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By Sami Monir
With over 500 individuals present, the Abbotsford Islamic Centre opened its doors officially at the Grand Opening on Sunday February 14th. Quran tilawat was completed by respectable Qari Abdul Wahab followed with a speech by BCMA President Sikandar Khan reminding everyone about the importance of a maintaining a Masjid for our community. To add to the day‚s excitement, Masha ALLAH one sister accepted Islam and together everyone prayed the Duhr Salaah. There was also fundraising, with a total amount of $170,000 raised, and followed by a delicious lunch. Jazakallah to all individuals who attended. The Islamic Centre is a dream come true and will serve the Muslim communities of the Fraser Valley˜including the cities of Chilliwack, Mission and Abbotsford, among others. An ideal space, the building is two levels, with a total of 5000 square feet and located on .28 acres of land. Facilities include separate prayer halls for males and females, parking, plumbing, washrooms, and room for potential development in order to provide further opportunities and programs for our youth, children, and adults. InshALLAH the Islamic Centre will be open for a variety of activities including daily Salaah, Jumaah Salaah, kids and adults Quran classes, Quran Dars night, Ladies Tajweed, Ladies Tilawat and much more. For more information and to view photos please visit http://abbotsford.thebcma.com/contacts.aspx or email abbotsford@thebcma.com
While we have had successful fundraising so far, our total fundraising goal is $845 000 and the amount of $350, 0000 remaining to be raised. Donations can be made online or by contacting Br. Shahid Rashid at 604-302-0105.
We invite all brothers and sisters to visit the Abbotsford Islamic Centre and to remember us in your prayers.
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In the last week of January, an initiative was taken to raise funds for rehabilitation and rebuilding the Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince devastated by the most powerful earthquake in the history. The earthquake victims desperately need our support.
To schedule the fundraising program a Pakistani community members meeting was called in Mr. Tarik Kiyani office to do more efforts for earthquake victims in Haiti. A fundraising sub-committee consisted of Mr. Tarik Kiyani, Mr.Afzal Malik and Mr. Naseer Pirzada was selected. The purpose of the committee was to collect the funds and provide a report to public through Miracle Media Group to reflect the transparency in the whole procedure. With tremendous efforts by individuals and Pakistani Associations a fund of $4220 was raised from selling tickets.
On Feb 14th, there was a program in Pakistan House to handover the Human concern International (HCI) receipts to the charity organization. Mr. Azhar Syed, former executive member of HCI, provided a brief history of HCI and its project all over the world. Mr. Khalid Khan, the authorized representative of HCI in BC was in charge of receiving the donations. The total amount was declared $4220 in which $2361 were donated in cash and $1859 in cheques.
There was a short entertainment session in which Mr. Safean Khan, Mr. Zaeem Nasir and Mr. Imran entertained the gathering with their singing talents.
Pakistani Community has already been contributing actively since the earthquake in January either through the Radio-thons, Doctors with Borders and through online donations to different charity organizations. More events are going to be organized in March for this noble cause. For more information, please contact Mr. Tarik Kiyani@ 604-722-9378 and Mr. Khalid Khan@ 604-723-3464
The sub -committee is thankful to all those who generously donated to help Haiti’s earthquake victims.
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