Sister, Mom, Girl, Aji,Granny
Younger than Elizabeth Taylor
You cross life rivers
Not only Little Biaboo
But Niagara and Florida Keyes
With burdens like Mount Everest
Yet these shouldersStand tall
With grace, beauty and Faith
You enjoy the goodies
Long after he left you alone
Smiling on every encounter
You sing, cry and pray
In the world of your retired moments
Between countries and kids
When this day arrives
And wishes pour from hearts and flowers
Know it's not the ones not here
And the things that should have
But love and belonging
Is what makes us care
This is one Radika
That planted her trees
In cement and affection
That today their fruits
Are like California strawberries
While you are held in angels wings
Your sixty plus milestone
Is a blessing no gift card can fulfill!
And all your children are very much yours!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
One God
Tauheed: the Uniqueness of ONE God in Islam and rejection of Trinity Concept of God.
"Do not worship besides Allah that which can not help or harm you." (Al-Anbiya 21:66)
Muslims believe in the sacred creed of Oneness of God as found in the introductory statement of Islam: Laa Ilaha Illalaah- there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.
Monotheism is the cornerstone and indispensable foundation of a Muslim’s belief system. To embrace the One true God, commonly called in Arabic Allah, is not only to believe He exists but to love Him, trust in Him, obey Him, know Him et al.
This position is as natural as breathing oxygen instead of carbon dioxide.
Can you imagine three drivers trying to drive the same car down the 401, all three fighting to get the steering, gear and pedal going together? Have you ever seen several fathers claiming fatherhood of a cute baby and DNA testing proving all them as biological fathers? Can this perfectly run world with intricate and complex systems possibly be created and managed by multiple directors, each having the same powers and portfolios?
21:22 If there were, in the heavens and the earth, other gods besides Allah, there would have been confusion in both! but glory to Allah, the Lord of the Throne: (High is He) above what they attribute to Him!
That is so true that atheists when confronted are usually convinced in the existence of a single supreme being who created everything. This makes common sense to them easier than trying to find the logic in polytheism.
In a 1997 survey in the science journal Nature, 40 percent of U.S. scientists said they believe in God—not just a creator, but a God to whom one can pray in expectation of an answer. That is the same percentage of scientists who were believers when the survey was taken 80 years earlier.
On the concept of Trinity the Oneness of Allah opposes the very basis of having to share Godhead with anyone else, no matter how close that being may be to God.
5:17 In blasphemy indeed are those that say that Allah is Christ the son of Mary. Say: "Who then hath the least power against Allah, if His will were to destroy Christ the son of Mary, his mother, and all every - one that is on the earth? To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between. He creates what He pleases. For Allah hath power over all things."
This is not only referring to the then prevalent belief that Jesus, on whom be peace, was considered God but even Mary was worshipped and as such this acts against the very notion of worshipping the One Unseen Creator- Allah. The very first commandment is to not take any other gods as deity after all He is a jealous God!
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:1-3)
The Jews continue to believe in One God or Yahweh and since this was the original teachings of all Prophets it’s not surprising to note that the Torah and Old Testament continue to uphold this belief. Wasn’t Jesus from that same era too? Why would he want that to change that, when he was sent to uphold the laws of Moses?
16:36 For We assuredly sent amongst every People an apostle, (with the Command), "Serve Allah, and eschew Evil": of the People were some whom Allah guided, and some on whom error became inevitably (established). So travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who denied (the Truth).
When the Quran refutes the claim that some people believe that Jesus is one among three gods it refers to the mindset at the time of revelation. However, the mindset was established in such away that any brand of such a belief where Allah doesn’t remain central to His Oneness in Worship and Belief is refuted in this verse, as again, Tauheed is of paramount importance to the Islamic creed. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia trinity was introduced after the fourth century i.e. in Nicea Council 324AD.
5:73 They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One Allah. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them.
Since the Jesus is mortal and has died according to Christians then this becomes problematic that how can god die, let alone validating Trinity, since one is absent from the equation. Or how can the father be loved more than the son, since it’s the son who died for man’s sins? Although we are suppose to love God with all our heart. We as Muslims believe in Jesus as the Prophet of God, son of Virgin Mary, performer of miracles, promised messiah to return on earth but cannot in anyway believe he knows when the Day of Judgment will be. And this is how Mark 13 verse 32 describes him- "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
The Quran corroborates this: 41:47 To Him is referred the Knowledge of the Hour (of Judgment: He knows all): No date-fruit comes out of its sheath, nor does a female conceive (within her womb) nor bring forth the Day that ((Allah)) will propound to them the (question), "Where are the partners (ye attributed to Me?" They will say, "We do assure thee not one of us can bear witness!"
"Do not worship besides Allah that which can not help or harm you." (Al-Anbiya 21:66)
Muslims believe in the sacred creed of Oneness of God as found in the introductory statement of Islam: Laa Ilaha Illalaah- there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.
Monotheism is the cornerstone and indispensable foundation of a Muslim’s belief system. To embrace the One true God, commonly called in Arabic Allah, is not only to believe He exists but to love Him, trust in Him, obey Him, know Him et al.
This position is as natural as breathing oxygen instead of carbon dioxide.
Can you imagine three drivers trying to drive the same car down the 401, all three fighting to get the steering, gear and pedal going together? Have you ever seen several fathers claiming fatherhood of a cute baby and DNA testing proving all them as biological fathers? Can this perfectly run world with intricate and complex systems possibly be created and managed by multiple directors, each having the same powers and portfolios?
21:22 If there were, in the heavens and the earth, other gods besides Allah, there would have been confusion in both! but glory to Allah, the Lord of the Throne: (High is He) above what they attribute to Him!
That is so true that atheists when confronted are usually convinced in the existence of a single supreme being who created everything. This makes common sense to them easier than trying to find the logic in polytheism.
In a 1997 survey in the science journal Nature, 40 percent of U.S. scientists said they believe in God—not just a creator, but a God to whom one can pray in expectation of an answer. That is the same percentage of scientists who were believers when the survey was taken 80 years earlier.
On the concept of Trinity the Oneness of Allah opposes the very basis of having to share Godhead with anyone else, no matter how close that being may be to God.
5:17 In blasphemy indeed are those that say that Allah is Christ the son of Mary. Say: "Who then hath the least power against Allah, if His will were to destroy Christ the son of Mary, his mother, and all every - one that is on the earth? To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between. He creates what He pleases. For Allah hath power over all things."
This is not only referring to the then prevalent belief that Jesus, on whom be peace, was considered God but even Mary was worshipped and as such this acts against the very notion of worshipping the One Unseen Creator- Allah. The very first commandment is to not take any other gods as deity after all He is a jealous God!
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:1-3)
The Jews continue to believe in One God or Yahweh and since this was the original teachings of all Prophets it’s not surprising to note that the Torah and Old Testament continue to uphold this belief. Wasn’t Jesus from that same era too? Why would he want that to change that, when he was sent to uphold the laws of Moses?
16:36 For We assuredly sent amongst every People an apostle, (with the Command), "Serve Allah, and eschew Evil": of the People were some whom Allah guided, and some on whom error became inevitably (established). So travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who denied (the Truth).
When the Quran refutes the claim that some people believe that Jesus is one among three gods it refers to the mindset at the time of revelation. However, the mindset was established in such away that any brand of such a belief where Allah doesn’t remain central to His Oneness in Worship and Belief is refuted in this verse, as again, Tauheed is of paramount importance to the Islamic creed. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia trinity was introduced after the fourth century i.e. in Nicea Council 324AD.
5:73 They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One Allah. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them.
Since the Jesus is mortal and has died according to Christians then this becomes problematic that how can god die, let alone validating Trinity, since one is absent from the equation. Or how can the father be loved more than the son, since it’s the son who died for man’s sins? Although we are suppose to love God with all our heart. We as Muslims believe in Jesus as the Prophet of God, son of Virgin Mary, performer of miracles, promised messiah to return on earth but cannot in anyway believe he knows when the Day of Judgment will be. And this is how Mark 13 verse 32 describes him- "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
The Quran corroborates this: 41:47 To Him is referred the Knowledge of the Hour (of Judgment: He knows all): No date-fruit comes out of its sheath, nor does a female conceive (within her womb) nor bring forth the Day that ((Allah)) will propound to them the (question), "Where are the partners (ye attributed to Me?" They will say, "We do assure thee not one of us can bear witness!"
Toronto Muslims on the move!
Looking for more than a mosque? Then the IMO is your next stop.
Finding a place of worship that offers more than prayers on Friday is a challenge for many Muslims in Toronto. Even for others to find a mosque that returns their telephones or welcomes their curious grade 8 can be a challenge. But look no further. The IMO is here.
Entering the eleventh year of existence at 65 Rexdale Ave., Toronto, this once major food-chain head office-turned-Islamic-complex, has evolved to be the beacon in the Muslim community for events and a-must-stopover for politicians, community leaders, the media, school board officials and students, apart from interfaith participants, the poor and needy, among the host of other Canadians seeking some truth about Islam.
The Executive body has functioned over these trying years in a system of Shura or collective management, with the President, Omar Farook, leading the able and capable nine-member team, mainly origins of Guyana. The philosophy that Guyanese Muslims seem to lead the way in mosque building and management in this diverse city of over 350,000 Muslims is they were already doing similar activities in their home country, since there was no Government agency to do this on their behalf.
The IMO is famous for the large Iftar turnouts on the weekends of Ramadan with almost 1200 persons and during the week with about 500 in attendance. These meals are provided by community donors who seek only the blessings of feeding a fasting person.
The youths are the bedrock of any developing community and the madressa at the IMO geared at educating and entertaining the youths, include the regular madressa, sports, and the critically important Scouts Canada program lead by Dawood Zwink, a full time Muslim worker at Scouts. After-school tuition is also ongoing at this huge 50,000 square feet facility. The centre has a truly superb facility to host social functions. Throughout the year conferences, weddings, funerals, meetings and entertainment programs are been hosted here.
Relief is a known phenomenon at the IMO, not only in helping local mosques raise money but providing a forum for international relief organizations and supporting local causes. Sick Kids Hospital received the highest fundraiser of almost $185, 000.00.
The clarion call of Islam is kindness. To make the brick and mortar of any organization worth its value is for it to serve humanity with love and respect. Every third week of the month volunteers gather food items and distribute them to needy Torontonians with a smile of dignity. It’s called Feed the Street. They also run the Ma & Pa Food Bank which serves members of all denominations in the Greater Toronto Area. CIC and RIS are among others; apart from leading MPs, who have garlanded the efforts of the IMO with awards and accolades. Their grand 2008 10th anniversary gala saw much of this, including a message from the Prime Minster of Canada, the Hon. Stephen Harper.
Respect and service are the hallmarks of a successful community and the delicious monthly brunch caters for members of the community including the seniors, where volunteers serve them with much love and regard.
As Omar Farouk puts it: “Among the challenges we face is the constant need to provide professional and appropriate programs, while we continue to envisage a more holistic vision where the IMO remains central in the building block of Torontonians and their diverse communities”
Orphan Walk organized to help Gazan’orphans.
How many times you haven’t seen that Terry Fox walk and wondered how he did it? And you even promise next time round you will jump into your walking attire, grab some cold ones and enroll in the great walk. But it hardly ever happens.
For the second year North America Muslim Foundation organized an orphan walk for 6 km in Scarborough on a nice Saturday morning. May 15th saw almost fifty participants making the most of the sidewalks as Police escorts volunteered to keep the pedestrians safe and sound. Almost two thousand six hundred dollars were raised for these suffering children in Gaza. At the NAMF building BBQ and fun things were organized so everyone could enjoy the day. The walker with the most sponsorship was gifted a cell phone, while on site was the media and some community leaders.
It’s something the youths and elders a like look forward to!
Children of Hope organize second feel good gala event
Every so often we are invited to support diners in order to fundraise for a worthy cause. Rarely, it’s for a feel good event only. Children of Hope brings hope in this department. Created only three years ago, a set of professionals have banded to help orphans in the world. Already on the road to success, they have sponsored children in Africa and Guyana.
Ilyassa Shabazz, second daughter of the legendary Malcolm X, was the main guest at the Gala held in Markham Event place in May 29th in order to support the orphans around the world. Children of Hope is a Canadian Charity that hosted the event. Ilyassa has continued her father's legacy of being a staunch human rights activist in USA, with a Masters in social justice.
The sumptuous dinner and whopping entertainment brought lots to their feet in salute of the work of these volunteers. On site were the famous Babar and Fatima from little Mosque on the Prairie. While Azhar Usman, the famous American Comedian wowed the crowd with his ever refreshing desi jokes.
As their website states: We wish to better the lives of these children by sponsoring orphanages and covering school expenses like text books, stationeries, uniforms, and tuitions fee. We believe in giving these children the same advantages that we in the West often take for granted.
ISSARC hosts retreat in Simcoe country to fight poverty in Ontario
Fighting poverty for some 300,000 odd Ontarians is a daily struggle. What can faith and religion do in this regard?
For most parts churches and mosques, synagogues and temples are already dishing out shelters, hot meals, clothing, job searches, free books and medicines and lots more. But can this fight for the last twenty years be sustained in this patchwork manner? Is there a movement of social justice and political activism that will represent the voices of millions who are attached to faith, feel strong about justice and are on the anti poverty agenda?
Isarc is that interfaith body that embodies this very concern and you would have seen them on the Queens park lawns just before the budget, reminding politicians and the world to do mind the poor.
More of this work is in the pipeline and Muslims are reminded that not only zakat observance is enough but joining others in the fight against poverty is part of Faith as the Prophet said poverty leads to disbelief and disbelief belongs to the Fire.
Toronto Police hosted Hate Crime session with Muslim Leaders.
While hate crimes committed against Muslims is not the number one among the many communities facing this issue yet it’s alarming. The Toronto Police ensured that Muslims and their leadership were well informed of the efforts they are making to stem this disturbing trend and also to engage them to do a better education in the wider community. This was held at the Yonge street head quarters.
Discrimination is the product of ignorance and with more out reach and public relations much of this can be curtailed. Various speakers from both the police and the intelligence crime unit spoke of their efforts and the timely reminder from Mr. Keith Forde, the Deputy Police Chief, reminded us that domestic violence is still a taboo in many immigrant communities and it’s silently taking the lives, dignity and property of our loved ones.
More sessions like these are needed and thanks to the Muslim support group, who wore their distinguishing t-shirts that day and organized a sumptuous dinner, are hoping to bring this informatics to the mosques. Many mosques of varied backgrounds were represented from the GTA.
Muslim Christian Dialogue held in Toronto on Tauheed and Trinity
Muslims are often called to explain the meaning of Allah and Christians are often challenged on the concept of Trinity. How do we have a dialogue on both without ending up at each other’s throat or faith?
North America Muslim Foundation hosted an evening panel with Dr Tony da Costa, known Christian debater and Shaikh Habeeb Alli, known Islamic scholar, to talk about their respective perspectives on Godhead.
The hall at 4140 Finch Ave E Scarborough was packed with mostly Christians and the two panelists were moderated by Mr. Shahryar Shaikh who asked fives questions to Tony while Mr. Neil asked Habeeb five questions on Tauheed.
It turned out that instead of a straight forward explanation session that the polemics of trinity and the intricacies of Tauheed were being challenged.
The attendees also had an opportunity to ask their questions which were answered with a lots of references from both sides.
The panelists met with each other cordially after as well as with the audience and as one Christian Arab lady said: Habeeb the difference is you were not the stereotypical angry Muslim forcing out answers without reason!
Toronto Financial Services Association organized first Islamic Finance seminar
The famous financial complex at 250 Yonge Street is not home to dress up suits of the some financial geeks only but suddenly there is interest to host Islamic finance professionals on a working breakfast in this trendy super high office.
Among the attendees were financial account managers, bankers, accountants, professors of economics, Islamic scholars, Islamic finance operators, etc.
The sessions ran in the morning only and were aimed at brainstorming the need for Islamic finance as an ethical industry niche as well as issues of retail, education, regulation and advocacy.
It was suggested that a follow up session be done and even for TFSA to incorporate Islamic finance as a bona fide arm of the association in order that proper and consistent attention is given to this growing industry. Toronto aught to become the hub of this viable market and not be left out of this stable economic alternative.
Really for Life observed in Scarborough as Muslims battle cancer
Every year they assemble at the famous well constructed Birchmount recreation park to join in solidarity cancer victims. Muslims are no exception to this sickness and they too do the laps and light the candles in hope of cure.
For many years Muslims who survived cancer have organized themselves into a support group, based at Islamic Foundation Toronto, helping patients, supporting families, meeting once a month for education ,etc.
They were quite visible with their friends and families at this yearly night vigil. Food was free and halal, while entertainment was lively. More importantly the concept that sickness doesn’t discriminate was driven home by Imam Habeeb, in his yearly address after Maghreb, taking heed of their traditional halal lifestyle and be part of the wider community drive for healthy living, including organ donation.
The patient when first diagnosed with cancer is like the beginning of the night and later on when he/she becomes disappointed it’s like the twilight and when the treatment begins it’s like the long nights and finally when results become evident it resembles the dawn, with finally health restored as in the bright morning. This is the reason behind the night vigil and lending solidarity to these cancer patients or even families of who those who succumbed to this still-to-be cured illness.
Allahummshafinaa wa aafinaa!
NAMF held second summer Masjid Qurtaba fundraising dinner.
Striking at the heart of the problem Faisal Kutty spoke eloquently on the need of a viable institution in Toronto that supports Islam as a dynamic social, political and economical system rather than having more places of worship only. The famous Canadian lawyer was speaking this Sat at NAMF along with Hon. MP John Mackay and Imam Qayyum Khan.
And isn’t this what North America Muslim Foundation is about? Providing relief internationally and viable programs locally. The Masjid has been a real blessing as hundreds in the neighborhood and afar gets to pray and function Islamically, with the 34,000 sq feet facility housing the Masjid, hall, gym, seniors club, kung fu classes, daily Islamic school and offices.
With the number of educational programs including so far for this year 2009
Fundraising for Gaza, debate on Gaza,
Family Fair for all Ontarians, Panel on Women’s Rights,
Debate on Tauheed and Trinity, Seniors weekly club,
8th Annual Youth Speech competition,
Fundraising for SWAT Valley,
Social services fair, job fair
Masjid and School expansion programs
2nd Annual Orphan Walk and BBQ
Khutba Training workshop
Completion of the Digging Wells project in Baluchistan
Chinese Muslims Exposition
Summer Islamic camp and Day Care services, et al
Entertainment was by the now famous Waleed Hilal who wowed the crowd with his vibrant Arabic Nasheeds and the Patna Kebab House provided dinner.
Youth Tarbiya Conference held for the 8th year in Toronto
So many conferences and events to educate Torontonians, it’s just amazing. Islamic Foundation has been sponsoring this event for years, bringing Islamic Scholars known in South Africa, England and now this time from Trinidad.
The two day event saw the Masjid packed with men, youngsters and sisters. Many workshops and lectures were organized where these dynamic speakers presented on various topics affecting youths. The usual Friday night session Shaikh Habeeb used to do on sexuality would attract some 150 boys and girls. This year that was conducted by the visiting scholars with the attendees expanded to be anyone while the workshop on identity for the youths was divided up into several sessions.
There are also two works after the conference on Islamic finance.
Altogether this is another opportunity to show case the foreign Ulama in Toronto in the attempt to lending help to youths living here and their social issues.
www.youtthtarbiyah.com
Finding a place of worship that offers more than prayers on Friday is a challenge for many Muslims in Toronto. Even for others to find a mosque that returns their telephones or welcomes their curious grade 8 can be a challenge. But look no further. The IMO is here.
Entering the eleventh year of existence at 65 Rexdale Ave., Toronto, this once major food-chain head office-turned-Islamic-complex, has evolved to be the beacon in the Muslim community for events and a-must-stopover for politicians, community leaders, the media, school board officials and students, apart from interfaith participants, the poor and needy, among the host of other Canadians seeking some truth about Islam.
The Executive body has functioned over these trying years in a system of Shura or collective management, with the President, Omar Farook, leading the able and capable nine-member team, mainly origins of Guyana. The philosophy that Guyanese Muslims seem to lead the way in mosque building and management in this diverse city of over 350,000 Muslims is they were already doing similar activities in their home country, since there was no Government agency to do this on their behalf.
The IMO is famous for the large Iftar turnouts on the weekends of Ramadan with almost 1200 persons and during the week with about 500 in attendance. These meals are provided by community donors who seek only the blessings of feeding a fasting person.
The youths are the bedrock of any developing community and the madressa at the IMO geared at educating and entertaining the youths, include the regular madressa, sports, and the critically important Scouts Canada program lead by Dawood Zwink, a full time Muslim worker at Scouts. After-school tuition is also ongoing at this huge 50,000 square feet facility. The centre has a truly superb facility to host social functions. Throughout the year conferences, weddings, funerals, meetings and entertainment programs are been hosted here.
Relief is a known phenomenon at the IMO, not only in helping local mosques raise money but providing a forum for international relief organizations and supporting local causes. Sick Kids Hospital received the highest fundraiser of almost $185, 000.00.
The clarion call of Islam is kindness. To make the brick and mortar of any organization worth its value is for it to serve humanity with love and respect. Every third week of the month volunteers gather food items and distribute them to needy Torontonians with a smile of dignity. It’s called Feed the Street. They also run the Ma & Pa Food Bank which serves members of all denominations in the Greater Toronto Area. CIC and RIS are among others; apart from leading MPs, who have garlanded the efforts of the IMO with awards and accolades. Their grand 2008 10th anniversary gala saw much of this, including a message from the Prime Minster of Canada, the Hon. Stephen Harper.
Respect and service are the hallmarks of a successful community and the delicious monthly brunch caters for members of the community including the seniors, where volunteers serve them with much love and regard.
As Omar Farouk puts it: “Among the challenges we face is the constant need to provide professional and appropriate programs, while we continue to envisage a more holistic vision where the IMO remains central in the building block of Torontonians and their diverse communities”
Orphan Walk organized to help Gazan’orphans.
How many times you haven’t seen that Terry Fox walk and wondered how he did it? And you even promise next time round you will jump into your walking attire, grab some cold ones and enroll in the great walk. But it hardly ever happens.
For the second year North America Muslim Foundation organized an orphan walk for 6 km in Scarborough on a nice Saturday morning. May 15th saw almost fifty participants making the most of the sidewalks as Police escorts volunteered to keep the pedestrians safe and sound. Almost two thousand six hundred dollars were raised for these suffering children in Gaza. At the NAMF building BBQ and fun things were organized so everyone could enjoy the day. The walker with the most sponsorship was gifted a cell phone, while on site was the media and some community leaders.
It’s something the youths and elders a like look forward to!
Children of Hope organize second feel good gala event
Every so often we are invited to support diners in order to fundraise for a worthy cause. Rarely, it’s for a feel good event only. Children of Hope brings hope in this department. Created only three years ago, a set of professionals have banded to help orphans in the world. Already on the road to success, they have sponsored children in Africa and Guyana.
Ilyassa Shabazz, second daughter of the legendary Malcolm X, was the main guest at the Gala held in Markham Event place in May 29th in order to support the orphans around the world. Children of Hope is a Canadian Charity that hosted the event. Ilyassa has continued her father's legacy of being a staunch human rights activist in USA, with a Masters in social justice.
The sumptuous dinner and whopping entertainment brought lots to their feet in salute of the work of these volunteers. On site were the famous Babar and Fatima from little Mosque on the Prairie. While Azhar Usman, the famous American Comedian wowed the crowd with his ever refreshing desi jokes.
As their website states: We wish to better the lives of these children by sponsoring orphanages and covering school expenses like text books, stationeries, uniforms, and tuitions fee. We believe in giving these children the same advantages that we in the West often take for granted.
ISSARC hosts retreat in Simcoe country to fight poverty in Ontario
Fighting poverty for some 300,000 odd Ontarians is a daily struggle. What can faith and religion do in this regard?
For most parts churches and mosques, synagogues and temples are already dishing out shelters, hot meals, clothing, job searches, free books and medicines and lots more. But can this fight for the last twenty years be sustained in this patchwork manner? Is there a movement of social justice and political activism that will represent the voices of millions who are attached to faith, feel strong about justice and are on the anti poverty agenda?
Isarc is that interfaith body that embodies this very concern and you would have seen them on the Queens park lawns just before the budget, reminding politicians and the world to do mind the poor.
More of this work is in the pipeline and Muslims are reminded that not only zakat observance is enough but joining others in the fight against poverty is part of Faith as the Prophet said poverty leads to disbelief and disbelief belongs to the Fire.
Toronto Police hosted Hate Crime session with Muslim Leaders.
While hate crimes committed against Muslims is not the number one among the many communities facing this issue yet it’s alarming. The Toronto Police ensured that Muslims and their leadership were well informed of the efforts they are making to stem this disturbing trend and also to engage them to do a better education in the wider community. This was held at the Yonge street head quarters.
Discrimination is the product of ignorance and with more out reach and public relations much of this can be curtailed. Various speakers from both the police and the intelligence crime unit spoke of their efforts and the timely reminder from Mr. Keith Forde, the Deputy Police Chief, reminded us that domestic violence is still a taboo in many immigrant communities and it’s silently taking the lives, dignity and property of our loved ones.
More sessions like these are needed and thanks to the Muslim support group, who wore their distinguishing t-shirts that day and organized a sumptuous dinner, are hoping to bring this informatics to the mosques. Many mosques of varied backgrounds were represented from the GTA.
Muslim Christian Dialogue held in Toronto on Tauheed and Trinity
Muslims are often called to explain the meaning of Allah and Christians are often challenged on the concept of Trinity. How do we have a dialogue on both without ending up at each other’s throat or faith?
North America Muslim Foundation hosted an evening panel with Dr Tony da Costa, known Christian debater and Shaikh Habeeb Alli, known Islamic scholar, to talk about their respective perspectives on Godhead.
The hall at 4140 Finch Ave E Scarborough was packed with mostly Christians and the two panelists were moderated by Mr. Shahryar Shaikh who asked fives questions to Tony while Mr. Neil asked Habeeb five questions on Tauheed.
It turned out that instead of a straight forward explanation session that the polemics of trinity and the intricacies of Tauheed were being challenged.
The attendees also had an opportunity to ask their questions which were answered with a lots of references from both sides.
The panelists met with each other cordially after as well as with the audience and as one Christian Arab lady said: Habeeb the difference is you were not the stereotypical angry Muslim forcing out answers without reason!
Toronto Financial Services Association organized first Islamic Finance seminar
The famous financial complex at 250 Yonge Street is not home to dress up suits of the some financial geeks only but suddenly there is interest to host Islamic finance professionals on a working breakfast in this trendy super high office.
Among the attendees were financial account managers, bankers, accountants, professors of economics, Islamic scholars, Islamic finance operators, etc.
The sessions ran in the morning only and were aimed at brainstorming the need for Islamic finance as an ethical industry niche as well as issues of retail, education, regulation and advocacy.
It was suggested that a follow up session be done and even for TFSA to incorporate Islamic finance as a bona fide arm of the association in order that proper and consistent attention is given to this growing industry. Toronto aught to become the hub of this viable market and not be left out of this stable economic alternative.
Really for Life observed in Scarborough as Muslims battle cancer
Every year they assemble at the famous well constructed Birchmount recreation park to join in solidarity cancer victims. Muslims are no exception to this sickness and they too do the laps and light the candles in hope of cure.
For many years Muslims who survived cancer have organized themselves into a support group, based at Islamic Foundation Toronto, helping patients, supporting families, meeting once a month for education ,etc.
They were quite visible with their friends and families at this yearly night vigil. Food was free and halal, while entertainment was lively. More importantly the concept that sickness doesn’t discriminate was driven home by Imam Habeeb, in his yearly address after Maghreb, taking heed of their traditional halal lifestyle and be part of the wider community drive for healthy living, including organ donation.
The patient when first diagnosed with cancer is like the beginning of the night and later on when he/she becomes disappointed it’s like the twilight and when the treatment begins it’s like the long nights and finally when results become evident it resembles the dawn, with finally health restored as in the bright morning. This is the reason behind the night vigil and lending solidarity to these cancer patients or even families of who those who succumbed to this still-to-be cured illness.
Allahummshafinaa wa aafinaa!
NAMF held second summer Masjid Qurtaba fundraising dinner.
Striking at the heart of the problem Faisal Kutty spoke eloquently on the need of a viable institution in Toronto that supports Islam as a dynamic social, political and economical system rather than having more places of worship only. The famous Canadian lawyer was speaking this Sat at NAMF along with Hon. MP John Mackay and Imam Qayyum Khan.
And isn’t this what North America Muslim Foundation is about? Providing relief internationally and viable programs locally. The Masjid has been a real blessing as hundreds in the neighborhood and afar gets to pray and function Islamically, with the 34,000 sq feet facility housing the Masjid, hall, gym, seniors club, kung fu classes, daily Islamic school and offices.
With the number of educational programs including so far for this year 2009
Fundraising for Gaza, debate on Gaza,
Family Fair for all Ontarians, Panel on Women’s Rights,
Debate on Tauheed and Trinity, Seniors weekly club,
8th Annual Youth Speech competition,
Fundraising for SWAT Valley,
Social services fair, job fair
Masjid and School expansion programs
2nd Annual Orphan Walk and BBQ
Khutba Training workshop
Completion of the Digging Wells project in Baluchistan
Chinese Muslims Exposition
Summer Islamic camp and Day Care services, et al
Entertainment was by the now famous Waleed Hilal who wowed the crowd with his vibrant Arabic Nasheeds and the Patna Kebab House provided dinner.
Youth Tarbiya Conference held for the 8th year in Toronto
So many conferences and events to educate Torontonians, it’s just amazing. Islamic Foundation has been sponsoring this event for years, bringing Islamic Scholars known in South Africa, England and now this time from Trinidad.
The two day event saw the Masjid packed with men, youngsters and sisters. Many workshops and lectures were organized where these dynamic speakers presented on various topics affecting youths. The usual Friday night session Shaikh Habeeb used to do on sexuality would attract some 150 boys and girls. This year that was conducted by the visiting scholars with the attendees expanded to be anyone while the workshop on identity for the youths was divided up into several sessions.
There are also two works after the conference on Islamic finance.
Altogether this is another opportunity to show case the foreign Ulama in Toronto in the attempt to lending help to youths living here and their social issues.
www.youtthtarbiyah.com
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