THE IDEA BEHIND ABSAA
THE BEGINNING OF ABSAA
In General, ABSAA is established to create a healthy Muslim Canadian society in Edmonton and to promote the values of love and cooperation through awareness and communication, and specifically to provide families with burial support during bereavement with the sole objective of serving grieved families of Muslim Community and providing them burial Financial Support with dignity and respect in Edmonton, Alberta.
The aim was to relieve members of the Muslim community from the burden of excessive burial cost currently costing $7,000 and possible increase in the future due to inflation. In the past we have observed some Muslim families who struggle in covering the cost of burial for their deceased love one. This struggling family was an indication and encouragement for the creation of an association such as ABSAA.
The organization of ABSAA was established on 1st January, 2025 and registered under Alberta Corporation Registration.
The directors of ABSAA (Al-Widaa Burial Support Association of Alberta) are the Managing Committee who act as the Board of Directors of the association:
ABSAA Organization Chart
Amir Saleem
Hussein Abdu
Amir Saleem
President & Shura Member
Phone: 780-243-4623
Email: info@absaa.ca
Zahid Qureshi
Vice President
Phone: 587-936-3938
Email: info@absaa.ca
Hussien Addu
Treasurer & Shura Member
Phone: 780-709-5202
Email: info@absaa.ca
Imam Muhammad Patel
Shura Member
Phone: 780-555-3344
Email: info@absaa.ca
Ahtisham
Media Support
Phone: 0310-4594830
Email: ahtishamc169@gmail.com
LAUNCHING OF CAMPAIGN
Introducing a very simplified procedure of membership, the members of the Managing Committee launched campaign to introduce the concept of ABSAA by arranging events, visiting various Masjids in the Alberta Province, Community Centers, get together meetings etc. and invited all Muslim brothers and sisters to register with ABSAA as a member and find a respectable way to cover them and their family members funeral cost by paying once in life time membership fee as follows.
Once they become registered member of ABSAA they will only be required to equally share the reimbursement cost (Burial payment), if incurred in future, due to demise of registered ABSAA member which will depending on the total number of subscribers. This is to replenish the membership account fund to maintain the stabilized balance.
PROCEDURE BURIAL PROCESS
In the event of death of any registered and active ABSAA Member the following procedure is followed:
Death at Home: Family members are required to call 911 and inform them. Police and Health authorities will arrive at the deceased member site to complete the formalities. They might issue a death certificate which give the permission to make funeral arrangements OR they may decide if an autopsy is required. After that they will issue a death certificate. Now Call ABSAA at 780-243-4623 / 780-709-5202 (Members only) for burial arrangements.
Death in Hospital: Call ABSAA at 780-243-4623 4623 / 780-709-5202 (Members only) for burial arrangements.
After the call, ABSAA designated officials will then make necessary burial arrangements in coordination with the Funeral Coordinator of the concerned Masjid.
Death Certificate: After the receipt of death certificate, ABSAA designated officials will then make necessary burial arrangements in coordination with the Funeral Coordinator of the concerned Masjid.
After all funeral arrangements are finalized ABSAA will notify all members about the death of deceased member by email and inform them about the time and venue of Salat-ul-Janaza and Cemetery.
Total Burial cost will then be calculated (minimum $5) and distributed among all active ABSAA Members as their reimbursement share (Burial payment). All Principal Members will be notified about the amount of their share and after five working days the same will be deducted from their bank account as per Pre-Authorized Payment Plan agreement signed by them. It will be the responsibility of ABSAA Members to ensure that they do have sufficient fund in their account. In the event of Funds declined in any reasons of the Principal Member’s Account, he/she will be subject to $25 penalty. If the dues are not paid within a month, the membership will be revoked and the member will be notified.
ROLE OF ABSAA
- Coordinate with the Masjid of the area for burial arrangements.
- The Masjid will be responsible after obtaining the deceased information from the deceased family:
- Release of body from Hospital
- Transportation of body from Hospital or Home to Masjid and Masjid to Cemetery
- Preparation for Burial
- Coffin Box
- Kafan (Shroud)
- Mortuary (Cold Storage) arrangement, if needed.
- Full burial process – opening grave, burying body and closing grave
- Registration of Death
- Securing Burial Permit.
PLEDGE REQUEST FOR COMMUNITY HELP
Apart from taking care of ABSAA registered members of their financial funeral commitments, ABSAA has established this account to help those deserving, very poor and needy community members, on merit basis, who are badly in need of burial financial support.
Any amount pledged by existing, new incoming members ABSAA and other community members will be a great help for us to carry on this noble cause. The Pledge Form is available in our website www.ABSAA.ca under the title of “Community Help/Pledge” which can be submitted online, email and Canada Post.
Jazak ALLAH Khairen جزاك اللهُ خيرًا
