Azadari in Toronto Canada was first started by two brothers. Qasim Hasan and Qasim Hussain (commonly known as Hussaini Bhai). They started conducting Majalises in 1972 from their apartment. They later moved the Majalises to Qasim Hussaini’s home at 731 Midland Avenue in 1977, where the official Imambargah was set up. The Imambargah was set up with Alams and Zaris from their previous Imambargah in Karachi and more prior to that, Luckhnow India.

These Majalises were organized by the family and were not endorsed by an organization. The mission was to provide a base or safe haven for the small community that was here in Toronto so that they could hold on to their roots of Aza-e-Hussain. Because the community was so small, everyone was tight nit and close. Majalises were observed around the year on days of shahadats, full ashras were done every year, and key note speakers (moulanas) were invited from around the globe.

The majalises have been actively continued by Hussaini Bhai, and his respective family has continued to a second and third generation of children who are also continuing to donate their time and efforts to the cause of Imam Hussain and providing a place of Majalis for the public. There are a lot of centers today that conduct majalis in Canada, but Babul Hawaij is going to be a continued place of azadari for generations to come inshAllah. Iqbal Hussain, son of Qasim Hussaini registered Babul Hawaij Foundation in 2008 so that a proper structure can help keep things in order and make sure the responsibilities are delegated accordingly.