Fatherhood should be honored by true love.
You may have heard your kid singing that song praising mothers for all their laborious works and granting them unconditional love. Fathers are no where in this song except to love them once after mommy’s thrice. Does this Hadith really contribute to children always saying they love their mothers more? Shouldn’t it be equal?
As hard as it is to make money so too it is for fathers to get love these days, let alone equal. Not that one takes care of the family in order to receive father’s day cards and birthday presents. Not that one is a father so he may use his children to offset his expenses and be secured at retirement.
But honoring a father has become a weird concept, although the Prophet has rightly equated pleasing one’s father as to that of pleasing God. People express that differently but the point is two many squabbles between parents, sometimes violent and even separating, leads to terrible disturbance in the minds of children. Children will honor the parents once they honor themselves.
Fathers also experience child birth pains and are entitled to some loving. But again men seem to come over as macho; that don’t hug and kiss. When a man brought his child in the presence of the Prophet and he kissed him; the man exclaimed he doesn’t! What did the Prophet reply- well if Allah removed love from your heart who am I to enter it? It’s not wrong to hug your boys and especially girls, and say I love you and say how beautiful they are. But sometimes the cultural burden is too much. Some fathers are so into the haram and halal of what the kids are doing that they forget to appreciate them for who they are.
The best sadaqa and charity one can expend on one’s family is time. And believe parents really are soccer moms and hockey dads. Nothing compared to living in the old country way back! You play and come home. Now play is a job. But the time spent will be well rewarded. Boys will see their dad as role models. Going out on family events and Masjid dinners all help cement this relationship. So when time to loving the father there is reason to it, although love it self has no reason. Yusuf, the Prophet, says in the Quran, about his love for his father Yacoob, is such that it grieves him not to be with him. But that did not come just like that. Yacoob cried for forty years, unstoppable tears of missing his beloved young son and lost his eyesight in the painful process. So love goes where love is.
Parenting nowadays takes conferences and guide books. Imagine parenting a child needs a PhD in techniques. But while this maybe new the reality is the fundamentals of parenting remains the same. Closeness, sincerity, time, good listening skills, empathy, hugging and providing are all in the teachings of Islam. Why would a child leave a divorced mother’s home and relish living with a poor father? It’s because somewhere his parenting skills meant love. Not shouting and judging but embracing and understanding. Today many youths do not tell their parents the secrets of their lives until they get into trouble. A father is most times the best friend of his daughter because not that he knows the jokes that makes her smile but more importantly he can assure her he will not get angry at her silly mistakes.
Fathers should love and children should love them like mothers equally.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
What's happening in TO?
IDDRF honored Dr Fuad Shahin
Niagara is the home of miraculous beauty- the falls and the scenery. But add more attraction to this Canadian place of fame- Dr Fuad Shahin.
Recently IDRF honored this stalwart of the Muslim community with a lifetime award after he was honored earlier by the Ontario Award for selfless human service. He being a founder of IIDR relief agency and several others and a great doctor and family man this award came timely as others in the community continue to get inspired by the selfless years our great fathers put in to make Canada and Islam a glowing beacon of inspiration throughout the world.
This function was held at the Versailles Banquet Hall in Mississauga and was attended by a huge populace of leaders and politicians. Attendees were entertained by two talented dub poets and served a delicious Pakistani meal after. It was an evening you wouldn’t want to have missed!
Unionville hosts Islam information session
They meet every month over snacks and discuss everything under the sun. But these affluent Unionville residents reach not to discuss new BMWs but to understand spirituality.
After asking around from his patients for an Islamic Scholar, almost since 9/11, Dr Gordon finally found a patient who linked him to a mosque. Finally the arrangement was made and Habeeb Alli was at the event one Monday night presenting Islam and answering questions. It was like a tap burst out of eagerness to learn! Everyone had questions from hijab to Jesus, from violence to who’s an imam.
Learning about diversity will make living with diversity easy and fun!
See www.knowcanadianmuslims.ca to engage others in such a fruitful workshop on Islam.
Mr. Fareed Amin cops Guyana Award prize.
It’s not easy to see him in the mosque as a Minster’s deputy and harder to notice him as the President of the Islamic Institute of Toronto behind the city’s office chair. But yes he is honored by his long outstanding service in the public sector and recognizable he was last Saturday when he copped the Guyana Award for excellence in his field.
Mr. Fareed Amin is a dedicated Muslim leader – getting the IIT from conception into reality while never divorcing his Guyanese roots. Today he has made the Muslim community proud, when upon accepting the award he recognized all the other recipients and committed to follow those ideals that religion and community afford us in the journey of life.
Niagara is the home of miraculous beauty- the falls and the scenery. But add more attraction to this Canadian place of fame- Dr Fuad Shahin.
Recently IDRF honored this stalwart of the Muslim community with a lifetime award after he was honored earlier by the Ontario Award for selfless human service. He being a founder of IIDR relief agency and several others and a great doctor and family man this award came timely as others in the community continue to get inspired by the selfless years our great fathers put in to make Canada and Islam a glowing beacon of inspiration throughout the world.
This function was held at the Versailles Banquet Hall in Mississauga and was attended by a huge populace of leaders and politicians. Attendees were entertained by two talented dub poets and served a delicious Pakistani meal after. It was an evening you wouldn’t want to have missed!
Unionville hosts Islam information session
They meet every month over snacks and discuss everything under the sun. But these affluent Unionville residents reach not to discuss new BMWs but to understand spirituality.
After asking around from his patients for an Islamic Scholar, almost since 9/11, Dr Gordon finally found a patient who linked him to a mosque. Finally the arrangement was made and Habeeb Alli was at the event one Monday night presenting Islam and answering questions. It was like a tap burst out of eagerness to learn! Everyone had questions from hijab to Jesus, from violence to who’s an imam.
Learning about diversity will make living with diversity easy and fun!
See www.knowcanadianmuslims.ca to engage others in such a fruitful workshop on Islam.
Mr. Fareed Amin cops Guyana Award prize.
It’s not easy to see him in the mosque as a Minster’s deputy and harder to notice him as the President of the Islamic Institute of Toronto behind the city’s office chair. But yes he is honored by his long outstanding service in the public sector and recognizable he was last Saturday when he copped the Guyana Award for excellence in his field.
Mr. Fareed Amin is a dedicated Muslim leader – getting the IIT from conception into reality while never divorcing his Guyanese roots. Today he has made the Muslim community proud, when upon accepting the award he recognized all the other recipients and committed to follow those ideals that religion and community afford us in the journey of life.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Independence is free from injustice
It's indeed a wonderful feeling to be able to travel this long on the road of Independence. Gratitude and happiness should decorate the corridors of every proud Guyanese inner sense of dignity. While this is no easy feat, the fact that like every any birth anniversary, the joy of accomplishment and the reflection of future plans anoint the soul for pleasures unspeakable. So too in Guyana and the wider Diaspora, in blowing the candles of forty three, the wish that peace and prosperity pursue this land of endless waters at Godspeed is innate.
In all due respect, it's not only that the leaders of independence and the martyrs of the struggle be remembered but every son and daughter be recognized; that in life we are a part of each other and every success is the accumulation of every other's crumbs. Like the pebble thrown at the ponds of fresh black water, the ripples are not only circles visible to the near stander but travels way beyond the tributaries, into light years ahead. So too every race, religion and class must be given their fair share for independence is also, rather is the freedom from the slow death of poverty, racism and systemic discrimination.
My recent visit reminds me that not only progress is visible but the coveted freedom of time and leisure is still indigenous. Recently, Toronto celebrated Guyanese of excellence and the exhilaration reechoed humbly; that inclusive, intelligent and industrious minds originate from the blood-soaked fields of our ancestral heritage alike. This being our contribution to global peacekeeping!
Let this year of colonial freedom be celebrated with the commitment to never allow another man to be unjust to anyone and may the spiritual enrichment of our paths be the beacon of advancement, always.
As Mahatma Gandhi put it, on his way to independence, through Ahimsa; “Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.”
Yours truly,
Habeeb Alli
In all due respect, it's not only that the leaders of independence and the martyrs of the struggle be remembered but every son and daughter be recognized; that in life we are a part of each other and every success is the accumulation of every other's crumbs. Like the pebble thrown at the ponds of fresh black water, the ripples are not only circles visible to the near stander but travels way beyond the tributaries, into light years ahead. So too every race, religion and class must be given their fair share for independence is also, rather is the freedom from the slow death of poverty, racism and systemic discrimination.
My recent visit reminds me that not only progress is visible but the coveted freedom of time and leisure is still indigenous. Recently, Toronto celebrated Guyanese of excellence and the exhilaration reechoed humbly; that inclusive, intelligent and industrious minds originate from the blood-soaked fields of our ancestral heritage alike. This being our contribution to global peacekeeping!
Let this year of colonial freedom be celebrated with the commitment to never allow another man to be unjust to anyone and may the spiritual enrichment of our paths be the beacon of advancement, always.
As Mahatma Gandhi put it, on his way to independence, through Ahimsa; “Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.”
Yours truly,
Habeeb Alli
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Muslims of Guyana: From India to the Big North.
Muslims of Guyana: From India to the Big North.
Tracing the Indentured Journeys.
It’s the Indian Arrival Day celebration in Guyana and recollections of the Muslims who came in 1838, jumps on memory lane. You heard about Fullaman and wondered why Muslims in this land of many waters are referred to so, sometimes derogatorily. The fact is the Indians were preceded by Africans, whose main roots were not only of the Fulla tribe but primarily Muslims. In the scheme of things, colonialism infamous divide and rule policy made the new Indian indentures the legit Muslims and the old slaves –kapar- or Non Muslims.
Having lived in India and ask any child of the Mother Land’s indentured laborers you get the distinct feel that no matter what kurta you wear and which qaseeda you sing you are an outsider. However, the continued yearning to know one’s roots never ceases, apart from Bollywood desires!
Among the first batch that arrived on the Whitby were 94 Musalman, enriched with their Mughal culture- Urdu language, Persian cuisine, art of reciting Gazals and the Holy Quran and experts artisans. Learned men among these Asian tigers appeared, even in the second batch, aboard the Hesperus, who maintained their Faith, despite the brutal policies of the Gora- white slave masters.
Interestingly, I was fortunate in my three years of roots-searching-escapades in the 80’s, during my student days, to travel in some of the areas our ancestors originated from- Lucknow, Ghazipur, Allahabad, Agra, Gorakpur, Murshidabad, Azamgarh, Mirzapur, Shahabad, Sultanpur, Faizabad, Patna and Alighar. As I started speaking Urdu, one gentleman actually commented that my accent smells of a Ghaziabad background! One friend from Guyana was lucky to have correspondence with his returned great grandfather and found them in Azamgarh. I later travelled in Ramadan to their home to break fast with cold sherbet and learn of their Shia heritage. The Two Eids were well celebrated in Guyana as well as Youuman Nabi but the Tazia ceremonies that happened until the late 60’s was evidence that the Muslims that came were from both Sunni and Shia tradition, except that division did not survive.
I must say that the diligence the mosques and madressa provided in educating the growing Muslim masses from since 150 years, have been the key of this community’s establishment. While the conversion to Christianity was no easy feat, with converts gaining the better jobs and educational opportunities, those who remain steadfast to their dharma were better off, eventually, as they too did business, went to school and travelled but with self dignity and “coolie” pride.
The first mosque stands at Vergenogen as an emblem that the Muslims built their wooden structure for prayer and while their is a monument representing that history on the West Coast of Demerara, the fulfillment of the rebuilt mosque is still to be done. As a matter of fact the next early mosque at 78 Corentyne, still stands; renovated and active, another symbol that early Muslims were accustomed to being community oriented as they had already lived that experience as a Minority in India during the British Raj.
Recently a famous gentleman passed away in Pakistan whose domicile was Toronto for many years. Many heard the name Queenstown Masjid in his eulogy only because his wife’s grandfather is buried in the capital’s landmark mosque- he being an Afgan Pathan who along with others built that early structure.
It was a British sailor that remarked upon seeing the first mosque facing West that the Kabba in Arabia is positioned East from Guyana, moreso Northern, and not West as the case in India.
Muslims joined their counterparts of the African community as speakers of Arabic and while the return to Islam by then was slow and painful, over the years that understanding and solidarity has grown, giving obvious optics that these two communities can naturally co-exist.
With several rebellions marking the sore sojourn of Indian arrival in Guyana and fatal quest for freedom being etched on their altar of pride- the call for same was being reechoed every where and India itself was ablaze in this self determination struggle. Maybe it was the harmony around the fire in the logies, reciting Hanoman Chalisa and Milad Akbar that made the winds of courage raged. Such has been the pride of Guyana- that Hindus and Muslims are seen as Bhai-Bhai until this hour.
According to Raymond Chickrie: Hindustani Muslims in Guyana have had a long history of resistance dating back to the 11th October 1838, when two Muslims – Jummun (Juman) and Pultun escaped the clutches of the gora sahibs (white masters). The bodies of two strange men were discovered shortly afterwards at Mahaica, in the bushes who were believed to be the two “runaway coolies” Jummun and Pultun. We also saw the Rosehall uprising of 1913 where mainly Muslims were at the forefront “battling” imperialism - Moula Bux, Jahangir Khan, Dildar Khan, Chotey Khan, Aladi, and Amirbaksh stood up to the injustices on the plantations.
Others were named in West Coast Demerara and those who joined other leaders in the forefront as workers union activists, etc. Later in politics and parliament and until today in business and all fronts of life those names resound, although at times the names do not necessarily denote Islam.
When you compare today migration to North America by Indians from Guyana, you see the parlance of a better life, however a reality or delusion that maybe. Calcutta in those days stood as the recruiting ports for laborers with gold and land as the prize. That a child may see an abundant opportunity of education and well being, parents leave their comfortable abodes and migrated away from Guyana. There too they have maintained a strong semblance of community and faith, while enjoying the new citizenship of giving and respect of diversity.
Maybe its time that the remittance and the reputation be held for once and the question asked- if we love foreign things so much, how about also accepting some foreign ideas of religion that will make the social life much more rewarding and the spiritual much more alluring – as much as Western Union and US TV does for those living faraway from loved ones.
Indian Arrival Day may present its issues but for once, just for once, to remember that we did not just appear from no where but our ancestors were children of a rich civilization somewhere in Asia that boasts of culture, arts, languages, armies, wealth, histories and values, today the world is so proud of.
Tracing the Indentured Journeys.
It’s the Indian Arrival Day celebration in Guyana and recollections of the Muslims who came in 1838, jumps on memory lane. You heard about Fullaman and wondered why Muslims in this land of many waters are referred to so, sometimes derogatorily. The fact is the Indians were preceded by Africans, whose main roots were not only of the Fulla tribe but primarily Muslims. In the scheme of things, colonialism infamous divide and rule policy made the new Indian indentures the legit Muslims and the old slaves –kapar- or Non Muslims.
Having lived in India and ask any child of the Mother Land’s indentured laborers you get the distinct feel that no matter what kurta you wear and which qaseeda you sing you are an outsider. However, the continued yearning to know one’s roots never ceases, apart from Bollywood desires!
Among the first batch that arrived on the Whitby were 94 Musalman, enriched with their Mughal culture- Urdu language, Persian cuisine, art of reciting Gazals and the Holy Quran and experts artisans. Learned men among these Asian tigers appeared, even in the second batch, aboard the Hesperus, who maintained their Faith, despite the brutal policies of the Gora- white slave masters.
Interestingly, I was fortunate in my three years of roots-searching-escapades in the 80’s, during my student days, to travel in some of the areas our ancestors originated from- Lucknow, Ghazipur, Allahabad, Agra, Gorakpur, Murshidabad, Azamgarh, Mirzapur, Shahabad, Sultanpur, Faizabad, Patna and Alighar. As I started speaking Urdu, one gentleman actually commented that my accent smells of a Ghaziabad background! One friend from Guyana was lucky to have correspondence with his returned great grandfather and found them in Azamgarh. I later travelled in Ramadan to their home to break fast with cold sherbet and learn of their Shia heritage. The Two Eids were well celebrated in Guyana as well as Youuman Nabi but the Tazia ceremonies that happened until the late 60’s was evidence that the Muslims that came were from both Sunni and Shia tradition, except that division did not survive.
I must say that the diligence the mosques and madressa provided in educating the growing Muslim masses from since 150 years, have been the key of this community’s establishment. While the conversion to Christianity was no easy feat, with converts gaining the better jobs and educational opportunities, those who remain steadfast to their dharma were better off, eventually, as they too did business, went to school and travelled but with self dignity and “coolie” pride.
The first mosque stands at Vergenogen as an emblem that the Muslims built their wooden structure for prayer and while their is a monument representing that history on the West Coast of Demerara, the fulfillment of the rebuilt mosque is still to be done. As a matter of fact the next early mosque at 78 Corentyne, still stands; renovated and active, another symbol that early Muslims were accustomed to being community oriented as they had already lived that experience as a Minority in India during the British Raj.
Recently a famous gentleman passed away in Pakistan whose domicile was Toronto for many years. Many heard the name Queenstown Masjid in his eulogy only because his wife’s grandfather is buried in the capital’s landmark mosque- he being an Afgan Pathan who along with others built that early structure.
It was a British sailor that remarked upon seeing the first mosque facing West that the Kabba in Arabia is positioned East from Guyana, moreso Northern, and not West as the case in India.
Muslims joined their counterparts of the African community as speakers of Arabic and while the return to Islam by then was slow and painful, over the years that understanding and solidarity has grown, giving obvious optics that these two communities can naturally co-exist.
With several rebellions marking the sore sojourn of Indian arrival in Guyana and fatal quest for freedom being etched on their altar of pride- the call for same was being reechoed every where and India itself was ablaze in this self determination struggle. Maybe it was the harmony around the fire in the logies, reciting Hanoman Chalisa and Milad Akbar that made the winds of courage raged. Such has been the pride of Guyana- that Hindus and Muslims are seen as Bhai-Bhai until this hour.
According to Raymond Chickrie: Hindustani Muslims in Guyana have had a long history of resistance dating back to the 11th October 1838, when two Muslims – Jummun (Juman) and Pultun escaped the clutches of the gora sahibs (white masters). The bodies of two strange men were discovered shortly afterwards at Mahaica, in the bushes who were believed to be the two “runaway coolies” Jummun and Pultun. We also saw the Rosehall uprising of 1913 where mainly Muslims were at the forefront “battling” imperialism - Moula Bux, Jahangir Khan, Dildar Khan, Chotey Khan, Aladi, and Amirbaksh stood up to the injustices on the plantations.
Others were named in West Coast Demerara and those who joined other leaders in the forefront as workers union activists, etc. Later in politics and parliament and until today in business and all fronts of life those names resound, although at times the names do not necessarily denote Islam.
When you compare today migration to North America by Indians from Guyana, you see the parlance of a better life, however a reality or delusion that maybe. Calcutta in those days stood as the recruiting ports for laborers with gold and land as the prize. That a child may see an abundant opportunity of education and well being, parents leave their comfortable abodes and migrated away from Guyana. There too they have maintained a strong semblance of community and faith, while enjoying the new citizenship of giving and respect of diversity.
Maybe its time that the remittance and the reputation be held for once and the question asked- if we love foreign things so much, how about also accepting some foreign ideas of religion that will make the social life much more rewarding and the spiritual much more alluring – as much as Western Union and US TV does for those living faraway from loved ones.
Indian Arrival Day may present its issues but for once, just for once, to remember that we did not just appear from no where but our ancestors were children of a rich civilization somewhere in Asia that boasts of culture, arts, languages, armies, wealth, histories and values, today the world is so proud of.
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