2019

Report To Our Community

A SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES AT THE MOSQUE OF MERCY AND AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE FROM
APRIL 2018- MARCH 2019.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2019 AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE

Welcome to our yearly

Annual Report 2019
We have made significant strides together, one meaningful act at
a time. However we couldn’t do it without your help.

Our Partners
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AMA CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT 2019

CONTENT
Overview 04
The Ones Behind The Action 05
Letter From The President 06
Message From The Imam 07
Who We Are/ What We Do 08
Events 10
Highlighting Our Impact 12
Iqraa & Al-Bayyan Schools 13
Professional Series of Workshops 14
Expandng for our future 18
Financial Report 21

MEMBERS OF AMA BOARD AND SISTER’S COMMITTEE

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ANNUAL REPORT 2019 AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE

Together, we achieved new milestones

thanks to the efforts of our volunteers, do-
nors, staff, and partners. With your help,

OVERVIEW we are building vibrant neighbourhoods

together with other service providers and
community leaders. In addition, we’re de-
Collaboration. Teamwork. Banding veloping more support services in the neigh-
together. The beauty of working bourhoods we serve, connecting residents
together enables us all to make a to services and resources.

greater difference. The synergy we form

Through the two arms of our organization -
when we combine our ideas, energy, the Mosque of Mercy and AMA Community
and resources unlocks our potential to Centre - we expanded upon our strengths
reach new heights. This past year has to create significant change. The AMA Com-
munity Centre is dedicated to developing
shown us that we all have power and
a strong, caring and healthy community in
influence. When we combine our abilities partnership with others to support individu-
together we can create unprecedented als and communities in achieving and main-
change. Together we can build stronger taining strong and vibrant communities.

families, stronger neighbourhoods, and

With the ever-growing demands of our com-
a bright future for all members of our munity for more educational opportunities,
community. social services, recreation, spiritual and
community development, we continued to
invest more resources to tackle the issues
you identified with us.

1 OUR VISION
Our mission is to inspire a spiritual
and caring community.

2 OUR MISSION
Our vision is to create a welcoming
community for all through spiritual
upliftment, education, community
engagement and promoting diver-
sity and equity.

3 COMMITMENT
To keep meeting spiritual, edu-
cational, and other social service
needs of our community.
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AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT 2019

AMAZING VOLUNTEERS AND

AMAZING EFFORTS
Without the incredible sacrifices made by our volunteers, AMA would not be where it is today. Your support through
your time, energy, and generous gifts helped us grow to the level we are today. We share our heartfelt appreciation to
the hundreds of volunteers and donors who contributed towards making a positive difference. We encourage you to
continue your support as we keep the momentum moving forward towards making a strong community impact.

The work we have accomplished together over the past

year is remarkable. Whether you were a volunteer, donor,
partner, or community member you will appreciate the
progress we made together to build a better community
for us all. We leveraged our partnerships, resources, and
platform to evolve ourselves to meet the new challenges
we faced together.

A total of 200+ volunteers give AMA their

time, energy and expertise, supporting our
work in many different ways. They helped with
everything from board leadership and leading
our volunteer committees to ensuring that our
special events from Ramadan to the two Eid
celebrations ran smoothly.

The AMA Board

We also extend our appreciation to our Board of
Directors for their commitment and dedication:

From meeting spiritual, educational and

Jalil Marhnouj (President) other urgent needs of our community
Mohamoud Hagi-Aden (Vice President) members to building a community spirit,
to going even further and planning to
Sameh Ayoub (Treasurer) improving long-term social conditions
Abdel Mohsen Idris (Secretary) in one of the most disadvantaged
Dr. Mohammed Mostefa (Director) neighbourhoods, AMA strives to serve
people across our community.
Abdirizak Abdi (Director)
Munir Shalghum (Director)
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ANNUAL REPORT 2019 AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE

LETTER FROM THE

PRESIDENT

JALIL MARHNOUJ
PRESIDENT

Assalamo alikum wa rahamtu Allah wa barakatuh,

Alhamdulillah, 2018-2019 has been an extraordinary year here at the AMA. The centre continues to be a
spiritual hub for everyone. The AMA Team is working hard, in collaboration with other masajids, service
providers and stakeholders, to create a welcoming and safe environment and to build a vibrant community.
The milestones we have achieved would not have been possible without Allah’s blessing, first and foremost,
followed by your unwavering commitment and support.

As a community, we have undergone some struggles this past year, including the tornadoes that hit Ottawa-
Gatineau region and the floods that have impacted our communities. I had my own health challenges this past
year and I am grateful for all of the support I received from the community. Your warm messages and prayers
have inspired me to carry on as I continue on my road to recovery. A special thank you to the AMA Board
members and staff for their patience and outstanding performance.

You inspired us to push forward and to act with purpose. Together with United Muslims Ogranizations of
Ottawa-Gatineau (UMO-OG) we prepared thousands of hot meal for the families affected by the tornado and
we raised over $36,000 for the After-the-Storm campaign to support tornado relief victims. For this initiative,
we were awarded the United Way’s “Community Builder of the Year” Award. We also contributed $42,000
towards the CHEO Telethon campaign and participated in the planning of the I.LEAD Conference. We brought
together our youth and seniors for inter-generational fun, allowing both age groups to learn from each other.
We welcomed nearly 300 of our colleagues, friends and neighbours to our facilities for guided tours to learn
more about our portfolio of programs, our values and our beliefs. These are only snippets of what you helped
us accomplish this past year.

We all have the power to make a difference for ourselves, our families, and this community we call home.
Together, we are on a mission to help children and youth soar far and beyond and realize a bright future, to
help women and men unlock their potential and to help families build happy, fulfilling lives for themselves.
We want our community to feel united and safe. This is why we continue to work diligently with our staff,
volunteer and OPS to ensure a safe and secure environment for all.

This annual report will highlight how your ongoing dedication, trust, and support of AMA has enabled us to
make a difference. You have supported AMA in more ways than one — through donating, advocating, sharing
your expertise and providing us with new ideas and feedback. The feedback you provided is being acted upon,
ensuring greater service and support to those who need it the most.

Without the incredible contributions of our staff, volunteers, donors, partners, and community members we
would not be where we are today.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank each and every one of you and hope to have your
support on all our upcoming projects, Insha Allah. Jazakum Allah khairan, wa assalam.

Jalil Marhnouj
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AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT 2019

MESSAGE FROM THE IMAM

SHEIKH ISMAIL
ALBATNUNI
Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatu Allah,
My dear community, family, friends, colleagues, brothers and sisters. This has been a wonderful
year and I am proud of what we accomplished together. It was a year of inspiration, learning, and great
progress.
I want to share a message with you about the power of unity, the strength of the bond that
holds us together as one community. This message is instilled in our hearts through the words of our
beloved Prophet, peace be upon him. He once said, “Verily, the believers are like a structure, each part
strengthening the other.” We are all bricks that make up this structure that we call our community. Each
brick strengthens the next. When we join our hands together we can create remarkable change.
The power of unity is unmatched. It is the force that allows us to be mindful of our brothers
and sisters, to care for our neighbours, to love and wish good for others, and to bring us all together
from all walks of life. In my role as an Imam I witness firsthand the beauty of what unity has brought to
Ottawa. We have mosques and community centres growing in all corners of the city that collaborate to
bring positive impact. On the other hand, when collaboration is missing we see the negative effects of
the division it leads to.
I am working hand-in-hand with the Imams Council of Ottawa-Gatineau who are bearers of a
great responsibility, to provide spiritual guidance and to preach unity to our community as a whole.
Together we have helped hundreds of families with social and emotional support, provided spiritual
guidance to families in crisis, and continued to combat Islamophobia.
We also continue to teach the beauty of Islam to our neighbours and strive to build a thriving
Muslim community together.
Sincerely,
Sheikh Ismail Albatnuni
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ANNUAL REPORT 2019 AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE

Through our Mosque and Community Centre we will continue to invest your generous
donations where it is needed the most: growing the diversity of programs run by
our Centre for the community at large and growing our portfolio of Islamic initiatives
through our Mosque.

COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING

SOCIAL SERVICE AND

COMMUNITY BUILDING

OUR EDUCATION
CORE
VALUES
COLLABORATION

With these values we strive to deliver

DAWAH a diverse portfolio of programming for
our children, youth, women, seniors,
and all members of the family. Our
programs focused on infusing a
balance of recreation, socialization,
DIVERSITY AND education and spiritual and community
INCLUSION
development for all ages. From summer
camps to weekend courses to health
workshops with professional facilitators,
there was no shortage of activities for
all demographics and we’re just getting
started.
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AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT 2019

GUESTS VISITING THE CENTRE AT THE OCCASION OF OTTA-

WA OPEN DOORS EVENT.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2019 AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE

Here is a snapshot
of the programs we
delivered throughout
the past 12 months. 80
SENIORS PARTICIPATED IN
SOCIAL GATHERINGS

6 $36,320
DOLLARS RAISED BY THE UMO-OG
Blood donor clinics that we hosted FOR AFTER THE STORM RELIEF
in collaboration with the Canadian PROGRAMS
Blood Services.

552
85 CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Students attended our three school
PARTICIPATED IN SUMMER
CAMP PROGRAMS learning the Quran, Arabic and Islamic
Studies.

55
137 SENIORS AND YOUTH ATTENDED
INTERGENERATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

Participants for Qur’an competition

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AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT 2019

385 Teenage Youth 120 Men & Women

attended sleepovers and youth nights attended 2 weekly swimming programs

3,164 Meals Served 480 Students

through the Helping hands Initiative attended the Seerah Course

292 Guided Tours

of the Mosque and Centre
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ANNUAL REPORT 2019 AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE

HIGHLIGHTING OUR IMPACT

01. IQRAA & AL BAYYAN SCHOOOLS
1

2
02. PROFRESSIONAL SERIES
OF WORKSHOPS

01

03. TORNADO RELIEF

3 CAMPAIGN

4 04. EXPANDING FOR OUR FUTURE

Members from our Sisters Committee with the New Zealand
High Commissioner
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AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT 2019

01 552 5 50
Students attended AMA Schools 5 Schools are in operation in Dedicated and qualfied teachers
in 2018-19 3 locations serving the community in 5
schools

IQRAA & ALBAYYAN SCHOOLS

In addition to our weekly and Islamic Studies. All schools are self

monthly educational programs within sustained programs. This year marks

our masjid, AMA is proud to be running another successful year. In addition to

5 successful schools. These schools studying these subjects, our teachers

cumulatively teach 552 students at also instill a strong sense of good Islamic

our 3 locations with our Albayan, Iqraa etiquette, behaviour, moral conduct,

Barrhaven, and Iqraa Blossom Park and provide opportunities for spiritual

locations. development.

These schools provide students

with lessons on Qur’an, Arabic, and

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ANNUAL REPORT 2019 AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE

26 Content All-Inclusive
Speakers and facilitators who The lectures covered a range From toddlers to seniors, the
have conducted at least one of Islamic subjects in English workshops were available for all
class, lecture, or workshop in and Arabic such as Seerah, ages.
the past 12 months. Fiqh, Tafsir, and Hadeeth.

PROFESSIONAL SERIES OF WORKSHOPS

Over the past 12 months, AMA Community Centre hosted a workshop series on health,
finances, parenting, and youth and the law facilitated by professional speakers.

We had the honour of hosting Police Constable Abdulkadir Abdi on youth and the law,
Dr. Nivin Sharaf to speak on homeopathy for seniors, Dr. Hamza Saif on good spinal health, Dr.
Jamshaid on maintaining good oral health, and Dr. Anees Khan M.D. for healthy living.

Healthy Living Spinal Health

During the workshop Dr. Saif
In his workshop Dr. Anees Khan
enlightened the audience
covered current health issues,
on the leading factors that
proper dieting and why commu-
result in poor spinal health.
nity members should pay special
To put it simply, these fac-
attention to how their daily habits
tors will allow us to enjoy
are impacing their health.
great mobility, flexibility, and
prevent future illnesses that
come from poor posture.
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AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT 2019

reality and present day environment with the

law. He provided tools & resources for parents
to allow them to be better equipped in dealing
with these challenges.

Good Oral Health

We had the pleasure of hosting two oral
experts and dentists in our Centre to provide
an incredible educational workshop. Both Dr.
Abdulhafeez Jamshaid and Dr. Shaan Jamshaid
enlightened the audience on how to gain and
maintain good oral health.
Youth & The Law - issues that
young peopel are facing They trained us on:

This workshop was designed for parents to - Shedding light on several ways of how to deal
learn more about the justice system and how with oral health and diabetes.
it impacts their youth. Our youth are dealing
with a myriad of challenges at school, at home, - Explaining why simple habits such as brushing,
in public, and its important for parents to un- flossing, and regularly visiting the dentist play
derstand the issues that yound people are fac- a huge role in maintaining healthy teeth and
ing. gums.

AMA Community Centre hosted this important - Highlighting the negative impacts of poor oral
workshop with constable Abdul Kadir Abdi. In health and how it can lead to other serious
the training , he enlightened parents on what health issues.
they needed to know from a legal perspective
to adapt themselves to the
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ANNUAL REPORT 2019 AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE
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AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Tornado Relief Campaign

A devastating tornado storm ripped through Ottawa in September 2018, leaving
a wave of destruction in its path. Our team immediately organized itself to prepare
warm meals to help homes that had been affected by the power outage as a result of
the tornado that hit our city.

Not long after, we combined our efforts with the United Muslim Organizations
of Ottawa-Gatineau (UMO-OG) to raise $36,320 to support the relief campaign. We are
proud of what our community did to rally itself to provide support to those affected
by the storm. Earlier in 2019 the UMO-OG was awarded the Community Builder of
the Year Award from United Way for outstanding work in raising funds to support the
After-the-Storm campaign.

Key Highlights

$36,000

Raised to supporrt the Community Builder

relief efforts of the Year Award by
United Way Ottawa
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ANNUAL REPORT 2019 AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE

Expanding For Our Future

We have come a long way to get to this point. Our roots date back to 1992
when we had our first location on St. Laurent Blvd with limited capacity. We then
moved to a second location on Bank Street in 1996 that could accommodate up
to 350 people.

In 2012 we moved to our existing location on 1216 Hunt Club Rd. Today
we have an incredible facility housing a Masjid for all 5 prayers and a Centre with
10,000 square feet of community programming space in our community hall.
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AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT 2019

In the empty lot next to the existing building we will build a 4-storey expansion that will
house a gymnasium, fitness centre, full-time daycare, multi-purpose rooms, body-washing facility,
underground parking, a library and other amenities that our community has requested of our
management team.

You asked and we listened. We’ve contracted an architect to complete a concept design
which we shared earlier this year at our Annual Community Meeting. This new expansion will enable
AMA to improve its offering of programs to the community at large. While the expansion will take
a number of years to complete, we are proud to say that we are on our way towards having a one-
stop shop for all of your spiritual, educational, recreational, and social needs.

Increase
of space for activites
and workshops
alongwith many new
facilities.

4
Storey expanion which will
include many facilities to
help the local community
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ANNUAL REPORT 2019 AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE

TESTIMONIALS
“This is the most organized Masjid ever. Programs for kids, kids playroom, babysitting,
awareness programs very organized newsletters... You name it. Their annual bazars are
always a success. A must see! Everything is so organized, resources are used efficently to
provide vendors and visitors the best experience. Organizers have taken it to a professional
level. This bazaar has the potential to be a bid bazaar in town. May Allah bless those hands
that work hard for this success.“ ~ Rokya Mane

Fadi Abou-Shaban Zeynab Noor

“AMA centre is great in bringing the ”It is a very very big mosque. It is beautiful inside
community together through different youth out. It is one of the best places to worship and
and adult activities. A regular host of the meditate. To get food for the soul. Not food to
#canadianbloodservices. AMA management eat lol. There are islamic Halaqas. Free classes
and staff are friendly, helpful and very to join. I love (the) place.”
professional.”
Omar
Ovais Mateen “A truly friendly and welcoming place for muslim
“A very pleasant and inviting mosque. The and non muslim alike. Ran by a wonderful group
ambience brings a calmness to the eyes and of volunteers!“
the soul. The sound system was excellent with
clear and crisp sound. May allah bless the Mohammad Khan
society to keep supporting the mosque.“
“It is a nice, calm place with quite a few activities and
Parent of 3 Children events.”

“We really like the programs offered by Emily

the Centre for kids. My Children really
enjoyed the 2-week summer camp and “Was a pleasure to be a part of the Eid
they cant wait to have more fun! Celebrations. We had a great time and I know
many of the kids did too!”
Khadra
“Being there (at AMA Community
Centre) makes me feel humble and to
care for others.”
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AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT 2019

FINANCIAL REPORT
We deliver financial statements each year that are consistent with the Canadian accounting
standards for charitable organizations. We bear a responsibility to put your generous gifts
to optimal use, ensuring the Mosque and Centre operations and infrastructure can support
our vision for providing quality programming & services for you.

1 $1,077,615
Total Revenue

2 $1,053,937 3 $55,156
Excess (Revenue
Over Expenses)
Total Expenses
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ANNUAL REPORT 2019 AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE
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AMA COMMUNITY CENTRE ANNUAL REPORT 2019

We deliver financial statements each year that are consistent with the Canadian accounting standards for
charitable organizations. We bear a responsibility to put your generous gifts to optimal use, ensuring the
Mosque and Centre operations and infrastructure can support.

Revenues 2018

Donations and membership dues - Mosque $ 901,666

Tuition fees revenues 111,640

Government grants & Funding 69,424

Miscellaneous Revenue 21,975

Community Hall Rental 4,388

Total 1,109,093

Expenses 2018

Salaries and Social Advantages $ 141,287

Charity events and social activities ~ 90,505

Donations 81,470

Repair and Maintenance 76,417

Honorarium For Services 76,638

Utilities 55,283

Insurance 15,263

School General Expenses 15,740

Security 13,282

Advertising And Promotion 11,850

Bank Fees 8,643

Office Supplies 4,641

Legal and Professional Supplies 12,233

Purchase Books 4,140

Telecommunications 1,596

Amortization of Capital Assets 444,949

Total: 1,053,937

Excess (Deficiency) of Revenues Over Expenses $ 55,156

ANNUAL REPORT
2019
Assunnah Muslims Association (AMA)
1216 Hunt Club Rd, Ottawa, ON K1V 2P1
www.amacanada.org | www.amacentre.ca |
www.mymasjid.ca

Phone: +1 (613) 523-9977

email: [email protected]