Bošnja?ki islamski centar Hamilton - Hamilton, Ontario
Bosnian Islamic Centre of Hamilton, Ontario

Džemat Bošnja?ki islamski centar Hamilton, smješten u kanadskoj pokrajini Ontario, osnovan je tokom mjeseca ramazana 1999. godine kao odgovor na potrebe sve brojnije bošnja?ke zajednice u ovom dijelu Kanade. Prvi predsjednik džematskog odbora bio je Hasan Dizdarevi?, dok imamsku dužnost od samog osnivanja do danas obavlja Ismail ef. Feti?, koji je ujedno i jedini imam ove zajednice od njenog nastanka.

Prve aktivnosti džemata odvijale su se skromno, u privatnim ku?ama, da bi nakon nekoliko sastanaka sa džematlijama bilo odlu?eno da se teravih-namaz organizira u podrumu stambene zgrade na adresi 2520 Barton Street. U tom prostoru, gdje je živjelo više bošnja?kih porodica, pored namaza organizovana je i vjeronauka, što je predstavljalo temelj budu?eg institucionalnog razvoja džemata.

Ve? 2000. godine, uzimanjem u zakup prostora na raskrsnici Queenston i Grays Road, ?lanovi džemata pokazali su odlu?nost da svoje djelovanje podignu na viši nivo. U tom periodu intenzivirane su vjerske aktivnosti, ali je istovremeno sazrijevala i svijest o potrebi za vlastitim prostorom koji bi trajno služio kao duhovno i društveno središte zajednice.

Ostvarenje tog cilja uslijedilo je u maju 2002. godine kupovinom starije troetažne ku?e sa baštom na adresi 202 Barton Street u Stoney Creeku, gdje je bila koncentrisana ve?ina bošnja?kog stanovništva. Ovaj objekat je temeljito adaptiran i prilago?en potrebama džemata, ?ime su stvoreni uslovi za intenzivniji i sadržajniji vjerski, obrazovni i kulturni rad. U tom periodu pokrenuta je i škola bosanskog jezika, ?ime je dodatno oja?ana svijest o o?uvanju identiteta me?u mla?im generacijama.

Tokom godina, Bošnja?ki islamski centar Hamilton izrastao je u stabilnu i organizovanu zajednicu koja aktivno radi na o?uvanju i ja?anju islamskog, bošnja?kog i bosanskog identiteta, istovremeno pomažu?i svojim ?lanovima u integraciji u kanadsko društvo. Danas džemat okuplja skoro 300 porodica, što predstavlja izuzetno visok procenat uklju?enosti u odnosu na ukupnu populaciju. Posebno se isti?e rad sa mladima, stotine djece prošle su kroz mektebsku nastavu i školu bosanskog jezika.

Jedan od istaknutih ?lanova zajednice je dr. Emir Rami?, osniva? škole bosanskog jezika i direktor Instituta za istraživanje genocida Kanada, ?iji rad ima zna?ajan uticaj kako u Kanadi, tako i šire.

Džemat kontinuirano organizuje brojne vjerske, kulturne i društvene programe, te posjeduje i vlastitu biblioteku. Kroz saradnju sa drugim bošnja?kim džematima u Sjevernoj Americi, posebno u Južnom Ontariju, kao i sa relevantnim institucijama poput Kongresa Bošnjaka Sjeverne Amerike i Instituta za istraživanje genocida Kanada, ostvarena je snažna mreža podrške i zajedni?kog djelovanja. Džemat tako?er pruža podršku razli?itim kulturnim i sportskim organizacijama, uklju?uju?i fudbalski klub „Vratnik“ i kulturno-umjetni?ka društva.

Kruna dugogodišnjeg rada i razvoja džemata bila je sve?ano otvaranje novoizgra?ene džamije u Hamiltonu 22. i 23. juna 2018. godine, uz prisustvo reisul-uleme Islamske zajednice u Bosni i Hercegovini dr. Huseina ef. Kavazovi?a, muftije Islamske zajednice Bošnjaka Sjeverne Amerike dr. Sabahudina ef. ?emana, te brojnih gostiju i predstavnika zajednice.

Posebno mjesto u razvoju džemata zauzima dugogodišnji rad imama Ismaila ef. Feti?a, koji od samog osnivanja predvodi ovu zajednicu. Kroz kontinuiran vjerski, obrazovni i organizacioni angažman, ef. Feti? je dao nemjerljiv doprinos u izgradnji stabilnog, aktivnog i jedinstvenog džemata. Njegov rad obuhvata vo?enje vjerskih aktivnosti, edukaciju mladih, ja?anje zajedništva me?u džematlijama, kao i organizaciju brojnih projekata, uklju?uju?i vjerska putovanja, humanitarne akcije i društvene programe. Njegova posve?enost i blizak odnos sa ?lanovima zajednice doprinijeli su da džemat BIC Hamilton postane primjer uspješne i organizovane bošnja?ke zajednice u dijaspori.

Danas džemat okuplja ?lanove porijeklom iz svih krajeva Bosne i Hercegovine i Sandžaka, predstavljaju?i snažan simbol o?uvanja vjere, identiteta i zajedništva Bošnjaka u Kanadi.

 

Bosnian Islamic Centre of Hamilton - Hamilton, Ontario

The Bosnian Islamic Centre of Hamilton, located in the province of Ontario, Canada, was established during the blessed month of Ramadan in 1999 in response to the growing needs of the Bosniak Muslim community in the region. The first president of the Board was Hasan Dizdarevic, while the position of Imam has been held since the very founding of the community by Imam Ismail ef. Fetic, who continues to serve as the spiritual leader of the congregation.

The earliest activities of the congregation were modest and took place in private homes. Shortly thereafter, following several community meetings, it was decided that Tarawih prayers would be organized in the basement of a residential building located at 2520 Barton Street, where a number of Bosnian families resided. In that same space, religious education (maktab) was also established, laying the foundation for the future institutional development of the community.

In 2000, by leasing a facility at the intersection of Queenston and Grays Road, members of the congregation demonstrated a clear commitment to strengthening and formalizing their presence. During this period, religious and community activities expanded significantly, while a shared vision for acquiring a permanent space began to take shape.

This vision was realized in May 2002 with the purchase of a three-storey house with surrounding land at 202 Barton Street in Stoney Creek, an area with a high concentration of Bosniak families. The property was extensively renovated and adapted to serve the needs of the congregation, enabling the expansion of religious, educational, and cultural programs. Around this time, a Bosnian language school was also established, further reinforcing efforts to preserve cultural identity among younger generations.

Over the years, the Bosnian Islamic Centre of Hamilton has developed into a well-organized and vibrant community, dedicated to preserving Islamic values, Bosniak identity, and the Bosnian language, while also supporting its members in successfully integrating into Canadian society. Today, the congregation includes nearly 300 families, representing a remarkably high level of community engagement. Special emphasis has been placed on youth development, with hundreds of children having attended maktab classes and Bosnian language school.

Among the distinguished members of the community is Dr. Emir Ramic, founder of the Bosnian language school and Director of the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada, whose work has had a significant impact both nationally and internationally.

The Centre regularly organizes a wide range of religious, cultural, and social programs, and also maintains its own library. Through close cooperation with other Bosnian communities across North America—particularly in Southern Ontario as well as with institutions such as the Congress of Bosniaks of North America and the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada, the Centre has established a strong network of collaboration and support. It has also contributed to various community initiatives, including support for sports and cultural organizations such as FC “Vratnik” and Bosnian cultural associations.

A major milestone in the history of the Centre was the official opening of the newly built mosque in Hamilton on June 22 and 23, 2018. The event was attended by the Grand Mufti (Reis-ul-Ulema) of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dr. Husein ef. Kavazovic, the Mufti of the Islamic Community of Bosniaks in North America (ICBNA), Dr. Sabahudin ef. Ceman, along with numerous guests and community representatives.

A central role in the growth and development of the Centre has been played by Imam Ismail ef. Fetic, who has served the community since its founding. Through his continuous religious, educational, and organizational efforts, Imam Fetic has made a lasting and meaningful contribution to building a strong, active, and united congregation. His work has included leading religious services, educating youth, fostering unity among members, and organizing numerous initiatives such as religious journeys, community programs, and humanitarian efforts. His dedication and close connection with the congregation have helped shape the Bosnian Islamic Centre of Hamilton into a model of a successful and well-integrated Bosniak community in the diaspora.

Today, the congregation brings together members originating from all regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sandzak, standing as a strong symbol of faith, identity, and unity for Bosniaks in Canada.