Alhamdulillah, it is a superb occasion in the Miracle Media Group Inc.’s history as it has completed 21years -a long journey that began on Feb 23rd, 2001.
I want to thank the supporters and great well-wishers of ‘The Miracle’ for providing continuous support through advertisements of their businesses, sharing their thoughts in writing with our readers, especially Mr. Shams Jilani, Mr. Aslam Hayat, Mrs. Shamim Karim, Mrs. Alam Ara, Ms. Asma Shums, Mrs. Nafisa Siddiqi, Ms. Khadija Nadeem, Mr. Zafar Alam, Mr. Asad Syed and many others. The Miracle Media is proud that having the biggest Writers Team of nine writers despite of any local Community Paper in BC.
In the past twenty four months, everyone has had life experiences that were never known to them.
The Miracle family experienced immense losses during this time as our Senior Editorial board members Br. Azhar Syed, passed away on August 13 followed by the death of our first Chief Urdu editor Br. Mohammad Rafiq on Jan 9, 2021, Maulana Abdul Latif Naumani, on January 28, 2022, and one more die heart Miracle supporter as well as a famous Social community figure, Mr. Liaqat Ali Bajwa on February 6, 2022. All four were pioneers in British Columbia and pillars of our communities. The Miracle family prays to Almighty Allah(SWT) for His mercy upon them and grant them forgiveness, reward them with the best place in paradise, and give patience to the families (Ameen).
In this special 21st Anniversary edition we are acknowledging the services of our more Muslim community members in various fields including religious scholars, political participants in Civic, Provincial and Federal elections, advertisers, prominent community members of past and present, and various media groups, which I was unable to include in 20th Anniversary edition.
The Miracle newspaper aims to provide a broad overview of the world through articles and images.
Over the years, we have covered around 5400 events from all communities in efforts to keep up with our slogan, “Bringing Harmony to all the Communities”. We are also proud that for those who are not Muslims, our Newspaper serves as a gateway to learn more about Islam as well as the local and international Muslim community. The Miracle cares and respects all community members irrespective of ethnicity and faith.
Our journey over the past 21 years has been quite an experience.
On Feb 23, 2001, Mr. Hussain launched the first Muslim Newspaper on a
biweekly basis and his family’s and his day and night struggle gave a voice to the community. While I joined as Managing Editor in 2002, I was handed over the responsibility to run this show alone from Jan 2007. How successful my entire team and I have been in achieving these tasks? Well, the Miracle’s readers are the best judges.
The Miracle became synonymous with events for much of its publication life.
We conducted many successful Election Forums on Civic, Provincial, and Federal Elections debates. In the 2013 Provincial Elections, Miracle Media did a vital role to conduct Surrey Candidates’ grand debate with collaboration of Pakistan Canada Association(PCA) in Pakistan House Surrey. In the 2011 and 2015 Federal Elections, Miracle Media did another dynamic role to conduct Surrey MPs Candidates’ grand debate with joint venture of PCA and BC Muslim Print Media in Pakistan House and Afghan Chopan Banquet Hall Surrey.
In the 2016 BC Provincial election, the Miracle media covered the candidates’ nomination meetings, election campaigns, press conferences, community forums of many candidates and their profiles.
We held three times Qirat and Hamad o Naat competitions in 2007, 2010 and 2011.
Many times awarded for Miracle Youth, Advertisers, Sponsors, and Writers.
Miracle Media also conducted twice 5- 6 hours long exciting Musical Competition programs for tributes the legendry Pakistani Singers Mehdi Hassan, “Malika e Taranum” Madam Noor Jahn 2010& 2015 and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in 2011, Mixed Pakistani songs, these programs engaged children, youth, adults, and seniors of all communities.
In 2019 Miracle Media was the partner of “ I AM PAKISTAN “ Worldwide Movement for Diamer Basha & Mohmand Dams Fundraising Dinner on March 24, 2019. We also became a Member of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC). The Miracle Media has been part of the Canadian Muslim Media Club (CMMC) and as part of CMMC, has been arranging social and political gatherings both in person and virtually.
While we continued publishing our paper in print till Nov 20, 2020, the realities of Covid-19 pandemic, we had to halt the printing for only 3 months . However, we have kept going in our digital format and the readers are still enjoying the newspaper on their screens on the Miracle Website, Facebook , Instagram, Twitter as well as hard copy of Miracle biweekly basis. Miracle is the only one who have a credit to act on business ethics in print paper at its designated date and day, not a single time Alhamdulillah’s in 21 years we missed our paper at due date.
Like other businesses, this year has hurt Miracle deeply as our advertisers are struggling but we aim to carry-on with our limited resources and stay with our readers, writers and advertisers during this difficult time.
Feel free to comments on this issue about Miracle’s Historical 21 years journey, as your concerns and suggestions are highly appreciated for improving our quality in the future.
In the end, I will not be honest if I do not appreciate the efforts of my
Miracle’s family Ms. Khadija, Ms. Misbah, and others. Keep up the good work not only for the Miracle but for all the Community.
I thank everyone who took the time and sent their messages at Miracle’s 21st Anniversary, including PM Justin Trudeau, BC Premier John Horgan, BC Caucus,
Politicians, Consul General of Pakistan, advertisers, Organizations, and well-wishing individuals from the community.
May Allah (SWT) accept your prayers for our success and may He help us in serving the community..
Jazaakumu Allahu Khairan. (Ameen)
Mohammad Naseer Pirzada
(Editor-in-Chief) Miracle Media
The Miracle journey continues!!!
From the pen of the Founding & former Chief- Editor of ‘The Miracle’.
Sqn. Ldr. Nusrat Hussain (R)
Media was known as “an intervening agency, means, or instrument” and was first applied to newspapers two centuries ago. Later it developed into the means of communication, as radio, television and magazines. Invention of the internet accelerated the distribution time of information to public. Introduction of Social media has revolutionized news travel time where, any information can instantly be disseminated to an entire world by a soft touch on a cell phone screen. In the year 2001 before the advent of social media, newspaper was considered a powerful medium because instead of cell phone, people had newspapers to read at any time of their own choice. Present day cell phone can be compared with the newspaper of that period, but at that time there wasn’t any newspaper belonging to the Muslim community of British Columbia.
There were many successful Muslims in different fields of business as well as some important government and public offices. There were also different religious, welfare and social work organizations serving all Muslims as a community. It was a regular feature to hold grand community events celebrating Eid- parties, national holidays and many activities of getting together under one roof. In an extremely friendly diverse Canadian society, there were many mediums of mass communications like, newspapers, radio and television owned by other communities living in Vancouver mainland area. It resulted in a perception of a nonexistent Muslim community to mainstream public of British Columbia. In the absence of a Muslim media, any concern of Muslim issue was not conveyed in a desired manner to the mainstream public of Canada.
A friend of mine suggested of starting a Muslim newspaper. With a diploma and a degree of Journalism under my belt and my writing passion, I was compelled to take up the project. With limited finances as well as business experience in any field, I took a challenge of launching the first Muslim newspaper of B.C. and first copy of ‘The Miracle’ was published on 23rd February 2001. ‘The Miracle’ soon became a household item benefitting Muslim businesses and political activity. ‘The Miracle’ served promoting different businesses, community events and concerns.
Main points of distribution for The Miracle were mosques where the paper was personally distributed by me or could be picked up after Jumah Prayers. The Miracle became an independent strong voice to publish issues of Muslim concern within the community as well as outside. There was a strong reaction by the right wing Muslim community when religious dogmas and taboos were challenged in The Miracle. It became a common practice by the members belonging to extreme right wing of stealing and throwing in garbage many bundles of the newspaper placed inside the mosques. People having a balanced approach respecting Canadian laws of freedom of speech confronted the extreme ideas. This brought some commotion as well as a platform to discuss different ideas was provided by the Miracle. We published every letter and article without any prejudice.
Once, an article written against the Jewish community by an extremist writer was published in The Miracle. There was a huge uproar from many quarters and The Miracle from a small community newspaper came under the spotlight of Canadian National media. The Miracle was taken under investigation by the hate crime unit of Canada. However, The Miracle was honorably acquitted after an investigation of one year. It wouldn’t be fair if it is not mentioned that I, as the chief editor took responsibility of publishing the article and also apologized for hurting feelings of the Jewish community. There was a blessing in disguise to this episode which was an increase in dialogue and interaction amongst the Jewish and the Muslim communities. Being the only Muslim newspaper and a bold stance on issues made The Miracle a controversial and a popular newspaper.
The Importance of newspaper in the present era is reduced many times. Reading a paperback newspaper is the last source of information or interest for a majority of people. Thanks to my friend and a dedicated Naseer Pirzada that the newspaper is in business till today and celebrating its 21st anniversary today. I wish you all the best Pir Saheb. May Allah Paak accept your great effort of continuing to serve the Muslim community of B.C. Long Live ‘The Miracle’.
