World Forum for Sri Lankan Muslims Sri Lanka Muslims Forum
Following several constitutional conferences the Constitution Act officially proclaimed Canadian Federation on July 1st 1867 and today we celebrate the Canada Day on 1st July every year.
From the available records after 100 years of Canada Federation. First Sri Lankan Muslim migrated to Canada on 23rd July 1966. He is ThowfeeqDoray and hails from Kurunagala Sri Lanaka followed by Bari family from Beruwela in 1967.
Since then the Sri Lankan Muslims who migrated to Canada have been contributing towards the development of the country. One such person is the first Sri Lankan Engineer AGA Barrie who was involved in constructing the major Highways across the province of Ontario in Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara Falls and Ottawa. He was also involved in constructing the Harbour for Steel Company of Canada (STELCO) using one of the riskiest methods of construction.
Muslims of Sri Lankan origin have stablished three Masajid and many social, sports and educational associations to promote and maintain the cultural and ethnic values
FACT SHEET OF SRI LANKAN PIONEERS IN CANADA
| No | DESCRIPTION | NAME | YEAR | REMARKS |
| 1. | First – Immigrant | ThowfeeqDoray | 1967 | Radio Technician |
| 2. | First – Birth | Sharyaz Bari | 1969 | ZAM & Rosie Bari – Parents |
| 3. | First – Death | Baby Fathima Barrie | 1972 | AGA & Jiffriya Barrie – Parents |
| 4. | First – Wedding | Razvi Azeez & Christine Ragell | 1986 | Razvi migrated in 1970 |
| 5. | First – Enter pruner | ZAM Bari | 1972 | Television – Parts & Repair |
| 6. | First – Engineer | AGA Barrie P.Eng | 1969 | Member APEO |
| 7. | First – Doctor | Dr. Basel Bari MD | 1990 | Primary, College and University -Canada |
| 8. | First – Hafiz | Munsif Mubarak | ||
| 9. | First – Lawyer | AlaviMohideen | 1975 | Canadian Membership |
| 10. | First – Accountant | Zubair | 1980 | Canadian Membership |
| 11. | First – Architect | Mark Jaffar | 1990 | Locally qualified |
| 12. | First – Politician | Hassan Sheriff | 1978 | Contested Municipal Elections |
| 13. | First – Female Graduate | Raihana Barrie | 1989 | McMaster Hamilton |
| 14. | First – Masjid | Masjid -Ut – Taqwa | 1992 | 14 Ladysmith Drive Toronto |
| 15. | First – Association | CSMA | Canada Sri Lanka Muslim Association | |
| 16. | First – Custom Home | 56 Aragon Avenue, Toronto | 1985 | Owner – AGA Barrie |
| 17. | First – Lady Accountant | -Ziyana Abdul Razak | CPA, CGA, FCCA, BBA. |
Disclaimer :
Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect World Forum for Sri Lankan Muslims (wfslm.org) point-of-view.
