In 1992, several local Muslim families recognized the need for another Islamic institution to serve the ever-expanding Muslim community and to provide services to the non-Arabic speaking Muslims. The group started meeting at the meeting room of Masonville Mall to plan and map the road for the new organization, which was named the Islamic Centre of Southwest Ontario. Early congregation gatherings were held at the auditorium of Fanshawe Collage until the Centre property was purchased.
FOUNDING BOARD
On May 31, 1993 members of the group formed the founding board of directors that served from 1993 until the incorporation of the Centre in 1996. The Founding Board consisted of Yahya Emara (President) , Mohamad Sabawi (V. President) Hisham Slim (Treasurer), Hanny Hassan (English Secretary), Kadri Mostafa (Arabic Secretary) and Najet Hassan, Hanny Shousher, Hanny Shafey, Ilbert Walker, Naeem Qureshi, Saeed Sabawi, Abdul Aziz Alaeddine, Esma Mazreki as Directors. Three additional members, namely Zafar Hussain and Assem Fadel, and Aziz Qaraan were later added to the Founding Board.
During this period, Yehya Emara, Hanny Shousher, and Hisham Slim successively occupied the position of President and chairman of the founding board.
BUILDING PROJECT
Early in 1994 brother Hanny Shousher was assigned the task of locating the right property in London to establish the Centre, and found an empty commercial building for sale that was the former General Motor’s office and training centre. The site was ideal. It had paved parking for 130 cars, and all the necessary facilities such as operational heating and air conditioning system, men and women washrooms and individual offices ideal for classrooms.
The property was expensive but ideal. The founding board was not united to make an offer to purchase. Brother Kadri Mostafa worked hard and tirelessly to convince the board and to solicit community support. Without his enthusiasm and zeal the purchase would not have been made. He was truly the father of the building project and the prime mover behind owning our Centre. Unfortunately, he passed away before the deal was closed.
Since the Centre was not incorporated at that time, brothers Hanny Shousher and Hisham Slim together signed the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, thereby taking total financial and legal responsibility for the property. The offer made was significantly lower than the property was listed for but with the help of Allah (SWT) and the kindness of General Motors’ management; the offer was accepted even though the realtor did not believe it was possible.
During the process of negotiating this deal, Brother Hanny received a personal call from the President of GM Canada. She was impressed with the group’s goals to improve services to vulnerable Muslim youth while providing another important community Centre for the community. Further, she was awed by the fact that eight local families raised the money to pay for the property themselves, rather than seeking government or other outside funding. The offer was then accepted, and many volunteers stepped up to renovate the property to better serve the community.
Brother Hisham Slim and Brother Hanny Shousher held the property in trust until The Islamic Centre was incorporated and registered as a charitable religious institution. By that time, the loans were paid off by donations from the generous members of the Muslim community, who continue to support the Centre and its programs to this day.
A special thank you to all of those who – through their kind donations and volunteering of their time and skills – have allowed The Islamic Centre to thrive. May Allah (SWT) reward and bless you all.
FOUNDING FAMILIES
The community was very supportive of the building purchase and many members came forward with generous donations and loans. To facilitate the purchase of The Islamic Centre from General Motors in 1994, immediate full payment of the purchase price was required. Eight of the thirteen founding board members and their spouses made the bold and courageous commitment to obtain personal loans to cover the balance of the purchase price. The Islamic Centre wishes to acknowledge the sacrifice and tireless efforts of the Founding Families. More importantly they have contributed immensely to the success of The Centre and many are still very active today.
Assem & Aneesa Fadel Naeem & Brenda Qureshi
Hanny & Najet Hassan Dr. Hany & Dr. Naema Shafey
Dr. Zafar & Inge Hussain Hanny & Fadia Shousher
Gani & Esma Mazreki Hisham & Ayesha Slim
HISTORY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Founding Board of Directors served from 1993 until incorporation in 1996. In 1996 the Islamic Centre of Southwest Ontario was registered as a charity. From that date until today, a number of community members volunteered to serve on the board in various positions and responsibilities. Their tireless efforts and dedication made the Centre what it is today. We thank each and everyone one of them for his/her valued contributions.
Past Presidents
Yahya Emara 1993
Hanny Shousher 1993
Hisham Slim 1993 – 2000
Zafar Hussain 2001
Faisal Joseph 2001 – 2004
Assem Fadel 2005
Mohammad Yassine 2006 – 2009
Hassan Mostafa 2010 – 2012
Mohammad Yassine 2013
Hassan Mostafa 2014 – 2016
Past Directors
Shaffiek Abdool Sally Abdool
Basel Abukhater Nazem Abou Chami
Ghina Al Suwaidi Ishraq Ali
Razia Ali-Hassan Abdallah Baroudi
Parveen Basharat Salim Chahbar
Wafa Daoud Wajdi Darwish
Majda Delic Munir El Kassem
Siham El Kassem Mohammad Elsayed
Assem Fadel Adeel Farouqui
Atiq Farouqui Ashraf Ghani
Emad Haider Jaafer Haider
Najat Hassan Salma Hijazi
Ashfaq Hussain Rifat Hussain
Surraya Hussain Sherin Hussain
Zafar Hussain Mahmoud Idris
Faisal Joseph Isaf Khalil
Mohamad Mankal Naji Mankal
Yusuf Mankal Esma Mazreki
Barakat Misk Naseem Moothwani
Fatma Mostafa Hassan Mostafa
Aziz Qaraan Naeem Qureshi
Zahid Sardar Hany Shafey
Fadia Shousher Hanny Shousher
Tarek Shousher Hisham Slim
Nasser Soufan Ilbert Walker
Mohammad Yassine