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Br. Hasmat Ali- A pioneer of BC Muslim Community Passed away
5-22-2021
My grandfather, Br. Hasmat Ali, passed away quietly in the early morning hours of May 20, 2021. We were so privileged to stay with him in those last moments. My grandfather served the Muslim community for decades, he pioneered masjid and school projects all over the province. He worked tirelessly to keep BCMA going strong. I remember when the old Surrey Masjid burned down, my grandfather rallied his strength to make sure the community would have another masjid to pray in. He took the responsibility personally and gratefully and his beloved community supported him by electing him Chairperson of the Surrey Delta Branch throughout those years. He worked selflessly for those in trouble and in need. He never limited his efforts just for the Muslim community, he worked with local communities and MPs to build a better future for everyone.
“You know, this is Canada,” he (Hasmat Ali) said with a smile. “In this country we are all together and can enjoy all these other religions and cultures. Canada is one of the only places where such a thing is possible.”
- The Now Newspaper, 2000
My grandpa was a larger-than-life person: he served in the Fijian Army and Fiji Police Force, he flew Cessna planes, he was a realtor, drafter and contractor, he was a wrestler, he owned a goat farm, and one of the first halal meat stores in Vancouver. He was one of the first men to hand-slaughter chicken so the community would have halal chicken to buy. His attitude to live life and give back fully gave everyone their favorite Br. Hasmat Ali stories. Still, underneath it all, Br. Hasmat Ali was a family man, a devoted father, husband, brother, uncle and especially a loving and kind grandfather. We will always remember his hearty laugh, talking politics and news, drinking chai and him retelling Muhammad Ali’s boxing highlights. He taught us all to read Arabic and Quran before we even went to preschool. He would hide us as kids when we did naughty things so our mothers wouldn’t find us. He would feed all the stray cats to tame them so the grandkids could play with them. He knotted my husband’s tie on the day of our wedding. My grandfather was so soft-spoken, gentle, and patient with us grandkids. My grandfather was the only reason I joined the BCMA. He inspired and motivated me to give back to my community, to continue his work for Allah SWT.
Br. Hasmat Ali, my grandfather will be laid to rest near my grandmother, who left us only six months ago. Both have completed their journey back to Allah SWT. We will always miss them, and we pray that Allah SWT grants them an eternal and elevated place in Jannatul Firdaus. I pray my grandfather is rewarded abundantly for all he has done in the path of Allah SWT for the community, for my family, and for me. As he would always say, do only good in this world and keep in mind Akhira because that is when the real life begins.
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