Saturday 30 March 2013

CLIMBING CN TOWER WITH CIVIC MUSLIMS.CA


  • http://www.civicmuslims.ca/event/cntowerclimb-april2013/




    Habeeb, thanks for registering for 23rd Annual Canada Life CN Tower Climb - Youth Group Climb Page for WWF-Canada!‏

1:01 PM
To hab2u@hotmail.com
Dear Habeeb,

Thanks for registering to join us at the Public Climb on April 27, 2013! Your participation in this fundraising event will go a long way in helping WWF-Canada in achieving conservation victories on your behalf.

Please keep this e-mail as a confirmation of your registration.

o You have registered for the Public Climb on Saturday, April 27, 2013.
o Climbers under the age of 18 years of age must submit a hard copy of the Waiver signed by a parent/guardian on the day of the event in order to climb.
o Event day check-in opens at 6:00 a.m. Please ask your Large Group Leader for your designated group check-in time.
o The Climb begins in the Rogers Centre at Gate 8.
o All climbers must check-in and collect their time card prior to climbing.
o ALL CLIMBERS must arrive and be checked-in by 10:00 a.m. to climb.

You are encouraged to collect and submit pledges online, on or before the event day. All climbers must raise a minimum of $75 to climb. All climbers will receive a FREE event T-shirt and a chance to get exciting fundraising prizes. Check out www.wwf.ca/cntowergroups2013 for prize info, fundraising tips and other great tools to prepare you for the climb!

You're now ready to invite others to sponsor your climb by sending them an e-mail from your personal fundraising dashboard.

https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/startup.aspx?eid=107378&langpref=en-CA

Your username is: habeeb

The link to your personal fundraising page is:
http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=1784598

Remember, the more you fundraise the better you empower WWF to achieve conservation victories on your behalf.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact our Group Coordinator Kamil Alam, at kalam@wwfcanada.org or 416-489-4567 ext. 7336

Thanks again for your support!

WWF-Canada Climb Team

WHAT IS CHAPLAINCY?


WHAT IS CHAPLAINCY?

Chaplaincy originally is a term coined by Christian pastors serving the wounded in battle centuries ago and nowadays it refers to the Religious & spiritual-caregiver service to any person, whether they are patients in a hospital, inmates incarcerated in any prison, soldiers in an army, employees in workplace or students attending University.

Chaplaincy has grown to become an accredited profession with necessary credentials required to serve those vulnerable within the laws of the nation as well as the respective authentic tradition the Chaplain represents. A chaplain may facilitate persons of other religious persuasions by arranging to have the Representative attend to the needs of the person in need through a mutually respectful and knowledge based process.

WHY DO MUSLIMS NEED A CHAPLAIN IN THE PRISON?

In Canada there has always been Catholic and Protestant Chaplains, providing religious and spiritual care to the inmates. In the history of some prisons the pastors were the wardens because they saw the need to reform the inmates through religious teachings and hence established their own institutions.  

Chaplaincy in Federal Prisons:

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, paragraph 2(a), guarantees everyone the fundamental freedom of conscience and religion.

The importance of the spiritual dimension of life is also incorporated in the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, Sections 75 and 83, and in Regulations 98 and 101, stated as follows:
Sections 75 – An inmate is entitled to reasonable opportunities to freely and openly participate in, and express, religion or spirituality, subject to such reasonable limits as are proscribed for protecting the security of the penitentiary or the safety of persons".
Correction Canada employs Chaplains for Federal Institutions, outsourced to Faith communities, based on number of Inmates. Contracts are given to Faith communities to serve the religious and spiritual needs of the Inmates. For every 175 Inmates, one full time Chaplain is available.

Provincial:

Chaplaincy service in Ontario is delivered differently. Institutions are responsible to hire full and Part time Chaplains. Ministry of Community and Social Services until last year had a department for Chaplaincy Services. Through this department, under an Memorandum of Agreement(MOA) signed in 1991 with Ontario Multifaith Council (OMC), provided core funding with a mandate to ensure access to religious and spiritual care in Institutions.

OMC, a 33 year old organization with 30 Faith communities as members, has been actively fulfilling this mandate by helping to meet the religious and spiritual needs of the Inmates in Jails and Hospitals and Senior Homes. OMC is seen as authority on faith matters, by the various level of Government, Employers in public and private sector, Schools, Colleges and Universities.

As of March 31, Government of Ontario will no longer provide funding for OMC. Faith communities are asked to deliver chaplaincy service at their own expense. Since Number of Hospitals have closed the Chaplaincy Office in the last two years. 

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MUSLIM FEDERAL CHAPLAINS?
The Federal prison system has established over thirty years ago an Interfaith Chaplaincy Committee to attend to the needs of other religious denominations. Across Canada many Imams have served as Muslim chaplains, mostly part time and with a growing Muslim inmate population - almost 6%- there is a need to provide for every 150 Muslim inmate one full time chaplain. With the inmate population in Ontario alone growing towards 25% of inmates being Muslims, there is a need for two full time chaplains, presently represented by one full time and two part times. The Provincial prison system has had volunteer chaplains from the Muslim community under the auspices of  Ontario Multi-faith Council. With the ending of funding to the Council that service will soon be disrupted. Federal Prison chaplains are represented in the national body of Interfaith Chaplains by one Imam, who along with other Chaplains are members of the Canadian Council of Imams. The Federal Chaplaincy for Muslims will continue, however, the challenge is to serve the Inmates even if the funding dries up and provide needed items and programs for which there is no funding.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TASKS THE CHAPLAINS PERFORM?
Chaplains perform the accreditation of Islamic teachings through correct literature and classes, ensuring halal meal is provided, provide guidance for Iftar and Sohoor in Ramadan, attest to the new Muslims shahadah, lead the prayers of Juma and Eid, provide all necessary items for worship and education, ensure radicalized thoughts are counteracted, provide service to all denominations of Islam and other faiths is required, answer questions on Islam to new Muslims, provide support for parole, attend meetings and conferences about enhancing Chaplaincy in the diversity paradigm and ensure their presence are felt and a secured environment is maintained at all times.


WHAT ITEMS DO THEY NEED FOR THE INMATES?

Hijabs, tasbeeh, books, Qurans, prayer mats, turba, calendars, Salah time tables, dates, food for Eid and Ramadan celebrations,  DVDs and cds, lectures, documentaries,  news papers, magazines, nasheeds, head scarves, hats, attar, children Islamic books, Tafseer, HADITH Collections, Fiqh books, comparative religion literature, cultural news papers, cultural spices, etc

These items are usually donated by Muslim Businesss, Mosques, Organizations, Individuals and by the Chaplains. Very few institutions allow purchase from approved book stores only. It depends on the security level of the institution. These items amount to a few thousands per year if all the institutions and some thousand odd inmates is taken into account.

WHAT EVENTS DO THEY DO IN THE COMMUNITY TO CREATE AWARENESS?

Many conferences are held every year to address, locally, provincially nationally and globally the challenges and solutions to chaplaincy. Chaplains attend these and talk on behalf of their community. They also attend local Initiatives, like when the 44 Somalians youths died in gun battle a special conference was held in Toronto and the Muslim chaplains had to present as to what he does in the prison system to help these youths who are incarcerated.  Universities request speakers on the same as well as the media and researchers. The local Ambition newspaper carries articles regularly for past 4 years as to some of the events that Chaplains do to make it a community affair and help prevent crime.
Even hosting youth circles and events help to provide means to prevent crime and show youths a better way out. One example is the working partnership Chaplains have with Muslim Liaison Committee at the Toronto Police Service that aims to help the community ensure a safer place called home.

WHAT'S THE COST TO RUN A CHAPLAINCY PROGRAM?

To provide cost for one full time chaplain with travel and human resources is almost 50,000. Per annum. A full time chaplain travels to at least ten institutions in the region, ministering to their  needs within a 40 hour work week and making considerable time doing administrative as well as spiritual work within his portfolio. The wide range of  prisons spread across the Province makes that job improbable at times and part time chaplains and volunteers have to complement this work with a growing population of Muslim inmates and their issues becoming more complex, especially conflicting theological issues.

WHAT IS ISLAMCARE ROLE?

Islamcare is a nonprofit organization that runs a centre and chaplaincy programs for many years in Ottawa. When the Federal government publicized the contract for the first full time chaplain some 8 years ago they were successful in being chosen to mange this contract with their prior experience and integrity in the community. They have continued to do so without any additional cost and provides the necessary management and leadership to ensure these contracts are up held accordingly. Islamcare has larger budget for its Centre activities and the chaplaincy is small part of its annual budget that is funded by Corrections Services Canada.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS A HALF WAY HOUSE PROVIDE?

Residence in a half way house depends on the types of crime and how long a person needs time to reintegrate fully in society. Among the services an inmate receives there is housing, employment opportunities, counseling, assistance with getting his/her documentations  counseling programs against addictions  education opportunities to go back to school, visiting of places of worship and families visitations on weekends as well as need to prove one's security risk as nominal through approved associations  Many Muslim inmates go to the mosques as well as maybe classes and observe celebrations as part of their diversity-unique reintegration program.
Many minimum security institutions allow Muslims to attend nearby mosques an escorted visit for Juma in order to help in their reintegration program. Kingston mosque, Kitchener and Barrie have seen such inmates.

HOW ARE NEW MUSLIMS GETTING SUPPORT IN THE PRISON?

Through a support system between the local Chaplains who are in full time positions and manage Muslim volunteers and part time chaplains and through the locally established Muslim inmate groups many New Muslims get to show their willingness to learn Islam, placed on a halal diet and are taught Islam and encouraged to practice Islam. There is a growing desire to become Muslim in prison as Islam provides the hope and care to anyone who is vulnerable and fearful and incarceration does that.

WHAT ARE THE RIGHTS OF MUSLIM INMATES IN THE PRISON?

To have their religious requirements fulfilled within a reasonable framework and have their Faith respected.

WHAT ARE SOME INTERESTING STORIES OF HOPE FROM INMATES?

Ahmad is one such example of a beautiful transition. He first remembered Sura Asr while awaiting his trial and through his four years of incarceration for drug related offences he made good of his Islam. Today he is working, giving back to the society by speaking at many conferences and reminding youths that there is a better way out. Samira is another example. She did not want to practice Islam but when one day she realized that the reason she was in crime was because her son was kidnapped from her some 20 years ago and she will only get closure when she finds him. Well she found him in prison  Another woman from her community made friends with her and in speaking realized that her ex husband was actually this sister's cousin and when she finally located him in London and her son she was relieved  Her husband had told his family and son that his mother is dead! She said she waited for twenty years to hear Mommy I love you! Today she rejoined to her son and Islam!

ZAKAT  IS STIPULATED FOR PRISONERS AND THEIR MINISTRY

Helping inmates secure services and regular supplies and assisting them to be released, legally, is critical and the Quran allots a portion of Zakat on their behalf as much as the Quran categories the administration of the same as a category and the helping the poor and needy as another category of recipients.

Quran 9:60 Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah. and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.

WHAT IS THE CONTACT ADDRESS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND SUPPORT

Islam Care Centre
312 Lisgar St.
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0E2
CANADA
Email: 
mail@islamottawa.commuslimchaplaincy@gmail.com  www.islamcare.ca
TelPhone: (613) 232-0210
FaxFax: (613) 232-0210

Pluralism of Truths held at York


York University department of Humanities hosted a dialogue on Religious Pluralism.
Members travelling to Jerusalem from Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities were constantly told that there are two truths. Mr. Ron Smith wanted to explore this further with an Imam, Pastor and Rabbi.
Audiences were presented to by Habeeb Alli from the Canadian Council of Imams and the Rabbi, Prof Lockshin  who is the head of the religious department of York University. He later said that he was inspired about Islam’s critical stance on monotheism as a young reader of Maimonides. Noel Badou from the Centre of Human Rights coordinated the event in the prestigious Nat Taylor Cinema. Among the others were two students from Valley Park School that participated in that travel. They said they had misconceived ideas about others and the trip made them see the other side of the story as well as get an opportunity to interact and learn from each other. One person in the audience highlighted that with the swell of atheism and anti religious favor such dialogues are critical and should be more publicized with secular and other religious personalities asked to present. The Rabbi felt there was only one truth while the Imam showed that Islam looks at other religions originating from the One God called Al Haqq- the Truth. With the passage of time sometimes that truth gets blurred but truth it is, like a diamond, just covered in dust!



PRESENTING CHECK TO SHAMAL IN GUYANA ON THE CLEAN UP CAMPAIGN




Muslims of Canada supports Muslims in Guyana Earth Day campaign
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.”
“Purification is half of Faith.”
Shamal Zamaluddin has done Dawah though his thought provoking brochures on lslam and TV crisp documentaries on Islam. He initiated a cleanup campaign among several of Guyana’s leading Muslim organizations for Earth Day and has been successful in getting the City council and Government Ministers and local agencies abroad. Recently, he reached out to the Muslims in Canada to support this worthy cause and the Islamic Foundation donated as well as several business persons and friends of Guyana. Joe and Lily Ally of Atlas Concrete and ardent contributors of Sayeda Khadija Centre, sent down a brush cutter from Canada. Habeeb during his book launch at the National Library presented these donations and was received in an audience of almost 80 persons and the local media. CIOG, GIT, ISA School, MYL, Muslims Businesses, etc. are involved.
According to Shamal,” Local financial donations & yours have done & are doing the following:1. Printed thousands of bumper stickers (pic 2)2. Posted signs on the streets (pic 3)3. Paid brothers doing the brush cutting 4. Bought water for the volunteers 5. Paid the truck drivers to remove the garbage”.
Check out the blog
http://guymei.blogspot.com/




WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY


BIG ART POETRY COMPETITION


faith in the city


Thursday 28 March 2013

MOTHER' S DAY BRUNCH MAY 12TH SUNDAY


BUY TICKETS ONLINE:

http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/5977596151

April 27th- an IDRF partner!


April 10th- final comment on Islam series

http://www.scarboromissions.ca

OPRAH IN HAMILTON

Got ticket, man!

APRIL 28TH

FREE EVENT!


Abraham Festival

http://www.abrahamfestival.org/pdf/2013AbrahamFestivalPamphlet.pdf



In 2013, the Abraham Festival
is adding two new events.
The film “ARRANGED”
After the Jummah prayers, Friday, April
26th at 1:00pm, the film “Arranged” by
Stefan Schaefer will be shown in the Lady
Eaton pit.
This film is a light-hearted look at a friendship
between an Orthodox Jewish woman and a
Muslim woman who meet as teachers at a
school in Brooklyn, New York. They learn to
their surprise how much they have in common
– not least of which is that they are both
having marriages arranged by their families.
There is no charge for watching this film.
DANCES OF PEACE
After the Jewish service on Friday evening,
April 26th at 6:00pm, everyone is invited to
participate in Dances of Peace in Beth
Israel synagogue auditorium.
Shakira Jo Oppenheimer is coming from
Toronto to lead us in these simple meditative
circle dances that use music from many
spiritual traditions. The dances touch the
spiritual essence within ourselves, and help us
recognize the spiritual in others.
There is no charge for participating in these
dances.
The Intent of the
Abraham Festival
We will create a network of Jews,
Christians and Muslims who will work
together:
 To demystify “the other” and
grow relationships that bind
together those who have been
strangers
 To listen and learn from each
others traditions
 To open our hearts to each others
perspectives
 To support each other as extended
family
The traditions of our three religions
teach us to have compassion, to seek
justice, and to pursue peace for all.
In the name of the one God whom we all
serve and celebrate, we condemn all
forms of violence. All our traditions
demand peace. We commit ourselves to
continued dialogue to pursue the
compassion and justice called for by
Abraham, by Jesus and by Mohammed.
We will act locally to create a network of
Jews, Christians and Muslims who will
promise to try to achieve peace and
justice in our community and in the
world.
10thAnnual
ABRAHAM FESTIVAL
2013
CELEBRATION
Friday, April 26th
“Arranged”
“Dances of Peace”
Sunday, April 28th
“An Afternoon of Celebration”What is the Abraham Festival?
We are a gathering of people in the
Peterborough area, Jews, Christians and
Muslims. The Torah, the Bible and the Qur’an
are our holy books. We feel we are all
descendants of Abraham.
We have been meeting in Peterborough for ten
years in a spirit of joy and wonder as we
discover both our similarities and our
differences. We are discovering we are spiritual
cousins.
The 2013 Abraham Festival is going to
be a Celebration of everything we have
accomplished in the last ten years.
Everyone is welcome to all the events.
Every year since 2003, we have had a festival
with a different theme:
 Jews, Muslims and Christians
– Who We Are
 Faith and the Family
 Mercy
 Faith Through the Arts
 Hearing One Another
– Seeking to Understand
 Diversity
 Caring for the Environment
– One Planet United in Faith
 Forgiveness
 The United Nations Millennium Goals
For further information:
Joyce Barrett 705-743-0241
Email: joyce.john@sympatico.ca
Website: www.abrahamfestival.org
Sunday, April 28
th, 2013
Auditorium,
George St. United Church
534 George St. N.,
Peterborough
11:30am - Pot Luck Lunch
This will be a free vegetarian meal
to start the afternoon. If you wish to
bring some food to contribute to the lunch,
please bring it with you when you come.
-------------------------
1:00pm - Celebration
This will be an afternoon of rejoicing with
humor, song, dance and poetry.
- How to build an Abraham Festival
- Klezmer music by Curtis Driedger and
Ken Brown
- Garabagh presenting music from Turkey
and Azerbaijan
- Azfar Ali, comedian, will entertain
- Habeeb Alli and Wes Ryan will present
poetry
- Paul Harbridge, author, will read from
his book Helena’s Voyage
- A group of local singers will present
Christian music
Worship Services
As always, the Abraham Festival is
including a Jewish, Muslim and Christian
worship service.
These are not interfaith services.
They are the regular Jewish, Muslim and
Christian services, where all are welcome to
join in the prayers, as we all pray to the same
God.
Muslim - Jummah Prayers
Friday April 26
th at 1:00 p.m.
Lady Eaton College, Trent University
in the pit
Women should wear a head covering
All leave their shoes at the entrance
Following the prayers, a screening of the
film “Arranged”
Jewish Prayers
Friday April 26
th, 6:00 p.m.
Beth Israel Synagogue,
775 Weller St.
Men should wear a head covering
(provided at the door if needed)
Following the prayers, participation in the
“Dances of Peace”
Christian Service
Sunday April 28
th at 10:00 a.m.
George Street United Church
534 George St. N.
Following this service, lunch and an

Tuesday 19 March 2013

CONNECT

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=239373487&trk=tab_pro

media on book launch in Guyana

http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2013/03/18/guyanese-author-launches-whispers-of-kaieteur/

Saturday 9 March 2013

Clean UP Guyana - through faith and interfaith!

http://guymei.blogspot.ca/

Guyana Muslim Environmental Initiative

Prison chaplainy dinner posted on iqra.ca



Prison chaplains provide much needed support
Have you ever wondered what goes on in prisons? Have you wondered who are the men and women that are incarcerated? Who are chaplains and volunteers who spend endless hours helping those who have lost their voices?
These questions were addressed at a chaplaincy awareness forum and dinner held on Saturday evening at the Islamic Institute of Toronto in Scarborough.
A chaplain provides religious and spiritual care to inmates in federal and provincial prisons and they play a key role in the rehabilitation of offenders.
“The challenge of all faith communities is to run chaplaincy services given the cuts in government funding,” said Imam Abdul Hai Patel, President of the Ontario Multifaith Council and the Canadian Council of Imam’s Interfaith Relations Director, in his welcoming remarks.
The evening’s program was held to offer support for the growing number of chaplaincy services such as those offered by the Ottawa-based Islam Care Centre which has been at the forefront of supporting chaplains in Ontario prisons.
The Centre provides two permanent Muslim Chaplains to all the federal penitentiaries in Ontario. 
Working in partnership with Correctional Service Canada and the Ontario Multifaith Council, the Centre has fostered an environment that allows for prisoners to develop themselves while serving their sentences and then to reintegrate back into their community.
The Islam Care Centre (ICC) ensures that inmates receive a prayer mat and Qur’an, in a language of their choice, as well as access to other Islamic literature, and monitor that their religious rights are preserved. ICC also tries to ensure that inmates who are released can re integrate into society in an easy manner.





The evening’s program included speeches by chaplains from various faith communities, a panel discussion and a moving testimonial by Ahmed Habhab who was sent to prison after being convicted for drug trafficking.
“I was involved in ecstasy trafficking,” said Ahmed Habhab. “I thought I would never get caught.”
He was arrested and served a prison sentence but turned his life around while on bail.
Habhab talked about being ostracized by the community after being released and he had an advice for Muslims, “Be conscious of the day when you will stand before your Lord.”
A special message was delivered by Jim Karygiannis, the long-standing federal Liberal Member of Parliament for the Scarborough-Agincourt riding.
“You have to get involved and make a difference,” Jim Karygiannis told the audience. “Do something so that at the end of your life, your life would not be wasted.”

“We’ve to accept each other as equals,” he added. “There are four words I want you to remember – respect, accept, celebrate, embrace – [these words] make us part of the human race.”
In the panel discussion, chaplains discussed their work and how the community can provide support to incarcerated prisoners.
“Pay attention to the factors that lead to incarceration,” said Imam Michael AbdurRashid Taylor, Executive Director of the Islamic Chaplaincy Services Canada. “It is important for our community to be proactive rather than reactive.”
Reverend Harry Nigh, a Mennonite minister and Chaplain asked the audience to provide assistance to inmates once they leave prison.
“You hold the key to freedom for people coming out of prison,” said Reverend Harry Nigh.  “Community volunteers can make a difference by making men and women feel that they belong.”
One Love2One Love1Nigh is one of the founders of the Dismas Fellowship, a bi-monthly meeting that provides assistance to individuals who have recently been released from prison.

Imam Yasin Dwyer, a Muslim Chaplain, emphasized the need for community support of Muslim inmates.
“You can judge the value of a community on how they deal with the marginalized, destitute, needy and poor,” said Dwyer.


For further Information on the chaplaincy program visithttp://islamcare.ca/services/chaplaincy-services

Some events in Feb posted on ambition.com



Milad Nabi programs seeks to unite!
One of the essential teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, on whom be peace, is to unite the divided. The Arabs were once divided as to who will have the honor to place the Black Stone on the Kaba. Muhammad was not even a Prophet then but his integrity in the community earned him the quick opportunity to solve this issue that could have lead to war. He said just select one representative from each tribe and they each held the end of a cloth where the black stone will be placed into. They hoisted the wrapped revered item unto its place in the wall of the Kaba and he, owbp, did the final placement, making each tribe happy.
February saw many masjids celebrating the birth anniversary of the beloved Prophet with lots of speeches, singing and great cuisine. However, different to that was the celebration at the Brampton Halfway House that offered a brief synopsis of the life of the Prophet of Islam, of whom many of the Non Muslim inmates hardly knew of. Imam Ahmed also made a reference to Prophet’s life in the siege of Abi Talib and that of prison challenges.
TARIC Islamic centre hosted the Ahl Byt Assembly, where both Sunni and Shia scholars and members shared an impressive array of thoughts on the subject of unity. Dr Hussein Khimjee spoke eloquently, quoting from the Quran, the paradigm of unity and Imam Imran Ally alluded in his timely MCing the importance of respecting each other.
The Ismaili Jamat Khanna in Scarborough held their function, inviting key leaders from the Sunni community and interfaith leaders to their remarkable architecture at Middlefield. The speakers included Dr Shema Khan, well known Harvard graduate and columnist in the Globe and Mail, who spoke of creativity from the Muslim perspective and another Jan Mohamed who is a theatre director that brings Muslim epics to the stage.
A unifying Milad indeed!

Diabetes awareness essential to soulful Muslim experience

Being sweet and sugary is one thing and so was the character of the Holy Prophet, on whom be peace, who liked sweets. However, controlling one’s diabetic condition and creating awareness of good health is a wajib and is referred to as the Kingdom of God on earth by the Bible.
Women’s Health in Women’s Hands centre has been, like others, promoting diabetes awareness in the local communities in past two years. Recently several leaders were trained to become Ambassadors and they subsequently organized seminars in their respective neighborhoods and centers. One such was held at the P4E centre at 421 Nugget Ave Unit 8. Scarborough. With Habeeb Alli and Nurse Vivia from WHIWH, the attendees were shown for videos explaining the symptoms of diabetes and how to eat right and exercise regularly. Many evaluations were conducted before and after and with some healthy snacks after, nurse Vivia advised them how to fast and control your insulin intake during Ramadan- do it at your biggest meal.
                                                                                                                 
Walkathon raised funds for echogram at Centenary hospital in Scarborough
Most Ontarians are not aware that the Government only funds the hospitals through a quota system through the respective medical wards called LINS. Equipment is one of those things that need funding and the many hospital Foundations fundraise towards this. The brothers and Sisters of ICNA RELIEF and the many masajid in Scarborough recently organized a walkathon in the cold Family Day Feb 18th, around the Scarborough Civic Centre. The well attended event drew many political leaders from all parties like Rathika Sitsabaiesan, Brad Duguid, Margaret Best, Raymond Choo, Jim Karrigiannis sent his wishes, as well as religious leaders like Imam Yusuf Badat from the Islamic Foundation. The children sang the national anthem while waving their Canadian flags and the hospital volunteers received the many checks and pledges with great appreciation or the Muslim community. The group has pledged to raise 50,000 for these echograms that help doctors read the heart situation immediately when patients are raced to the emergencies. Already on that cold day $13000.00 was raised and the march continues accordingly to coordinators Irfan, Syed and Rizwan.
The Muslim communities in GTA ay raised already near 2M for various hospitals including the Stoufville Hospital that Khalid Usman continues to fundraise for, The William Osler hospital that Imam Slimi recently held a gala for and the two Scarborough hospitals that many masjids raised over 300,000 for and now the East York hospital that Madina masjid is behind. This is indeed the way of Islam- helping humanity with the health of our Iman!

Peace building in the Quran and Bible event held in Waterloo

A packed audience with plenty of questions and applause for two world renown scholars on the topic of peace building told me that people are still committed to these ideals and it’s not only a Beetles phenomena!
Dr David Shenk  USA has an impressive bio of writings and speaking in 100 countries on peace and Dr Shabbir Ally is well educated and articulate on the Muslim Christian debate and dialogue scenario. The questions included verses of war in the Quran and stories of war in the Hebrew Bible- how to reconcile these with peace. The Intercultural Dialogued Institute co sponsored the event with Turkish baklava and coffee!
It was indeed thought provoking, when one participant asked the Christian speaker if he would lead an apology on behalf of the Church to the descendants of African slaves during the slave trade and he said it’s needed.
Black History month celebrated and observed with a Muslim perspective
What would a Muslim have to say about Black History month? It’s not seen as a religious thing let alone a Muslim concern. But the Muslim community in Canada has a huge African presence. Their history has been mired with slavery and injustice. Today we enjoy the freedoms in Canada to congregate, express ourselves and practice our religions because persons of the African continent transported to North America and the Caribbean died for freedom. Their blood and sweat is not lost and cannot be lost by the passage of time. The Civil Rights movements are an outcome of that struggle and the celebration of a Black President of the USA is a testimony that the march of the likes of Harriet Tubman during the Underground Railroad was not done in vain.
Muslims gathered as well as non Muslims, since 40% of the slaves were Muslims, to observe this event of history at the GVI women’s institution and Imams Yassin Dwyer and Habeeb Alli spoke to this history, reminding all that the spiritual strengths of the African slaves enabled them to survive the brutality of their greedy masters and today that genetic characteristic can only be realized when their descendants will continue to take the wings of life with the sturdiness of education and forgiveness.
Students of World Religions class at Cedarbrae in Scarborough were also presented this inclusive spiritual perspective about the African contribution of civilization when Habeeb Alli presented there. He showed the class slides of the rich Mali civilization, that there over 120 000 manuscripts written in the 16th century that are still preserved.
Persons at the Keele Street Halfway house were treated to a sumptuous dinner with a documentary and discussion on Timbuktu after. This is a study completed years ago as part of Dr Abdullah Hakim Quick, a black history expert and Islamic scholar, journey from South Africa to the gates of Timbuktu, West Africa.
Too little is known of our history and too little pride is placed in our culture ; so we look to others as superior than what we are. Allah Bless Mother Africa!

Imams received training on counseling and social skills
How many times will we complain that Imams do not listen actively to persons of domestic violence abuse or youths suffering a drug abuse habit? How many times will we hear Canadians complaining that Imams in Canada do not speak the Canadian language of inclusivity and respect of women? And for how long will we depend on organizations that manage Imams or employ them to come forward and train Imams?
Imam Ahmed Ibrahim, a member of the JamiatulUlama and Canadian Council of Imams, after serving 5 years in Canada, hailing from Barbados and graduated from the UK and India ,realized that he had to do something about this. He organized the young Ulama and long standing Imams of various backgrounds last Saturday at Masjid Abu Bakr for one day training on counseling and active listening. AbdurRasheed Taylor, a known chaplain and counselor, who trains Chaplains through the Ontario Multifaith Council was quite adept and personal in providing the workshops and on role playing issues of active listening and confidentiality. Imam Rasheed had trained Imams before, including Ahmed, and given the lack of coordinated programs that meets the Imam’s cultural sensibility, many of them are left on their own experience and self taught techniques. Imam Habeeb presented on the Islamic perspective on confidentiality and empathy and many Imams wanted a legal perspective on these issues of abuse and reporting abuse which will be the next session. It was a wonderful day of enlightenment and networking with Imams that came as far as Chatham and Mississauga. As Moulana Imran Khan, a member of the Halal Monitoring Agency, said, it was the first time he experienced such an enriching time among his colleagues! Stay tuned!




Statement against predatory gambling on the issue of having a casino opened in Toronto


Gambling is one of the many cardinal sins that destroy the root foundations of human family structures and undermine the critical foundations of human civilization. Canada was established on the spiritual values pioneered by hard working citizens of all colors, races and religions- that to eat from the sweat of thy brow and not gamble away the sweet labor of one’s earnings at the expense of family and societal loss, while the owner of casinos enjoy the predatory sum of the game.

Faith grants us faithful hope while gambling encourages false hope among already suffering masses with only one winner. While some of those goes to charity it is still not comparable to the immense loss of family ties, human dignity, livelihood and the influence of criminal and indolent lifestyle that gambling leads to.

Today more than ever the opportunity has arisen for religious persons, spiritual people and morally conscious citizens to have their ethical position join the debate on whether another casino should dot the beautiful landscape of Toronto or smear the lives of generations t0 come.

Following are some scriptural, conscientious and moral statements of our Interfaith leaders in Toronto on the matter.

Quran 2:219 They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: "In them is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit." They ask thee how much they are to spend; Say: "What is beyond your needs." Thus doth Allah Make clear to you His Signs: In order that ye may consider-
Canadian Council of Imams hereby appeals for a reconsideration of granting licenses to a Casino. We suggest, that the City Council exercise due diligence in all its investments for creating job opportunities and channeling tax dollars and avoid revenue sources, that would negatively impact lives of people.” Habeeb Alli, Secretary.





WHAT IS CHAPLAINCY?

Chaplaincy originally is a term coined by Christian pastors serving the wounded in battle centuries ago and nowadays it refers to the Religious & spiritual-caregiver service to any person, whether they are patients in a hospital, inmates incarcerated in any prison, soldiers in an army, employees in workplace or students attending University.

Chaplaincy has grown to become an accredited profession with necessary credentials required to serve those vulnerable within the laws of the nation as well as the respective authentic tradition the Chaplain represents. A chaplain may facilitate persons of other religious persuasions by arranging to have the Representative attend to the needs of the person in need through a mutually respectful and knowledge based process.

WHY DO MUSLIMS NEED A CHAPLAIN IN THE PRISON?

In Canada there has always been Catholic and Protestant Chaplains, providing religious and spiritual care to the inmates. In the history of some prisons the pastors were the wardens because they saw the need to reform the inmates through religious teachings and hence established their own institutions.  

Chaplaincy in Federal Prisons:

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, paragraph 2(a), guarantees everyone the fundamental freedom of conscience and religion.

The importance of the spiritual dimension of life is also incorporated in the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, Sections 75 and 83, and in Regulations 98 and 101, stated as follows:
Sections 75 – An inmate is entitled to reasonable opportunities to freely and openly participate in, and express, religion or spirituality, subject to such reasonable limits as are proscribed for protecting the security of the penitentiary or the safety of persons".
Correction Canada employs Chaplains for Federal Institutions, outsourced to Faith communities, based on number of Inmates. Contracts are given to Faith communities to serve the religious and spiritual needs of the Inmates. For every 175 Inmates, one full time Chaplain is available.

Provincial:

Chaplaincy service in Ontario is delivered differently. Institutions are responsible to hire full and Part time Chaplains. Ministry of Community and Social Services until last year had a department for Chaplaincy Services. Through this department, under an Memorandum of Agreement(MOA) signed in 1991 with Ontario Multifaith Council (OMC), provided core funding with a mandate to ensure access to religious and spiritual care in Institutions.

OMC, a 33 year old organization with 30 Faith communities as members, has been actively fulfilling this mandate by helping to meet the religious and spiritual needs of the Inmates in Jails and Hospitals and Senior Homes. OMC is seen as authority on faith matters, by the various level of Government, Employers in public and private sector, Schools, Colleges and Universities.

As of March 31, Government of Ontario will no longer provide funding for OMC. Faith communities are asked to deliver chaplaincy service at their own expense. Since Number of Hospitals have closed the Chaplaincy Office in the last two years. 

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MUSLIM FEDERAL CHAPLAINS?
The Federal prison system has established over thirty years ago an Interfaith Chaplaincy Committee to attend to the needs of other religious denominations. Across Canada many Imams have served as Muslim chaplains, mostly part time and with a growing Muslim inmate population - almost 6%- there is a need to provide for every 150 Muslim inmate one full time chaplain. With the inmate population in Ontario alone growing towards 25% of inmates being Muslims, there is a need for two full time chaplains, presently represented by one full time and two part times. The Provincial prison system has had volunteer chaplains from the Muslim community under the auspices of  Ontario Multi-faith Council. With the ending of funding to the Council that service will soon be disrupted. Federal Prison chaplains are represented in the national body of Interfaith Chaplains by one Imam, who along with other Chaplains are members of the Canadian Council of Imams. The Federal Chaplaincy for Muslims will continue, however, the challenge is to serve the Inmates even if the funding dries up and provide needed items and programs for which there is no funding.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TASKS THE CHAPLAINS PERFORM?
Chaplains perform the accreditation of Islamic teachings through correct literature and classes, ensuring halal meal is provided, provide guidance for Iftar and Sohoor in Ramadan, attest to the new Muslims shahadah, lead the prayers of Juma and Eid, provide all necessary items for worship and education, ensure radicalized thoughts are counteracted, provide service to all denominations of Islam and other faiths is required, answer questions on Islam to new Muslims, provide support for parole, attend meetings and conferences about enhancing Chaplaincy in the diversity paradigm and ensure their presence are felt and a secured environment is maintained at all times.


WHAT ITEMS DO THEY NEED FOR THE INMATES?

Hijabs, tasbeeh, books, Qurans, prayer mats, turba, calendars, Salah time tables, dates, food for Eid and Ramadan celebrations,  DVDs and cds, lectures, documentaries,  news papers, magazines, nasheeds, head scarves, hats, attar, children Islamic books, Tafseer, HADITH Collections, Fiqh books, comparative religion literature, cultural news papers, cultural spices, etc

These items are usually donated by Muslim Businesss, Mosques, Organizations, Individuals and by the Chaplains. Very few institutions allow purchase from approved book stores only. It depends on the security level of the institution. These items amount to a few thousands per year if all the institutions and some thousand odd inmates is taken into account.

WHAT EVENTS DO THEY DO IN THE COMMUNITY TO CREATE AWARENESS?

Many conferences are held every year to address, locally, provincially nationally and globally the challenges and solutions to chaplaincy. Chaplains attend these and talk on behalf of their community. They also attend local Initiatives, like when the 44 Somalians youths died in gun battle a special conference was held in Toronto and the Muslim chaplains had to present as to what he does in the prison system to help these youths who are incarcerated.  Universities request speakers on the same as well as the media and researchers. The local Ambition newspaper carries articles regularly for past 4 years as to some of the events that Chaplains do to make it a community affair and help prevent crime.
Even hosting youth circles and events help to provide means to prevent crime and show youths a better way out. One example is the working partnership Chaplains have with Muslim Liaison Committee at the Toronto Police Service that aims to help the community ensure a safer place called home.

WHAT'S THE COST TO RUN A CHAPLAINCY PROGRAM?

To provide cost for one full time chaplain with travel and human resources is almost 50,000. Per annum. A full time chaplain travels to at least ten institutions in the region, ministering to their  needs within a 40 hour work week and making considerable time doing administrative as well as spiritual work within his portfolio. The wide range of  prisons spread across the Province makes that job improbable at times and part time chaplains and volunteers have to complement this work with a growing population of Muslim inmates and their issues becoming more complex, especially conflicting theological issues.

WHAT IS ISLAMCARE ROLE?

Islamcare is a nonprofit organization that runs a centre and chaplaincy programs for many years in Ottawa. When the Federal government publicized the contract for the first full time chaplain some 8 years ago they were successful in being chosen to mange this contract with their prior experience and integrity in the community. They have continued to do so without any additional cost and provides the necessary management and leadership to ensure these contracts are up held accordingly. Islamcare has larger budget for its Centre activities and the chaplaincy is small part of its annual budget that is funded by Corrections Services Canada.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS A HALF WAY HOUSE PROVIDE?

Residence in a half way house depends on the types of crime and how long a person needs time to reintegrate fully in society. Among the services an inmate receives there is housing, employment opportunities, counseling, assistance with getting his/her documentations  counseling programs against addictions  education opportunities to go back to school, visiting of places of worship and families visitations on weekends as well as need to prove one's security risk as nominal through approved associations  Many Muslim inmates go to the mosques as well as maybe classes and observe celebrations as part of their diversity-unique reintegration program.
Many minimum security institutions allow Muslims to attend nearby mosques an escorted visit for Juma in order to help in their reintegration program. Kingston mosque, Kitchener and Barrie have seen such inmates.

HOW ARE NEW MUSLIMS GETTING SUPPORT IN THE PRISON?

Through a support system between the local Chaplains who are in full time positions and manage Muslim volunteers and part time chaplains and through the locally established Muslim inmate groups many New Muslims get to show their willingness to learn Islam, placed on a halal diet and are taught Islam and encouraged to practice Islam. There is a growing desire to become Muslim in prison as Islam provides the hope and care to anyone who is vulnerable and fearful and incarceration does that.

WHAT ARE THE RIGHTS OF MUSLIM INMATES IN THE PRISON?

To have their religious requirements fulfilled within a reasonable framework and have their Faith respected.

WHAT ARE SOME INTERESTING STORIES OF HOPE FROM INMATES?

Ahmad is one such example of a beautiful transition. He first remembered Sura Asr while awaiting his trial and through his four years of incarceration for drug related offences he made good of his Islam. Today he is working, giving back to the society by speaking at many conferences and reminding youths that there is a better way out. Samira is another example. She did not want to practice Islam but when one day she realized that the reason she was in crime was because her son was kidnapped from her some 20 years ago and she will only get closure when she finds him. Well she found him in prison  Another woman from her community made friends with her and in speaking realized that her ex husband was actually this sister's cousin and when she finally located him in London and her son she was relieved  Her husband had told his family and son that his mother is dead! She said she waited for twenty years to hear Mommy I love you! Today she rejoined to her son and Islam!

ZAKAT  IS STIPULATED FOR PRISONERS AND THEIR MINISTRY

Helping inmates secure services and regular supplies and assisting them to be released, legally, is critical and the Quran allots a portion of Zakat on their behalf as much as the Quran categories the administration of the same as a category and the helping the poor and needy as another category of recipients.

Quran 9:60 Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah. and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.

WHAT IS THE CONTACT ADDRESS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND SUPPORT

Islam Care Centre
312 Lisgar St.
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0E2
CANADA
Email:
mail@islamottawa.com, muslimchaplaincy@gmail.com  www.islamcare.ca
TelPhone: (613) 232-0210
FaxFax: (613) 232-0210