Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
TORONTO, Canada (AX) — In a city bustling with diversity and stories, Toronto is poised to turn a page that many in its vibrant Somali community have long awaited. The federal government’s recent pledge of $20 million to bring the Somali Centre for Culture and Recreation (SCCR) to life in the Rexdale neighborhood represents not just financial support but a recognition of decades of advocacy by Black and Muslim communities within Canada’s most populous city.
This commitment, unveiled by Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Minister Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, is nestled within the broader framework of the $1.5 billion Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program. A striking 100,000-square-foot net-zero emissions facility is to rise, envisioned to be a bustling nucleus for social, cultural, and recreational activities. Imagine spaces filled with the rhythm of sports and fitness sessions, art echoing cultural narratives, and music that speaks to the soul. The centre is also poised to offer comprehensive support services for newcomers, boldly bridging a gap in resources for Somali Canadians and others who seek solace in their cultural identity.
Why has this endeavor taken nearly four decades to materialize, one might ask? Toronto’s Somali community, steadfast and resilient, consists of approximately 20,000 individuals—many of whom fled their homeland amidst the chaos of civil war in the late ’80s and ’90s. Despite their indelible contributions to the socioeconomic tapestry of Toronto, systemic obstacles and a glaring void in culturally specific infrastructure have shadowed their journey.
A turning point emerged in 2022, when a collective chorus of voices resonated through Toronto’s City Council. In an unanimous decision, the council threw its weight behind the SCCR, an affirmation of the community’s invaluable presence and efforts. Yet, the path forward remained riddled with challenges.
Initially intended for Buttonwood Park in the Edenbridge-Humber Valley area, the project encountered staunch opposition. Concerns over intrusive development into cherished green spaces ignited fiery debates and political posturing, with figures like Premier Doug Ford and Councillor Stephen Holyday rallying against the proposal. Amidst the tumult, Mayor Olivia Chow admitted shortcomings in the city’s consultation process, recognizing the need for deeper community dialogue. Subsequently, the spotlight shifted to 95 Humberline Drive in Rexdale—a locale intrinsically woven into the tapestry of Somali-Canadian heritage.
With the federal government’s financial lifeline, a renewed sense of hope now courses through the SCCR project. Zakaria Abdulle, the stalwart at the helm of the SCCR, hailed the funding as a “pivotal milestone” in what often seemed like an uphill battle for acknowledgment. Illumined by the onset of Ramadan, Abdulle’s words at the announcement captured a sentiment of generational connection: “For the first time in a long time, our elders, our children, and our youth feel seen and heard. They feel Canadian.” His words invite a contemplation—what does it truly mean to feel seen?
Yet the journey is far from over. The federal infusion, though transformative, is but a step toward the project’s completion. Efforts are afoot to beckon support from the provincial government and the city itself, alongside community-driven fundraising campaigns. Mayor Chow has alluded to potential municipal aid, discussing the possibility of waiving development fees and considering operational funding partnerships. Her office, however, remains non-committal on specifics.
More than a cultural monument, the SCCR aspires to address endemic socio-economic disparities in the Somali-Canadian narrative. Black-led community organizations often find themselves on the outskirts of Toronto’s social infrastructure, and the centre could serve as a refuge for mentorship, recreation, and culturally affirming social services.
At its core, this development stirs a fundamental question—how do we define community in an ever-evolving multicultural tapestry? The answer lies not only in structures of steel and plaster but within the hearts of those whose stories these walls will hold.
