SNMC Journey (Part 2): Friday Family Evening with Pizza, Monthly Potluck, and
Tutoring
Alhamdu Lillah, we moved our activities from 365 Stoneway Drive basement to 3131
Jockvale Road city heritage building in July 1998. We were looking for a place to do a
Bangladesh Canadian family gathering and found 3131 Jockvale Road building
basement was good.
We started Maghrib/Isha 3 times a week. To attract families, we started tutoring in Math,
Science, and English. Also, we declared Friday evening family evening and free pizza
for the whole family, for mom, dad, boys, and girls. We used to auction the leftover
pizza to collect funds.
We introduced once in a month lecture series, resume writing, job application, etc.
We learnt Canadian potluck culture from work. During potluck, each family brings a dish
as they like.
We used to have potluck and quiz competitions. One of the pioneers in Jockvale
Musallah were Br. Mahmood Rashid and Sr. Safia Rashid. Sr. Safia would win most of
the quiz competitions.
We had our share of challenges. One day, we found our folded carpets were taken
away. Eventually we got them with help from the city. Another time, we found lots of
Christmas trees at the front door. One evening, while we were inside, someone started
a fire outside the building, but we managed it peacefully. These were some of the
challenges. Overall, we had good relationships with the city of Nepean.
Brothers, sisters, boys, and girls came from multiethnic backgrounds and altogether,
about 15 to 25 were in regular attendance. The 9/11 brought a unique challenge, some
suggested that we stop, but we argued, we are innocent, working in different
organizations, it is better to continue.
Nepean City celebrated Year 2000 and we applied for a grant and won a grant of $500.
But to match it, we contributed another $500. This gave us an opportunity to make our
first community account and allowed us to do more competition and give prizes to kids.
We tried to increase the number of days. Even though the basement was not used, the
city resisted. We kept on trying, and suddenly we found that after a few months, that the
days were increased from 3 days to 5.
In this way we were running smoothly until 2003. We had some new challenges. The
premises were mainly free and for community activities, we paid only $5/ per hour. But
someone complained that we had Muslim prayers along with community gathering and
tutoring. It was a difficult challenge. In next part (3), We will touch upon on this
challenge and other innovations we introduced. May Allah swt forgive us and reward all
the pioneers.
