corner of 29 Wolverine Road where members of the Muslim community have bought two parcels of land to accommodate the structure. It will also replace their current worshipping site - a nine-by-14-foot trailer on Balsam trailer court.

"We don't have enough room to accommodate all our members," said Mohamed. "We have a lot of things to do in the mosque and (the current one) doesn't allow us to do them - like if we have a wedding ceremony, special ceremonies."

Mohamed said the idea to build a new mosque hatched about three years ago. Initially members wanted to raise the money themselves and build locally but after getting quotes from 11 local construction companies they realized the price tag would be out of their range.

The exterior of the mosque isn't expected to look much different than surrounding town architecture.

But Mohamed said inside there will be rooms specially made for worship, which the current structure doesn't have and opportunity to expand.

The company building it is also ensuring that it's winterized with plenty of extra insulation to deal with Inuvik's harsh winters.

"It will be like a pressure cooker inside, totally sealed." said Guisti.

He said he may visit Inuvik for the mosque's inauguration ceremony, and added that the foundation is only fulfilling its mandate and not looking for praise.

"It's part of the Muslim faith - generosity, compassion, helping others out - it's embedded in us. It's what makes a Muslim a Muslim."

Mohamed said he's more than grateful.

"When people give you a gift like this, you have to appreciate it," he said.