Thursday, March 26 Update | Message from AMA Management
The recent global situation has made it difficult for us to continue our regular community programs in person.
However, we would like to inform you we are continuing our classes virtually from the comfort of your own homes.
All of the following have resumed:
- Fitness classes for women on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
- Classical Arabic class with Shaykh Munir on Wednesday nights
- Albayan Qur’an school for our children
- Saturday halaqa for women with Dr. May
- Sunday Fiqh halaqa with Shaykh Ismail
… and we have a few more programs which will be going live shortly so stay tuned. If you would like to learn how to access any of these programs you can visit the link below for details.
View Our Virtual Programs ScheduleMonday, March 16 Update | Message from the AMA Board
The AMA board is committed to holding its responsibilities for the community in the most prudent and objective manner in these difficult times.
Our AMA board is closely working with the Council of Imams of Ottawa-Gatineau. Together we have been closely monitoring local, national and international developments regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.
Our prayers and sympathies are with everyone impacted by this unprecedented situation. And it appears that COVID-19 situation is worsening in the Ottawa region. While the Quebec government has put in place restrictions on public gathering, Ottawa Public Health is currently recommending that everyone increase their practices of social distancing.
As a precautionary measure to maintain the safety and well being of our mussali’s/worshippers and the community at large, we collectively reached the difficult decision of closing the AMA Centre and Masjid Ar-Rahmah as of Monday, March 16, 2020.
Masjid ar-Rahmah’s access to the general public for the 5 daily prayers and Jumuah will be unavailable as of Monday March 16, 2020 until further notice.
The AMA management and board will make all endeavors and efforts to ensure that the rights of the houses of Allah are fulfilled and not violated Insha’Allah.
We appreciate the community’s
Most importantly, please increase du’a (supplication), istighfar (seeking forgiveness from Allah) and dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and take precautions while placing your trust in Allah. May Allah Almighty protect us all and may He cure all those who are ill.
بسم الله الذي لا يضر مع اسمه شيء في الأرض ولا في السماء وهو السميع العليم
“In the Name of Allah with Whose Name there is protection against every kind of harm in the earth or the heaven, and He is the All-Hearing and All-Knowing”
These following measures are effective immediately and we urge all congregation members to heed and respect them for the community’s health and well-being:
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- Until further notice, AMA facilities will be closed as extreme situations call for extreme measures.
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- Everyone in our community is urged to pray at home as access to the 5 daily prayers will be unavailable.
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- All programs and other services are suspended until further notice. We ask our community members to exercise precaution.
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- Please self-isolate and stay home if you traveled overseas in the past 14 days.
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- We also ask our congregation to practice proper hygiene measures by washing their hands frequently, not touching their eyes, hands and mouth, by covering their mouth when sneezing or coughing, and by staying at home if sick or not feeling well;
- Please call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 for guidance regarding symptoms.
The situation is fluid and unfolding, and thus we will continue to provide you with relevant updates as they become available.
Thank you for your understanding and collaboration.
Board of Directors
Assunnah Muslims Association
Additional Links
“Be Prepared” Checklist from the Government of Canada (link)
Information sheet from the Canadian Council of Imams (link)
Statement from the Canadian Council of Imams (Part 1 | Part 2)
Sunday, March 15 Update | Message from the Imams Council
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
Rajab 21 1441/March 15, 2020
COVID-19: Important Community Bulletin
All praise belongs to our Creator Allah (SWT) and peace and blessing be upon Muhammad (SAW).
Dear Muslim community members of Ottawa-Gatineau,
Assalamu ‘Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu.
During the last few weeks, the global humanity is witnessing an amazing qudrah and power of Allah (SWT), confirming our belief that things can change overnight for anyone and anywhere at the discretion of Allah (SWT). The COVID-19 pandemic is a unique as well as a very serious situation that the entire humanity is witnessing and undergoing.
It appears that the COVID-19 situation is worsening in the Ottawa-Gatineau region. While the Quebec government has put in place restrictions on public gathering, Ottawa Public Health is strongly recommending that everyone adhere to the requirement of social distancing. As a precautionary measure to maintain the safety and well-being of mussalis/worshippers and the community at large, masaajid access for the daily 5 prayers to the general public in the Ottawa-Gatineau region will be unavailable as of Monday March 16, 2020 until further notice. This restriction applies to Juma’ prayers as well. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in this situation.
It is our faith and conviction that nothing happens without the will of Allah (SWT). Therefore, we must remain calm, have trust in Allah (SWT) and increase our attention to Him (SWT). We ask everyone to pray for the well- being of the entire global humanity while staying engaged in Istighfar.
The Council would like to further reassure the community that each masjid administration and its respective Imam(s) will make all endeavors and efforts to ensure that the rights of the masaajid are fulfilled and not violated
Insha’Allah. May Allah Almighty protect us all and may He cure all those who are ill.
The Council of Imams of Ottawa-Gatineau (CIOG)
Signed by the Council members (in alphabetical order):
Imam Ismail Albatnuni – AMA (Masjid ar-Rahmah)
Imam Mohammed Badat – Masjid Bilal
Imam Mohsen El-Nadi – SNMC
Imam Muhammad Sulaiman – Ottawa Muslim Association
Imam Owais Tilly – Jami Omar
Imam Samy Metwally – Islamic Society of Gloucester
Imam Sikander Hashmi – Kanata Muslim Association
Imam Zijad Delic – SNMC
Saturday, March 14 Update
Due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, all programs have been suspended at AMA until further notice.
Jumuah and other prayers will be offered at a low capacity and the khutbah will be made shorter. Also the community, especially children and elderly, are requested to stay home and pray Dhuhr. We also encourage our elderly members and those who might feel they have flue, fever, cold or other symptoms to pray at home for the daily prayers as well.
Friday, March 13: Announcement from the AMA Board of Directors
Our Board has been in consultation with the United Muslim Organizations of Ottawa-Gatineau (UMO-OG), our committees, and with Ottawa Public Health.
Our upcoming programs are being cancelled due to the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. We ask our community members to exercise precaution:
(1) Make plenty of dua and dhikr
بسم الله الذي لا يضر مع اسمه شيء في الأرض ولا في السماء وهو السميع العليم
“In the Name of Allah with Whose Name there is protection against every kind of harm in the earth or in the heaven, and He is the All-Hearing and All- Knowing)”
(2) Practice good hygiene measures. Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes, hands and mouth
(3) Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing
(4) If you are feeling sick please stay at home
(5) If you traveled overseas in the past 14 days we advise you to stay home
(6) We advise our sisters, children, the elderly, and those with serious health conditions to pray at home
(7) Call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 for guidance regarding symptoms
The situation is unfolding and we will continue to provide important updates with our community.
AMA Board
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March 13: Second Update of the Day
To clean and disinfect the Mosque all congregational prayers will be limited in capacity. Please perform your prayers at home.
Please consider contacting elderly and needy people in your vicinity and offer them your kind and generous help and service, such as buying their groceries and other basic needs, in these challenging times.
Let us remember that this current unfortunate situation the whole world is facing is a serious test for all of us. As the famous proverbial saying goes, ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed!’ Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) reminds us of our duties to our brothers and sisters as follows:
مَنْ نَفَّسَ عَنْ مُؤْمِنٍ كُرْبَةً مِنْ كُرَبِ الدُّنْيَا نَفَّسَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ كُرْبَةً مِنْ كُرَبِ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ وَمَنْ يَسَّرَ عَلَى مُعْسِرٍ يَسَّرَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ
“Whoever relieves the hardship of a believer in this world, Allah (SWT) will relieve his hardship on the Day of Judgment. Whoever alleviates one’s difficulty, Allah will alleviate his difficulty (and ease his affairs) in this world and in the Hereafter.”
Jalil Marhnouj
President, AMA
Thursday, March 12: Announcement from the Imams Council of Ottawa-Gatineau
All praise is for Allah Almighty. May the peace and blessing be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, the faithful Companions, and those who follow them.
The Council of Imams of Ottawa-Gatineau is closely monitoring local, national and international developments regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. Our prayers and sympathies are with everyone impacted by this unprecedented situation.
We will continue to monitor developments and give updates weekly or earlier if needed, insha Allah.
As of today (Thu. Mar. 12th, 2020) given the ongoing coronavirus outbreak our recommendations impact five specific categories of worshipers. Along with placing our trust in Allah Almighty, we kindly encourage everyone to carefully read and follow these recommendations:
1. Do you or your child have a cough, fever or trouble deep breathing? if you have a cough or fever, or are having trouble breathing (regardless of the cause), please pray at home and only attend the masjid once you have fully recovered. If your child has a cough or cold, please do not bring them to the masjid until they are fully recovered.
2. Have you traveled internationally? If you have traveled outside Canada (including to the United States) in the last 14 days, please pray at home and do not come to the masjid until 14 days have passed since your return and you feel.
3. Have you been in close contact with anyone who has traveled internationally or who has been exposed to COVID-19 coronavirus? Please pray at home and do not come to the masjid until 14 days have passed since your last contact with them and you feel well.
4. Are you an elder (over 60 years old)? Out of concern for your well-being, we encourage you to take extra precautions and consider praying at home.
5. Do you have a serious, pre-existing medical condition? People who have terminal illnesses, respiratory problems, weak immune systems or are otherwise at high risk of contracting the virus, should pray at home until cleared by their doctors.
Those not attending Friday prayers will offer dhuhr prayers at home instead. Insha Allah, anyone who offers prayers at home due to these reasons, even though they desire to be in the masjid, will be rewarded by Allah Almighty as if they have prayed in congregation.
All worshipers are encouraged to:
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Not shake hands or exchange hugs (just greet with salam verbally)
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Bring their own prayer mats and put them down just before prayer starts, or place paper on their sujood (prostration) spot
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Make wudhu at home, if possible
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Cover their sneezes and coughs with their sleeve or a tissue
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Regularly sanitize their hands with soap & water or hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching their face
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Call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 for guidance regarding symptoms
From next Friday, March 20th, Friday prayer services may be shortened. Please look for timing announcements from your local Imam and Masjid. At this point, general cancellation of prayers, classes and programs is not being advised but this could change as the situation develops.
Most importantly, please increase du’a (supplication), istighfar (seeking forgiveness from Allah), and dhikr (remembrance from Allah) and take precautions while placing your trust in Allah. May Allah Almighty protect us all and may He cure all those who are ill.
The Council of Imams of Ottawa-Gatineau (CIOG)
Signed by the Council members (in alphabetical order)
Imam Ahmed Limame – Outaouais Islamic Centre
Imam Anver Malam – Jami Omar
Imam Ismail Albatnuni – AMA (Masjid ar-Rahmah)
Imam Mohammed Badat – Masjid Bilal
Imam Mohsen En-Nadi – SNMC
Imam Muhammad Sulaiman – Ottawa Muslim Association
Imam Owais Tilly – Jami Omar
Imam Samy Metwally – Islamic Society of Gloucester
Imam Sikander Hashmi – Kanata Muslim Association
Imam Zijad Delic – SNMC
Tuesday, March 10: Update
AMA recognizes the novel virus which has started spreading in Ottawa and spreads significantly after the first few weeks.
AMA is closely monitoring the latest developments regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) and will inform the community regarding this matter from time to time.
Jumuah prayers and other events will be offered with limited capacity. May Allah SWT keep all of us healthy and safe.
Thursday, March 5: Update from AMA Management
Over the last few months news of the novel coronavirus (COVID-2019) has become mainstream. What started in one part of the world is now spreading globally at a rapid pace, and we urge our community to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their families.
Our team found two important resources for you from the Government of Ontario. We highly recommend you read through this document to understand the following:
- What is the novel coronavirus (COVID-2019)?
- What are the symptoms?
- How can I protect myself and my family?
- What should I do if I think I have the virus?
- … and many more important points.
For access to the English version you can head here: https://files.ontario.
There is also an Arabic version which can be read here:
https://files.ontario.ca/moh-