After seven years of planning, the Islamic Society of Toronto (IST) celebrated the grand opening of its new Islamic Centre at 20 Overlea Boulevard in Thorncliffe Park on November 16, 2025.
The event began with Maghrib prayers, marking a historic milestone for one of Toronto’s largest and most diverse Muslim communities, serving around 40,000 people across Thorncliffe Park, Flemingdon Park, and surrounding areas.
Community members had long anticipated the opening. “When is the Masjid opening? We’ve been asking for seven long years,” they repeatedly inquired, reflecting the patience and excitement of the congregation, Iqra.ca reported.
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The new 66,377-square-foot facility is roughly five times larger than IST’s previous mosque at 4 Thorncliffe Park Drive.
It features expanded prayer halls, improved women’s prayer spaces including a dedicated mezzanine, modern amenities, and dedicated areas for educational programs, youth recreation, community businesses, and funeral services.
The project was made possible through a $49.5 million partnership with Metrolinx, linked to the Ontario Line transit project that required the demolition of IST’s original mosque.
Metrolinx President and CEO Phil Verster said at the time of the announcement: “Transit has always been a catalyst for community building, development and growth.”
“Helping the Islamic Society of Toronto deliver on their vision for a new, bigger Islamic Centre will bring benefits to the community far beyond the positive impact the new Ontario Line subway will bring.”
Sunday School Too
Educational offerings include full-time and part-time Hifz programs, six-year Alim and Alima courses, evening Madrasah classes, and Sunday Islamic school for children aged 6–16.
The gymnasium provides space for basketball, volleyball, and indoor cricket, while up to 24,000 square feet is dedicated to housing 19 local businesses and community organizations affected by Ontario Line construction.
The centre serves one of Toronto’s most culturally diverse neighborhoods, reflecting Thorncliffe Park’s population of mostly South Asian origin, with Pakistani, Indian, and Afghan Canadians representing significant portions.
IST has long provided a welcoming space where Muslims of all ethnicities and national origins can worship together, united by their shared faith.
Since 1995, IST has grown from a single facility into a comprehensive hub for spiritual, educational, and social services, including multiple daily prayers, youth programs, marriage counseling, and international charitable initiatives.
The grand opening symbolizes decades of planning, perseverance, and growth. The IST leadership emphasized their commitment to excellence, describing the vision as creating “a united, vibrant, and diverse Muslim community rooted in faith and service.”
The new facility ensures that the growing Muslim population will have the resources to practice their faith, educate their children, and strengthen community bonds for generations to come.