About Us
Serving Since 2009
The Toronto Baraza group was started by Marhum Muhammad Hussein Samji in the summer of 2000 as a gathering of a few friends in his garage at the Crescent Village. However, it was not until the year 2009 that the Group was formalised through the voluntary efforts of Hussein (Shenny) Dungersi and with the active support of Murad Hassanali, Ebrahim Suleiman, Shenny Khalfan and Yusuf Sivjee. Read More
History of the Baraza in Toronto
The Toronto Baraza Group gathers regularly, usually once a month, to socialize, discuss issues and topics of general interest. The group consists of about 25 regular members which includes professionals, present and past Jamaat leaders, successful businessmen, retirees and individuals who have participated in community events over the past many years. The group usually meets on Fridays at the Crescent Village (Complex) in Richmond Hill, Canada. During summer months gatherings are often held outdoors and the events usually consist of meals and snacks which are typical East African fares like Mandazi, Kitumbhuwa, Chai, Kahawa, etc East Africans have had a long history of getting together with friends to fill the humdrum of daily life and such gatherings came to be known as baraza.
The baraza culture can be traced to Persia, India, the Middle East and Africa. Particularly in Muslim neighborhoods in East Africa, homes were built to include a long cement veranda on the outside where neighbors would sit and discuss the day events and generally relax. It also served as forum for news, socializing and learning. In the West, present day barazas are primarily held by East African Khoja immigrants in England, Florida, New York, Toronto, and other places.
Recent Activities of the Baraza in Toronto
More recently, Nazmul Damji has joined the group and has helped change the course of Baraza by inviting speakers on various topics and managing these events. Some of the speakers this year have included Taha Jaffer on Artificial Intelligence, Ahmed Sagarwala on Cyber Security, Dr. Shabbir Alibhai on Medical challenges for Seniors. Br. Kassim Moledina helps facilitates the smooth running of Baraza activities by representing our interest at the Crescent Village Board to which we are grateful for allowing us to use its facilities for holding our meetings.
Over the years the Baraza has invited ISIJ Toronto executives, foreign Khoja Shia dignitaries from NASIMCO, Africa Federation and World Federation and scholars such as Sheikh Arif Abdulhussein from Birmingham and Mohamed Khalfan from Dar es Salaam. This also helps give the members some perspective on the activities of the community in various parts of the world. The regular attendance of the majority of Baraza members at all meetings is an indication of the positive impact on each individual. Studies have shown that seniors who stay socially active and engaged experience a variety of benefits, including:
+ Better cognitive function
+ Maintaining good emotional health
+ Improving physical health
+ Boosted immune system
+ Enjoying restful sleep, and as a result
+ Increased longevity
On 22nd November 2019, the Group had a triple celebratory and historic gathering. Not only did it celebrate the tenth anniversary of its formal existence but also for the very first time in the Group’s history, the meeting was attended by spouses of the members and other invited
dignitaries. The Group also recognized Sajjad Ebrahim the founding member and current President of Crescent Village Housing, for his philanthropic efforts in Canada and overseas and for the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree conferred on him by Ryerson University in Toronto. His
achievements were eloquently summarized by Bashir Versi. The speaker of the evening was Abdul Bashir Versi who enlightened the guests on the subject of Financial Planning for seniors. An interesting and a very appropriate topic that was very well
received by all the attendees.
Our Mission & Values
Socialize
To provide a platform f to socialize and mingle with so that we learn to understand each other
Connect
As we come together and learn each other we are able to develop deeper bonds and foster brotherhood
Learn
To organize cultural and educational programs which enhances our knowlege and an avenue to learning and sharing
Teamwork
While we wish to socialize, connect and learn, we do so by working together in a team to arrange programs and events
Transform
Participation and interaction allows us to continuously grow and evolve which results in transformation to a higher level of humanity
How would you interpret the image below
Stay Healthy, Stay Positive
People who have a philosophy for living will, after all, will make good progress in life. One day they will try to achieve one goal, and the next they will abandon it in favor of some other goal but one day they will achieve their goals. It is like a ship captain who randomly changes his course every hour but reaches the destination unlike one who changes cource without reason and end up instead spending the life literally at sea, which is the metaphorical fate of anyone who tries to go through life without a philosophy for living.
This is why it is important for you, whatever your age and your station in life may be, to spend time and energy choosing a philosophy for living — and to spend that time now, so that you can benefit from your philosophy in the days of life remaining to you.