Jamiatul Muslemeen of Ottawa-Carleton

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

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MEMORANDUM

To:        The Muslim Community of Ottawa-Gatineau

From:    United Muslim Organizations of Ottawa-Gatineau

Subject: Offering daily and Juma’ prayers

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We hope and pray that all of our community members are in the best state of imaan and health. As we all know that the time period we all are going through is unique and unprecedented. The likes of which has not been experienced in our life time.

We should recall that it is our religious responsibility to insure that we do everything within our control to contain the virus and at the same time follow the rules established by our public health agencies.

To this end, all member organizations of the Ottawa-Gatineau Muslim community unanimously have adopted a common policy for all the people who pray with jamaa’ in masjids. In this regard, all brothers and sisters are hereby asked to pray at their LOCAL masjid ONLY. Given the recent case of a Covid-19 infected brother praying in Jami Omar, it is imperative that people do not go to other masaajid. Recurrence of such event will increase the risk of spread and make containment very difficult.

Secondly, all people are asked to think before going to their respective local masjid if they have any symptoms and/or have come in contact with someone who may have got infected.

As we are taught by our beloved Rasool (SAW) that one cannot be true believer unless and until he/she prefers for others what he/she thinks for own self. This virus is a serious matter and we must exercise caution.

We ask our Creator Allah (SWT) to relieve the entire humanity from the global pandemic and its resultant impact. Let us turn to Allah (SWT) and seek protection under His boundless mercy.

Sincerely,
 

Responsible members of the UMOG

Please be advised that on Monday, July 06, we got an email from a brother, who typically attends Fajr prayer daily at Jami Omar and who also attended the first Jamaah on July 03, stating that he had been diagnosed with the Covid-19 virus. Given the nature of this virus it is not surprising; and we all are at risk if the recommended rules are not followed. In order to safeguard and protect the health and well-being of our community members, we have decided to shut down Jami Omar effective immediately until further notice. Here are the steps we have taken and the status of each action:

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1. Review the attendee list – registered, on-site registered, and volunteers - Complete

2. Notify the City of Ottawa – Public health of the situation of this finding.

Status: We have reviewed the process implemented at Jami Omar with the Health staff and they have assured that the measures taken by our team are sufficient. Those who have attended any prayers during the aforementioned period have very low risk. They have concurred with the decision to shut down our masjid for at least 2-3 weeks. The attendee list will be available to public health upon request.

1. Those who were thought to be at a higher risk due to proximity in the prayer, have been advised to be tested for Covid-19.

Status: Some brothers have already been tested and are awaiting results. A few more are planning to get the test done as soon as possible.

1. Sanitizing the common area and Gym: Complete

2. Send out email to the registered members: Complete

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As confirmed the by Public Health staff, there is a very low risk to those who have visited Jami Omar. We have decided to shut down the masjid as a precaution just in case there is a flare-up and somebody else exhibits the symptom.

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Re-opening: Please check our website, www.jamiomar.org after two weeks from today for the reopening plans.

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Thank you to the community members for following the procedure and adhering to the recommended actions. This procedure has helped us immensely to take immediate actions for the right outcome. Thanks are due to the dedicated Jami Omar Re-Opening Team for their amazing and sincere work. We remain grateful to their dedicated efforts and continued support. I ask Allah (SWT) to reward you all in both worlds and to protect you and your families from the illness.

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Salaams,

Imam Anver Malam

President – Jami Omar

Quran Inspiration, with Imam Owais, is intended to connect Children with Quran narratives and inspire them to learn life lessons to practice in their lives.

July 5th - In The Beginning and the First Human

July 12th - Sleepers of the Cave

July 19th - Nabi Ibrahim's (A.S.) call to Hajj!

With the current COVID-19 pandemic there is a worldwide shortage of personal protective equipment, otherwise known as PPE. Hospitals and nursing homes across Ottawa have turned to the community for help with sewing non-medical cloth masks, head bands and surgical caps.

Jami Omar’s volunteers are doing their part to help fulfil this growing need across Ottawa by sourcing materials, sewing these various forms of PPE and delivering this PPE across the city.

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Who are the masks for? For hospital visitors and patient caretakers that do not require medical masks are provided with cloth masks that they can wear in the hospital and out in public for their safety and others.

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1. All approved visitors who enter the Hospital and Nursing Home

2. All discharged patients as they reintegrate into the community

3. The broader Ottawa Community, especially vulnerable populations and the elderly, to help prevent disease transmission

Head Bands and Surgical Caps will be used by Doctors and Nursing Staff.

Medical staff have begun to experience chaffing behind their ears from constantly wearing medical masks and hence headbands and surgical caps with buttons behind the ears are used to hold their masks in place.

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For more information, you can contact jamiomar@jamiomar.org

Jami Omar accepting food donations for Sadaqa Food Bank 

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Where: Box outside basement entrance door at 3990 Old Richmond Rd

When:  Daily from 12pm - 1pm (*Except for rainy days)

What: Please drop off your non-perishable donations only

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Note: Masjid is not open, please follow necessary safety precautions including physical distancing amid COVID-19 

To keep in touch with the community, Jami Omar has created a WhatsApp group and a YouTube channel.

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The WhatsApp group is dedicated for community announcements.

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Join WhatsApp Group

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The YouTube channel will host spiritual messages from the Imams.

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Subscribe to the YouTube channel

Find live online classes and lectures by local Imams

Given the recent information coming in daily for COVID-19, combining the resources of UMO-OG (united Muslim of Ottawa Gatineau), Jami Omar will be providing help to anyone who needs it with safety measures in place.

Working with UMO-OG, Jami Omar will be coordinating a list of what people need and sending volunteers 

out in different areas.

During this difficult time of COVID-19 outbreak, if you are ill, self-quarantined and/or senior citizens, and 

unable to go out to purchase household essentials, cooked food, etc, please fill out this form:

http://bit.ly/OttCOVID-19relief

*Relief we are providing*:
1. Food items and non-perishables for anyone in need

2. If you need errands run/ grocery pick up, medication and prescriptions pick up or other essential supplies. 

(We will go buy and deliver to your front door. You can etransfer the amount)

We will put items at door, stay in our car, call you then once you pick up we will leave. We will ask all 

volunteers to wear gloves and not interact with people.

3. If you need a cooked meal.

4. If you need to just talk. We also have registered counselors who will be able providing phonically to anyone 

who is having a hard time with their mental health

This is a collaborative initiative, and each group including Jami Omar is working individually for the pleasure 

of Allah and to help our healthcare system fight this pandemic