Special Message from Council for Ontario President Salim Bhanji on reflections over the past year and looking ahead to 2022.

The Ismaili Council for Ontario wishes you all a very happy new year! We pray that this year be full of hope, happiness and positivity. We pray that the homes of all members of the Ontario Jamat be filled with joy, and that every heart is filled with laughter. Ameen.

As we look forward to a new year after a challenging pandemic year, let us remember that we each have blessings in our lives that we can be thankful for, and which can inspire us to be our very best.  Let us be filled with hope and keep our spirits high as we continue to build and strive for success in our spiritual and material lives.

In light of recent COVID-19 trends related to the Omicron variant, Jamatkhana capacity will be reduced in all Ontario Jamatkhanas as of morning ceremonies Friday, December 17.

At this time, confirmed spots through the Jamatkhana Registration system will NOT be required to attend Jamatkhana. Jamati members may continue to attend Jamatkhana on a first-come, first-served basis, until Jamatkhana capacity is reached.

We urge all members of the Jamat to strictly follow all local health and safety guidelines, including wearing a well-fitting 3-layer mask and physical distancing at all times inside Jamatkhana.

In addition, we encourage all Jamati members to access their COVID vaccine booster dose as soon as they are eligible. As of Monday, December 20, all Ontario residents age 18+ who received their second dose more than 3 months ago will be eligible to receive their booster dose. For more information or assistance in getting a booster shot, please contact the ACCESS line at +1 (888) 536-3599.

Thank you for your continued understanding and support. 

The Council for Ontario and the Jamati Institutional Leadership wish the Jamat and multi-faith family members a heartfelt Salgirah Mubarak!

Special Message from Council for Ontario President Salim Bhanji on the next step forward in the Ontario Jamatkhana attendance process.

We are pleased to inform the Jamat that as a result of updates to the Government of Ontario's guidelines, we will be adopting a new process for Jamatkhana attendance in Ottawa and Kingston. These changes will allow for increased capacity in our Jamatkhanas.

Please note that as of Monday, November 15:

• Jamati members will no longer require confirmation of attendance from the Jamatkhana registration system. Jamatkhana attendance will now be on a first-come, first-served basis
• Proof of vaccination will be required to attend Ottawa and Kingston Jamatkhanas, for those who are eligible to be vaccinated
• Jamati members who do not have proof of vaccination will be accommodated in the Ottawa Jamatkhana social hall for evening ceremonies. Proof of vaccination is not required for morning ceremonies. 

The wearing of masks, physical distancing, and hand sanitization will continue to be required.

We will continue to closely monitor and adhere to all government and public health guidelines as they evolve.

We thank all our volunteers for their support as we implement the proof of vaccination system, and extend gratitude to all Jamati members for their understanding.

Proof of Vaccination

• Proof of vaccination can be either:
  • A vaccine receipt (printed or electronic)
  • An enhanced vaccine certificate that includes a QR code (printed or electronic)
• Personal identification must also be shown, along with proof of vaccination, to establish the identity of the vaccinated individual:
  • Photo ID is not required
  • Your ID must include your name and date of birth
• You can download an enhanced vaccine certificate (government issued passport):
  • Online at the Ontario COVID-19 site, OR
  • You can call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 to request a copy of your vaccine certificate by email or mail

For Assistance

• Jamati members who would like information about getting their vaccines or who would like help can call the ACCESS line at 1-888-536-3599, reach out to Mukhi Kamadia/Mukhiani Kamadiani, or contact their local Aga Khan Health Board members.

Not Yet Vaccinated?

• Eligible members of the Jamat who have not yet received their COVID-19 vaccinations are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. You can book your vaccine appointment online.

Questions?

• Do you have additional questions? Please see the FAQ's for more details.

The Council for Ontario is pleased to inform the Jamat that recent changes to government regulations will allow for significantly increased capacity in Ontario Jamatkhanas. Beginning with morning Jamati ceremonies on Monday, November 15:

• A vaccine passport system will be in place whereby proof of vaccination and personal identification will be required to attend all Jamatkhanas in Ontario with the exception of social halls in certain Jamatkhanas. This will allow for increased capacity in all our Jamatkhanas.
• There will be designated Jamatkhanas where members of the Jamat who do not have their vaccine passport will be able to attend in Jamatkhana space set up in the social halls.
• Confirmed allocations from the Jamatkhana Registration system will NO LONGER be required to attend Jamatkhanas in Ontario. Jamati members may attend Jamatkhana on a first-come, first-served basis.

We are grateful to the Government of Ontario for these adjustments, allowing for a significant step forward in our return to normalcy, especially for the Ontario Jamat where capacity has been restricted over the past 20 months. We will continue to monitor government and public health guidelines for any further impacts on the operations of our Jamatkhanas.

Also, we encourage members of the Jamat who are eligible but have yet to obtain their vaccinations to do so. Please reach out to the Medical Advisory Services team via the ACCESS Line for any questions or guidance you may require.

We thank members of the Jamat for their incredible co-operation and support.

Vaccine Passport

• Proof of vaccination can be either:
  • A vaccine receipt (printed or electronic)
  • An enhanced vaccine certificate that includes a QR code (printed or electronic)
• Personal identification must also be shown, along with proof of vaccination, to establish the identity of the vaccinated individual:
  • Photo ID is not required
  • Your ID must include your name and date of birth

Jamatkhanas Where a Vaccine Passport IS Required

• All Jamatkhanas in Ontario will require vaccine passports with the exception of social halls in the 5 designated Jamatkhanas below.

Jamatkhana Social Halls Where a Vaccine Passport IS NOT Required

• Social Hall Headquarters 
• Social Hall East York
• Social Hall Scarborough
• Social Hall Meadowvale
• Social Hall Kitchener
• All safety and public health protocols will continue to be in place for these Jamatkhanas - there will be no changes to existing safety protocols.

Regardless of which Jamatkhana or Jamatkhana social hall is attended:

• Confirmed allocations from the Jamatkhana Registration system will no longer be required to attend
• The wearing of masks, physical distancing, and hand sanitization will continue to be required

For Assistance

• Jamati members who would like information about getting their vaccines or who would like help can call the ACCESS line at 1-888-536-3599, reach out to Mukhi Kamadia/Mukhiani Kamadiani, or contact their local Aga Khan Health Board members.

Not Yet Vaccinated?

• Eligible members of the Jamat who have not yet received their COVID-19 vaccinations are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. You can book your vaccine appointment online.

Questions?

• Do you have additional questions? Please see the FAQ's for more details.