President's Annual Report

Assalamo alikom,

Many activities took place this year, especially relating to the Islamic Center (ICK). The affairs of the ISK are run by committees. Committee reports are detailed in the document.

When there is a need, new committees are formed. The ISK Executive Committee (EC) formed the following three new committees after the Annual General Meeting 2008 to serve the community in a most efficient and progressive manner. The first is Community Information Committee (CIC), which should provide information to the Community and work on publishing the BOND and Maintaining and updating ISK Website and mailing lists. The second is Future Projects Planning Committee (FPPC). The FPPC will assess the need for an extension to the ICK building, due to the increased size of the Muslim Community of Kingston. The FPPC will also seek advice/help/info from other Islamic centers/Mosques in Canada who might have had similar concerns in the past and found appropriate solutions. The third is Strategic Planning Committee (SPC). The SPC will conduct a thorough due diligence review on the existing processes and practices across the ISK and recommend an action plan for improvement. The SPC will help the ISK organize its affairs and make better future planning ISA.

This year so increased interaction and cooperation with QUMSA the students at Queen’s. This followed a series of hateful Islamophobic activities. QUMSA launched a campaign under the title: "Islamophobia, It's Real! … Strive for A Hate Free Campus". Also the ISK reached out to the Queen’s administration and received a positive response. I am very proud of the work of QUMSA to handle the situation and of the QUMSA Executive and Queen’s students.

I am in continuous discussion, consultation and cooperation with Imam Tarek to work together to better serve the community. This year a bylaw establishing the relationship between the EC and the Imam was drafted and approved in a General Body meeting (in July). The bylaw is attached for your ratification. A review committee has been established in accordance with the bylaw. The committee has met several times and the review process in underway and should be completed by May 2009.

Imam Tarek and I continue to participate in Multi-faith activities in Kingston. A “Faith Leaders Group” meets once a month and we attend the meeting representing the ISK. Other Kingston activities are done by the Da’wa Committee and you will find a separate report on the activities of the Da’wa Committee.

After the Canadian Islamic Congress took the initiative in 2007 to declare October as the Islamic History Month Canada, the ISK worked hard on this and as a result Kingston was the first community in Ontario to make such declaration. An IHMK committee was established this year, and arranged for the activities during October 2008. A number of programs were organized, including lecture by three prominent speakers, a book review, web site, and other events. These will be detailed in the committee’s report.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the members of the EC, and all ISK committee members and volunteers, for the time and energy they spent for the service of the community, May Allah (SWT) reward them all. There is a need for more community involvement and participation. I pray to Allah (SWT) for His guidance and help in building a community that works for His pleasure, a community where the members care for each other, a community that strives to live in peace with each other, and within the Kingston community.

Hossam Hassanein
President