Fake mosque on Canadian Forces base in Alberta raises concerns for Muslim community

As Mahmoud Mourra was out hunting on the prairie in southern Alberta, he came across a familiar sight in an unfamiliar location: the dome of a mosque, replete with minaret and crescent symbol.

Only the mosque was not real. It was part of a training facility at CFB Suffield, about 250 kilometres southeast of Calgary.

For Mourra, who has made a life in Canada since immigrating from Lebanon decades ago, it felt like a betrayal.

"It is a symbol not for terrorists, it is symbol for Muslims and I think that's what is the problem," he said.

"I do believe there's a systematic problem because this is a tip of the iceberg to see a field like this in existence."

Mustafa Farooq, CEO of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, said video circulating online has raised concerns in the Muslim community, especially in light of white supremacist elements in the forces.

"It's very concerning to think about such a mosque and its presence on any armed forces base," he said.

"We understand this was a British installation, but to our understanding, similar constructions and facades of this nature have been put up in other bases historically in Canada."

A spokesperson for the Department of National Defence said the British installation is the only one the department is immediately aware of.

"That said, given the sheer size of the [Canadian Armed Forces], we would have to do a broader pan-CAF check," Dan Le Bouthillier said in an emailed statement.

CFB Suffield base commander Lt.-Col. Stephen Burke said the structure is part of a simulated village built in 2006 used exclusively by British forces. It is in a "dry" training area — meaning no live ammunition is used in the vicinity.

"People would obviously still be carrying weapons, still doing military training, but there was no shooting at it," he said. 

"And as a matter of fact, that's the kind of thing we're actively training to prevent."

The type of training conducted there would be simulating life on tour — how to behave in another environment — rather than combat scenarios, Burke said. Canadian Forces have operated similar exercises.