By early 2004 there was a small group of neighbours in the Derry & Fourth Line area conducting children’s Quran classes in their basements and developing a directory of Muslims in Milton. They were decided on the need for a Masjid and were trying to figure out how to make it a reality. The founders of this group included Br Ebrarul Hassan, Br Ameen Khokhar, Br Mohammad Ashraf (deceased), and Br Shoukat Choudhry, amongst others. Near the same time, there was a similar group of neighbours in the Main St & Maple St area doing similar work. They were also renting a conference room in the Leisure Centre (paid for by the attendees) for meetings to determine how to expand their work. The founders of this group included Br Moustafa Arnout, Br Riasat Chaudhry, Br Nasiruddin Shaikh, and Br Fakhar Ahmad, amongst others.

In 2005, the 2 groups met and combined their efforts. They held meetings in their basements and decided to start regular prayers in Br Shoukat’s second property in old Milton, which served as a Musallah for daily prayers until early 2006. They also decided to start holding Eid prayers in Milton. The first Eid prayer ever held in Milton was in 2005. In early 2006, they moved into the Nippising St unit which served as Musallah for daily prayers and for Jumma prayers.

Over the next 4-6 months, they formulated ideas and plans of action, finally registering a not-for-profit corporation in Aug 2006, called Muslim Association of Milton (MAM). They cleared this name registration with a prior defunct organization called “Milton Muslim Religious Association”, as required by the government.

By this time, MAM started holding Jumma prayers at the Boynes Centre due to the overflow being experienced at the Nippising St Musallah. They held Taraweeh prayers in Br Shoukat’s basement that year and the next. They were also decided on the purchase of a property, leading to the first fundraising dinner held at the Holiday Inn (north of 401).

The property desired was on Fifth Line with a price tag of $1.2 million. With the pledges of approximately $65,000 from the fundraising dinner in hand, they approached the seller to work out a payment schedule. But the seller informed them that the price was now $2.0 million, an increase of $800,000. Frustrated and disappointed, the committee decided to look for other options. They met with the mayor, with Gary Carr (MP) and with Garth Turner (next MP), and with Mattamy to figure out requirements and availability of land for a Masjid.

The next property of interest was near the Hospital but with a Heritage designation. The committee decided to hold 2 more fundraising dinners, netting some $45,000 in pledges the first time and $50,000 the next time. Both dinners were held at ISNA. They also went to other masajids for fundraising at Jumma times, netting about $20,000 and another $8,000 from radio announcements. Thus, they had access to about $190,000 and decided to make an offer for a $400,000 - $600,000 property. When they went to inquire about the Heritage property, its price was increased by $200,000 and they were informed that development may be difficult due to the Heritage designation of the house.

Worried and frustrated again, they were presented with the 511 Ontario St (present Musallah) property for a price of $580,000 which they decided to buy due to its location and possibilities. This effort required door-to-door canvassing for funds and taking large amounts of Qarda-Hasna. The Ontario St property was purchased in Dec 2007 and has served as Musallah since Feb 2008.

Jumma prayers continued at the Boynes Centre, Taraweeh prayers were moved to the Senior’s Centre and Eid prayers became a regular occurrence. When the community outgrew the Boynes Centre, MAM moved its efforts to the Lion’s Club for Jumma prayers, where we are currently until July 2, 2010.

While paying off the Qarda Hasna, zoning efforts were not fruitful, although no application for zoning was ever made (the decision was made to not make an application in order to save the fee of approximately $30,000). Now that this property has been paid off and the community growth accelerated, the need exists for a true permanent place.

MAM held its first BBQ in July 2009 and it received its charitable designation in Nov 2009. Of the original founders, Br Ebrar, Br Shoukat, Br Riasat, Br Nasiruddin, and Br Fakhar have remained to continue working on these efforts. As others left, new brothers came to help out. The maturity and growth of MAM has been in stages and we are now a cohesive, united, and capable group, Insha’Allah, with a similarly cohesive, united, and capable Muslim community in Milton, Insha’Allah. This is work for Allah SWT, we will do it together Insha’Allah and we want nothing more than what He wills for us.