By Muslim day at Playland team

Muslim Day @ Playland! What a fun and exciting combination of wild rides, candy, thrilling games, community get together and Halal Foods!! The event was a great success, with thanks to Allah primarily, and all participants and attendees secondarily. Approximately 1,000 Muslims: seniors, mothers, fathers, & children from all ages and backgrounds attended the 2008 Muslim Day @ Playland. This multi-ethnic event brought the BC Muslim Community together in a fun and safe environment.

"Muslim Day @ Playland" began as an idea from local community members who saw the need for Muslims to have a day to enjoy at PNE. Thus began a quest to form a coalition of as many different Muslim Youth Groups and organizations as possible to participate in this day of enjoyment and Unity for the community. We pray that InshaAllah “The Muslim Day @ Playland” will continue to grow and develop into much more than a day of Unity for the Muslims, but a symbol and lifetime of peace, brotherhood, prosperity, cooperation, coalition, friendship and Unity for all Muslims across the world! This year the event was organized by Ajyal for Youth Developments and co-sponsored by B.C. Muslim Association as well as some Muslim businesses in BC.

“The Muslim Day @ Playland” organizing committee would like to give a special thanks to the volunteers, participating youth groups, sponsors, vendors and of course all the staff and management at Playland for helping to put this great event together. InshaAllah with the support of the BC Muslim community, bigger and better programs and events will be put together in the future. Thanks again to everyone who came out and supported this event in the past and the committee forward to “Muslim Day @ Playland 2009”.

Family Fun day 2008 held at Richmond Mosque

By Imaad Ali

In what's become a summer tradition for the lower mainland's Muslim community, over 1000 people took part in the annual Family Fun Day at Richmond 's Jami'a Mosque on Sunday July 6th.

The event, which started over 8 years ago to raise money for the original Burnaby Mosque Construction Project was organized this year by the RCMP's Youth Advisory group, working together with the BCMA's Burnaby-New Westminster-Tri-Cities Branch and Women's Chapter, and Youth in Motion.

The highlight of the day was the presence of the RCMP's Helicopter, which landed on the BC Muslim School 's field to the amazement of everyone in attendance. The Chopper stayed on the field throughout the day for people to observe, while the pilot handed out stickers to children. Onlookers were impressed by the design of the helicopter, and the elaborate array of instruments and panels inside the cockpit. Later, it took off up to the skies spectacular fashion, with the pilot waving goodbye and circling the Mosque.

The RCMP's presence was not just in the air however, as Richmond 's community policing unit, along with Muslim RCMP constables from various detachments came out and met with the community and brought along a police cruiser for people to observe. Hundreds of children crawled through the cruiser with great curiosity all day. Some officers were dressed in the Mounties' traditional Red Serge uniform.

The Mounties were joined by the Richmond Fire Department, who showed off a real working fire truck. Children were invited to sit in the driver's seat and observe the trucks equipment. Ambulances were provided by the St. John's Ambulance Service, who also brought along paramedics who gave tours, information and souvenirs.

In the mid-afternoon, the hundreds of children in attendance got a huge thrill as Fin, the Mascot Orca-Killer Whale of the Vancouver Canucks made an appearance. Fin gave out Canucks memorabilia, and his very own hockey cards, which he autographed for all of his fans. Some children even brought Canucks jerseys, hats, and hockey sticks for Fin to sign.

The Burnaby Branch and Women's Chapter, who operate Masjid Al-Salaam on Canada Way, cooked food throughout the day, including over 1000 burgers and other food and drinks. The Women's Chapter also held a very successful Bazaar Sale in the multi-purpose hall, featuring Islamic clothing, jewelry and other items.

Other food items included snow cones, ice-cream bars provided by an ice cream truck that was on-site all day, and cotton candy.

All the rides, including bouncy castles and a toddler play centre, were free of charge. Henna application was a popular feature, along with face painting. One of the most popular attractions was the pony ride, which is a Family Fun Day staple. Two beautiful ponies were on the field, for kids to ride. Science World was also present on the day as well, giving a free science presentation using props.

This was the second event for the RCMP's National Security Youth Advisory Council, which formed a new outreach relationship over the past year between Muslim youth and the Mounties. The group also held the successful Muslims of Tomorrow youth conference at Simon Fraser University in March. Anyone looking to join the council or for more information of their exciting activities can send an e-mail to muslims.of.tomorrow@gmail.com .