Updates

On April 1, 2023 (it is no joke) IMO announced that it will be undergoing a redevelopment project to turn itself into a 222-unit low-income housing project with some undefined area for prayer.  The presentation was focused on meeting the Government goals of affordable housing at the expense of Deen, Iman, and the Islamic duty to serve Allah.

Our Concern

1. We are a growing Muslim community in need of more (not less) space to accommodate Eid Namaz and Jummah.  These two namaz are ordained by Allah and should be the #1 priority of any Masjid.

2. There has been no consultation with the community.  

3. No benefit to the community.  While the IMO management may claim this project will make the Masjid self-funding, we argue that it is the mismanagement of the IMO that has resulted in fewer donations, not the lack of donors.

4. We have raised money to build a gymnasium and on-site funeral services and both have been mismanaged by the Board. Approximately  $2 million in project funding was spent, and after 5 years the gymnasium and funeral services remain inaccessible. There was no mention of retaining the on-site funeral services as part of the project.

At the heart of it, this project as presented undermines Islamic principles of community:

1. Jummah prayer

2. Eid prayer

3. Community burial obligations of Fellow Muslims

Several politicians, were on hand to make the announcement and give their support to the project.

• Minister Ahmed Hussen (Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion) https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/ahmed-hussen(89020)

• Jennifer McKelvie (Deputy Mayor of Toronto) https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/council/members-of-council/councillor-ward-25/

• Vincent Crisanti (Local Councilor) https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/council/members-of-council/councillor-ward-1/

IMO: Brother Omar stated that IMO is not being sold.  The visiting Iman stated this project will be looked back upon and be seen as the best project for the community.

Our POV: The Masjid cannot be sold except to another Charity (as per our land registry search the property at 65 Rexdale Rd. in Etobicoke is owned by IMO Charity and is subject to sale restrictions).  It was purchased on October 20, 1998 for $1,800,000).    

The issue at IMO is the lack of Governance and the reduction of our Masjid area from 60,000 sq ft to what may be only 5,000 square feet of prayer area per the April 1 presentation.

Ast to the Imam's comment, we do not know how he could make such comments when many questions remain unanswered

1.  Whether there will be a 100% Masjid or a Community Centre that will act as a prayer area between poker games

2. Will the rental housing above where we pray have flags hanging on the balconies and in the windows that display what is haram

3. Where is the space to accommodate people and cars for Jummah, and Eid given the dramatic reduction in the size of the Masjid