History

Before 1999 there was no Islamic Center in the city of Windsor for Shia community who speak and understand Urdu language. Hence, Shia community male members from different backgrounds, used to gather every Thursday evening (Shabe Juma) at various houses of community members. First such meeting was held in the house of brother Wasif Zaidi and the people present in that first meeting were late brother Hussein Rehmatulla and brother Zahid Hussain Khan. These three people gather and recited Dua-e-Kumail. Then brother Wasif Zaidi and his wife started announcing and asking other community people to join them for the recitation of Dua-e-Kumail. Soon with the hard work of brother Wasif Zaidi and his wife more people start joining Shabe Juma gathering. In the initial stage the people who joined these gathering were, Dr. Raza Rizvi, brother Ghulam Raza Rizvi, brother Muttaqi Rizvi, brother Akramulla Syed, brother Mohummad Raza Kanji, Dr. Abid Hussain Khan and brother Raza Abbas. Dr. Raza Rizvi started giving small talk on various subjects of Furu-e-Deen along with the recitation of Dua-e-Kumail. Then brother Akramulla Syed started collecting emails and organizing these programs more efficiently by adding more subjects and encouraging other members to prepare and present in these gatherings. These Shabe Juma gathering continued for next few months at various houses of community members, including Eid prayers. Then brother Wasif Zaidi suggested to make the basement of his house as Center, to avoid the confusion of people going to various places every week. In the year 1999, Jafri Islamic Center of Canada (JICC) was established by registering at the Government of Canada by the Shia community of Windsor, Ontario - Canada. For the purpose of effectively practice Islam as taught by Masoomeen, with the following people as office bearers, 1. Dr. Raza Rizvi as president 2. Br. Muttaqi Rizvi as vice president 3. Br. Wasif Zaidi as Secrectory 4. Br. Mohummad Raza Kanji as Treasurer 5. Br. Akramulls Syed as Communication secretory These Shabe Juma gathering continued for next few months. By seeing more and more people joining these gatherings, brother Raza Abbas suggested to purchase a building and call it as the center for urdu speaking Shia community. In the year 2001, a building was purchased at 1219 Ottawa Street, Windsor for the purpose of Islamic Center. In the year 2002 first Muharram Majalis Ashra was conducted with a Zakir of Ahlul Bayt (as) at JICC.