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 21st 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
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 40th 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!
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.
