Dec 2011-12-29 Reports

 

Dec 2011-12-29 Reports

NAMF Gala – helping those in need 10th anniversary

The 10th Anniversary for NAMF Gala dinner came off with a great vibe.

Many were honored for being volunteers by the MP Jim Karygiannis and the NDP MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan. They have demonstrated consistent support and sacrifice to help NAMF promote its relief services and operate the Masjid Qurtaba project.

The main guest of honor was the Honourable Sitsabaiesan who spoke boldly, with facts and feelings on issues of humanitarian relief as well as the need to recognise minority communities as they strive to make Canada home. She is among the youngest women and first Tamil woman elected to office. The other meaningful presentation was by Canada’s first female Chinese MPP, the Honourable Soo-Wong who recently won the elections for Agincourt Scarborough Provincial elections.

There was also Dr Shahida Khan, a known children doctor who first contacted NAMF about securing assistance in getting little Ehsan Mohamed have an open heart surgery at Sick Kids hospital. She was very grateful that her appeal was quickly accepted and the fundraiser so far ahs been a success. Dr. Khan was honoured by NAMF Directors with a special plaque of recognition.

Mr Farouk Khan, Executive Director of North American Muslim Foundation, reminded to full house audience in the Jamil Dar Convention Center at 4140 Finch Ave E that the organisation is progressing not only with relief and the local Masjid but with other efforts like the recent seniors programs and the forum on homelessness.

Guests were treated to a sumptuous dinner including roasted lamb and kurma with Azfar Ali entertaining them during dinner time with is unique witticism!

Miscommunication of attendance of MP Olivia Chow was received from her office. NAMF regrets her absence and acknowledged her with a plaque and paid tribute to the late Jack Layton.

Lunch with a Rabbi

Having a kosher meat fish ball made with carrots in a busy Jewish neighbourhood recently with a progressive Rabbi is something of a treat.

I met Rabbi Yossi Sapirman during an interfaith panel on sexuality. He has studied Islam and always happy to join Interfaith initiatives that presents people of faith as normal citizens. The Rabbi is indeed a caring, deeply connected man with lots of community activism and layered with knowledge while gifted with humour. I was happy to have a moving lunch that made me understand that religious leaders are more than the prayer service leader. As I sat there so many people from his congregation came up to say Shalom or simply talk or thank him. I was there to present him my new book on Intimacy and he was so pleased to have supported the book with hope to talk about sexuality in a pluralistic way. This can be seen as another out of the box way of Twinning! Twinning of Mosques and Synagogues can be simply an Imam and Rabbi having lunch! And only in Toronto!

Human rights conference held at Ontario Science Centre

Panellists included the Ombudsman of Toronto Fiona Crean and Imam AbdulHai Patel elaborating that the almost half century of celebrating the universal declaration on human rights needs teeth still. With a video showing the history of human rights struggle and the on going of struggles the audience were treated to songs of human rights and various presentations. The Church of Scientology were in the lead of establishing this event, reminding us that we are all consumed in the race for our natural human rights to whatever we are entitled to have. 

The Prophet Muhammad on whom be peace for example came  1400 years ago and established the right for girls to live, women to inherit and people to believe and pray freely! How about these for a start? We are indeed grateful for the Charter of Freedom and Rights in Canada.

There was a girl there only 12 years and raised 1000.00 so far within a year for charity that helps doctors in Guyana deliver babies without infant mortality. She makes beads of hopes in shapes of necklaces, bands, etc. It was indeed a warm evening given the winter blues!

Interfaith trip to Jerusalem.

Muslims, Jews and Christians flying to Jerusalem, sitting in buses, worshipping at holy places, crossing borders, staying in same hotels and eating in same restaurants for a week! Unheard of? Well only in Toronto that is possible. That is indeed a factual newsflash!

Yes members of the Interfaith community, thanks to the hard work of Father Damien, Dr Karen of Canadian Council of churches and Judy Csilag this was made possible. Every one paid for their own travel and willingly joined the trip for their personal enhancement.

The stories of admiration for Islam abounds in this trip.

Imam AbdulHai Patel could not participate in the well attended forum organised by Scarborough Mission where two other panellists- a Rabbi and Dr Karen did a wonderful job in travelogue the event that had almost fifty members travel, including some young Muslim students. It was indeed heart warming to hear the stories of all three faiths and of how they marvelled at witnessing each others places of worship and history in Jerusalem, witness each others worship and travelled to the occupied territories and met with people from both sides of the country.

It is a sensitive issue and for people to respectfully report and talk of experience while avoiding the pitfalls of judgement and blaming is indeed a remarkable feat. This is the maturity the Interfaith community has arrived at in Canada and the world should take note. A viable project for a documentary and worthwhile imitative to take elsewhere!

Allah says and travel in the land and see how we treated people in the past!

RIS message- love your humanity

The most poignant message I got from listening to Saturday afternoon presentations, listened to some by 15000 attendees at the 10^th annual Reviving Islamic Spirit convention this Christmas Weekend at the Metro convention Centre was love!

Listening to Habib Ali Al Jiffri say that when Islam allows you to marry a Christian or Jewsish woman then automatically it is saying you have to love that person despite difference of faith and he comes over very polite and loving towards humanity despite coming form a conservative background. This message really resonated. Similar things were said by Dr Abdullah Idress who spoke on the importance of Muslim minorities ensuring they work for the collective security of where they live as per the hadith that one should hold the hands of the oppressor as a form of helping one’s brother.

The many speakers and presentations left this point as a theme. Islam is love! With money raised from the event in the past helping some 12000 hungry persons in Toronto – this is testimony that this belief is intrinsic of our Faith.

Tribute to My Aunt Leila- in Guyana who passed awayand was buried on Dec 18 2011

What a season!
You were chosen to end the pain
Among flowers and joy
You surrendered your last smile

A mother of ultimate sacrifice
A wife of unconditional love
A sister of sincere advice
My auntie Leila is endless affection, she 's nice!

At lost in the sea of life
Against life's maze of battling waves
You stood stronger than Jonah
Keeping the sail of values straight to shore!

Now that you've gone beyond
Lighting heaven, behind the proverbial blackout
The angels will salam you
Here comes the moonlight, laughing all the way

Who will listen to my rantings?
Who will laugh to my calls?
Who will act as my mother?
And keep my word when I fall?

I salute you oh woman of worth!
Nevermind your weakness
You one night never slept
Guarding your three angels against vicious eyes

A mother, a father, a soldier in one
This unsung hero, this best grandmother ever
A mother Mary of another
More gracious than Kaieteur your love for all

And when it's over
They will say where went Sandy?
The one whose coupe and curry
Made you feel royal, felt deeply loved, eh?

I love you and will always miss you!

Red Hassar- Guyana teaches love one another!

There is something about Guyana that makes you want to go and stay. Yes, it’s the warm weather and superb hospitality. However, my encounter this time was the generosity of hassar- a super delicious fish that is also known as cascdura or cascadoo.

I met a gentleman in the Mahaica Creek area whose immediate warmth and readiness to share was like a spell cast upon my spirit. He felt inclined without formality, to ensure his guests were treated with maximum respect and much fanfare; with tasty, tongue-licking hassar curry! In my talks across the country at various places, I recognised the humble yet learnt and deeply loving nature of the folks in the country as to what the Prophet Muhammad, owbp, entreated towards when he said the best of you in Jahilliya are the best of you in Islam, if you have the understanding. Isn’t feeding the guests the very first principle the Prophet, owbp, introduced in Medina upon arrival? Feeding the guests even at the expense of one’s hunger and the hunger of one’s children was the proven way of the Companions that Allah had caused to reveal- that they prefer others above themselves even if they suffered pangs of hunger! This is the common religion this beautiful land envelopes.

This gentleman goes on to tell his story, that being a Hindu and having married a Muslim woman did not prevent him from learning to recite the Quran and sing Qaseedas- in praise of the Holy Prophet! Well that is something not merely great but deeply spiritual. He now writes poems to his deceased wife- his therapy and unending love for a woman he never wanted to touch until marriage! When the Prophet was proposed to by Khatija he was singled out for his trustworthiness and wisdom. To trust someone with your life and religion- knowing you will be dignified and your freedom of religion will be respected is indeed a quality that is rare. Notwithstanding the Quranic injunction, this is an experience to consider.

My other encounter was with a sister of “red” background, whose Christian persausion did not prevent her from attending the mosque for the first time inorder to learn about Mother Mary- Jesus’ mother during Christmas time. Her dedication, care and respect, was observed when she watched carefully the practise of the Juma prayers! She later on remarked that when the men stood up in line for prayers, without any urging nor discipline, it was the most poignant moment of all her Islamic experiences. She now wants a Quran and was happy that the Imam actually spoke out against domestic violence- something Muslims and all are guilty of. That the Holy Prophet on whom be peace never hit a woman; should be enough to counter any misinterpreted verses from the Quran that seeks to justify killing women. It’s indeed tragic that love kills and one out of every three woman is a woeful victim!

Speaking to non Muslims in Guyana reminds you that respect is critical for all and for a nation that honours religions and races historically, it is important that we don’t fall into ghettoes of fundamentalists’ attitudes towards one another but see the social ills of society is everyone’s cares, as Shamal aptly writes in his mind-boggling brochures, distributed across Guyana and read for all types of persons.

When one sees the funeral attended by folks from all walks of life and prayers joined by every one, in order to pay the last respects of a sister, a mother, an aunt it reminds you of the Holy Prophet standing at the passing of the Jewish deceased and exclaiming it’s a soul too! So for a non Muslim to contribute to a mosque, without any agenda, is no different from our history, where our ancestors built together, ate together and chanted together. It’s so synonymous to our tradition where the Kaba was built by Non Muslims before Islam with halal sources- from a ship wreck off Yemen and until today the Hatem is testimony to that; as there weren’t enough halal funds to complete it.

I envisage a continuum of dialogues, events and studies to ensure that the poor are protected and loved, religions avoid backbiting and leaders take heed to this global phenomenon- we are a family working from afar, for the good of humanity.

Quran 49:13 O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).

Tribute to My Aunt Leila- in Guyana who passed awayand was buried on Dec 18 2011

What a season!
You were chosen to end the pain
Among flowers and joy
You surrendered your last smile

A mother of ultimate sacrifice
A wife of unconditional love
A sister of sincere advice
My auntie Leila is endless affection, she 's nice!

At lost in the sea of life
Against life's maze of battling waves
You stood stronger than Jonah
Keeping the sail of values straight to shore!

Now that you've gone beyond
Lighting heaven, behind the proverbial blackout
The angels will salam you
Here comes the moonlight, laughing all the way

Who will listen to my rantings?
Who will laugh to my calls?
Who will act as my mother?
And keep my word when I fall?

I salute you oh woman of worth!
Nevermind your weakness
You one night never slept
Guarding your three angels against vicious eyes

A mother, a father, a soldier in one
This unsung hero, this best grandmother ever
A mother Mary of another
More gracious than Kaieteur your love for all

And when it's over
They will say where went Sandy?
The one whose coupe and curry
Made you feel royal, felt deeply loved, eh?

I love you and will always miss you!

Nov- report- HALIFAX

Halifax is growing Muslim hub.




When you think of Halifax, Nova Scotia, you imagine the famous Dr Jamal Badawi- the prolific scholar whose cassettes I would listen to in the 80’s and lobster. Yes, and it’s lobster season and the cost of a permit is almost half a mil!



Now after visiting Halifax recently I would add to my memory ‘a familial community of successful Muslim professionals who are humble and progressive.’



I often see Halifax as the point of departure of African slaves on their way back to North Africa- the free town of Liberia. After talking to the famous Black history historian and Muslim activist Dr Afua Coopers, now the Chair of Black History at Dalhousie University, I came to realise that many of the Afro Canadians that I know and you may know like the Downeys are originally from the Muslim slaves brought under colonialism to these parts of the Free World. She said there almost 50 such settlements and the marked observation of Muslim presence can be seen.



I saw three main centres of Muslim worship and the main Masjid at the central Halifax is purpose built and beautiful, costing millions with one of the oldest Islamic schools in the province of East maritime. Meeting with Ziaullah Kahn who runs a dynamic and loving center for Islamic Dawah and development gives us the easy reminder that Toronto needs to do more in this department. He runs endless progressive educational program for New Muslims and inmates. I even met Mr Muhammad Yaffa, his next in comrade who is busy with Interfaith dialogue in the Muslim minority province.



At the Dartmouth mosque, which is the oldest, the Muslims who came in the early 60’s felt they could no longer pray Juma in the church when Allah had blessed them with wealth and abilities. Many were professors and doctors with lots for foreign students attracted to the province. They bought land and a house and today that new building has an annex for the Muslim women in the city. The Imam there is doing a fantastic job among the youths, Non Muslims, the professionals and interacting with the wider community is crucial. He is Moulana Hamza and is Canadian born and has studied in England.



I spoke at the big Ummamasjid for Juma and was amazed of the steady outpour of appreciation for the khutba as I recalled some of the activities we do in Toronto within the communities. I also spoke about my book on Intimacy at the Dartmouth mosque and again was met by both brothers and sisters with great compliment for a topic that is still taboo. The questions were deeply reflective as students from Saudi Arabia, India and elsewhere gather there to further their studies and are faced with many issues in a new land far from a Muslim majority. One doctor happened to have served the late Shaikh Uthaimeen and he remarked that he has never heard any one speak on such intimate topics and offered insights on organ donation from an Islamic perspective. He concurred that such an act is done professionally in some Muslim countries whereas others lack legislation hence the abuse.

The Nova Scotians are neighbourly, kind and willing to learn. My experience at the beautiful tip of North Eastern Canada called the Peggy's Cove was indeed indelible as fresh lobster is cooked and served with on the spot training and timely advise of the trade.

We are indeed lucky for this beautiful called Canada and I was even more lucky that my plane could have safely landed in at St John’s New Foundland the night Halifax was hit with an unexpected snow storm.



On leaving my heart melted as many came for my farewell and the warmth of brotherhood stayed with me, reminding me of my days in Georgetown among a less busy urban crowd, rather among family and friends that are so easy to live with and learn from. As Br Kursheed would say there that he hand slaughters all the animals at the farm that the Muslims consume and he doesn’t differentiate among the Muslims. As Br Mahmood, originally from Jordan and living there for almost two decades would say that Islam is easy and keep that in mind and you will love your Deen easily!









Islamic New Year 1433



I pray that this new year heralds great thing in your lives and the new moon of love, faith and prosperity will follow your every waking moment as you strive to make the best of yourselves and the communities. I pray Allah has accepted the Hajj of many who have be blessed to respond to that call recently.



I'm quite cognizant that some communities are in mourning during this time of the year as we all continue to remember the unparalleled self sacrifice of Imam Hussain, ra, on behalf of the wider Islamic civilization at that time of his young calling. I'm also aware that the history of Islam has been misrepresented and the texts redesigned at times to support one side or the other at the intolerable expense of lives, mutual harmony and overarching principles of justice, humanity and democracy.



I pray that goodness and common sense prevails as we plan and hope for a better year of 1433 AH: - again a reminder that migration from Mecca to Madina was chosen as the milestone to mark the origin our calendar, so apt for immigrants everywhere trying their best to establish their faith as a minority within the context of the many unfamiliar grounds and issues.



Jewish School opens in U f T and Muslims invited.



It’s a dream come true for Rabbi Roy Tannenbaum. After forty years in Canada and three years working with the School of Theology at the U f T the traditional Rabbinical school that would produce Rabbis with a modern understanding of issues that are Canadian has finally opened its doors.



At a rather lavish, academic and entertaining inauguration Imam AbdulHai Patel offered his congratulations and again Muslims in Canada are reminded how important it is to have traditional school of Islam that trains Imams within the Canadian context with all the modern tools and having the credentials of an accepted University degree. This was the idea behind the Muslim certificate Program offered at Emmanuel College. Habeeb Alli was present at the event and met so many people from all walks of life and religious backgrounds who found the eminent organisation of boards, faculty and curriculum something to emulate and celebrate.



Police celebrates the holidays and Eidul Azha



Where can you find Muslims celebrating Eid at a police headquarters and are treated to celebrations of Diwali, Gurparab and Christmas with folks eating halal food and lots of good curry?



Of course Toronto!



The Master of Ceremonies, Jake Dheer, ably entertained the audience of varied backgrounds and leadership with a variety of speakers representing the various consultative bodies to the Police, including Mr. Zul Kassimalli from the South Asian Committee and Usman Khan from the Muslim committee. A choir of Ismaili students rendered a Muslim song, a Hindu song and a carol to the amazement of the audience and the cheer of their peers. Many youths from the Tamil community were honoured for their continued volunteerism and the Chief Bill Blair was there in person to say thank you; for without the liaison committees safety in Toronto would remain a challenge.



Thank you for serving and protecting!



Scriptural Reasoning sessions





Not often you get to study texts from the Quran, the Bible and the Torah in home setting over tea and great friends from all three respective faiths.



Susan Harrison is a PHD student of religion and has been organising these very insightful sessions over the years. The last time we had these session the topic was on forgiveness and the issue of whether forgiveness necessitates an actual physical act or practical effort or just an act of grace and that of the heart. The sessions saw scriptures quotes, references from authors and scholars and lots of experiences and thoughts on present issues.

It’s something to witness!



Among the Muslims who attend and more are required is Imam Irshad, lawyer Omer and Shaikh Habeeb and Br Hamza.





Eid with inmates



Thank you for not judging me! That was the words of many of the inmates after partaking in the Eid celebrations for EidulAzah at two half way houses in Toronto.



Eating hot curry and roti prepared by volunteers at Brampton Islamic Centre and talking about the story of Abraham and the hajj made these diners such a wonderful experience.

The few Muslim inmates that participated and even helped organise along with the community chaplain rev Harry Nigh and the management shows that just as Abraham had hope on Allah that he would not make Him sacrifice his son nor take his life away even when left in dessert so too we have to have hope in the human dignity of life- that inmates too have life and a faith and they too deserve a second chance at life.





Qurbani meat served to Yong Street Mission



Many would like to see the poverty in Toronto go away. How many is doing something about it?

Every year we ask Muslims to consider doing their duty of Qurbani in Toronto so places like Yong Street Mission daily food bank may have some halal meat for their many Muslim users.



It was amazing to note that this year Mr Mutaqeen of Brampton was able to donate more of the beef and lamb thanks to more donors a volunteers. Other sin GTA added their lot including Mr Sadro Usman and his networks. The cause is amazing and while Pakistan flood and Somali attracted a wider support the issue at home will always come first. Charity begins at home and Qurbani done at home or elsewhere is valid.



Holocaust education week held at Solel.



On a cold Friday night when the game is on and the fireplace is warm you don’t think to driving to Mississauga and attend a synagogue. But such is the call of building bridges and not underestimating that discrimination against one is racism against all. Yesterday was the Jews and tomorrow maybe the Muslims.



So Solel synagogue invited neighbours to listen to a very moving lecture on the Holocaust. Among the attendees were the leadership of IMO, Br Ameer and Umar and many other Muslims.



Treated to a beautiful rendition from the Torah and lots of sweets after, the evening turned to issues about Islamophobia, women in the Quran and the need to have interfaith sessions organised by Muslims. Now that is something!





Emmanuel College hosts session on Muslim chaplaincy



Being a chaplain that serves the spiritual needs of all faiths is seen at time challenging one’s own faith.



That was the theme of a forum held at Emmanuel college by Natalie Wiqq, a professor for teaching pastors at Emmanuel College at U f T. The panellists were Rev Harry Nigh and Habeeb Alli.



The students asked some very pointed questions and the moderator, the professor herself was very deep in questioning the role of chaplaincy in prison setting, the after care, the education and the way one serves others without compromising ones faith.



Jesus served all was the answer from the Rev and the Imam reminded all that Muhammad was sent to all humankind and a chaplain is spiritual facilitator and he gets reward from God for making others find God!

Rememberance 2011

 

Dear Editor

It’s a dream come true!

My connection with Queen’s College, Guyana, has proven to be a great opportunity of grace and honour. Wherever I travelled in the world, I proudly announced my Alma Mater with distinction, knowing that my five years there provided me a distinct training ground for language skills, social negotiation and inter racial success.

The recent twentieth anniversary of Queen’s alumni in Toronto reminded us that equitable living, inclusive development and innovative practices should be our gift to Guyana and the rest of the world. Such was the inspired message one of our proud sons Dr. Lawrence Clarke, USA, delivered in his notable jovial and exceptional academic style. Women are excelling in the world today in fields of leadership, science and education. However, the recent recognition of Yemeni Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Tawakkul Karman, as this young hijabi struggled fearlessly to ensure justice was done in the Arab Spring, reminds us that the many unsung heroines of our time, our mothers first, are the bedrock of our civilization and even a silent prayer on their behalf is worth more than a thousand plaques of Facebook recognition.

This weekend in Toronto, my schedule, as usual, reminded me that my upbringing in Guyana has made me quietly thankful yet sonorously humble that I can navigate between cultures, traditions, and religious personalities, given the wide scope of events a cleric must attend and still remain a rock of steadfastness on one’s Faith.

Where in the world can one attend a Muslim-service for inmates held in a chapel, grab a fish fillet at MacDonald’s on his way to praying the midday prayers at the mosque and then head to a Diwali celebration, bringing the message of love, while his GPS is set to a church where he prays sunset prayer in a room observed by others reverently? It gets better! Later he sits with Christians, offering reflections and finally has supper with a venerable Rabbi among others, in a hall decked for Halloween, where but Canada?

This is the season of reflection. As pilgrims head for Mecca, remembering Abraham’s willingness to let go of his beloved son, so the higher calling of God’s love may prevail, seems to me is the essence of Hajj. This is the time that we seek to share the halal meal with the lesser fortunate, as we make the yearly charity of Qurbani, commemorating the fact that human sacrifice i.e. ‘honour’ killings, are absolutely prohibited.

This is also Remembrance Day season- a time we are jolted out of our family-job-entertainment focused lifestyle to say: never again will the ruthless horrors of war be our political game plan; sometimes backed by anti-Semitic, Islamophobia, homophobic and all forms of discriminatory ideology lurking behind encrypted usernames and passwords. When you wear a poppy you say to yourself and the rest of us: that I will not discriminate as racists are unwelcome sharks.

This is the time to Remember. Lest we forget! No one should be discriminated against, regardless of whatever sect they belong to or country of origin. The greatest teaching in Scripture is to love your neighbour with all your heart!

As I prayed for the meaning of peace and love in the Interfaith Neighbourhood service last evening, the new moon of an ending lunar year, seem to instil into my deeper conscience, a nuance of Prophet Job’s like supplication: that it’s time to relentlessly speak up to God.

That Oh Lord of Abraham and Muhammad and the billions of downtrodden humans in my family, how long will I hope that my daily prayers, my annual fasts and constant charity, with my occasional pilgrimage, besides my daily dosages of religious observances, be held hostage at your merciful court, while I beg for the release from these shackles of unholy forces and cruel financiers? Is it that my worship is so meagre and my faith is too frail, that you do not respond to my petition against this dark wave of unstoppable hurt, wanton pillage and indifferent leadership; that rape our innocence and disregard our environment? Maybe my blood is boiling and my eyes well tears, my hands have become nervous and I cannot contain my angst, but allow me to at least realise that without the sacrifice of Jesus, Moses and Muhammad, on whom be peace, and our Father Abraham’s ultimate sacrifice, we will not have any prayers answered let alone understand Divine justice where we are. Oh Lord of Creation, you are peace, shower us with such peace that forgiveness of ourselves and forgiveness of others comes to us with such ease like the streams that enter your oceans; regardless from which continent we come from, we may live together in these watery places.

As the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto said recently in the largest dinner in Canada, 1600 attendees, that we used to love people and use things but today we love things and use people!

Quran 49:13 O Humankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).

Yours truly

OCTober events

IFT Hosts another annual appreciation dinner

It was bigger and better this year! The annual Islamic Foundation appreciation dinner held at the new and impressive Embassy Convention Centre in Brampton, convened with hundreds of people from the across the beautiful Toronto.

The theme this year according to event coordinator Waris Malik is about athletes and sports people who have excelled despite of their disabilities and other challenges.

Among the usual awardees were the Police, EMS and Firefighters who are recognised yearly for their outstanding contribution towards a safer Toronto. The late Sergeant Russell was honoured, who was recklessly driven over in a police and run away driver dangerous incident earlier this year. His wife was there to accept it.

The sportsmen included a man in wheel chair all the way from Pakistan who is a world champion in table tennis! Many Muslim leagues for basket ball, hockey and baseball were recognised for their many years of yeoman service including the female wing of Islamic Soccer league.

The highlight of the evening, attending by almost 800 people form all divides and echeleons of society was the main speech delivered by Khulsom Abdullah, an American Pakistani who wears the hijab and lifts about 110 kg dead weight! She is a world champion weight lifter and has even challenged the World Association of Weightlifting to ensure the hijab is accepted. Kkulsom is PhD in Chemistry and speaks about her mind in challenging the stereotypes Muslim girls wearing the hijab faces in the field of sports and the accompanying social stigma from Muslim peers. She made us proud and is heading for the Olympics. See www,liftingcovered.com

The cuisine was delicious and the camaraderie was so warm that the celebration of that night will be felt fro along time.

Yusuf Day of Hope apreciation

A boy sits in a wheel chair. His nanny tends to him. He seems jovial and alert. The oxygen-giving machine is obvious. He is happy. The scenario is the dinner held to recognise the work volunteers and parents of Yusuf do every year at the annual picnic  in order to raise awareness on behalf of Sick Kids Hospital Foundation. It was at the TARIC Mosque, as the main coordinator is Imam Imran ally and family. The Foundation, the volunteers and donors were recognised for their outstanding volunteer work and the fact that this little Yusuf is alive and as such many others is something worth celebration. The group has passed the 50,000.00 dollars mark and will be incorporated in the Foundation’s wall of recognition. The boy received his successful surgery some seven years ago and like the many are enjoying the fruits of model medical care system of the world!

http://www.yusufdayofhope.ca/

However, these hospitals are still usually short of funding for equipment and as such our generous gifts go a far way to help. Presently, Muslims in Scarborough are being called to assist with Birchmount Campus- Scarborough General, to secure a MRI machine going at the cost of 5M. NAMF is fundraising for a boy from Pakistan undertaking a complex heart surgery at Sick Kids. The dinner on Dec 3^rd will help costs for the boy, his family, accommodation, medication, travels, etc

http://www.namf.ca/

Masjid Abu Bakr held its first annual Islamic conference

‘Youths need our guidance and help’, sermonised the lead Imam for Masjid Abu Bakr in Scarboorugh in September, Moulana Kasim Ingar. This was at one the Juma after Ramadan of this newly finished Masjid that has ornate Moorish like designs inside its maidenly built Mosque on Lawrence and Midland Ave. The establishment of a yearly conference where speakers from local and abroad may educate the youths and the general masses about Islam was copied from the Youth Tarbiya program the Islamic Foundation established about 10 years ago. Many of the Scholars death with the theme of Prophet Abraham and his life. Named the Pearl of Paradise, the organisers felt the turn out was reasonable with lots of sisters in the sisters only session and lots of interactions from the youths as Imams from USA, South Africa and UK engaged them. President of the Scarborough Muslim association Sal Hafeejee remarked that it’s an achievement to have all these educated individuals and local youths congregate in one spot on the long weekend.

www.Pearlsofparadise.ca

Imams held dinner at Jaffari Mosque on Thanksgiving evening.

Thanking Allah is deep in our conscience. Imams are no different. It was a grand event at the Jafari mosque in Bayview Ave on last Thanksgiving evening when Imams from the Canadian council of Imams had a grand tour of this impressive museum, mosque, school and gymnasium, housed in the lavish grounds of Jaffari Village in Richmond Hill. It was the statutory monthly meting of the Council and this time Shia and Sunni Imams met for a social, talking about shared issues like the school prayer and chaplaincy as well as to learn from their special guests that night- Dr Barbara Landau and Shahid Aktar- coordinators of the Twinning of Mosques and Synagogues project. This is a learning weekend on Nov 15^th to 18^th to 20^th where Jews and Muslims work on a relationship dialogue and get to know your faith events.

The Council has always been non-sectarian with members from diverse Islamic backgrounds and this reinforces the idea that we have common issues and beliefs in many respects.

Ambition Newspaper honours its writers.

Being recognised for one’s volunteerism means a lot. But not always this is so much done. The hadith states he who doesn’t thank the people has not thanked God!

Among those that received a plaque of recognition is Abdullah Sabre, Habeeb Alli, Mohamed Shokr, Munawwar Merchant, etc.

Among the donors and advertisers and well-wishers were Imam Shaikh Abdulrazack and Imran Ally.

Asma Warsi is the Editor in Chief and publisher and has put in to the first Muslim journal for young Muslims in Canada twenty five years!

http://www.theambition.com/

Islamic History month celebrated at Noor Cultural centre.

On a rainy evening during October, when most people are sipping hot chocolate and sitting in front of Face Book, many others braved their egos and attended the much educative and socially warm evening at Noor Cultural Centre, Toronto, on October 19^th.

The guest speaker was Dr Macdonald from USA, former diplomat, who was invited by Dr Wahida Valiante to talk about his book and now a film in making- Lost History. He visited many countries and world organisations, parliaments and embassies where he has presented his topic since 2007. Lost History present the great story of Muslim Spain, and India- civilizations of Islam that contributed science and arts to the West.

October was declared Islamic History month by the Government of Canada and lots more needs to be done educating the world of this Lost History and the new history that Muslims are making in the West everyday.

Interval house hosts reception

Domestic Violence is a scourge on society. But the victims don’t have to squirm for help and be treated as second class citizens. This city provides amazing facilities for women and their children once the call for help is made and are even schooled and helped all the way to regain their lives through jobs, clothing, housing, stipends, children schools, etc

Interval House is among the many outstanding family-friendly homes that provide emergency shelters. I happen to be a donor and was invited to a reception. There are Muslims victims and staff there. Help and love is needed for these generous and professional management folks at the downtown Victorian-style residence. I presented my recent book on Intimacy to the organisers in hope my tiny contribution will remind these sisters that Islam is love and grants you your dignity and the right for fulfillment despite what the cruel other says. There are approximately 14000 cases reported in Brampton and 25000 in Toronto yearly.

Grace on the hill invites Imam to join prayer

An evening of such silence, prayer and lots of good food greeted attendees of the Grace on the Hill Interfaith service. The church is managed by the Anglican Archdiocese and was built around 1874 in the upscale Forest Hill neighbourhood.

The coordinator Bryan Beauchamp warmly welcomed his guests and even provided a room for the Magrib prayer. Imam Habeeb delivered the end prayer and intercession in the form of sura Fatiha and the an English supplication reminding all that we serve the God Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad prayed to. The evening ended with halal/ kosher food in the parish hall with lots of warm tea and questions on Islam and Judaism from Christian participants. This is a great country!

The Archbishop’s Dinner held at Metro convention centre.

The elegantly dressed gentleman wearing maroon robes, hanging all the way to his feet, and a topee-like cap with a cross necklace, smiling with his guests, as they photo in the foyer of the impressive Metro Convention Center is His Grace, Archbishop Thomas Collins. He is greeting the 1600 attendees from the one million members of his Catholic Archdiocese in Toronto at the 32^nd annual dinner. This was starred by a Cardinal in order to have politicians, business people and the clergy sit at the same table and raise awareness of poverty, etc. To date the charity ball has raised 6 millions dollars for various shelters, food banks, and social justice organisations. On the interfaith table were Rabbis, Reverends from other denominations and Imams- all invited by the famous personality in Interfaith circles Father Damian Macpherson. Halal and kosher meals were prepared in advance for the special guests. This is Canada’s largest dinner doing the things of large hearted people for large causes! As the Archbishop said in his key note address that in the Bishops retreat in Rome they avoid the media for a one week and reflect deeper of who they are – they are trained to not be afraid but deepen what you are and deeply care about your faith as in the past people use to love people and use things but now it’s the opposite.

Habitat for Humanity held Faith leaders build

Muslims are receiving interest-free housing at Habitat for Humanity various locations and they just repay the principal for market rated, newly built homes. This is a project of love for humanity, and every year we take pride in volunteering faith leaders to help build those homes. It’s a hard one to crack given the indifference the Muslim community has shown to his initiative. Imam Habeeb has invited other Imams and others to join. The donation is at least 150.00 per volunteer and this year he Noor Cultural centre had representatives building along side Rabbis and Pastors. Imam Slimi had a crew of 25 volunteers earlier before he went on Hajj. When 25% of the recipients are Muslims and when this is near Islamic financing then the response should be greater from Muslims knowing that each recipient must give 500 volunteers hours in order to qualify, says Lina a hijab volunteer and lawyer helping the cameras and hammer that day! She shares the concern Muslim recipients have aired!

http://www.habitatforhumanity.ca/

Seniors are our treasures

The many issues seniors face are ever present in our minds as the baby boomer population quickly rises. What to do with seniors living alone or even living with others but that have poor travelling and language skills, feel alienated from their culture, etc. Like many, NAMF runs a seniors program every Tuesday at the NAMF location at Midland and Finch Scarborough. Among the activities are presentations from various health and city related agencies, religious education and potluck lunch with many outings. The team recently went to Algoma park North pass Sudbury and enjoyed the fall colours at the Love Inn!

Habeeb Alli recently presented to them the intricacies of Hajj and Qurbani and took their many questions that borders between culture and religion on matters of the same. There is among many cultural senior groups the Indo Caribbean Golden Age that caters for both cultural and religious needs of seniors through their various functions. They too want to ensure Muslims are properly catered for and invited Habeeb Alli to enlighten them on this recently at Agincourt Centre.

Thanks for all you do for our mothers and fathers and we would need the same some day.

BALLET OF LOVE

I went to an awesome ballet last night


Where Chinese performers

Dexterously charade to the tune

Of a forlorn love story



In beautiful paces

Standing on toes

They enthralled the crowd

With passionate expressions



What love could be

What trials it brings

On those laces of flawless execution

The stage was mesmerizing



With 3d snowflakes and fall leaves

The prince eventually marries the girl!

After 20 years of scenic life stories

The music serenades all



Soothing Chinese ballads

A spa for the soul

Tears flow quietly

Such is the life of romance



It comes and with it some guests

With tiny gifts only the dreamers could see!

Return of a snowy night

At Sony



Is a deeper resonance

Of each lovers' tale carries inner beauty

Smoothly breathtaking

It leaves you wanting more!
 
 

Wedding Poem- Becks and Rajnesh!

Becky and Rajesh

Married on this summer day

Two Canadian West Indians

Falling in love like ripe mango throw away

This doubles and phoulouri’

Cascado and hassar

This twin islands of affection

Devoted to God such is true attraction

The sweetness of Rebecca

The depth of Rajesh

Why not be garlanded by flowers

Petals and sequins for a lifetime treasures

It’s rare to be in this world alone

But it’s not always easy not to be lonely

So when love knocks at your door

Don’t say no for that’s Allah’s unpaid blessing for sure

Khan and Rajaram children

You have not lost your son nor daughter

But gained one from each other

This is the chutney of life you never pay for

So Imtiaz and Rebecca

Remember from today

You’re no longer kids

Fear God and you’ll be more beautiful everyday!

OCT REPORTS OF EVENTS ATTENDED IN TORONTO

Canadian Council of Imams and Interfaith Involvement.

19/09/2011

Habeeb Alli

Secretary

CCI

I was asked recently at a conference on Interfaith hosted by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation about the Council of Imams and their Interfaith involvement and challenges.

This was a national conference. The many invitees included a Professor from Montréal University who is the Chair of Islam and Pluralism. Those in attendance were from the widest back grounds of multiculturalism and Interfaith work across Canada.

People were amazed how an organisation without an official budget and secretariat and one that works with volunteer Imams can do so much for the past 20 years!

I explained that apart from training Imams on the Canadian context and answering policy papers for all three layers of the government, while responding to issues on the media, Interfaith work is integral to the Council. As per se we have Dr Imam Abdul Hai as the official Interfaith Director and Dr Mohamed Al Nadvi who sits on the Forces Interfaith Committee with a number of Imams who are permanent members for many Interfaith committees and initiatives.

Among the programs I mentioned are Habitat for Humanity, Canadian Blood Services, Ontario Trillium Gift of Life Organ Donations, One Match Bone Marrow Transplant, MDGs of United Nations, Education on AIDS and HIV, Canadian International Peace Project, World Religions Parliament, National Muslim Christian Dialogue, Opening the Courts, Interfaith trip to Jerusalem and Turkey, Mayor’s Breakfast with Toronto Area Interfaith Council and Meeting with His Holiness Dalai Lama, Twining of Mosques and Synagogues for last four years, Ontario Multi Faith Council and Chaplaincy Services at Prisons, Hospitals and Universities, Interfaith Dialogues on various issues including 911 anniversary services, Muslim Certificate Program discussions with main stream Universities, working with alliance against Poverty and homelessness, school visits to Muslim places of worship, talking on issues with Mosaic at Rogers TV and Vision TV Programs, member of the OIKOS environmental movement, social justice groups like Pro Life, etc. Membership with International Bodies like World Interfaith Council, etc.

I know these are no way close to the immense other projects, programs and events the members of the Council are part of. However, this gives an insight into the involvement and the Canadian context the Council brings to Islam for the better Canada and the relevance of Islam in the 21^st Century.

So how shall we cross these challenges and still remain relevant for the next decade is the question of the hour.

Q 9:94 They will present their excuses to you when you return to them. Say thou: "Present no excuses: we shall not believe you: Allah has already informed us of the true state of matters concerning you: It is your actions that Allah and His Messenger will observe: in the end will you be brought back to Him Who knows what is hidden and what is open: then will He show you the truth of all that you did."

ISACR hosts press conference on poverty


Ontario elections are here. But what are the main platforms? For years ISARC-Interfaith Coalition Against poverty has been at Queens park to remind the politicians of their duty to reduce poverty. I attended a press conference where Jews, Christians Muslims stood at the United Church lawns last Thursday morning in downtown Toronto and placed the lawn signs in black and white reminding the world that Poverty Free Ontario is critical whilst voting. All faiths hold the poor dear and have institutions to make poverty history. Imam Hamid Slimi reminded us that it’s the duty of those in power to reduce this disgraceful situation of thousands of poor Ontarians given the wealth of the land. ISARC has been doing lots more outreach since the new Executive Director joined last year- Michael Skaljin. www.isarc.ca

Muslims host Eid dinners for inmates

Eid is not only for the free. Those incarcerated are fortunate in Canada to have great religious accommodations and Eid celebrations are part of that. This year I organised Eid inside some of the intuitions taking in some hot and spicy beef curry and dahlpuri roti, so a sense of diversity celebration could be experienced by the Muslims serving times as well as some of their colleagues. The Keel Half way house and Brampton hallway house have been very grateful for this experience. Father Harry Nigh was very supportive and loving in partaking with the dinner and saying universal grace. The celebration of Eid in the Muslim world includes all neighbours and goes on for days but in Toronto we still have Eid dinners in the mosques for weeks. So this has been so encouraging given the good news that some of the men and women who have accepted Islam in prison are out and doing well with their Islam; finding jobs, going back to school, reunited with their families and enrolling in their community colleges. The challenges of reintegration for inmates are immense and with such community dinners the opportunities to visit them and interact with others is crucial for a safer Canada. Imam Yasin Dwyer is doing also wonderful job in Kingston area organising Eid dinners and he travels from far. They are others volunteering in the communities and we wish to extend to them our heartiest Eid greetings.

Ahl Bayt hosts Eid dinner

This is an annual ritual. Muslims from around GTA, officials and Interfaith leaders joined the AhlBayt community for  a sumptuous dinner,. This year event at the Woodbine Banquet hall  Sunday evening was specially honoured with the recognition of Ghulam Sajan many decades of outstanding interfaith and community service. A well deserved award. Ghulam has worked assiduously over the many years to build bridges in the communities and despite his recent ailment he has not stopped to fundraised for the poor children in Africa and reach out to all in the communities. The comedian Jaffer Mohamed was in the house entertaining all in loud laughter using his voice skills. Greetings from a number of political and interfaith leaders were part of the evening.

NAMF hosts Interfaith forum on homelessness.

People standing on downtown traffic lights or in Scarborough ramps asking for help. They even accept Visa and MasterCard!

How do you view the homeless? What does the religions say and are doing to solve the 150000 plus homeless Ontarians.

Senator Hugh Seagal was very vocal and strategic in giving insight to to many government policy about homelessness and he referred to Imam Habeeb’s message of self dignity and human respect for homeliness. Many speakers including Shaikh Ala Sayed from ISNA spoke about the importance of building houses of the homeless as well as those living in deplorable conditions- some 1 out of every 5 are suffering and the need of homes for inmates returning to the community that is conducive to their culture and religions was many times sited. Many groups are doing a wonderful job providing services for mental health and drug addictions under one roof. Habitat For Humanity is helping many Muslims acquire homes on interest free mortgages and support for their initiative is crucial. The partners of this imitative was between NAMF, Multifaith Alliance Against homelessness with the St Augustinian Centre for Social Justice. The event was held at the Multi faith Centre, U of T. The need to have more Muslims attending Interfaith events and organising is crucial.

26/09/2011

OCTOBER

Habeeb Alli

Muslims celebrated two days of Eid at Ontario Place

While Eid was celebrated on two days this year in GTA many Muslims were pleased to find that Ontario Place summer event for Muslims was quite convenient. It allowed Muslims to observe Eid prayers and fun with their families on either days or even both!

With United Muslims putting on the event every year this year was unique on two fronts- its was the 40^th Anniversary so passes were free. It was always two days event so Ontario Place agreed with organiser Omar Kalair to have it on Tuesday and Wednesday. The tickets were reasonable and was meant for the rides and movies. Almost two thousand Muslims participated and prayer were lead on both days by different Khateebs. The movie Arabia in3 Max was shown along with good food was on sale. This event will continue once summer and Ramadan coincides!

Somalia crisis moves all

A number of events were organised during Ramadan and after, even at Ontario Place Eid prayers to help the millions affected by the worse drought in the region’s history. NAMF had Mr Farouk Khan and others working on the ground during Ramadan, He said it was quite dangerous- travelling to the Kenya capital Nairobi, organising the purchase of materials and trucking it to the border at Camp Dabab in order to feed the hungry. He saw dying people, people begging for water, people fighting for food and thousands of refuges waiting placement in the camps. Muslims and all others responded generously towards this humanitarian crisis and continues to do so. Among the donors towards the NAMF operations is the Islamic Foundation and Masjid Daruslam.

Muslim cemetery opens

Muslims now have their own place for a cemetery thanks to the good works of a Jewish entrepreneur and some Muslims in the Sunni and Shia communities. Last Sunday was the ground breaking ceremony and friends of both communities were present. Karen Mock, a  hard worker for peace, commented that she saw this a great stride in building bridges as we are not only together when alive but after death! This is Richmond Hill area and can serve some 20 000 Muslims!

Jack Layton funeral was mourned by Muslims

I sat in the Church next to the Roy Thomson hall and became part of history. Jacl Layton was given a celebratory funeral and he was sent off in state funeral style- a rare but deserving respect for a man who worked hard for Muslims and all minorities. He helped the Madina Masjid as it is in his riding. Last Friday Muslims gathered at the Pakistan community centre at Gerard ST Toronto to pay respect to this dear man, Jack.

I read this poem and Olivia  Chow and Michael Layton expressed their sincere gratitude.

Jack you lay before us
A ton of memories riveting
From July 18, 1950 – August 22, 2011
The dash is dashing yet sad!

An indefatigable defense of the poor
An unstoppable voice for the voiceless
You made Muslims feel belonged
You stood up against apartheid far and wide

It’s the love story that my eye catches
Twenty six years and still blushing
Where do you find the passion?
I know now- love more than anger!

Somehow Summer 2011 will forever etched
As Ramadan’s breeze overwhelm
A snowbird departs hopeful of the green shower
That the cane dropped, smiling, so reminiscent of Solomon!

Holy Trinity Church hosted 911 ceremony

I spoke at the Holy trinity Toronto about lighting a candle of love and not sending hate messages tot eh word. I was delighted to have some Muslim friends and family present and the kind words of praise for the message and solidarity with Muslims who have suffered during this decade of fear were expressed deeply by members of the church. This is the church that Jack Layton attended.

I read poem there. This poem was written for a similar events hosted by Imam Slimi Masjid in Mississauga.

Decade of Fear

Decade of repair

Tragic act

Memories still intact

How do you not fear?

Traveling you get the stare

In jury box

Islam sits judged and that sucks!

But you can be the victim

Crying foul until end of time

Or you can light a candle

With enlightened acts like Sayyida Khatija Centre

Awake oh Muslims of Canada

Your destiny is safe as in Madina

Islamicism maybe extremism

But extremism is not Islam or any of ism.

Tribute to Ustad Bagh Khan

U- You
S-Shall
T-Teach
A-Always
D-Deen


Ustad you're gone but not away
You rsmiles are here
Your rememberance is just felt everywhere
Your legacy without end.

Half a century and more
From Leguan to Stabroek
From Queenstown to Imdadul
The love of Rasoolollah you emphasized.

Healthy and young
I would ask you your secret
And that Heavenly smile replies
Allah and Love of His Prophet

So I mourn not your lost
I think you deserve O Teacher of Scholars
A standing ovation, for you're my hero
And must be given a celebratory send off

Simplified Arabic
Thoughtful pondering
On the words of the Quran
Never mind the differences

Respect you constantly taught
That's the legacy
By which the globe will remember you by
Ustad, the man of the heart!

Book Launch.

MEDIA Advisory
 
Toronto, ON - August 22nd, 2011- Meet accomplished author, Habeeb Alli
on Wednesday,  September 21st,2011 from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at UIA,
#2-2570 Haines Rd, Mississauga, ON.
 
His new book, "Intimacy and the Sacred - In Muslim Communities" talks
about sexuality and what the Quran and Hadith have to say about it.
 
"Oftentimes, as Muslims, we are unsure about what is halal, or sinful
with regards to romance, marriage, and sexuality. These issues have
become ever more cogent in this post-modern era where practices such
as dating, and multiple partnering have become normalized. Habeeb
Alli's Intimacy and the Sacred in Muslim Communities clarifies,
educates, and explains these very pressing matters. He shows that
Islam is far from being a ‘prudish' religion, as it is viewed in some
quarters, and has in fact consistently elaborated upon these topics in
core Islamic literature. His training in the East and living in the
West brings a unique Canadian context to the subject as can be seen on
http://www.allexperts.com/ep/947-69836/Islam/Imam-Habeeb.htm".
 
The evening will include short readings and the opportunity to
personally meet the author and purchase signed copies of his book.
 
Intimacy and the Sacred in Muslim Communities is now available in
e-book and paperback formats from the publisher, Iuniverse at
1-800-AUTHORS (288-4677), the author's website at
www.muslimsincanada.ca and all major online retailers.
 
About the Author
Mr. Habeeb Alli is a scholar, author, poet and educator. He pursued
his graduate studies in India after completing Queen's College in
Guyana. He returned to Guyana after graduating with his Masters in
Islam and Arabic Language, along with a diploma in Journalism. He
resides in Toronto with his family. Shaikh Habeeb has authored
thirteen books on Islam and poetry and continues to teach and present
contemporary Islam to Canadians.
 
Mr. Alli is a member of the Canadian Council of Muslim Theologians,
Secretary of the Canadian Council of Imams, Governor at the Canadian
International Peace Project, and Executive at the Canadian Guyanese
Writers Association.
 
The author can be contacted for speaking engagements or permissions
through A. Rycman at 416-431-2244 or email habeebbooks@gmail.com.
 
###

Poem on 911 10th Anniversary

Decade of Fear

Decade of repair

Trajic act

Memories still intact

How do you not fear?

Traveling you get the stare

In jury box

Islam sits judged and that sucks!

But you can be the victim

Crying foul until end of time

Or you can light a candle

With enlightened acts like Sayyida Khatija Centre

Awake oh Muslims of Canada

Your destiny is safe as in Madina

Islamicism maybe extremism

But extremism is not Islam or any of ism.

Recited at the Centre's Eid dinner.

Eid greetings.

Dear Editor

Allow me to share Eid sentiments as we close this year’s Ramadan.

I must say with elections coming up you are more keen to learn what Muslims may have learn from this month of self discipline.

I would like to reiterate that the same mannerisms displayed during this month should allow us enough fuel to serve and participate in the upcoming elections with honesty, lack of violence and true patriotism.

Muslims have learnt that during the fasting hours they must not swear nor lie, they must not back bite nor cheat and their fast will be much more sacred if they give alms and attend the mosque. Let this spirit of brotherhood be realized in this country as we take on another impactful but necessary event in our blessed democratic nation. As you can see what we are enjoying right now thanks to the blood, sweat and tears of our ancestors others are giving up lives and wealth for in other parts.

The tragic famine in the Horn of Africa should also remind us, that with zakat and feeding a fasting person so easily done in Ramadan, this selflessness must remain with us throughout, as we too had our fair share of deprivation in our past history. While people walk for hours for water, we now have running taps. While mothers cannot bury their dead, fathers cannot find their sons, we do have ours a text away. Let’s see each other as brothers and sisters. Love more than anger is the legacy of the successful, as the late Canadian Jack Layton said.

I would like to remind our people that hope and love abide in the veins of Guyanese. When I was home recently I witnessed it again as much as I always referenced the diversity of Guyana as the true model of harmonious living. One late night on my way from Berbice, I had a double tire puncture in ECD. With the fear and phobia one can only imagine how much prayer must have gone in our minds! The savior of our calamity was a man and his girlfriend of African descent. You can well imagine what the headlines of such a story could be!

Africans and Indians are humans. They are the fathers of our nation alike. They are our teachers and neighbors. They are our families and friends. They deserve a better tomorrow. Maybe Gandhi’s new born Anna Hazare can find resonance in Guyana- that the faith leaders and the social conscious people need to remind all, once again- we will not take it – no Satanic racist will exploit our pure thoughts for a few votes. Never again!



Happy Eid!
Safe School! Peaceful Voting!
Yours truly,
Habeeb Alli

Tribute to late Jack layton Canada

Habeeb Alli
25/08/2011
In memory of Jack Layton, Canada’s Opposition Leader.


“Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great.”
Mark Twain

Jack you lay before us
A ton of memories riveting
From July 18, 1950 – August 22, 2011
The dash is dashing yet sad!

An indefatigable defense of the poor
An unstoppable voice for the voiceless
You made Muslims feel belonged
You stood up against apartheid far and wide

It’s the love story that my eye catches
Twenty six years and still blushing
Where do you find the passion?
I know now- love more than anger!

Somehow Summer 2011 will forever etched
As Ramadan’s breeze overwhelm
A snowbird departs hopeful of the green shower
That the cane dropped, smiling, so reminiscent of Solomon!

Domestic violence against men is violence against all.

Domestic violence against men is violence against all.


Allow me to join in the discussion about domestic violence against men.

I have for many years fought against this scourge and sickness in Guyana and Canada. Although I write from an Islamic perspective, I have realised that this issue is across all divides. Hence to name this gender based violence is appropriate.

There are too many stories of silent abuse, silent treatment, sexual deprivation, hurt, end of life and a series of emotional and physical troubles such unmitigated domestic reaction cause.

Women are the major victims of domestic violence. Too afraid or ashamed to talk about it they live in hellish silence most of their lives. They react and while the tongue is stronger than the sword even the sword becomes worse than the words when ‘lashing out’ is all they know. Lives are lost. Children and parents suffer.

I know of men shelters that salvage men. In an American Stats out of100 domestic violence situations approximately 40 cases involve violence by women against men.

It’s hard to be a man. Men are more sensitive than women. There is some truth to this.

However, my appeal is for men to talk. Talk to your buddy. Talk to a friend. Talk to an Imam /Pastor/Pundit. Talk to the helpline or online helper.

The Caribbean men have been known to inherit the red herring of slavery and enslavement. It’s hard for them to open up to their hurts, share their innermost feelings and love unconditionally.

To rally around non toxic friends is crucial. It’s better to separate than live in misery. The pursuit of happiness is the inalienable right of every human.

I have seen the lost of closed ones because the husband could not take it anymore. I have sat with men serving time because it was too much to bear. I have walked and prayed with brothers who are broken and making bad choices daily. My meagre spiritual path allows me entry to some very private but gruesome life stories. I spoke at an International Conference on Chaplaincy recently reminding the caregivers of the hopeless that the God of Hope is who we serve.

There must be a way. In Guyana the drinking houses have served as the default men-therapy-clinic for a long time. But that itself needs therapy. The ERC and others must call on the government to fund hotlines and social workers to help men to men up! A National hotline with text and online chat should be advertised as this is very important. I have seen active listening telephone therapy saved thousands in North America.

I think a workshop series training religious leaders to deal with this is crucial as they are among the first go-to-persons in cases of social breakdown. But how equipped are they?

Prayers and practical steps can do wonders but only if willingness and courage are their hang-out buddies!
“Domestic violence damages the prospects for economic and social development of every country, not just the lives of the victims” (CAFRA).

Quran 7:199 "Hold to forgiveness; command what is right; But turn away from the ignorant."

Yours truly,

Habeeb Alli

Father's day- some thing thoughtful!

June is remembered as Enmore Martyrs day in Guyana. It’s also Father’s day. The sacrifice fathers endure on behalf of their children is no less than the martyrdom the five Enmoreans underwent on behalf of their country in the fight against imperialism. It’s as significant and civilly acceptable as the Arab Spring presently demonstrates, albeit some peculiar cases.

I hope that in the wake of continued battle for the electorate’s support we don’t miss the essence of this critical aspect of our history. Just as Walter Rodney and others were gifted historical eminence in this month, many years ago, leaving a light of hope against tyranny, the words of Asma Mahfooz of Egypt resonate similar platitudes of hope. ‘That if I should think there is no hope there will be no hope but if I should take a stand there will be hope.’

Yes, I can! The embryo of Faith is hope. Hope that one day the wicked will be brought to justice. The hope that one day the single father will be repaid. The hope that hope will keep up in order to repair the wrong, to love the unloved and to seek reconciliation among the conflicted.

This month internationally is also Restorative Justice. Reading about the inadequacies in the prison system reminds us that this concept of restoring balance in real justice is so much needed. This system affords many victims and offenders to discuss what happened rather than why it happened and to seek ways to repair the damage and ask for forgiveness.

I met a man at a conference in Peterborough, ON, Canada recently who spoke about his journey of forgiveness. He left home when he was a teenager because he could no longer take the incessant and cruel beatings of his father and thereby the lack of focus on school. He subsequently spent most of his life in the streets and in the pen. One day he received a call from his mother saying his father died. He was most disappointed; not that he died but he did not hear ‘I’m sorry’ from the man who birthed him but failed him. He was hurting from an abusive father. He lived out that abuse and not until recently was he able to forgive his own father.

The act of restorative justice education gained him that insight that when you forgive your perpetrator you relieve your soul of a lifetime burden.

This is the story that may apply to many. Among the endless list are pain from betrayal; the hurt of physical and sexual abuse; the innocent sentencing; the wrongful shooting of alleged criminality; the sold out of voters’ trust, etc. While God has not given up on us by sending new babies everyday we seem to give up on man by judging each other daily.

The bouquet of appreciation that father’s may truly respect is respect for their feelings and their legacy. Regardless of how bad a father he is, he is still the source of one’s birth. Regardless of how much one tries to be the best nurturer and friend of ones’ child there will always be one who is better and more successful than you. Therefore it’s the sincerity that counts; that you are a father because of God’s command. You love your father because that is the rightful divine thing to do. Thank you God, for my father! Thanks Mom for my father!

In conclusion I take lessons from Prophet Jacob as a remarkable father of Biblical and Quranic reference. When Jacob lost his son Joseph/Yusuf he cried for forty years. Yes men do cry! He wallowed in grieve over his missed and beloved little Joseph more than you can think. The worse is he knew intuitively that jealousy of his sons caused him this lost. However, after a life time there was reconciliation. Joseph forgave his brothers and rejoined them with his father!

Like father like son! Is that what most fathers want? Is that what most sons and daughters remember about their daddies? What’s your legacy is yours; no matter how meagre it may seem it’s still yours.

Quran 17:23 Thy Lord hath decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour.

Parenting- how to balance restrictions and trust.

Parenting- how to balance restrictions and trust.

Parenting is not a new concept but it seems odd to many that a person can have a PHd in parenting these days. Given the importance of training one’s children properly, both for the secular world as well as the needs of an Islamic personality then learning about parenting becomes essential. But who knows better?

The famous adage that it takes a village to raise a child holds true. Many parents these days will tell you that for them to enjoy some good positive characteristics they display today are because of some tough love their parents and their neighbours imparted. While I don’t condone beating it’s not hidden that physical discipline was part of the routine!

Nowadays children are more open to society. As much as they know the rules of good behaviours and haram activities they are challenged by friends to cross those limits.

The Quran reminds us that parents have a trust when it comes to raising their children. It also reminds us that crossing those boundaries is a transgression in the eyes of Allah.

8:28 And know ye that your possessions and your progeny are but a trial; and that it is Allah with Whom lies your highest reward.


How do you ensure a balance.

2:187 Those are Limits (set by) Allah. Approach not nigh thereto. Thus doth Allah make clear His Signs to men: that they may learn self-restraint.

I conduct a weekly session with youths and issues. Our open talk and non judgmental attitude makes them ask the most intimate questions and allows others to debate the pros and cons. Sometimes it’s the listening that matters most than the reminder or the lecture.

The story of the youths during pre-Islamic period of Bani Israel is very telling. These were boys who were full at their game but were more conscious than many pious souls today. They believed in Allah and rejected the idol worship of the present day King. The result was devastating. It’s like what’s happening in the Arab Spring right now. They resisted through peaceful means. This is the concept that freed India from the clutches of British colonialism and was expounded by no other than Mahatma Gandhi- a student of Prophet Muhammad, on whom be peace.

Those in the above mentioned verse were believing youths of Bani Israel who took refuge in a cave and was followed by a dog. Later awoken to find they were hungry. After sending one of their companions to buy bread the others fell asleep again for good. The shop keeper realised that this coin is from that era some three hundred years go when the King reigned over the Believers. He was now living in a time where the Kind believed in God and the people didn’t. He so badly needed a proof. So the story of seven sleepers and the cave became his living proof that there is life after death and there is a living God!

18:13 We relate to thee their story in truth: they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We advanced them in guidance:

The vast majority of Muslims are youths- some 65% and parents must understand that children grow soon around age 12 to have a sense of autonomy and that is where being their friend is more important than being their boss! I met someone who said that her father told her after thirty years that he was wrong not to trust her judgement as to who to fall in love with. She suffered immensely because of his misjudgement!

This balance between trust and restriction is vital in training students and nurturing one’s children.

It’s the concept of Taqwa that the Quran refers to. Where you are conscious of Allah wherever you are, without need to feel you are policed constantly or having to report hour by hour! Inmates out on parole have to do that and even so they report maybe twice a week or are traced electronically but they are free to work, school and travel within certain boundaries and timings every day.

2:197 Whatever good ye do, (be sure) Allah knoweth it. And take a provision (With you) for the journey, but the best of provisions is right conduct. So fear Me, o ye that are wise.

The fundamental consciousness of morality and values is ingrained into a child’s psyche like a stone carved and ingrained from inception. Rain and sunshine, wind and snow do not destroy those writings. That is why until today we can read and understand hieroglyphics. Once a person knows how to swim or cycle they do not forget. I have met so many people who learnt Islam in childhood from their parents or from the madressa and then left Islam. However, at a later stage in life when they realised they need to go back to their roots and return to Allah these teachings were there to assist them. They did not forget the prayers or mannerisms and they talked proudly of the values and even defended those teachings in some of the most unbecoming places. I met one person such who lived in a foster home and then a half way house and later he lived in a shelter but throughout that time he recite sura fatiha and remembers how to make wudu. I recently read of man who was on the streets homeless. He had to share a sandwich one day with his partner. It was the last pennies available to get a meal. However, when he realised the sandwich was not a veggie burger but a bacon meal he refused his half. This act of self preservation even in such dire straits made is non-Muslim partner think about it for years after and this lead him into accepting Islam, when he became settled and successful in life. So the noor and light that Allah places in one’s heart out of Iman and Faith is dynamic. It lives through battles but nothing extinguishes it. This is the self responsibility I tell clients about, parents and students to hold true and young lovers to abide by.


9:32 Fain would they extinguish Allah's light with their mouths, but Allah will not allow but that His light should be perfected, even though the Unbelievers may detest (it).

Placing curfew timings on teenagers, placing passwords on computers and leaving computers in the open hall while checking cell phone bills and a host of other disciplinary restrictions do help. The fear of the law, the worry of traffic laws and the scare of police patrols all help to make people stay in line. But stricter the government smarter the population. If you will not allow for hiccups and violations there will be no need for courts, prisons and lawyers! Life is not a straight road. There are five fingers to the every hand. So God allows for these mistakes because he wants to forgive us. He wants to teach us forgiveness he wants to let us know what it means to love and hurt, be good and bad and what it means to be close to Him and far.

3:135 And those who, having done something to be ashamed of, or wronged their own souls, earnestly bring Allah to mind, and ask for forgiveness for their sins,- and who can forgive sins except Allah.- and are never obstinate in persisting knowingly in (the wrong) they have done.

I have seen men cry in prison and women weep in the pen. Why? One can repent anywhere. The heart can be touched anywhere and anytime. But penance and repentance is the objective of having a penitentiary. Here is where reflection and resolution happens. So don’t judge those that make mistakes. They have a life and heart too. And Allah is there for every one.

I was asked by one student about going out to his friends’ birthday party. His parents don’t want him to. He knows he will not drink alcohol and he knows that other parents will be there too. The views in my class differed immensely. It made me think that in life there is not one rule for every situation and not all Muslims think alike. It’s about self control and trusting your child now so that when he or she is way from you studying or living alone they will do the right thing. I wonder sometimes at parents who ask that I help finding a girl or boy for their grown ups. But these very parents while praising the beauty and character of their children will not allow them to see a potential suitor in public by themselves. They would not trust them to talk to someone equally conscious and self confident! This is the lack of balance.

24:62 Only those are believers, who believe in Allah and His Messenger. when they are with him on a matter requiring collective action, they do not depart until they have asked for his leave; those who ask for thy leave are those who believe in Allah and His Messenger. so when they ask for thy leave, for some business of theirs, give leave to those of them whom thou wilt, and ask Allah for their forgiveness: for Allah is Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful.

There is no doubt that the environment is infectious and poisonous and these days it’s not physical but mental thanks to the internet access everywhere and rebellious thoughts. However, a person can be in Mecca and do bad things and a person can be in Georgetown and do pious things. It’s the matter of creating positive activities, alternative programs and cultures that answer to the social and entertainment values of our youths that is crucial. Whether these are educational debates or social networking events, excursions and or concerts of nasheeds they need to constantly create alternative so the boredom so much available in our youths is not exploited by evil doers. The power of the youth is immense- they made up a third of the Companions and they are the leaders of tomorrow. They can be trusted with the freedom to think and the power of faith or left to the dungeons of restrictions and fear only to suffer their self worth and self growth in the process. As Umar bin Khattab used to say I fear the person’s Islam who don’t experience Jahilliya! And as Khalil Gibran rightly put it you made them but not their minds! So trust in Allah and check on them!