Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim
In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful. All praise belongs to Allah, the Creator of heavens and earth and the Lord of the universe.
Dear respected brothers, sisters, elders and children
Assalamu’Alaykum wa Rahamatullahi wa Barakatuhu
On behalf of the Executive Council, Executive Board, various divisions and staff of the BC Muslim Association it is my pleasure to extend a very warm and joyous EID MUBARAK to you and your families
Alhamdulillah, the month of Ramadan brought zeal, excitement, overwhelming joy and gratitude and it’s sad to bid farewell to this sacred month with mixed feelings. Ramadan was about remembering and reflecting upon Allah’s place in our lives. In order to earn Allah’s pleasure, we put extra effort and pushed ourselves to enhance our spiritual qualities geared towards making us a better Muslim, a better community and a better vicegerent on earth. As we conclude Ramadan, we cannot thank Allah swt enough for His favors, blessings and mercy for affording us the life, faith and health to earn additional rewards. For this and all of Allah’s favors, we give thanks. We sincerely ask Him to reward our efforts, accept our fasting and prayers…Ameen!
Eid-ul-Fitr is the biggest and happiest celebration of Islamic faith; a celebration to reveal our gratitude to God for enabling us to come closer to Him and acquiring a deep inner awareness of His presence in our life. An internal feeling of Allah’s presence that lead us to be obedient to His commands, to do right even under most difficult situations and protect the soul against any wrongdoing. Eid is a celebration of having successfully achieved Ramadan’s purpose. It’s marked by prayers offered with rich and poor standing side by side, a day of brotherhood, a day of dressing and sharing milky dishes with family, friends and neighbors.
I hope and pray that you and your families had a wonderful Ramadan. I pray that you are energized and fully recharged spiritually and physically until next Ramadan. May Allah (swt) bring a feeling of satisfaction, achievement and success in your life. May He bring us all closer to Islam and enable us to fulfill our responsibilities and make us live our lives within the framework of Islam as demonstrated by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his cherished Companions..… Ameen!
Muslims are passing thru difficult times locally, nationally and internationally. There is so much pessimism about Islam and senseless killings that our enemies take full advantage to portray negative image of Muslims and Islam as a religion. Unfortunately, this labeling is only reserved for Muslim &Islam by bias Western media and irresponsible forces with personal agendas. Certainly, there is nothing wrong with Islam and the cynic need to demonstrate common decency and respect for other faith and not hurt their feelings. Every society has individuals that are misguided. These oddballs also commit heinous crime against humanity but their deeds do not reflect on whatever faith they follow but only Islam and Muslims are highlighted. WHY? Such standards are unconditionally unacceptable and we call for fairness and responsibility. Islam teaches high moral ideals that are the cornerstone of Islamic faith that millions have sacrificed their life defending it over centuries. Why would any true believer, a true Muslim act in contradiction of the basic tenets of Islam. It’s unimaginable! However, some Muslims too need to do actual soul searching and not only ask but answer some fundamental questions before facing his creator on the Day of Judgment. What is our purpose in life? Why are we here? Are we living Islam as prescribed in the Holy Qur’an? Do we really understand all the intricate and minute details about Islam and how it is to be practiced?
Let’s welcome Eid Al-Fitr with a renewed spirit of Taqwa in our hearts, find the right answers and bring change in our lives in line with basic principles of Islam.
Finally, brothers and sisters please do not forget the underprivileged, the sick, new Muslims and those displaced by acts of war – our new Syrian and Iraqi brothers and sisters. I appeal to the community to please welcome them, invite them to your houses and take care of them. These are the Mujahareens of our time and our responsibility is to look after their welfare. We are blessed by Allah (swt) for being safe and comfortable but our brothers and sisters in Palestine and other parts of the world are under constant attack and agony. Let’s remember them and pray for their safety and freedom.
Once again “EID MUBARAK” to you all.
Baraka Allahu Fiikum
Daud Ismail
President,