The Ismaili Centre, Burnaby

The Ismaili Centre, Burnaby. Photo: Garry Otte
The Ismaili Centre, Burnaby. Photo: Garry Otte

The Ismaili Centre in Burnaby, a tree-lined suburb of Greater Vancouver, is the first such centre to be purpose-built by the Ismaili Muslim community in Canada.

Access to the building is gained through a courtyard garden, which is enhanced by fountains, trees and flowers. Inside, a prayer hall provides facilities for communal services and quiet contemplation. The facility also includes a social hall, administrative offices, council chamber and classrooms for religious instruction.

Reflecting on 25 years of the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby

Mawlana Hazar Imam and Prime Minister Brian Mulroney shake hands following the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the opening of the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby. Photo: Gary Otte

On 23 August 1985, then Prime Minister of Canada, Brian Mulroney, officially opened the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam and then Premier of British Columbia, Bill Bennett. The opening of the first Ismaili Centre in North America was a historic moment for the Jamat in Canada and around the world.

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Ugandan Vice President speaks at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby

Gathered at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby (L to R): His Excellency George Abola, High Commissioner for Uganda in Ottawa; Samira Alibhai, President of the Ismaili Council for British Columbia; His Excellency Professor Gilbert Bukenya, Vice President of Uganda; Malik Talib, Vice-President of the Ismaili Council for Canada; and John Halani, Honorary Consul for Uganda in BC. Photo: Riyaz Lalani

On 25 October 2009, His Excellency Professor Gilbert Bukenya, Vice President of Uganda visited the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby. Accompanied by His Excellency George Abola, High Commissioner of Uganda in Ottawa, he sought to reach out to the Canadian Ismaili community with an invitation to invest in the future of Uganda.

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Patron of the Olympic Truce, the Governor General of Canada speaks with young British Columbians at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby

Presidents Mohamed Manji and Samira Alibhai, of the Ismaili Councils for Canada and British Columbia, present a gift — the Bismillah Raven by Sherazad Jamal — to the Governor General. The gift represents a multiplicity of expressions and the coming together of two cultures. Photo: Aziz Ladha

As part of Canada’s expression of the Olympic Truce, Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada led a Truce Dialogue in the run-up to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The Dialogue, which took place at the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby, aimed at engaging youth on the topic of peace-building through sport and culture.

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Golden Jubilee marks the formation of the Canadian Jamat’s national youth choir

The Canadian Ismaili Muslim Youth Choir pose for a photograph following their Ottawa performance in August 2008. Photo: Almin Surani

The Canadian Ismaili Muslim Youth Choir was formed in September 2007, in commemoration of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Golden Jubilee. Through the exploration of different genres of music, the choir seeks to express the Canadian Ismaili experience.

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Gallery: Architecture of the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby


Gallery: Foundation Ceremony of the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby


Gallery: Opening of the Ismaili Centre, Burnaby


 
 
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