BismiLahi Rahmani Raheem
Ash-hadu anlla ilaha ila-Allahu,wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasulu-Lahi.

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

On a bright Sunday afternoon of January 22nd, 1995, a group of 7 men and 4 women got together in the apartment of one of them to organize what they called the “first organizing committee” of the “Nigerian Muslim Association of Canada”. This group of immigrants of Nigeria background were concerned about the absence of a place of organized worship for the religion – Islam, which they profess to. They were even more concerned that one of the prime injunctions of the religion itself prescribes that congregational prayer is more beneficial, and more glorious, than praying individually.
Words quickly spread to other Muslims in the Toronto area of this epoch and trail-blazing event and more people immediately started showing interest in becoming part of this happy and God-seeking group. The next meeting, one week after, witnessed 15 attendees, 20 attended the following week, and the figure has been growing ever since. Thus was born the Nigerian Canadian Muslim Association (N.C.M.A.), Canada’s premier and largest concentration of Muslims of Nigerian birth, ancestry or heritage.
At the initial stages, organized were held in shifts at individual members’ apartments or houses. Then, to a rented office on 777 King Street, Toronto, from where activities moved to 86, Rivalda Road, North York at Talim-Ul-Islam mosque. It is with grace of Allah that the association purchased its own property, Ansar ul-Islam Mosque on Milvan Drive, Unit 7 North York, in June 2003. Plans are now on-going to purchase a bigger, more spacious and befitting place that will accommodate our ever-growing membership, children and youths who run into hundreds. Our fundraising efforts to that effect continue both locally and abroad.

WHAT WE STAND FOR AT N.C.M.A.
The Nigerian Canadian Muslim Association (N.C.M.A.) seeks to be a community in which all Muslims can come together on a common platform to worship ALLAH, where the Qur’an, the Hadith; the teaching and practice of Prophet Muhammad; (P .B. U .H.), is the fundamental principle of our faith. In fact, the “Shahaadah” is the fundamental essence of our being Muslims, and is stated hereunder:

DECLARATION OF ISLAMIC FAITH (Shahaadah or kalima):

LA ILAHA ILLA’ALLAHU, MUHAMMADAN RASULU’LLAHI – There is no god except Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger.
We desire to be good Muslims seeking the kingdom without neglecting the Mosque; exulting in the beauty, the joy and the privileges of life without condoning the evils; serving the mosque without overlooking the law, loving Canada without forgetting the world; magnifying the Holy Qur’an without discrediting the research, continuing being a believer and living our lives according to the guiding principle of the Qur’an, Hadith; the teaching of our Prophet Muhammad, (P .B. U .H.),

Who is Allah?
Allah is the proper name for Almighty God, and is often translated merely as “God.” Allah has other names that are used to describe His characteristics: the Creator, the Sustainer, the Merciful, the Compassionate, etc.

We at N.C.M.A. believe as all other Muslims, that since Allah alone is the Creator, it is He alone that deserves our devout love and worship. Islam holds to a strict monotheism. Any worship and prayers directed at saints, prophets, other human beings or nature is considered idolatry.

What do Muslims believe about God, prophets, the afterlife, etc.?
The basic beliefs of Muslims fall into six main categories, which are known as the “Articles of Faith”:

• Faith in the unity of God
• Faith in the angels
• Faith in the prophets
• Faith in the books of revelation
• Faith in an afterlife
• Faith in destiny/divine decree

The “five pillars” of Islam:
In Islam, faith and good works go hand-in-hand. A mere verbal declaration of faith is not enough, for belief in Allah makes obedience to Him a duty.
The Muslim concept of worship is very broad. Muslims consider everything they do in life to be an act of worship, if it is done according to Allah’s guidance. There are also five formal acts of worship which help strengthen a Muslim’s faith and obedience. They are often called the “Five Pillars of Islam.”

Daily Life as a Muslim:
While often seen as a radical or extreme religion, Muslims consider Islam to be the middle road. Muslims do not live life with complete disregard for God or religious matters, nor do they neglect the world to devote themselves solely to worship and prayer. Muslims strike a balance by fulfilling the obligations of, and enjoying this life, while always mindful of their duties to Allah and to others.

• Morals and manners
• Business ethics
• Modesty in dress and behavior
• Dietary rules
• Marriage
• Care of children and elderly
• Racism and prejudice
• Relations with non-Muslims

N.C.M.A. AS A REGISTERED CANADIAN CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
The Nigerian Canadian Muslim Association is a registered Charitable Organization by virtue of the statues of the Province of Ontario. We shall serve the best interest of Muslims and Islamic followers in accordance with the Holy Qura’n and the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H).

ISLAMIC EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GOALS.
N.C.M.A. goal is to bring the simple, honest message of Islam to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. This means, stressing the importance of the five pillars of Islam while encouraging Muslims to read the Qur’an, and to constantly practice dhikr (the remembrance of Allah).

To accomplish this onerous task, N.C.M.A. has established a Quranic learning school(Madrasa) which is open to everyone who seeks to learn the art of fluent recitation of Qur’an and detail knowledge of Hadith with other teachings that makes a complete Muslim.

Classes take place every Fridays and Saturdays at the association’s premises, 190 Milvan Road, Unit 7, North York, Ontario.

MESSAGE TO ALL MUSLIMS
The message to Muslims, therefore, is to enjoy the pleasures of the world within the boundaries placed on us by Allah while being grateful to Him for His bounties. Praise Him in Salaat, five times a day, seek His pleasure by doing anything which will benefit one’s family, one’s community and one’s environment, and remember Him always in our every word and actions.

May almighty Allah be with us all.

Asalaam Alaikum

AbdulRasheed Lassan
President Executive Council
president@nigeriancanadianmuslim.com