Darul Falah Offers Much Needed Services for Students, Singles, and Elderly
By Muhammad Muiz Azeem
Sep/Oct 2024
For a long time the Muslims of Regina, Saskatchewan’s capital, have faced a serious issue. Despite comprising 8% of its population — roughly 20,000 Muslims out of the city’s 2.5 million population — there was a noticeable gap in the community’s existing institutions: plenty of mosques, but a severe lack of services to address the significant hurdles confronting them. Clearly, many needs weren’t being met or noticed.
The founders of Darul Falah Islamic Centre (DFIC) faced such challenges too. So in 2017, they opened doors to a space that quickly became a hub of Islamic activities, particularly in the downtown area. From its humble origins, DFIC is now a beacon of Islam within the city and the province as a whole. Recently, after a massive nationwide fundraiser, DFIC was able to purchase a property in central Regina to create a masjid and community center that serves as a focal point for its activities.
Along with many of its peers, DFIC provides nikah (marriage) support, hifz (memorization) programs, youth clubs, janazah (funeral rites), counseling, and mental health support. These activities are incredibly beneficial to Regina’s Muslims. For instance, although mental health remains a generally undiscussed or even taboo subject within many Muslim families, DFIC has made great efforts to make such support accessible to anyone by employing licensed Muslim therapists who recognize and understand their patients’ unique issues. Care is provided to nearly everyone, and free therapy sessions are available and accessible to those who are zakat-eligible and financially vulnerable.
Another notable initiative is the nikah support. Many young Muslims can attest to the difficulty of finding a potential spouse. DFIC simplifies and streamlines this process by serving as both matchmaker and wedding planner so that Muslims with similar values and interests can connect and form a lifelong bond.
The licensed fine option agency, part of the Ministry of Justice’s Fine Option Program, is not an alternative to sentencing. Rather, it gives people the chance to settle fines by doing unpaid supervised community service work at a rate of Can$11.60 per hour. The ministry administers the program with organizations like local nonprofits or an individual, who then assign suitable community service work to people who register to settle fines and advise the court of the assignment’s outcome. Promoting responsibility and repairing relationships with the community are values that align with DFIC’s restorative doctrine. These initiatives distinguish the center from other masjids.
Another unique factor is their settlement services for international students. Due to an increasing number of students, DFIC has started to support them. Many of these students feel as though they receive little support, for they have access only to simple services like the food bank. This isn’t enough for those who are under immense pressure, be it financial, social or academic.
To address this, DFIC provides numerous services such as airport pick up on arrival; the “2-day essential help” in obtaining crucial documentation (e.g., a social insurance number, a bank account, a Saskatchewan health card, a bus pass and some groceries); and an orientation to the city, including the hospital, the university, the grocers, mosques and other places. DFIC volunteers put in immense effort in this regard which is a testament to their faith.
DFIC has not forgotten our seniors either. To combat loneliness, the center organizes “compassionate calls” that check in on them so they can talk with someone. It also convenes “Mubobbi Adda,” a gathering where seniors can pass on wisdom to the youth. Among food and refreshments, different generations learn from one another in a welcoming environment. As many elderly have mobility issues and cannot come to the mosque, DFIC has started a pick-and-drop service for jummah prayer. This initiative is a great step in ensuring that our elders are taken care of.
DFIC’s new green initiative seeks to foster cooperation and camaraderie within the community. The first effort is the recycling program, which collects and sells recyclable material. Another initiative is the community garden, where members plant, care for, and share produce with others.
Clearly, DFIC has made its mark on the community and on all of Regina for that matter. Its leaders, although traditional in their beliefs yet forward-looking in their outlook, have done what the community needs. The provided services and initiatives have provided immense benefit to Regina’s Muslims and serves as a source of inspiration to other mosques in Canada.
Muhammad Muiz Azeem is a student at the University of Regina.
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