OCT reports
Somalians youths losing their lives and where is the
justice?
In last two years some 44 Somalian youths have lost their
live in gun violence between Alberta and Toronto . That is the
alarming statistics that brought many Somalian mothers, community leaders and
members of the Ministry of Public Safety and the law enforcement to discuss at
the Delta. Folks from Alberta , Ottawa and Toronto
deliberated for two days on various programs and strategies to address this
unanswered justice towards Somalian youths.
Muslim chaplaincy in prison was asked to address what they
do to provide help Islamically and socially for the Muslim youths. Habeeb Alli
presented the case that while CSC has a quota for every 150 inmates of any
denomination one full time chaplain and volunteers are welcome. It is not
certain that an Imam volunteering in prison will only see Somalians but must be
open to all faiths and ethnic backgrounds.
More volunteering and more programs for the youths are
needed to keep them out of the street gang culture as they are exposed to a new
culture that reinforce a certain lifestyle that can only be met with illegal
activities. A Somalian Police officer is working hard to connect with the
youths and more minority candidates are needed to step up to the task through
equity employment opportunities.
One mother said she always keep her children busy with after
school programs, sports and Quran classes while another mourned her son who was
shot in his apartment by astray bullet. It was an open and frank discussion. The
conversation has to continue everywhere and as one Imam put it- the mosque has
to be seen as a trusted hub of community affairs and not a place of worship
with suspicious attendees.
GTA Faith Alliance has been doing work with youths for years
and with all types and colors and so too has been the work of www.jane-finch.com
Islamic History month at NOOR.
Wahida Valiante has tirelessly volunteered in the Muslim
community in Canada after
arriving from England and in
the past forty years made her mark to bring Islam into the public sphere, her
latest success, apart from making it among the 500 most influential Muslims’
list, is to make Canada
declare October as Islamic history month.
Noor Cultural centre hosted one of the many events for the
month- some held in Waterloo and London . A famous
historian at the Royal Ontario Museum spoke to Islamic Art and Europe- showing
through her power point presentations the many beautiful art pieces on vases,
tiles, fabrics, calligraphy, minarets, that later were transported from Persia and
Turkey into Europe. Karin Ruehrdanz, Islamic Art Curator, Royal
Ontario Museum
spoke eloquently and she did likewise in Saskatoon ,
Kingston and London . Signs of that are with us as we see
domes, tiles, fountains and tiles in modern buildings in North
America . She did justice to the fact that Muslims are not
miserable people but owned a civilization of joy and celebration.
Habeeb Alli did the opening prayers of the event and
reminded all that the Lord of Abraham and Muhammad is the Lord of rationale and
beauty and when we pray to God to open our hearts for wisdom we allow His
Presence in our midst before every act of Art and Poetry could flow.
The Canadian council of Imams have been supportive of
Islamic history month and hopes more will happen in the coming years with the
new President of Canadian Islamic Congress, Dr. Amin Elshorbagy at
the helm.
Cardinal dinner- halal accommodation- underfunded
charities supported
Where in the world does an imam gets invited to sit with
Cardinals and Rabbis among 1700 guests except at the Cardinal’s Dinner in Toronto ?
For the past 32 years this largest dinner in Canada attracts
political leaders, lead bishops, Fathers and parish leaders from the Catholic
Archdiocese of Toronto and business people to raised almost $3M for those
twenty odd charities that are underfunded. DISMAS is one such charity that I
noticed as they help inmates reintegrate in society and given the recent cuts
to chaplaincy this was the best gesture.
Abdul Hai Patel and Habeeb Alli from the Canadian Council of
Imams were in attendance and exclusive halal cuisine was provided just as the
Rabbi was provided with kosher meals. This was an act of Interfaith respect and
the Jews and Muslims were the honourable guests of Father Damian Macpherson – Interfaith
and Ecumenical Director at the Cardinal’s Office.
It was an evening of giving to those who do not have and
reminding all, in the words of the Cardinal Thomas Collins and re-echoed by the
many MPs. MPPS, Mayors and dignitaries, that, we live in a model country and we
have to show leadership in recognising the rights of the diversity that we
embrace.
Westin Harbour hosts Interfaith and the Belonging
Finding ways to connect meaningfully with other Faiths and
making sure Canada maintains
the pride of Multiculturalism was the theme behind the discussions held in Halifax by major faith
organisations and leaders. The Canadian Race Relations Foundation is producing
a website as well as a poster that will remind all that no matter what Faith
you belong to; you belong to Canada .
The many options for racism and discrimination that are heightened with the
Internet should not deter people from standing up for justice, speaking out against
blasphemy; engage with the wider world and work harder to build trust among
Canadians. One report shows that some 48% of Canadian does not trust Muslims!
Where is the Interfaith budget, where is the resources to outreach to
Canadians, where is the task force to make Canadians know Muslims, as half of
them have never met one? The Ahmadiya Jamat distributed half a million flyers
about the Life of the Prophet door to door! NAMF organised a panel discussion
with Academics, religious leaders and the laity. Many great initiatives to
fight stigma, racism, workplace inequity, diversity ignorance is going on and
CRRF validated these efforts by having a symposium as well as an award
ceremony. Rev Don Meredith was the key note and reminded all that if he can
make it through the valleys of the disadvantaged youth then any one can- from a
boy coming from Jamaica
to a Reverend becoming Senator.
Eid celebrations in prison
Eid is not for the free only. Prisoners in Ontario jails celebrated Eid with prayers
and food. One Christian Chaplain ensured the inmates had chocolate for Eid
celebration and a food night with only halal goodies!
Qurbani was done by many locally and many of the meat were
donated to Yonge Street
Mission Ontario that the Ministry of Agriculture has
approved for halal slaughter. So when Chaplain Habeeb took in curried beef and
curried lamb and roti with baklawa there was indeed the camaraderie that Islam
is alive and Canada
has been exemplary in ensuring the Charter Right of religious Freedom. We hope
she stays that course and do not cut part time chaplains work in the federal institutions.
Every act of Islam is kindness and every act of kindness help to reform the prisoners-
all of whom are not criminals- if only you knew!
OMC hosts conference on Chaplaincy at Jackson
Ontario Multifaith Council is headed by Dr AbdulHai Patel
and Abdurrasheed Taylor is a key leader- both are from the Canadian Council of
Imams.
The theme this year was Facing the Questions in Spiritual and Religious Care.
Elizabeth Rahman is a member and has volunteered at the
Lindsay provincial prison and so there were many Muslims who find meaningful
experience at the Salvation army Conference place every year-sharing and
learning about ways to improve patients, prisoners, seniors, dying persons in
palliative care and others who need spiritual care and not only health care. Abdurasheed
Michael Taylor thanked all the speakers and guests while reminding all that
gratitude is the key to a well developed spiritual experience! Habeeb Alli
presented in Muslim inmates challenges- from acquiring halal diets, conversions,
prayer places, visiting mosques, volunteers visiting to conflicts with theology
and laws. The challenge is to be open and educated and willing to accommodate because
the foundation of any system is to be open to be reasonable! Chaplains give a
lot and must be supported and their is no better way than maintaining CSC
contracts for all chaplains of all types and denominations!
No comments:
Post a Comment