This page serves as a quick startup guide for Muslim life on UBC campus. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.

 

 

Daily Prayer

Daily prayers can be performed at the MSA prayer room in Brock Hall Annex Second Floor, Room 2357 (1874 East Mall V6T-1Z1). For more information visit the prayer section.

Aiming towards the Qibla (direction to Mecca faced during prayer) in Vancouver, practical how to guide:

  • At residence, unless you live in a single owner dwelling, most probably you will find a map of your floor with the true North arrow indicated on it (beside elevators or exits). Head slightly to the right of the arrow direction (~16°) and that should be the correct Qibla.
  • If you have internet access, refer to one of the sites; http://www.qiblalocator.com/ or http://bcmuslims.com/qiblafinder.do, for the direction of Qibla relative to your building. Use a little imagination to observe the orientation of your room or apartment relative to the building and there you go … pray.
  • You can get a digital compass watch that indicates Qibla (for example,  click me, note: MSA is not endorsing this specific brand or vendor!). Be ware they are not accurate inside concrete buildings or near strong magnetic fields.
  • If you have a magnetic needle compass, use it to get magnetic North (stay away from strong magnetic fields induced by electrical equipment). Since the magnetic declination in Vancouver is approximately 18° E (slightly changes every year) and Qibla is 16.5° East of true North, then you can almost take the direction of magnetic North as the Qibla direction.
  • If you are outdoors and have no clue, head slightly to the right from the mountains at North Vancouver (can’t miss them!).

 

Friday Prayer

Friday Prayer is performed at the International House. Visit the Prayers section for details.

 

 

Mailing List

The MSA maintains a mailing list with important news and announcements. To subscribe please visit the msa-ubc mailing list info page.

 

 

Halal Dining

There are several restaurants that serve zabihah halal meat  on Campus (most places have only a partially halal menu). Therefore, it is a good idea to ask someone in the restaurant what meats are halal.

 

Student Union Building (SUB):

Deli (basement): Ask for halal dishes.

Mediterra: All meat and poultry served is halal.

University Village:

1. Curry Point (Indian food): They provide a certificate that all meat is halal.

2. Leonas Mediterranean Food (Persian / Greek Style Food): The owner said that everything is halal.

 

To get a list of halal restaurants in Vancouver visit the zabihah.com.

 

 

Housing

If you are looking for a Muslim roommate, you can post an entry in the MSA classified section. To get more information about on-campus housing visit the UBC housing website. To search for off-campus housing visit the AMS list or Craigs list.

 

 

International Students

While the MSA members come from all around the world, the MSAUBC in itself does not specialize in providing information to help international students who are interested in attending UBC. However, there is an organization on campus that does! They are the International House. Visit their website for more information. If you would prefer to speak to another Muslim international student at UBC or need help when you first move to Vancouver, then please feel free to contact us.

 

 

Miscellaneous

There are plenty of activities organized by the MSA. Feel free to explore this website for more information. The nearest mosque to UBC is Vancouver Mosque on 655 West 8th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1C7. You can get there using 99B line.

Visit our Resources page for links to other Islamic centers and facilities. 
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