Poem on Chaplaincy- National Conference Toronto April 2016

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/correctional-chaplains-keepers-of-the/9780985107840-item.html

Two are better than one.

Irations and Itations
They say it's water under the bridge
Signing, hiding, running around, not knowing
And then a Bridge across nations!


Got go see the inmates,
Not less love and more computer cravings
But chaplaincy is about 'washing the feet'
For us in Canada it's all about multiculturalism

I honor Pierre Allard
The numurous heroes since the 60's
I pray we don't stop at reporting
And cherish this gift like One Love has done since the 70's!




Habeeb Alli
2016/04/20

Meeting with Mufti AbdulHamid Patel CBE: Rethink Islamic Schools paradigm

Meeting with Mufti AbdulHamid Patel CBE: Rethink Islamic Schools paradigm

Habeeb Alli

29/03/2016

Not always I get a chance to meet some thinkers of the 21st century, whose philosophy are rooted in my alma mater of Deoband, India. I had the pleasant surprise of attending an intended workshop turned presentation at the Abu Bakr Masjid Toronto on the topic of Islamic schools with an award winning educator. Well that is putting it lightly! Abdul Hamid Patel has been decorated by Her Majesty with the Commander of British Education award. The humble and erudite Mufti of the UK is a successful administrator of a plethora of Islamic schools- some private and some public, in the not so faraway European country of Great Britain- home of some 3million Muslims and thousands of Islamic institutions.

As I listened to him elaborate around philosophy of the foundations of education in an Islamic context; often quoting Jim Collins, a favourite, who said ‘a good organisation cannot be great organisation’, my interest peaked when he mentioned Restorative Justice. Where in the Islamic world does a traditionalist references Restorative Justice in a room full of Imams and evening madressa teachers?

As we moved on the discourse on a warm Easter Sunday,  I grew to like the evidently contemporary educator whose words of unchartered waters reminded me for a bit of Sir Muhammad Iqbal wrestling verses off Rumi Persian pages and whipping thoughts on Nietzsche - we must become thinkers and not blind  followers. Don't get me wrong! This Mufti Patel was no simpleton!

He reminded the quiet room of separated women teachers and male leaders that it's not enough to acquire itqan-or perfection in our curriculum but ihsan and excellence is needed should we wish to become leaders. Abdul Hamid Patel is undoubtedly a young professional who has successfully trained hundred of teachers and school leaders through his accredited QTS program and manages over thirteen schools! That's a testimony of a turban dressed young eloquent scholar whose twitter seem to highlight modern issues in Education, that public schools in the UK, whose students are primarily non Muslims are pursuing him! Mr. Patel’s network of Tauheedul girl’s schools seems to set the standards of both academic and religious education, rightly so, the savant Mufti believes there is really no distinction between the two when it comes to excelling! See //www.tighs.com/

I like the terminology of spiritual intelligence versus spiritual compliance. I have already tested this out with my study circle inside the Institutions! Compliance is a matrix of the punishment system. For too long our focus in the schools has been compliance of the religious rituals and of course compliance of the management and an unforgiving culture. Herewith the values of taqwa and love of country, with sincere feelings to research spiritual things are not given ample resources. That has to change if we want to combat a cell phone driven generation of extra too much distractions and conflicted by a dichotomy of values and self. I see his call for acute self-discipline a direct challenge to our cognitive dissonance.

I wanted to draw the parallel so badly of Malala when Abdul Hamid reemphasised on the critical need of secular education in the Muslim world but time only allowed me to ask about the application of restorative justice in Islamic schools. By now I can imagine the young girl who complained to me seven years after she was kicked out of her Islamic school for endorsing her friend’s relationship. She never stepped into a mosque again and avoided Ramadan like the plague! Maybe had the authorities not been too worried about the donors’ rebuff and invited her and the parties in a circle of love called Shura- amends and apologies would have saved another youth!

A day spent with amazing colleagues and piously motivated teachers is a beautiful day - Easter is about victory and beauty and this I think is the message of the visiting Professor- let the freedom to think be your best friend and the beauty of Iqra inspire your dreams- if you want to be passionate about Islamic schools and not just a job to get by with!

‘The highest result of education is tolerance.' Mufti Abdul Hamid Patel, CBE, Twitter handle.

Visit to Maroons of Jamaica WI- Islamic legacy of a forgotten people

Some many moons ago
I met a stalwart in Yaad
She researched the Musalman of Jamaica
And saw the Prophet, owbp, during ziyara


This is a powerful story I live by
When I visited Juma hole in Accompong autonomous country
And we prayed Zuhr in the valley
It rained for an hour


This time round the Chief of Flagstaff
Yusuf AbdulMalik is proud of his heritage
He ensured the celebrations are Islamic
I felt light in the presence of one whose vision is Prophetic




Travelling up the hills of St Elizabeth
Overlooking the mountains cascading down to the sea
Is a beautiful masjid building
Omar Prince and his farm is about to relive Cudjoe's dream


High on the grounds of Trelawney
Buried under the heap of blood, sweat and tears
Are my ancestors who freed themselves from tyranny
They prayed in the night tahajjud while compelling the enemy


Returned to Sierra Leone through Nova Scotia
Like Harriet Tubman undergrounding from America
Little Moses of Jamaica was Nanny but her name was Sara
Malakukta and AsSofa were the names of their new found Medina


Like Timbuktu of Mali
Knowledge was key in their powerful endeavour
Muhammad Kaba left behind scripts in Arabic
They taught each other the secrets of Othman Dan Fodio


I lived with the Maroons just a few days
It felt I returned to my Roots of Yoruba
I ate from the plates of sweet ackee and curried goat
I felt I lived in the hallow corridors of the Companions of Sufa.


This story of the Maroons
A beautiful people with textured hair and sunshine color
Whose history remains a myth
Is the story of Mansa Musa's treasures, living in the West Indies.

Obituary for Hafiz Patel ra of UK

Hafiz Patel a leader of Islam
To you forever  Salam

Nevermind our patron was originally of India
His leadership  extended  from England  to beyond the Americas and even Africa

A scholar  of the religion and unique  human
I have not seen a closer replica of a divine mystic ever

With a passion unmatched
I sat in his company  countless times unattached

The constant  reminder  to be the Ambassador  of Islam
To  imitate the Honorable  Prophet

And leave the luxury  of home to strive  in God's Path
A true Inviter of Ummahhood

My mentor after a year in the Path  of Allah in India
Hafiz saheb insisted  I return to Guyana

Travelling  together in South America
His smiling ask of me was always

Habeeb become Allah's  Beloved!
Followers  in every department of Deen throughout the world

A devout servant we have lost
In the Hereafter his investment in us millions perpetuated

Allah  yarhamhu!

Merry Mixing wedding

Merry Mixing wedding

 

I was invited to participate in an inmate wedding ceremony. He had accepted Islam inside. Finding a partner through the pen pal service was his lucky star. The bride is Christian. She was full of joy and beauty on this sunny winter morning.

The Rev Chaplain organised the event with the services of the Town clerk to preside over the beautiful young couple.

I concluded with the blessings of the Islamic marriage. The witnesses were the mother of the groom and the groomsmen.

There was a camera for pictures.  We enjoyed lots of laughter after the benedictions because I said the groom may now have his halal kiss!

 

I thought I will pen these verses.

 

Waiting in queue

Not knowing whether fate will find me a mate

I had changed faith but not fate

I met the most beautiful inside bars

 

Today my years of wait is over

I only desire to make her my queen and my baby a princess

How can I not be thankful?

How can I turn from being faithful?

 

My mother beside me on my worse and best days

The snow will come no matter how late

The sun will rise no matter how cloudy

Love will find you no matter your color or crime.

 

Poem for Oldeen 60th

Virtuous sixty and Counting- the Oldeen Saga!

By now you have edged on surprises

Every single one of them got yah

A birthday is another way of softening the wrinkles

But you celebrate virtues with each heart present today

Baksh is gift in Persian and Oldeen is of Faith in Arabic 

Nani had in mind greatness way before you received accolades

They may know you from the tennis rolls and trade unions

But don't we all know you from Master Moe and Hajji Host!

Each Ramadan since 05 that we gallivant in Toronto was an education

With every ounce of passion you inched your way into Hajj

From the mosques to Hafiz boys in Berbice and the Syrian refugees

Your generosity knows no bounds

They ask me about the river and sun

I say why ask of these that surround us by involuntary flow

Ask me about him who without hinting gives to the poor unhindered

They say much more but Mohamed will always be the name everyone compliments

I have seen many nations across oceans and rallied on their front lines

Yet the passion that Mandela and Layton have imprinted on my brother

Reminds me like Justin- a Canadian is a Canadian, is a Canadian.

That Family is family, is Family!

Happy Birthday Oldeen!

You just got started!

#JasmineJuma

Dear Colleague
Greetings!
Re: #JasmineJuma
It’s that time of year where everything is lighted up and getting dressed for Christmas parties is abuzz! However, I would like you to consider another buzz amidst all this excitement. It’s the joyous act of giving, which is the spirit in December, and kind of synonymous with Ramadan and the charitable act of zakat.

After the shopping craze of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we had the charitable success of Giving Tuesday! So many organisations benefitted from the trend that started by a simple movement away from branding one’s business only and getting everyone involved instead.
I’m thinking of #JasmineJuma
Yes! 
Christmas Day and New Years this year are both on Fridays! Juma, where Muslims flock to the mosques for Friday prayers, is always a Day of Light, far from a myopic blitz! Already at Friday prayers we donate our kind hearts to many causes. I like the Jasmine flower as years ago I was invited for Jasmine tea in traditional Japanese teapot style! Recently, after participating in the Syrian Film festival, I realised the national flower, in the land of Prophet Muhammad’s first childhood trip, is Jasmine! Now I am hooked in finding Jasmine flowers in Toronto! Jasmine is whitish in color and closest to the lightness of Juma!
Do you believe the Prophetic tradition of one who creates a path of good deeds, while people act upon it, will be rewarded by God? I recently told an amazing young man that his painted labyrinths in the city parks is a good deed, for which God will reward him and he retorted no one ever said that to me in my twenty years of volunteering! But isn’t this our online footprint?
I heard Imam Hamid Slimi, at the Liberty Grande, recently, during a fundraising Gala for a youth helpline, quoted the Prophetic tradition that whosoever tries to make someone happy God regards him or her as the choicest gift to humanity! I would like to be that person, would you?
Whatever cause you are passionate about, regardless, by attaching the hash tag #JasmineJuma and sharing it on Facebook and Twitter; even Periscope plus Pinterest and Google+ besides every other social media, including emails and Whatsapp, come this week, until Dec31st, you will be making a difference in the lives of the needy. You would be making a difference in the lives of Syrian children and suffering families during the holidays. You will add a voice to the voiceless during the cold nights of winter, anywhere.
I know the power of replicating good deeds. I just read an article on yohoo.com that the Tabligh movement that started in India a century ago, had invited Muslims to franchise their six positive qualities throughout the world, and now they have expanded to 50million members!
Like and share! Retweet and favourite! Forward and resend!  Just Spread The Love! #JasmineJuma
‘Be the change you would like to see’, Gandhi.
Yours truly,
Habeeb Alli