Sydney's former Holy Redeemer church hall is being turned into a mosque. (CBC)

A group of Muslims in Sydney, N.S., has bought a church hall to convert into a mosque.

The Antigonish Roman Catholic diocese sold the parish hall affiliated with Sydney's Holy Redeemer Parish Church because a shrinking congregation means the church no longer needs the space.

The more than 30 families who make up the group that bought the hall had been worshipping in various rented spaces throughout Sydney.

The building will get a new roof and undergo interior renovations as the group raises money to pay for the upgrades.

Abdul Atiyah, a doctor and a leader in the local Muslim community, said having a permanent prayer and gathering space would strengthen the community.

The new mosque will be used for prayers, meetings, educating children in the faith and as a community outreach centre for the Whitney Pier area.

Many people in Sydney's Muslim community came to the region to work in the health care sector but have been lacking a proper outlet for their faith, Atiyah said.

'This is one of the greatest things I've heard so far. As a prayer centre, I welcome it.'— Archbishop Vincent Waterman

"[The new mosque] has become a great retention tool for the professionals, because a lot of the people who come here leave because of lack of support, leave because there is no place for the children to be exposed to their culture," Atiyah said.

"It's something that is actually very positive."

Irshaad Sardiwalla, who plans to worship at the new mosque, said it will attract Muslims to Cape Breton.

"People are coming from other countries and wanting to know, 'Is there a mosque available?'" he said. "If there is a mosque, they'd be more willing to stay. It lets them practice the religious aspect of their lives."

Archbishop Vincent Waterman, head of the nearby African Orthodox Church, welcomed the mosque.

"This is one of the greatest things I've heard so far," he said. "As a prayer centre, I welcome it. When you take roots in a community such as this, it shows that you're going to stay for a while. You're putting down roots."

The Muslims plan to hold a grand opening for the mosque next year.