 Print
A 50 year Journey unlike others
3-22-2017
What a Journey, 50 years of dedication and countless sacrifices both financial and physical to achieve a respected reputation and trademark which identifies British Columbia Muslim Association ( BCMA) as one of the largest and most diverse Muslim organizations in Canada.
Imagine what the early Muslims went through before the establishment of the Pakistan Canada Association (PAC) facilities, which is now known as Vancouver Jamea Masjid on West 8th Ave.
They had no place to pray, no place to come to learn or teach their children about Islam. As a result, we have lost many souls who simply moved away from Islam. It was these kinds of concern, worries and desire to retain our religion which led a few brothers to come together and start planning to establish a society which welcomed Muslims from all parts of the world.
With the help of PAC, the families started to come together at the facility to know each and pray and learn together. This was a great beginning for which we should forever be grateful and thankful. May Allah Subhan wa Taala bless them all for their foresight and sacrifices.
The above scenario has been repeated in many parts of BC as well as in Canada…….where many initial Muslim immigrants suffered because of lack of Islamic facilities and as a result many individuals have simply moved away from Islam. We pray that Allah Subhan wa Taala give them hidaya and bring them back to the right path Inshah Allah.
Todays challenge is to connect all Muslims to their local masajid and make them feel proud to be part of this beautiful Ummah.of our beloved Rasul Allah. To achieve this we must continue to focus on the original vision of the founders who sought to be inclusive and serve all Muslims irrespective of their origin. In today’s terms it means all Muslim Organizations must co-operate with each other in solidarity to combat any and all forms of discrimination and bigotry. It also means that we must support each other with all our efforts without prejudice for the common good of all the Muslims and the society at large.
Let us all be united for the survival of Islam for now and for the future.
Here is a high level chronological journey of BCMA;
|
1966:
|
Incorporated as a Society under the Societies Act in November
|
|
1992:
|
1000 burial plots purchased at Victory Memorial Park in White Rock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1967:
|
Mosque trust fund established
|
|
1993:
|
First ever Hajj packaged offered to members
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1970:
|
A donation of $5,000 to the Mosque fund arrives from the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington D.C.
|
|
1994:
|
The Women’s Chapter purchases a hearse
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1974:
|
Richmond Masjid land is purchased
|
|
1996:
|
- Victoria Masjid is purchased
- Masjid-ur Rahmah is purchased
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1976:
|
304 burial plots purchased at Ocean View Cemetery
|
|
1998:
|
- Masjid-ul Haqq is purchased
- Burnaby Masjid land is purchased
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1979:
|
Surrey Masjid property purchased, converted and renovated
|
|
1999:
|
- Nanaimo Islamic Centre is purchased
- Abbotsford, Coquitlam, and Kelowna chapters are formed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1981:
|
Purchased additional 200 burial plots at Ocean View Cemetery
|
|
2000:
|
Kelowna Islamic Centre is purchased
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1982:
|
Foundation layer ceremony for Richmond Masjid in July
|
|
2002:
|
Board of Religious Affairs re-opens Halal Certification Program
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1984:
|
Richmond Muslim School starts in multi-purpose room
|
|
2003:
|
North Vancouver Chapter established
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1991:
|
Acquisition of property adjacent to Surrey Masjid
|
|
2005:
|
The City of Prince George grants permission to construct “The Prince George Islamic Community, Cultural, and Education Centre”
|
-
In addition to the above the following are some key accomplishments that have been achieved within the last 10 years:
-
We hired 6 new Imams to provide services to our growing community.
-
Prince George Masjid construction was completed and services established
-
Victoria Masjid was planned and built and put into operation.
-
A new facility was identified and approved for the relocation of current Nanaimo masjid.
-
Kelowna facility needed to be upgraded for the growing community. We purchased additional property to build a new Masajid instead for the long term benefit.
-
A new Maktab system was developed with a curriculum and set of accompanying books
-
A complete set of policies and procedures manual was created and implemented as a guide to assist in the ongoing operations of all divisions of BCMA
-
Scholarship program was established and is to be implemented
-
“Welcome to Islam” program was created to educate new Muslims (reverts).about Islam
-
A new Surrey Muslim School property was purchased and started thus releasing large amounts of urgently needed space in both Surrey masajid.
-
A new financial system was evaluated and created for implementation.
-
A new Halal Monitoring and Inspection guidelines was introduced along with a unique registered Logo as required by the Federal regulations
-
A new Moon Sighting procedure was documented and Salah Timetable updated
-
Upgraded the Information Technology capabilities in order to launch a new capabilities
-
Women’s Dawa and Islamic Education program for reverts was established.
-
Arabic School for expatriats was established to serve the transient Muslim families.
-
“Young Ummah” brand was registered to help engage the younger generation in their activities in order to help them live within the fold of Islam
-
Islamic Will and Last Testament package was created and published for the members.
-
Constitution Review Committee was established to address the safety and security concerns of our large, complex and growing Association
Footnotes:
|