HISTORY OF THE SHIA MUSLIM COMMUNITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA VANCOUVER JAMAAT

The Shia Muslim Community of British Columbia dates back to 1967, when a few members of our community immigrated to Vancouver. The first settler was Alhaj Razahusein M. Devji in October 1967. His family followed him shortly. Other early settlers included Alhaj Sultanbhai Jagani, Alhaj Amirali Rashid, Alhaj Murtaza Gokal, and Marhum Roshanbhai N. Dewji. These individuals and their families started organizing majalises and religious functions in their homes.

Due to political instability in 1972 caused by Idi Amin Dada in Uganda, a number of our brothers and sisters immigrated to Vancouver. Vancouver was a popular destination due to its weather, beaches and mountains, and the fact that it had a promising future for immigrant families. The early settlers assisted new immigrants from Africa, India, Pakistan, and the Middle East.

In 1975, the Jamaat was formed and formalized. Among the first individuals to sign the first constitution were Alhaj Huseinbhai Jagani, Alhaj Husein P. Visram, Alhaj Sultanbhai Jaffer, Alhaj Razabhai Devji, and Alhaj Syed Ahmed Zahir. The society was registered on June 9th, 1975.

In 1978, the community decided to build its own Imambara instead of renting halls. A three- quarters acres site with a residence was purchased at 3360 Sexsmith Road in Richmond, BC. The Jamaat built a facility just less than 8,400 square feet at a total cost of about $300,000. The members of the Jamaat, and other Jamaats Worldwide, provided physical and financial support.

Marhum Mulla Asgher M.M. Jaffer as well as elders of our community -- Alhaj Marhum Hassanali H.K. Manji, Alhaj Marhum Hassanali Nasser Virji, and Alhaj Marhum Huseinbhai S. Jagani -- laid the foundation of the Sexsmith Imambara. This Imambara served the community for 23 years.

The Jamaat purchased an initial 50 graves at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Burnaby, BC. Currently we have 460 graves at Forest Lawn Cemetery of which 90 have been used, and 500 graves in Behesht-e-Zahra (Chilliwack) Cemetery have already been purchased with an option of 500 more graves.

HISTORY OF THE SHIA MUSLIM COMMUNITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA VANCOUVER JAMAAT

As the community grew and the areas of responsibility widened, the Jamaat established subcommittees for running the Social and Welfare programs, Youth activities, Tabligh, Matrimonial, Funeral, and Seniors committees.

The Jamaat has been blessed with respected Aalims over the years. The first resident Aalim was Seyyid Amirhusein Naqvi. Followed by him was Seyyid Muhammad Rizvi for seven years before moving to Toronto and Sheikh Hasnain Kassamali for eight years. Maulana Sayeed Hijazi and Maulana Javed Jaffery have also guided the community. Currently we are blessed to have Sheikh Murtaza Bachoo as our religious consultant.

With dedication and foresightedness, the Al-Muntazir Madressa was formed. It was formed by the Alhaj Roshanbhai R.M.Dewji. The Madrasah has had excellent leadership over the years, with every administration striving to achieve higher goals. It has flourished withassistance from Resident Aalims and the volunteers. Currently the Madrasah has an enrolment of over 200 children.

The Jamaat’s first elected President in 1975 was Alhaj Razahusein R.M. Devji who served the Jamaat for over a decade. The Jamaat has also benefited from the leadership of Alhaj Sultanbhai Jaffer, Alhaj Roshanbhai N.M. Dewji, Alhaj Amirali Rashid, Alhaj Akber Mithani, Alhaj Mohamed Hemraj, Alhaj Jafferbhai Ladak, Alhaj Mohamed R.N. Dewji, Alhaj Hassanali Fazel, Alhaj Gulam Jagani, Alhaj Mahmood Jaffer and Alhaj Husein Bhojani.

HISTORY OF THE SHIA MUSLIM COMMUNITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA VANCOUVER JAMAAT

The Ladies Committee and dedicated Jamaat volunteers have been instrumental in assisting with organization and development of the Imambara Centres. Sister Rukaiyabai Dharamshi is a lifetime member of Ladies Committee and helped guide the Ladies Committee in its infancy. Past Chairladies of the Jamaat include; Sis. Zainab Jaffer, Sis. Maher Rashid, Sis. Ashraf Devji, Sis. Mumtaz Shabbir Dewji, Sis. Masuma Fazal, Sis. Shamim Jagani, Sis. Hamida Suleman, Sis. Kaniz Jetha and Sis. Zainab Bhojani.

The Ladies Senior Committee has been formed and led by Sis. Gulbanubai Visram. Alhaj Kurbanbhai Virji leads the Men’s Senior Committee. We also have a very vibrant Az-Zahraa Youth Group led by Br. MuhammadQasim Dewji.

With the exponential growth of our Jamaat, the Community began a search in the early 1990’s for a larger facility to cater for Religious, Educational, Social, and Recreational programs. With the grace of Almighty and the efforts of the Multipurpose Centre Task Force, a 9.8-acre site in Richmond, B.C. was acquired. In June 2000, a number of dignitaries including the President of the World Federation, Alhaj Hasnain Walji, joined ourJamaat in laying the foundation stone.

HISTORY OF THE SHIA MUSLIM COMMUNITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA VANCOUVER JAMAAT

The new Centre is named Az-Zahraa Islamic Centre and is located at 8580 No. 5 Road, Richmond, B.C. It was officially opened on August 25th, 2002.

Of the 9.8 acres, 3.3 acres is constructed and 6.5 acres is used as an Islamic School Playground, which also features a Fruit Trees Farm. The 55,000 square foot facility has a Mosque, Imamabara, Islamic School, Madrasah, and a number of other facilities to serve our community for decades to come.

As the community expands, more activities are added to fulfill additional needs.