Baitun Nur Mosque, Ahmadiyya Mosque in Calgary, Canada

Baitun Nur Mosque is a house of worship in Castleridge, Calgary, distinguished by a large central dome and a tall steel minaret that anchors the skyline. Inside, the building contains prayer halls, classrooms, offices, a community center, a kitchen, and a children's area.

The cornerstone was laid in 2005 and construction was completed in 2008 to serve the growing Ahmadi community in the region. The project fulfilled a need for a dedicated gathering space for prayer and community activities.

The name Baitun Nur means "House of Light" in Urdu, the language of the community that built it. Ninety-nine Arabic words run around the exterior, each one an attribute of Allah as given in the Qur'an. The mosque belongs to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, whose local members, about 3,000 in 2008, raised roughly C$8 million of the C$15 million cost themselves.

The mosque is located in the Castleridge neighborhood and is easily visible from the street due to its dome and minaret. When visiting, keep in mind that this is a shoes-off facility and respectful dress is expected by all guests.

The prayer hall's chandelier weighs 400 kilograms and cost $50,000, according to reports from the mosque's 2008 opening. The complex also holds classrooms, offices, a kitchen, a children's area and a community centre, so the building serves functions beyond prayer.