THE MAKING OF A MUSLIM COMMUNITY

BY MICHAEL WIWCHAR

A small Muslim community put its trust in Allah and diligently planned and worked its way to success

My wife Soraya and I were raised in Ottawa, Ontario, where we lived for 10 years after our marriage before relocating to Kelowna, British Columbia, in 1997. Our daughter Shaira was 10 and our son Zayn was 7. The possibility of relocating to the beautiful Okanagan Valley in BC’s southern interior, known as a deep-rooted Christian area, appealed to us since we had considered moving to a smaller community. The fact that this area has mild winters was also a big bonus. However, we had concerns about how this move might affect our Islamic way of life, and so decided to do some research before moving. Our real estate agent stated that no masjid or Islamic center existed there, but he was able find a Muslim woman there to contact. Soraya, who communicated with her, found that Kelowna had a small Muslim community, approximately 200, and that a Muslim association organized some activities. After much thought, we put our faith in Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala) and moved.

We quickly noticed that there was little Islamic presence in the city, and discovered that the only way to meet other Muslims was to search the telephone book. By the grace of Allah, we made contact with the Intikhab Ahmed family. They invited us to dinner. Intikhab, then president of the local Muslim Association, informed us that Jumu‘ah prayers were held at Abdullah Hair’s residence above their family-operated store and gas station. During the next few months, I attended the association meetings and was asked to become its secretary. The community activities consisted of Eid gatherings. During our meetings and gatherings, the major topic of discussion was the absence of a permanent place to pray and meet.

In order to create a permanent home for our community, we sought help from Vancouver’s BC Muslim Association (BCMA), which has existed since 1966 and is a well-established and respected organization. In the spring of 1998, the members of community decided to become a BCMA affiliate. This move provided us with the administrative structure and the added support of the thousands of BCMA members across the province. In November 1998, we began our quest for an Islamic center and started fundraising by traveling to larger communities at Edmonton, Calgary, Lac Labiche, Regina, Ottawa, and Vancouver, from where we received generous contributions. We found a suitable site, owned by a church, and deposited C$25,000 in August 1999. We were now committed to the C$240,000 purchase price with a possession date of January 14, 2000. We obtained over C$70,000 from our own community members, sought funds from family and friends, and mailed hundreds of brochures to other communities in North America and embassies in Ottawa.

The majority of our funds were raised during Ramadan, when a collective effort from the BCMA took place at all masjids in the Vancouver and Lower Mainland area. By January 14, 2000, we had collected over C$140,000 and BCMA provided us with an interest-free loan to cover the balance. The possession date fell on a Friday, and a handful of brothers and sisters were able make this Jumuah a very memorable one for the Kelowna Muslim community.

On December 16, 2001, after a final fundraising push during Ramadan, we achieved our objective to eliminate the debt on the property. We are now attempting to establish regular salaat and to provide Islamic education for our children and youth.

We are planning to have the center open and attended on a regular schedule for da’wah purposes. We have purchased burial plots and have an area dedicated to meeting our specific needs. Another priority for us is to find an Imam to provide us with the necessary leadership, guidance, and education. We have much more work to do in Kelowna.

These past years have been a most interesting and fulfilling experience for my family and me. We consider ourselves truly blessed by Allah to be given this opportunity to be active contributors to Islam in Kelowna, even though our contribution has been small. We can now look back and know that this move was meant to be. We pray that other small communities across North America will be able to put Islam in the view of others. The reality is that if smaller communities in the heartland are provided with an opportunity to have access to Islam, many more Canadians and Americans will be made aware of the straight path.

Muslims will not consider living in a town or city that does not have a mosque or an Islamic center. This is justifiable concern; however, when Muslims come together as a community and with the help of Muslim associations, Allah will reward their efforts.

Michael Wiwchar was secretary of the BC Muslim Association Kelowna Branch .