The brainchild of Mark Persaud, President and CEO of the Canadian International Peace Project ( CIPP) who has been nominated for the prestigious 2006 Seoul Peace Prize, the project attracted support from Canadians of all backgrounds including Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs as well as secular Canadians. The students of Archbishop Romero Catholic Secondary School, a founding member of the CIPP, initiated the fundraising campaign for the project. The Christian and Muslim communities of Branford held a joint fundraiser which brought together these two communities for the first time. Other Canadians, including senior citizens from several Canadian churches, sent in letters of support and donations for this project.

The CIPP is a novel and unique non-partisan organization that has brought together diverse groups and individuals to work on issues and projects relating to local, national and international peace, security and development . Through partnership on events and projects, the CIPP fosters mutual respect and sustainable relationships among diverse groups including those in conflict with each other.

" This unprecedented project by Canadians of diverse backgrounds to reach out to Afghanis and show our support as they struggle to bring peace and stability to their war weary countryis a powerful illustration that ordinary Canadians can make unique contributions to peace, security and development in any part of the world. It is a wonderful statement of Canadian pluralism and Canadian values at its best which the Canadian International Peace Project strives tofoster domestically and internationally and which is so desperately needed in many areas of the world" said Mark Persaud.

Omar Samad, Ambassador of Afghanistan to Canada said, "It is great to see an uplifting Canadian project supported by good people of all faiths and origins implemented in a remote region of Afghanistan. I thank all those who supported this project,and I congratulate the Canadian International Peace Project and the International Development and Relief Foundation for successfully implementing the old Mosque renovation project in Andkhoi. We are looking forward to more innovative projects as part of the multi-faceted Canadian non-governmental initiatives in various parts of the country."

The construction work was largely completed the day before their New Year (Nowrose). This allowed the villagers to congregate in a grand ceremony in which they invited people from the surrounding villages to join them in prayer, celebration and festivities.

Villagers including children who will benefit from the project

Since the successful completion, the community is starting to become more vibrant as people can now assemble and pray in a safe environment. Not only was a mosque rebuilt, but an entire community was restored as well. Currently, 80 boys and 20 girls have been enrolled in classes at the mosque that provide literacy training.

The people of Andkhoi are very pleased and thankful for the re-establishment of their mosque. There is still much more that could be done in the village especially in regards to children’s health and nourishment. The residents conveyed their gratitude to the CIPP  and expressed hope of further assistance. The Canadian International Peace Project plans to continue to work in collaboration with its partner on the project, the International Relief and Development Foundation, on economic improvement and bridge building projects in Afghanistan to help bring peace and stability to the region.