Nigerian Canadian Muslim Association

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.