The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) recently co-hosted with the Institute of Islamic Studies (IIS) of the University of the Philippines, the Office of Muslim Affairs and the Office of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) a one-day forum on "Muslims in Canada" and "Cooperative Housing". The forum was organized on the occasion of the visit of Mr. Pervez Nasim, Chairman of Ansar Cooperative Housing Corp. Ltd. which is an Islamic cooperative housing group from Mississauga, Canada.

"Over the last three decades, Muslims in Canada have developed an alternative housing scheme, one that allows them to buy house without paying riba (interest)," said Mr. Nasim. "The Ansar Cooperative Housing Corporation enables its members to invest their savings in an Islamic project and/or buy their own houses without paying riba or mortgage," he added.

Mr. Nasim described the model and some indicators of success: the cooperative has impressively sold shares worth more than Cdn$27 million and has already purchased housing units for more than 382 Muslim families. It has also sold/transferred around 175 housing units to its members.

The Canadian experience stirred great interest among the Filipino audience who is very familiar with the persistent struggles related to lack of affordable shelter, and shares similar problems with riba.

Dean Carmen Abubakar of the IIS optimistically hopes that "following the model of the Corporation will eventually solve Muslim's problem in acquiring decent and affordable housing plans." As a matter of fact, a Muslim NGO has already expressed interest in extending this innovative Canadian concept to Mindanao so that more Muslims can benefit from the technology.

CIDA has been supporting pilot cooperative housing initiatives since 1997, in the context of the Socio-Economic Development through Cooperatives in the Philippines or SEDCOP project, which builds on a partnership with the Philippine National Confederation of Cooperatives, the Canadian Cooperative Association, and Développement international Desjardins. The goal of SEDCOP is to enhance the viability of cooperatives in the Philippines in key areas such as: financial intermediation services, insurance services, commodity marketing, health and housing.

The event promoted Canada's role in engaging with countries in the Asia-Pacific area that have significant Muslim populations, such as the Philippines. Canada aims is to build social, cultural and academic linkages with and between Muslims in Canada and those populations, and share knowledge that is relevant in addressing needs of Muslims in the region.

For further information, please contact Dean Carmen Abubakar at carmen.abubakar@up.edu.ph

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Last Updated:
2004-06-03

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