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A look back 50 Years ago: The first Islamic Marriage conducted officially by BCMA

11-25-2020

Registration of the first Muslim Marriage Commissioner (officer) in the province of British Columbia.

Fifty Four years ago on Saturday July 2nd, 1966, the 14th Rabbi Awwal, 1386 AH, a nine-member Ad-Hoc Committee was appointed to form a Muslim Organization. The next day at its first meeting, these following objectives were discussed:

1. To draft a Constitution and register the Organization under the Societies Act of British Columbia.

2. Build a Mosque/ Islamic Centre for prayers.

3. Conduct religious activities: Meetings, Salah, Marriages, Funerals

4. Work on building an education system such as Sunday School, Library, etc...

5. Communication as in newsletters and other publications.

6. Monthly Social Activities.

7. Charitable activities and opportunities to donate.

At the time, the two of the most important services when establishing a Muslim community were conducting Marriages and Funerals. These two services required registration with Vital Statistics and would take time to complete. The Government required an “The organization has to be in operation for five (5) years and needs 100 signatures…” in order to register a Marriage Officer. At that moment, we were not even a registered organization and did not have 100 members, so we proceeded with the mandate and drafted up a Constitution and By-Laws and began the process of registering the organization. Alhamdulillah, The B.C. Muslim Association (B.C.M.A.) was registered on Thursday, Nov 17th, 1966 (5th Shaban 1386 AH).

With vigorous campaigning for membership and other activities, the support for the B.C.M.A gradually increased. In order to conduct marriages, the Board of Directors in 1968 decided to apply with Vital Statistics to obtain their registration.

The registration process faced a few hurdles:

• The majority of brothers and sisters residing in the Lower Mainland signed the application but a few did not. In order to make up the short fall, we went to Boston Bar, North Bend and Kamloops to gain the additional signatures and Alhamdulillah, we received more than the required amount. This exercise also served as a Census for the B.C.M.A., head count at 110 plus a few.

• The second part of the application that required the organization to be in operation for five (5) years was not in our favour, as we only had been in service for two years at the time. Fortunately, our application was approved because it was supported by a letter from the Pakistani Canada Association (P.C.A.) which was registered in 1963. We thank the P.C.C.A.  for their mutual support and understanding. On behalf of the community, thank you again, we will always appreciate your support – it is Sadaqat Jariah.

Alhamdulillah, with the help from Allah Subhanahu-wa-Taala, and the hard work of the dedicated brothers and sisters, the B.C.M.A had reached another historic achievement towards “Establishing a Muslim Community in British Columbia.

The B.C.M.A. was registered with Vital Statistics and inserted in our First Constitution (See attached) on March 20th, 1969 (3rd Muharram, 1389 AH). 

We were now able to appoint a person/persons to conduct Islamic Marriages and the membership was elated by the news and it was a great reason to celebrate. Alhamdulillah, after Duhr salah, we celebrated with the Sunday school children and were treated to refreshments provided by sister, Rabia Day.

Brother Farouk Elesseily was appointed to be the first Muslim Marriage Commissioner/Officer in the Province of B.C. on June 11th, 1970 (7th Rabi Al Thani, 1390 AH). 

Brother Farouk performed the first Nikah on September 5th, 1970 at 655 West 8th Ave, Vancouver, B.C. 

The first couple to be married under the Statute was Br. Arab Abu-Sharife of Jordan and Sr. Nazma Leila Ali from Fiji. Alhamdulillah, today they are grandparents and are enjoying the full extent of their lives together. This was the vision of the Association in the 1960’s. Congratulations to Br. Farouk for performing this wonderful event and also to Br. Arab and Sr. Nazma on celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary this year.

Since then, Alhamdulillah, many marriages have been performed and the number of Officers has increased. Congratulations and may Allah (s.w.t.) bless you all. Ameen.

The three surviving Founding members of the Association and the Board of Directors in 1968/69/70 are Br. M.Z. Khan (Vice President), Br. Usman Ali (Treasurer), and Br. Farouk Elesseily (Director of Religious Affairs) are still active in the community. They are so very grateful to have witnessed the growing community with all the opportunities given to them by Allah (s.w.t). Br Farouk and Br. Usman are still performing marriages and they continue to help build the future generation by uniting families.

In the end, the main objective was to build the Muslim Community by helping people settle down and raise families, and be socially responsible/ respectful individuals. This was and continues to be a great blessing, given to us by Allah (s.w.t) and we must appreciate it. Insha’Allah, we will have many more reasons to celebrate our community’s achievements.


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