The TARIC ISLAMIC CENTRE was established by the Toronto And Region Islamic Congregation (TARIC) and The World Islamic Call Society and is located at the busiest intersection in Canada. Built on 2.2 acres on the northeast corner of Highways 400 and 401, the Islamic Centre is one of the largest in the city with a Muslim population of over 400,000. The issue of Gulf Weekly of 25-31 May 1995 says "..T
he TARIC Islamic Centre, probably the most vibrant and effective in reaching out to non-Muslims is, perhaps the premier Muslim outfit in Metropolitan Toronto. Founded in 1977, it opened in 1991 the first of a two-phase complex of buildings. Today, it has over 2,000 worshippers, a library, a gymnasium and a school that teaches Arabic and the Muslim religion. Unlike some other Islamic organisations, those at the helm of affairs here seem to have succeeded in projecting Islam to the Canadian public in a very favourable light." The policy makers at TARIC realize that many Muslims are unaware of the basics of Islam and therefore do not have the knowledge to practice their faith. Consequently, the power and confidence that comes from prayer and the remembrance of Allah is absent in their lives. Peace and serenity that is the promise of Allah to those who worship Him is unattainable, and stress, conflict, confusion, alcoholism, drug abuse and suicides become the alternatives. TARIC's goal is to bring the simple, honest message of Islam to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. This means, stressing the importance of the five pillars of Islam encouraging Muslims to read the Qur'an, and to constantly practice zikkir (the remembrance of Allah). The TARIC Islamic Centre has established a full time school from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 in a school building leased from the Toronto District School Board. In addition to the school, a weekend madrasssa for other students is run from the Islamic Centre. A large number of programmes are carried out at the Centre. Some of these are:
Adult Tarbiya class on Sundays
Arabic language classes
A marriage introduction service
Marriage and family counseling
Conducting marriages and funerals
An Islamic bookstore
Interfaith dialogue
Dawa programmes for non Muslims
Mosque visits
Political and social awareness programmes
Seminars on Islamic and secular subjects
Family nights
Summer camps
Weekly youth activities
Women’s programmes
The message to Muslims, therefore, is enjoy the pleasures of the world within the boundaries placed on us by Allah while being grateful to Him for His bounties. Praise Him in Salaat five times a day, seek His pleasure by doing anything which will benefit one's family, one's community and one's environment, and remember Him always in our every word and action. At the TARIC Islamic Centre we emphasize the simplicity of Islam and the hopet offers without any complicated rituals. We encourage Muslims to be guided by the Qur'an, which says that Islam is the religion of the middle road. We may not be hermits withdrawing from the society to pray and meditate continuously nor should we become enamoured by the attractions of the material world. The organization aims at perfection in all aspects of its activities and announces them one year in advance.
