A meeting was held on December 16, 1984 at the residence of Br. Qasim Husaini Sahib, under the direction of Moulana Syed Mohammad Zaki Baqri, to discuss as to how the specific needs of Momneen/Momenat from India and Pakistan could be catered. After deliberations at great length, it was concluded that there was a dire need to establish an organization to adequately promote the teachings of Aal-e-Mohammad (A.S.) and to preserve the true faith and believes of Momneen and Momenat in their religion. The name of the proposed organization was unanimously chosen as "The Council of Islamic Guidance".
Once The Council of Islamic Guidance was duly incorporated in 1985, two units were leased in 1986 at 916 Markham Road. Religious classes were started. There used to be Maghrebain prayers and Iftar in Ramazan. Our Iraqi, Lebanese, Iranian brothers and brothers from other countries also participated in those programs. Though a regular Majaalis program could not be arranged in Moharram, Majaalis were held occasionally. The Council remained there for almost two years.
The Council was reactivated in 1988. Two large units were leased at 3500 McNicol1 Avenue. During Moharram that year, videotapes of Majaalis were played during the first Ashrah. Afterwards, some Majaalis were held. But a year later, The Council had to leave that premises. Thereafter, The Council went through tough and testing time which difficult to express in words. Consequently, the Thursday night program was shifted to Syed Mohammed Zaki Baqri's house. That is how another year passed by.
In the Ramazan of 1989, Hojjatul Islam Moulana Syed Mohammad Askari Sahib was invited for the Ramazan program, which was held again at Syed Mohammed Zaki Baqri's house. The response of Momneen was encouraging. That was the time when we really felt the necessity of having a place for our center. Immediately after the Ramazan of 1989, two units were leased at 585 Middlefield Ave and the Thursday night program was resumed. In the year 1990, Hojjatul Islam Moulana Askari Sahib was again invited to conduct the Ramazan program, which was very successful. The year passed with the Thursday programs held on a regular basis.
After the Ramazan of 1991, the Executive Committee of The Council requested Br. Amjad Butt to search for an appropriate place to build the Center. Then came the Moharram of 1991. The Council decided to hold the Moharram and Safar Majalis and Ulm'a and Zakireen were invited to address those Majalis. In the meantime, Br Amjad Butt continued his efforts. In 1992 the search for a place was accelerated with the result that Br Amjad Butt located this place (where the AI-Mahdi Islamic Center is now built). A general body Meeting was held to arrive at the decision to purchase the property. The majority of those present in the meeting decided to purchase the proposed property. An offer to purchase was made in May of 1992 and by the June of 1992 the property was purchased. In the meantime, by the Grace of Allah we raised almost $300,000.
Then came the Moharram of 1992. It was decided that the Moharram and Safar Majalis program should be held like the year 1991. Hence, Ulm'a and Zakireen were invited to address those Majalis. It will not be out of place to mention here that to enhance the spirit of cooperation among Momneen, it was also decided that any Momen/Momenah could sponsor any of the Majlis/Mehfil program of The Council whereas the overall program organization will be the responsibility of The Council. By the Grace of Allah, the scheme is going well. One of the positive results of the scheme was that Majalis being held at Momneen's house gradually shifted to The Council. The Moharram of 1992 was also a great success.
After the Moharram of 1992, the focus was shifted to the process of the rezoning of the property and, thereafter, to commence the construction of the Center. The application for rezoning of the property was filed on December 23, 1992 to the Town of Pickering. The Executive Committee launched the building fund raising campaigns. Momneen/Momenat donated generously as their means permitted. The Executive Committee kept Momneen/Momenat updated of the progress of the building project. The Ramazan and Moharram programs of 1993 went at a grand scale. Attendance of Momneen/Momenat during Moharram had increased substantially. By the Grace of Allah and the Blessings of Massomeen (A.S.), in November of 1993, the Town of Pickering approved The Council's application for rezoning of the property. It was the most delightful news for all Momneen/Momenat.
In view of the experiences of 1993 Ramazan and Moharram, a large unit was leased at 3480 McNicol1 Avenue for 1994 Moharram program. The 1994 Moharram was very successful like past years. Other programs went very well. Construction work also commenced in 1994. Despite all efforts, the construction could not be completed by the end of 1994. Efforts were made to get it completed in early 1995 in order to have the Ramazan program, at The Council's own premises. As there is a saying that "man proposes and God disposes", due to circumstances beyond our control, the construction could not be completed in time to do the Ramazan program at the new premises. Nevertheless, by the Grace of Allah, ultimately Eid Prayers were offered at our own premises.
Once the building was completed, it was decided in the light of various A'hadith that this center should be named after Imam-e-Zamana (A.S.). Hence, it has been named as "AI-Mahdi Islamic Center". The official inauguration of the Center has been scheduled on the commemoration of the Eid-e-Ghadeer which is also the "Day of the Completion of Deen-e-Islam by Allah". Let us all pray Allah for purity in our deeds, for completion of all our noble causes, and for His Blessings to all of us in our good deeds.
