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Former Prelate Catholic girls school now home to Islamic Academy for boys
 
 
BY TIM SWITZER, LEADER-POST SEPTEMBER 5, 2011 2:02 PM
 
 
REGINA -- Some observers will undoubtedly look at the changes happening at St. Angela’s Academy in Prelate and find the shift unfathomable.

But for Sister Rosetta Reiniger, watching the former all-girls Catholic school operated by the Ursuline Sisters of Prelate become an Islamic school for boys isn’t that big a difference at all.

“The Ursuline philosophy was educating for life and they will be continuing to educate,” said Reiniger, who worked and lived at the school in the southwest Saskatchewan village before it closed in 2007. “It’s very different in that it’s a Catholic girls school becoming an Islamic boys school, but it’s still education. And we’re also hoping it will bring about more openness to other cultures.”

The sale of the school became final on Aug. 15 and the Islamic Academy of Saskatchewan is expected to begin operations in mid-September.

The school will offer classes to students from Grades 4 to 12 and will draw those students in from across the country as did its predecessor, the Islamic College of B.C.

School president Mohammad Tayyab said the school had outgrown its building in Hope, B.C., and needed more room. He doesn’t know how many students will be in Prelate from the start, but expects grow to around 100 after opening the doors and will have six or seven staff members in the community immediately.

Like Reiniger, he doesn’t see the shift from a Catholic school to an Islamic one as a large step.

“There’s only a different way,” Tayyab said. “Catholic and Muslim, I think are the same — they’re each for their God. They follow through Jesus and we follow through Prophet Muhammad. They used this place for religious education and we’re using it for the same purpose.”

And so far, Tayyab and others from the school have been welcomed with open arms in Prelate, a town of around 125 people.

Darlene Wagner, the village clerk, said there are mixed feelings for people like her who have lived in Prelate their whole lives as St. Angela’s changes hands. While many didn’t want to see the Ursuline sisters leave, many are also glad to know the buildings won’t be demolished.

“It’s a beautiful building and has been here for many, many years … and it’s something we’re glad is going to be taken over and it’s a school that will bring more young people into our community,” said Wagner.

“It’s a different culture, something we’re not familiar with, but a lot of us are anxious to learn about it.

“The Ursuline sisters were a large part of the community so we’re welcoming them with open arms so hopefully it will be good.”

For Reiniger too, there is a hint of sadness as the sale become final.

“It was our since 1919 so there’s some sadness, but there’s also relief,” Reiniger said.

The Islamic Academy held an open house Sunday to introduce itself to the area and it’s a place Tayyab hopes they can remain for a long time to come.

“We want to expand it because there’s definitely potential for more than 100 students,” he said.



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