Dec reports
Ambition
NAMF 11th Annual Gala
It was
another year of festive and celebratory mood at the NAMF gala where tribute to
the great works done by the Volunteers were made through certificates presented
by MP of Agincourt the Hon Jim Karigiannis. This year’s event was to fundraise
on behalf of the MRI Campaign at Birchmount campus hospital. The CEO Dr. John
Wright reminded the approximately 350 strong audiences of varied ethnic and
religious backgrounds of the pertinent nature of this effort and how the hospital
has embarked on a modesty dress for Muslim women where other women and hospital
are now interested in as well as halal meals.
The Queen
Jubilee Awards were presented to Mr Farouk Khan, Executive Director for North
American Muslim Foundation and Dr Shanaz Dar for their outstanding relief efforts
during the Pakistan floods by Mr Karigiannis.
The evening
was indeed one of pleasure and good memories as many guests won door prizes and
enjoyed a sumptuous cuisine of great festivity. Alia Chan, a former speech
competition winner and now a Ryerson student was the MC for the Gala and she
did a wonderful job in ensuring the speakers as well as the guests were
entertained and the program was on time. Hon MPP of Agincourt Soo Wong was in attendance
and she reminded how important health is and how much she has enjoyed working
the Muslim community at NAMF over the short years in office and hopes so in the
future. Later in the year NAMF did present a 25,000.00 check towards the MRI
campaign to the TSH Foundation.
First Canadian-born Muslim graduates
as Forces chaplain
Having
Caribbean roots, Canadian foundations and Islamic training with academics
spawned from UK to Harvard has earned Mr Ryan Carter the title of Captain
Rasheed. The elaborate ceremony attended by friends and family in the North
town of Borden at the Canadian Forces base among other Christian chaplains was
indeed indicative of what a prestigious position this is for the Muslim
community. Rasheed is a member of the Canadian Council of Imams and a member of
the ongoing Interfaith Scriptural reasoning sessions held every month by Susan
Harrison. He has served in many capacities in the community and was trained for
his position in Edmonton. His chaplaincy will serve members of the Forces who
are Muslims primarily and be a conduit of better understanding of Islam among
his Interfaith compatriots of which he is already doing according to some of
the colleagues Habeeb Alli met while at the function.
Congratulations
and safe travels!
Christians would like to have active
Muslims work with them
For almost
25years members of the Christian and Jewish communities in North York have ben
meting over bread and the word of God. This was originally to stem away the
forces of racism that was new and fearful in the beginning. With a changing
city they would like to see Muslims join them but an effort to enroll Muslims
and nearby Mosques has not gone favorable. Their have been attempts to visit a
mosque but the welcome and education did not match the enthusiasm and quest for
knowledge according to a long standing member Mr. Edmunds. Another to find
common actions that serve all faiths was the concern of another member Mr.
Charles. That may soon change with a recent meeting with Imam Habeeb who
suggested having a common value project like the MRI campaign or organ
donation. Members actually attended two NAMF functions in the past and are
impressed with the kinds of work the Muslim community is involved in. In the past imam Hamid Slimi, AbdulHai Patel
and Habeeb Alli have spoken at their annual interfaith reception. Recently Noor
Cultural centre opened their doors for Juma to this group and more things are
in the hopeful as the New Year warrants only good things, if we believe in
Allah truly!
Police celebrates Eid among other
festivals
Every year
the Muslim community, among others, is highlighted at the Toronto Police
headquarters for the delightful and meaningful work they perform as partners
with the Toronto Police. This year Mr Zul Kassim Ali who heads the South Asian
liaison committee and Mr Osman Khan who is co chair of the Muslim liaison
committee presented their thoughts and gratitude to all those in their
respective committees and others for making 2012 a successful year. Greetings
were received from the Chief Bill Blair as well as many other officers and
well-wishers with Sangita Patel from City TV doing a fabulous job as MC,
introducing the many speakers and entertainers, not as the weather forecaster!
To note was choir from Ismaili youth core who performed songs in the various
languages and faith traditions, celebrating that night. The food was no less
than fantastic and the many guests were treated to a Turkish rendition by Imam
Erdem who is the Toronto Police Muslim chaplain.
White ribbon campaign in Muslim
communities
Domestic
violence is everybody’s business. That’s the idea behind many Imams signing on
this last month on this website- WWW.MUSLIMSFORWHITERIBBON.COM
Canadian
Council of Imams actually hosted a special session at the Sayyeda Khadija
centre where several Imams signed on to the campaign online and have their
accompanying photo and statements attached to re emphasized on their Juma
Khutba that week the importance of men standing up as heroes against those
abusers and to be helpers of the women and men who are abused as Allah says we
are partners and helpers unto each other.
The campaign
two months curtains were drawn at RIS conference and Imam AbdurRasheed Taylor
mentioned that they are other steps in the works to continue giving clinical
and spiritual help to those suffering.
RIS gala at Fairmount hosted interfaith
speakers and guests
It was
indeed heart warming, given the coldness of December, to witness at the regal
Royal York ballroom not only Muslim notaries and Imams but important interfaith
leaders and speakers rise to the occasion and show solidarity to the Muslim
community of Canada,
Reviving the
Islamic Spirit Conference, now in the eleventh year, attracts over 25000 attendees
and 100 000 online listeners globally, listening to wide array of speakers and
topics.
Dr Karen
Armstrong in her key note address mentioned that her work on the Charter of Compassion
saw Muslims in Pakistan as the most enthusiastic yet most challenged. RIS like
ISNA has signed unto the Charter asking humanity to tap into that aspect of the
Golden Rule- you will not attain to true piety unless you love for your brother
what you love for yourself.
Another
speaker was the head of PEN Canada who uses this model of engagement in his
talk s world wide to illustrate what Canada offers to the Muslim world
situation.
Among the
invited guests, who were asked to stand with the many speakers and political
leaders for stage wide photo was Rev Dr. Karen Hamilton of the Canadian council
of Churches and Pundit Roop Sharma, head of the Canadian Hindu Federation, who
was recently appreciated at a special dinner held by the Canadian Council of
Imams for his bravery in the face of Hindu Islamophobes.
Amr Khalid
shook the audience just before the mouth watering array of dishes were served
with his 750 000 survey of Arab youths found number one need was jobs are
needed and the desire for meaningful partnership with those who have
opportunities.
Congratulations
and may their efforts be blessed.
www.risconvention,com
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