B.C. Muslim Association’s all chapters Elections in process
Muslims in Canada are first and secondgeneration immigrants from countries all over the world and the BCMA has been active in establishing this presence in British Columbia for more than 5 decades. The B.C. Muslim Association (BCMA) is currently the largest Muslim non-profit organization in BC representing Sunni Muslims. They operate several Masjids, Islamic centers, Musalahs, Muslim schools, and offer other community services including dawah work, funeral services, refugee settlement, marriage and counseling services, youth services, and a halal certification program etc. Although some positions are paid, most of these services are fueled by volunteers. As a minority in the west, Muslims need to be able to form a collective and the BCMA provides us with that opportunity which is why participating in events such as their Branches 2021 election is so important. Even if we are unable to vote, volunteering and participating with the community enforces our core values.
This election, which occurs every 2 years, allows Muslims in our area to have a voice in what direction our community grows and develops.
Any ordinary member above 16 years, who has an active membership, can vote and each separate chapter holds candidates or nominees. Similar to the federal election we just passed, the winners are announced at a later time. The election committee that organizes the entire election, made up of 5-7 members, lasts for a full 3-year term and after each election, they automatically dissolve.
The standout of this election though, is that this is all pure volunteer work. Politicians in our government are paid to do the jobs they carry out but candidates and organizers of the BCMA Elections and numerous services are all volunteers who put in the time and effort to aid our community.
A few years later the intro of Candidates was introduced in public after Maghrib prayer in SJM, That was the healthy approach and easy to know who is who. But although the 913 members that were confirmed for this year from the association is a large number for the Surrey Jamea Mosque/ Delta Chapter, two years prior they boasted over 1800 and the turnout for the election was remarkable. This year voter turnout was low, and around 360 people voted in the Delta Chapter. After seeing and hearing about the effort that comes from this one part of our community that works to keep us upright, it is saddening to see that the same participation and involvement from the opposite is not reciprocated.
This year voting procedure to be exercised at digital system by using I-Pad and as well as Manual sytem in all BCMA chapters. Some chapters have already finished counting and the election in that area is over. This means that the outstanding 11 members from all participating candidates have been chosen. Those elected have many issues that they have to address in every Annual General Meeting and although executives do their best to satisfy the needs of our community, it is common that everything is not addressed. Similar to a federal campaign, not every promise can be kept and not every issue can be analyzed and solved. Each member also has their own agenda which can also interfere with the needs of the community, much of the public opinion believes that politics has become involved in many chapters. For example, management favoring certain party candidates which is unacceptable.To prevent issues like these, the Muslim community needs to become more involved in the services and facilities associations like these provi de. Additionally, as our community grows, we need to adapt andgrow with it which means accepting and addressing new problems and the needs of the community.
This could mean carving out more time out of your schedule to volunteer with your local mosque or on a larger scale, to plan and work to minimize conflicts of interests.
Laysa Lil Insana illa ma’ sa’aa
That man can have nothing but what he strives for.