Ispraćaj hadži Smaila Bećirspahića

Danas smo ispratili na ahiret našeg dragog brata i džematliju hadži Smaila Bećirspahića.                        Hadži Smail je u Kanadu  došao davne 1950. godine. Kao mladi pripadnik muslimanske divizije, koja se u toku II Svjestkog rata borila za opstanak islama i muslimana u Jugoslaviji, Smail je, nakon završetka rata bio proganjan od komunistickih vlasti, zbog čega je izbjegao, prvo u Madžarsku, a odatle u Austriju, pa u Italiju, iz koje je, kao izbjeglica, emigrirao u Kanadu.

Veći dio života proveo je u Hamiltonu. Bio je jedan od najzapaženijih islamskih aktivista, ali i donatora. Koristio je svaku priliku da se nađe u Torontu, kao gradu sa najbrojnijom muslimaskom zajednicom u Kanadi. Učestvovao je i osnivanju  “Udruženja kanadskih Bošnjaka”, čiji su glavni ciljevi bili: prihvatanje izbjeglih muslimana iz Jugoslavije i rad na njihovom vjerskom prosvjećivanju, ali i njihovom integrisanju u širu zajednicu muslimana Južnog Ontaria. Učestvovao je u organiziranju raznih skupova u cilju tješnjeg povezivanja i efikasnije islamske edukacije pripadnika islama. Posjećivao je sve značajnije skupove, ne samo u Kanadi nego i u USA, koji su organizirani zarad  promoviranja takvih ciljeva. Hadži Smail je bio jedan od osnivača BCRA (Bosansko-kanadskog humanitarnog društva u Torontu).

Ipak, najvidljiviji je bio njegov doprinos za džemat “Gazi Husrev-beg”, i to od njegovog osnivanja pa do stasanja u jedan od najaktivnijih islamskih centara u Torontu i šire. Uporedo s tim, kao stanovnik Stoney Kreeka, bio uvijek u pročelju islamskih aktivista na širem području Hamiltona, naročito  u “Džamiji na brdu”, gdje je godinama bio član, a i predsjednik Odbora, ali i jedan od najvećih dobrotvora.

Kad se u Hamiltonu značajnije povećala bošnjačka muslimanska populacija, učestvovao je i u formiranju našeg džemata, utemeljenju prvog bošnjačkog mesdžida, a koju poslije i lijepe i funkcionalne džamije/centra.

Hadži Smail je bio poznat po svojoj lijepoj naravi, svojoj ljubavi prema Islamu i gradnji lijepih među-muslimanskih odnosa. Volio je Imame i nastojao se što češće naći u njihovoj blizini, stavljajući im se uvijek na raspolaganje za bilo kakvu vrstu pomoći. Uz sve to, može se reći da je svojim odnosom prema društvu uopće, naročito komšijama-kršćanima i drugim-izgledao kao idealan primjer ambasadora Islama u kanadskom društvu.

Molim Allaha dželle šanuhu da rahmetli hadži Smaila obraduje džennetom, olakša mu kaburski život te ukaže milost na Sudnjem Danu, a njegovoj familiji podari lijepi sabur. Amin!

Ismail ef. Fetić

English version

Today we offered the funeral prayer (JANAZAH) to our dear brother and the prominent community member Haji Smail Becirspahic. Smail came to Canada back in 1950. As a young member of the Muslim military Division, which fought for the survival of Islam and Muslims in Yugoslavia during World War II, Smail was persecuted by the communist authorities after the end of the war. Because of that, he fled first to Hungary, and from there to Austria, and then to Italy, from which, as a refugee, he emigrated to Canada.

He spent most of his life in Hamilton. He was one of the most respected Islamic activists, but also a donor. He used every opportunity to come Toronto, as the city with the largest Muslim population in Canada. He also participated in the founding of the “Association of Canadian Bosniaks”, whose main goals were: the acceptance of Muslim refugees from Yugoslavia and work on their religious education, but also their integration into the wider Muslim community of Southern Ontario. He participated in the organization of various gatherings with the aim of closer connection and more efficient Islamic education of Muslims. He attended all major gatherings, not only in Canada but also in the USA, which were organized to promote such goals.  Haji Smail was one of the founders of BCRA (Bosnain Canadian Relief Association).

However, the most visible was his contribution to the “Gazi Husrev-beg” congregation, from its founding to its becoming one of the most active Islamic centers in Toronto and beyond. At the same time, as a resident of Stoney Creek, he was always at the forefront of Islamic activists in the wider Hamilton area, especially at the Mosque on the Hill, where he was a member and chairman of the Committee for years, but also one of the most generous benefactors.

When the Bosniak Muslim population increased significantly in Hamilton, he also participated in establishing the first Bosniak masjid, and later in building a beautiful and functional mosque/centre.

Haji Smail was known for his beautiful nature, his love of Islam and building beautiful inter-Muslim relations. He loved the Imams and tried to be near them as often as possible, always making himself available to them for any kind of help. In addition to all this, it can be said that with his attitude towards society in general, especially his neighbors — Christians and others — he presented an ideal example of an ambassador of Islam to non-Muslims in Canada.  

I pray to God Almighty to show His infinite mercy and grant Haji Smail the highest paradise and forgiveness on the Judgement Day and look after his loved ones in this hour of need. Amen!