SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) – http://www.jaffari.org/
The community of members that make up the ISIJ of Toronto began congregating for major religious occasions in the late 1960’s. Today we have grown into a Shia Muslim community whose organization is a source of inspiration to other Muslim communities continent-wide.
There are currently almost 2000 voting Members of the ISIJ of Toronto, which when including family members translates to approximately 5000 individuals. The Membership is comprised primarily, but not exclusively, of Shia Muslims of Indian origin from East Africa with a deep and rich history of worship, congregation and community service.
Indeed, serving and managing the affairs of a Community of this size requires dedication, organization and a collective desire to “be your neighbour’s keeper.” As a result of this spirit, we have established 5 separate places of worship in Thornhill, Richmond Hill, Brampton, Hamilton and London, Ontario.
In 1979, the ISIJ of Toronto built the Jaffari Islamic Centre (JIC) in Thornhill. For many years, it ranked as the grandest Mosque in the Greater Toronto Area, if not in the entire country. It remains the primary centre of worship for the majority of the Membership.
In 1994, the ISIJ of Toronto purchased a 28 acre property in Richmond Hill, to eventually convert to a mult-faceted facility and complex. In 2003, the Masumeen Islamic Centre in Brampton was completed, representing many years of hard work and dedication.
Currently, the ISIJ of Toronto is in the initial stages of building a centre of worship in Hamilton and is in the exploratory stages of developing a centre of worship in London, each to replace their current respective leased facilities.
In addition, the Community is in the midst of a major development undertaking. That is, the building of the Jaffari Community Centre (JCC), a 161,000 square foot facility at 9000 Bathurst Street in Richmond Hill. The JCC is designed to have a full double-gym, a sizeable congregation area and ample undesignated space that may later be used for classrooms, banquet and/or fitness facilities.
The ISIJ of Toronto has assisted with and houses the As-Sadiq Islamic School. Inaugurated in 1994, parents of As-Sadiq students presently entrust the School with the primary education of their children.
Today, the Community successfully carries out its own burial facilities, youth programs, periodic publications, library, seniors’ activities and various other functions that are part-in-parcel with the operation of an efficient organization.
The Executive Committee of the ISIJ of Toronto would be remiss if it did not recognize the tireless efforts of the volunteers that serve the Community on a continual basis. Furthermore, the ISIJ of Toronto is extremely fortunate to be comprised of a Membership that both demands the best and provides the requisite support to deliver
