Updated on 1 July 2008
“And He it is Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy, and We send down pure water from the sky” The Qur’an (25:48)
This year’s annual As-Sadiq Foundation Charity Walk 2008 made historic achievements in a uniting venture between the As-Sadiq Islamic School and the Islamic Shia Ithnasheri Jamaat of Toronto on Sunday June 15, 2008.
The event began on a glorious, sunny morning in Toronto at the site of the future Ja’ffari Community Centre and new As-Sadiq Islamic School at 9000 Bathurst.
An astounding estimated crowd of 750 participants raised an incredible $1.5 million dollars towards the project and aptly began the day with the historic witnessing of the raising of the masjid’s minaret as it ascended to a crescendo of loud and excited salawats.
The invigorated multitude of entire families, children in strollers, grandparents, seniors in wheelchairs, transported them to the colourful hustle bustle of downtown Toronto’s picturesque waterfront.
A well-organized crew of over 50 volunteers in florescent green jackets ushered the crowds into gigantic double decked ferries headed towards Toronto’s Centre Islands. Family and friends cheerfully waved to the departing families aboard the ferries and the fluttering hands of hundreds of community members raised in the air evoked a truly emotional scene that symbolized the communal, noble cause of the journey.
An expectant crowd looks on as Maulana Syed Muhammad Rizvi signals the start of the 2008 As-Sadiq Foundation Charity Walk with the traditional flag off ceremony.(from L to R) Br. Aunali Moledina, Vice Chair of As-Sadiq Islamic School, Br. Razak Damani, President of Toronto Jamaat, Dr Ahmed Hassam, President of World Federation, Br. Ali Raza Rajani, Past President of Toronto Jamaat, Sheikh Jehad Ismail of Australia, Maulana Syed Muhammad Rizvi, Resident Alim, and Br. Hussein Walji, President of NASIMCO.
Toronto's Centre Island was instantly transformed into a surreal scene as over 750 members of the Ithna-Asheri Jamaat began a colourful procession around the amusement park, beautiful flower gardens, petting zoo, sprouting water fountains, swan-filled lakes and quaint white bridges. The leisurely walk culminated at 2 spectacularly massive snow-white tents, complete with hundreds of festive balloons, beautiful round dinner tables and white luxurious chairs swathed in white fabric. The hard work and dedication of all those who joined together to organize, pledge and walk together to raise funds for the Ja'ffari Community Centre and As-Sadiq Islamic School were rewarded when the total amount of funds raised, an incredible $1,509,367.43 (can.) was announced to the delighted crowd. The amount raised included the generous pledges of 10 donors who each sponsored 10 classrooms for $100,000 each, for the isale sawaab of their marhumeen. Prizes were awarded to those males, females, young people and families who were able to raise the highest amount in pledges.
Toronto Jamaat resident alim Maulana Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi and visiting Alim Sheikh Jehad Ismail (Australia), in a show of dedicated support and selfless service, took full part in the charity walk and personally raised over $100,000 pledges each.
The sacred act of an Islamic community joining hands across the globe in unity to build a place of worship and of Islamic education was rewarded by Allah (s.w.t) as the event culminated with the heavens opening up in a thunderous announcement of Mercy and Rehmat in a truly memorable, joyous celebration of abundant rain.