The community of members that make up The Islamic Shia Ithna-Ashari Jammaat (ISIJ) of Toronto began congregating for major religious occasions in the late 1960’s. Today they have grown into a Shia Muslim community whose organization is a source of inspiration to other Muslim communities continent-wide.

There are currently almost 2000 voting Members of the ISIJ of Toronto, which when including family members translates to approximately 5000 individuals. The Membership is comprised primarily, but not exclusively, of Shia Muslims of Indian origin from East Africa with a deep and rich history of worship, congregation and community service.

Indeed, serving and managing the affairs of a Community of this size requires dedication, organization and a collective desire to “be your neighbor’s keeper.” As a result of this spirit, ISIJ have established 4 separate places of worship in Thornhill, Brampton, Hamilton and London, Ontario.

In 1979, the ISIJ of Toronto built the Jaffari Islamic Center (JIC) in Thornhill. For many years, it ranked as the grandest Mosque in the Greater Toronto Area, if not in the entire country. It remains the primary center of worship for the majority of the Membership.

In 1994, the ISIJ of Toronto purchased a 28-acre property in Richmond Hill, to eventually convert to a multi-faceted facility and complex. In 2003, the Masumeen Islamic Center in Brampton was completed, representing many years of hard work and dedication.

Currently, the ISIJ of Toronto is in the initial stages of building a center of worship in Hamilton to replace their current respective leased facilities.

In addition, the Community has completed a major development undertaking. That is, the building of the Jaffari Community Center (JCC), a 161,000 square foot facility at 9000 Bathurst Street in Thornhill. The JCC has been designed to have a full double-gym, a sizeable congregation area, classrooms, banquet halls and fitness facilities.

The ISIJ of Toronto has assisted with and houses the As-Sadiq Islamic School. Inaugurated in 1994, parents of As-Sadiq students presently entrust the School with the primary education of their children.

Today, the Community successfully carries out its own burial facilities, youth programs, periodic publications, library, seniors’ activities and various other functions that are part-in-parcel with the operation of an efficient organization.

Website: https://jaffari.org/