One Love Gala 2018

One Love Gala 2019: Inmates Rehabilitation

Media Release

2019-01-06

Re: Apex Consulting presents the 7th One Love Gala

One Love Gala 2019: Rehab

The One Love gala was inspired by Bob Marley’s song one love!

Some seven years ago, when diversity chaplaincy was under threat, thanks to a Minister who thought otherwise, I was sitting distraught and this song was playing. I thought to myself that we must have an event that both celebrates our work with those incarcerated and advocates for the continuation of this crucial service. The name suited it so much as interfaith leaders and people from all walks of life joined us for an evening of much love! This year’s 7^th anniversary will be held on Sat Feb. 2nd at Elite Banquet Hall 1850 Albion Rd Toronto with Keynote by the American University female Chaplain Tahera Ahmed discussing the indispensable nature of diversity chaplains prisons!

A number of inmates and chaplains as well as entertainers are in the line up.

Awards Presentations include:

Malcolm X- the late-for fighting for freedom- Warren Gambino- freed after 11 years on wrongful expert witness

Tayyibah Taylor, the late, Chaplain’s award for Social Justice- Chaplain Orev Katz- Jewish Chaplain and inclusion and diversity advocate

Ghulam Sajan-the late, humanitarian award- successful inmate reintegration- Joseph Grmovsek-after charged for financial crime

Lyla Ali – the late, single mother award - Joey Twins- innocent Cree woman freed after 27 years

Carl Jadunandan- the late, baseball youth who inspires- for successful reintegration- Motiar Mohamed- charged whilst young

Charity of choice this year is Looking at the Stars foundation that take classical music into prisons for free.

Co Chairs-

Chaplains Habeeb Alli and Julianne Martin

Contact Habeeb at 416 823 1738 or onelovegala.org

Valentine

Valentine

They say Happy Valentine

The heart of a martyr of love

Is not of blood and roses

But the sacrifice to love even in death

They say only God is love

We forget Mother’s love is the greatest

Didn’t Muhammad, on whom be peace, love besides God?

Even the flowers and ants he protected

They say there should be chocolates and flowers for each day

But how can you forget your birthday?

They why not celebrate Eid everyday?

And stop having national holidays

This love that smiles over the moon

The widow alone in her tent too

Is on fire

Full of passion, waiting to hear I love you!

Life is a mystery

The fuel of life is love

Can’t you see the Divineness

When a man meets a woman after decades of desires?

How could a child not send greetings?

Or a student writes his favorite teacher a card?

And an orphan makes a heartfelt prayer?

On the Day of Love, all and however!