Dear McMaster Graduate Students,

My name is Mahmood AminiLari, and I am the president of The Association of Iranian Muslims (AIM). I am writing to introduce AIM, a non-political club dedicated to fostering religious and cultural activities on campus. Our main objective is to provide a spiritual, religious, and friendly environment, primarily for Iranian and Muslim students, but welcoming to individuals from all faiths.

AIM is part of the Graduate Student Association (GSA) and currently has about 80 members, including graduate students from various disciplines, alumni, and their families. To support both spiritual and academic growth, we offer a weekly program focused on the study of the exegesis of the Holy Quran in a scholarly and respectful environment, followed by congregational prayer. We also invite speakers from academia who specialize in Islam and the Quran. These weekly gatherings offer participants a unique opportunity to deepen their religious knowledge and connect with others who share similar interests.

In addition to our weekly sessions, AIM coordinates annual events to spread the true and peaceful message of Islam and the Shia faith. These events aim to dispel common misconceptions about Islam, promote awareness, and foster mutual understanding and respect on campus. We also encourage interfaith dialogue and positive interactions with other religious clubs through joint sessions. To further connect with nature and promote environmental ethics, we organize vibrant and family-friendly events in Hamilton and surrounding areas.

As the first Iranian and Muslim club in the GSA, AIM aims to address the religious and cultural needs of Iranians and the religious needs of Muslims on campus. No other club currently provides this focus. AIM also embraces interfaith dialogue with other religious groups, such as Christian clubs, to promote mutual understanding and respect. Our mission is to raise awareness, project a more accurate and peaceful image of Islam, and condemn religious extremism.

Our weekly sessions are currently held every Friday at 7 pm at the McMaster University Center, adhering to the latest COVID-19 guidelines. These sessions include:

  1. Recitation of a Hizb of the Holy Qur’an.
  2. A summary of exegetical commentaries on that Hizb of the Qur’an by Hassan Doagoo, who is an expert in this field and currently pursuing his PhD in Religious Studies.
  3. A social gathering.

For those interested in joining or learning more about AIM, please reach out via email at gsaaim@mcmaster.ca 

Thank you, and best regards,

Mahmood AminiLari