Saturday, July 19, 2008

Love so powerful

Amazing Grace in the twinning of Firaz and Candy


Good things come to those who wait
And so it is Firaz and Candy’s date

A journey of two hearts
Tickled and giggled, a twin of life-smarts


Love birds of an intriguing nature
The canje pheasant weds the humming bird, so pure

While nightingales serenade gracious guests
From Vancouver flutters lovely canaries in their nests

Off and On
Whether the compatibility

Lower the bar goes the song
And love will climb over quickly

Like your loved ones’ success
Like your Prophet’s love so numerous

Criticize, challenge but do protect
And every sunrise will be like today, so perfect

Candy, the epitome of modesty
Firaz, the pinnacle of care and self dignity

In twinning each other’s quality
Alas, a marriage of longevity.
Oh Allah, Ameen!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

News of Muslims Events in Toronto for June 2008

IMO celebrates its 10th anniversary with great pomp and inclusiveness.

After ten years on the ground, the famous Masjid and banquet hall, International Muslim Organization, IMO recently held its anniversary. While some would think this should have been a free program where all can come, the majority seem to agree that it’s time our Masjid gets the rightful honor with a pomp and camaraderie like any of the gala diners organizations put on.

In attendance, among notable others, were great leaders of the community, many donors and friends of IMO from as far as Waterloo and even abroad.

Imam Shibly was around, a former IMO Imam now in Edmonton who emphasized the Dawa to Canadians and Moulana Faiz from UK, who emphasized educating the youths.

Imam H Slimi, present Imam, reminded us of the past and its struggles and the vision forward- youths and their activities.

President Umar Farouk was right when he said some time back: “We take it as a task upon ourselves to establish good relations with both our fellow Muslims and fellow Canadians. Both of our spiritual and administrative leadership are working for more educational and youth programs as well as the Muslim Community Development in all fields and domains. There is a lot to be done to empower the Muslim individuals especially in terms of education, social welfare and spiritual guidance. Our counseling sessions and daily and weekly programs are meant to answer the needs of the community members.”

Habeeb Alli presented a poem on IMO, recalling the fact that it’s the women who are the real backbone of this successful multi-faceted organization. See www.imooftoronto.com



ISARC fights poverty through the Interfaith powers

The power of Faith is often reengaged to that of a hidden spiritual world. How often social justice means the difference your religion can make in reducing poverty or fighting AIDS?

Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition was formed a few years ago to reduce poverty in the province of Ontario. Recently a conference was held in a beautiful resort in the Northern town of Keswick. These two days deliberation was attended by many Christians, Jews, Muslims and Hindus. The organization mandates itself in collaborating as Faith leaders and make a positive, non violent, advocacy towards policy makers since 49 per cent of Canadians claim they are only a pay check or two away from poverty.

The Canadian Council of Imams is a participatory member and while Imam AbdulHai Patel was way on another anti poverty conference in Japan, Imam Habeeb Alli, secretary of the CCI attended. A wonderful presentation on the Golden Rule was presented by Paul McKenna and the continuous advocacy through attending the Deb Mathews public deliberations, media coverage and writing to the political parties.

Muslims are significantly affected by this poverty as they make up the majority of immigrants but it was also noted that many Canadians born here are also suffering and with rising cost of living definitely something has to be done to save us from poverty. Poverty breeds disbelief and heresy as much as causes misery and pity, comments the present Secretary Mr. Brice Palmer. See www.isarc.ca

Healing Presence in the Muslim Faith

Understanding what it takes to heal is not only a doctor’s job. Or for that matter your loving family members’. It takes lots of spiritual care and we are lucky in Canada that that cultural sensitivity is recognized. But Chaplains have it tough. These gentle souls tend to sick Muslims or inmates while they themselves may not be Muslims. They may be able to deal with some general issues but not the more intense religious ones. Muslim Chaplains is therefore need with 1million Muslims in Canada and growing. For now the Ontario Multi Faith Council must be commended for having almost 35 chaplains registered with them and for working with all faiths.

This year’s annual conference discussed healing and how different faiths respond to its needs. The conference was held at the Glendon College in Toronto and presenters emphasized the need to be prayerful, take medications, being patient and work with the spirit of healing at all times. Imam Habeeb Alli spoke of the rahmah or Allah’s mercy as being the source of healing and the patient actually swims in Allah’s ocean of mercy as much as the visitors and doctors must be aware of that presence. Two important points were reiterated- avoid the hallucination of evil Jinns possessing someone and hence not seeking medical attention and be cautious of the after care after being cured as hastiness is from Satan.

Among the many presenters and workshops was an official from the Chaplaincy Ontario and from Correctional Service ready to answer the many questions chaplains and their clients encounter. Of course more Qurans, prayer mats and books are always needed and hence welcome. The Canadian council of Imams is a board member OF OMC.
See www.omc.ca

Imams discuss the delicate question of polygamy in Toronto
As the opinions roared back and forth recently on the issue of one local Imam supporting the issue of polygamous marriages despite its contravention it was thought that the Canadian Council of Imams should discuss this issue. North American Muslim Foundation hosted the forum and entertained the attendees with a sumptuous dinner. Imam Shabbir Ally, TV host, debater and Ph D candidate facilitated the discussions.

While the article written by Shahryar Shaikh evoked many angered responses and the many Imams wanted a forum, the issue surround more than a defense of polygamy as declared in the Quran- the women’s rights in this issue must be seen as Canadians are very much concerned about this, the legality as per the law, the security of the family, the Quranic nuances and its interpretations. Imam AbdulHai being a former Human Rights Commissioner emphasized the need to make sure these families are financially secured and only by registering the marriages will this be possible, Dr Timothy of the York Islamic Studies Department spoke about using the Quran as the defender and not assuming Allah’s thoughts for any revelation and Shahryar Shaikh asked what will become of the extra women in the world.

By and large there is need for more forums, more research and definitely more input from lawyers and other experts. The Jamiatul Ulama made a special effort to attend and almost twenty Imams and Scholars came that beautiful evening, praying at the new Masjid Qurtaba in Scarborough, managed by NAMF.




Relay for life event Muslims play a big role.
Every year they come to light candles and make dua. These are Muslims who may be survivors of cancer, relatives and friends of such survivors who come out to support. But many are grieving the lost of their loved ones to this mysterious killer- cancer.

Millions are raised yearly for research and no doubt much has improved in terms of diagnosis, treatment and care since Terry Fox made cancer an everyday man’s concern.

For many years Nadeem Memon and Majied Ali will meet at the Islamic Foundation and discuss with cancer patients some aspect of their health, being cancer survivors themselves. They have also explored alternative medicine. For the past three years at the vigil held at the Birchmount Recreational Park Muslims would overnight with others, participate in the walk raising money, enjoy great food and concert and of course pray together and gather to listen to a talk on health. This year Moulana Habeeb spoke on Healing in Islam and dedicated his speech to a once striving Muslim activist, Zakiya, who passed away silently this year, as she succumbed to the deadly disease after a long battle.
May Allah grant her and all others a lasting place in Janna, grant cure and healing to the victims and protect us all from such a disease. May Allah grant the patience to the loved ones and guidance to the researchers. Amen. See ww.MuslimCancerSupport.ca

Hijab women fight against their discriminatory dismissal at UPS.
Not often you hear of someone picking up the fight on behalf of Hijabis. Well in Toronto it’s different. Workers Action Centre organized a powerful evening of talks, entertainment and social justice mobilization last week in Innis College, UFT.

Eight Somalian Hijabis were working at UPS, according the WAC newsletter, and they were not made permanent on the job. The reason given was their hijab although they worked at the UPS firm before. In seeking justice Workers Action Centre noted that people should not to be discriminated thanks to their choice of religion and not by gender, since hijab is a gender issue

The email invite for this program was circulated by the Faith of Life Network and thank Allah, Muslims did turn out. Uzma Shakir was master of ceremonies and she had the victim speak a swell as a notable social activist in Toronto. There was music and lots of food. The Jazz belted out by Rose from LAL, a musical group, was phenomenal- a Bengali girl born in Canada doing American blues, crying out to save Muslim women!


Interfaith Dialogue and Fundraising Dinner held fro the first time at NAMF.

Those accustomed to attending dinners will know Interfaith dialogue is not part of the menu. Maybe tongue lashing talks are. Also those attending the many NAMF programs know that while they are well organized, they can’t remember Interfaith added to the string of fundraisers for whatever causes.

This Saturday it was different. Fr. David Warren of the Scarborough Missions, a Catholic Priest fro 30 years, discussed on stage the life of Jesus and his impact on living in diverse Canada. Imam Dr. Munir El Kassem then took his turn and showed Jesus is a prophet who taught respect and like all Prophets he did not teach anything different from Islamic theology. Fr Warren showed that fighting poverty would be one the things Jesus, on whom be peace, would have definitely emphasized if he was to live in Canada. The audience asked questions and interacted respectfully.

Dr Munir elKasem went on to fundraise for the news Masjid Qurtaba which is prime property purchased by North American Muslim Foundation for 3.5 M with 100 Ks already paid, another due very soon and the remainder to be paid in 5 years.

Appeal is on going for this project that includes the relief, Islamic school and gym plus a banquet hall for any functions. The food was just great coming from MF Halal and thanks to many donors and sponsors it was success. Two local comedians, Saad Kayani and Azfar Alli performed to the happy response of the mixed audience.
See www.namf.ca

Happy 141st Birthday, Canada!

Born in the North
Amassed from your British father
Lands and peoples gathered
To fly under the Dominion

You continue to be fertile
Millions at this age and more still coming
150 nations migrated for your freedoms
May you be rich and strong far from Olympic rebukes

While fireworks and barbeque riddle your birthday bash
Many still working and some can't find any
Wrapped around my heart ribbons of red and white
Pinned unto my vest my birth land's green and black

Oh Canada
Land of widespread peace
We say Salam to your sons and daughters
Forever you be at ease.