Muslim and Jewish students debate Islamophobia and Anti Semitism

01/05/2012

Muslim and Jewish students debate Islamophobia and Anti Semitism by Habeeb Alli

Toronto, Canada –  ‘That would be hard to do,” was the reaction Habeeb Alli, Communication Coordinator at North American Muslim Foundation, received from many as he organised the 11^th annual Speech competition.  The topic was Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia- do Jews and Muslims face the same challenges and have similar solutions?

However, last Sunday night history made itself when a packed audience applauded fifteen participants from various grades and types of schools as they candidly and without fear dealt with the topic at hand. Once an agreed upon date, topic and place is set, an announcement is sent to almost 100 private and public schools of all religious denominations. Students sign up to participate and begin preparing for the big day- April 29^th 2012. Many Interfaith organisations were pleased with this initiative as it addressed a topic from a faith perspective and was planned to accommodate the Jewish community by having it on a Sunday.  The topic of Anti-Semitism was definitely meant to engage Muslims to think beyond themselves.

Among the organisations that supported this year’s event was the Abraham Festival, whose theme was Millennium Goals.  Every year this Festival brings Jews, Christians and Muslims together to celebrate and educate themselves about each other’s religion in Peterborough ON. Being the sole body of Faith leaders advocating for poverty reduction in Ontario, for the last 25 years, ISARC Executive Director, Michael Skaljin, a Buddhist himself, reached out to communities far out of Toronto to participate. Students came all the way from London, Oakville, Markham, Ajax, Scarborough, Vaughn, and beyond.

The approximately 350 audience members were not only treated to food  for thought, but a sumptuous dinner in celebration of the brave and talented youth of our Canadian mosaic- speaking out against Anti-Semitism as a Muslim and condemning Islamophobia as a Jew!

Mr. Farouk Khan, the Executive Director for NAMF, in his remarks noted that this competition has maintained its professionalism over the years. It is not prepared to compromise this value even if at times it’s a struggle to get the community on board. Much of the sponsorship came from local businesses that enabled the winners to receive gifts and trophies. The event was video-taped and placed online for public viewing. Among the sponsors was Emmanuel College that has pioneered the first Muslim Certificate Program and now a Graduate Islamic program at Canada’s first United Church seminary.

The panel of judges was deliberately chosen to reflect the diversity not only as academics but representing the three Abrahamic faiths. Dr Katherine Bullock is a Muslim Professor and author of Politics of the Veil was indeed impressed while Dr Mark Toulouse, a Christian Principal of Emmanuel College, agreed, “It was a splendid event, with exemplary speeches given by wonderfully composed young people!”

The third judge, Valerie Hyman, is a practising Jew, a member of Darchei Noam Synagogue  and a social justice Interfaith advocate. She said, “I was especially impressed at the young women, who were so confident, composed and articulate.”

Among the evening’s attendees was the co-chair of the Canadian Association of Jews and Muslims, Dr Barbara Landau who had the honor of sitting on the panel briefly. She had this to say: “What most touched me was the educative and empathetic effect of young people learning about each other's history and experiences with discrimination and marginalization.”

Inset from left Valerie Hyman, Barbara Landau and Katherine Bullock.

If anything, the turning point of this success, were Jewish members of Temple Sinai, Darchei Noam, Temple Sinai, the Narayever Synagogue, Temple Emanuel as well as Christians who sat with Muslims of all ethnicities and religious affiliations. Together they applauded and wished the best for these students as the Honourable John McCallum, MP Unionville, rightly said: “this model should be exported out of Canada!” The students were represented   in the Ontario Legislature by MPP Soo Wong Scarborough Agincourt and were reminded to stand up against bullying anywhere!

The topic of this year’s debate was chosen based on the work that the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding is doing in Twinning Mosques and Synagogues.  This initiative should be extended to twinning faith-based schools, with young articulate youths taking the message forward- we will not forget that racism to one is racism against the entire human race!

Quran 49:13 O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).

*Habeeb Alli is a freelance writer for the Ambition, is on www.allexperts.com and author of twelve books on Islam.

Just live and love

01/05/2012

Muslim and Jewish students debate Islamophobia and Anti Semitism by Habeeb Alli

Toronto, Canada –  ‘That would be hard to do,” was the reaction Habeeb Alli, Communication Coordinator at North American Muslim Foundation, received from many as he organised the 11^th annual Speech competition.  The topic was Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia- do Jews and Muslims face the same challenges and have similar solutions?

However, last Sunday night history made itself when a packed audience applauded fifteen participants from various grades and types of schools as they candidly and without fear dealt with the topic at hand. Once an agreed upon date, topic and place is set, an announcement is sent to almost 100 private and public schools of all religious denominations. Students sign up to participate and begin preparing for the big day- April 29^th 2012. Many Interfaith organisations were pleased with this initiative as it addressed a topic from a faith perspective and was planned to accommodate the Jewish community by having it on a Sunday.  The topic of Anti-Semitism was definitely meant to engage Muslims to think beyond themselves.

Among the organisations that supported this year’s event was the Abraham Festival, whose theme was Millennium Goals.  Every year this Festival brings Jews, Christians and Muslims together to celebrate and educate themselves about each other’s religion in Peterborough ON. Being the sole body of Faith leaders advocating for poverty reduction in Ontario, for the last 25 years, ISARC Executive Director, Michael Skaljin, a Buddhist himself, reached out to communities far out of Toronto to participate. Students came all the way from London, Oakville, Markham, Ajax, Scarborough, Vaughn, and beyond.

The approximately 350 audience members were not only treated to food  for thought, but a sumptuous dinner in celebration of the brave and talented youth of our Canadian mosaic- speaking out against Anti-Semitism as a Muslim and condemning Islamophobia as a Jew!

Mr. Farouk Khan, the Executive Director for NAMF, in his remarks noted that this competition has maintained its professionalism over the years. It is not prepared to compromise this value even if at times it’s a struggle to get the community on board. Much of the sponsorship came from local businesses that enabled the winners to receive gifts and trophies. The event was video-taped and placed online for public viewing. Among the sponsors was Emmanuel College that has pioneered the first Muslim Certificate Program and now a Graduate Islamic program at Canada’s first United Church seminary.

The panel of judges was deliberately chosen to reflect the diversity not only as academics but representing the three Abrahamic faiths. Dr Katherine Bullock is a Muslim Professor and author of Politics of the Veil was indeed impressed while Dr Mark Toulouse, a Christian Principal of Emmanuel College, agreed, “It was a splendid event, with exemplary speeches given by wonderfully composed young people!”

The third judge, Valerie Hyman, is a practising Jew, a member of Darchei Noam Synagogue  and a social justice Interfaith advocate. She said, “I was especially impressed at the young women, who were so confident, composed and articulate.”

Among the evening’s attendees was the co-chair of the Canadian Association of Jews and Muslims, Dr Barbara Landau who had the honor of sitting on the panel briefly. She had this to say: “What most touched me was the educative and empathetic effect of young people learning about each other's history and experiences with discrimination and marginalization.”

Inset from left Valerie Hyman, Barbara Landau and Katherine Bullock.

If anything, the turning point of this success, were Jewish members of Temple Sinai, Darchei Noam, Temple Sinai, the Narayever Synagogue, Temple Emanuel as well as Christians who sat with Muslims of all ethnicities and religious affiliations. Together they applauded and wished the best for these students as the Honourable John McCallum, MP Unionville, rightly said: “this model should be exported out of Canada!” The students were represented   in the Ontario Legislature by MPP Soo Wong Scarborough Agincourt and were reminded to stand up against bullying anywhere!

The topic of this year’s debate was chosen based on the work that the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding is doing in Twinning Mosques and Synagogues.  This initiative should be extended to twinning faith-based schools, with young articulate youths taking the message forward- we will not forget that racism to one is racism against the entire human race!

Quran 49:13 O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).

*Habeeb Alli is a freelance writer for the Ambition, is on www.allexperts.com and author of twelve books on Islam.

habeeballi.blogspot.com

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CIOG – CENTRAL ISLAMIC ORGANISATION OF GUYANA

CIOG – CENTRAL ISLAMIC ORGANISATION OF GUYANA

You know its CIOG

When you see on the news

Children in need of help

And Muslims giving out hampers

You know you bet it’s CIOG

When you see Islam attacked on the media

And Scholars firing back in a news conference

You feel proud that our support is doing wonders

You feel the pulse of CIOG on your heart

That schools teaching Islam making CXC headlines

And students who were orphans getting scholarships

That since days of Anjuman and Hifaz the CIOG has not stopped

You know you can trust CIOG

When gossipers spread mistrust

And sacred people get caught in the web

But the programs have not failed nor your donations strayed

You are certain it’s CIOG

That the Muslim minority in Guyana is safe

In Non Government Commissions

Overseeing the powers to be, that justice prevails despite creed

The Iman in your heart grows

You hear lovely Qaseedas, children reciting Quran

That children is priority, like the amber alert in Canada

When a single child goes missing, it’s no joking business

And when your loved one dies in Guyana

You know CIOG will be there

Even if the hearse driver is in Canada

And most of her sons are faraway from Hajji Hyadar masdressa.

Enmore

Enmore Martyrs’ Pride - April24th 2012- Habeeb Alli, Blossom Scheme

You know you’re Enmorean

When you stop a hire car

And you see seventeen passengers crouching

You shout Enmore and get No More!

You can only come from Enmore

If you know what’s 1:30, 5:30 and 9:30 whistle

You’re living at Estate although your address is Enmore Newtown Village

And falling inside sideline, swimming in broadside and washing by black water trench is you.

Where else but Enmore

You can catch a fling for a bob

Not a friend by the name Bob or your cousin, Baapre baap

But with a ticket to Gem four o’clock Sunday matinee, slipping into balcony!

And if it’s not Enmore, where else

That you know somebody only by their false name

And at 9 o’clock Banarat Bell News make you know their real name

Cuttail is Mr. Persaud Husain and Baby Chips is Ms Bibi Mohamed Singh

You had to be an Enmore child, God knows!

If you had played cricket and salt in the pasture and not community centre

Carry your neighbor to outpost

Check Lalbachan for tabeej and curse Mr Sylvester for punt not running on time!

And if this isn’t Enmore, then I ain’t Wajid grandson

You taking an outing Saturday afternoon, not out of town

But after doll up, you riding out to Public road

Liming with your friends, seeing who going to town, and who selling black pudding!

Where in Guyana you get your own National Day but for Enmore Martyrs

The whole country comes to remember five sugar workers, even Forbes, Rodney and Jagan

But you‘re either grazing cows or selling at Friday market near this sacred ground

And when you want to threaten your neighbor you say I’m going to send you to Logwood like Lalbhaji!

Such is Enmore, EHP vinegar, sugar and brains

Where people fall in love under Big Tree and buy sweetie at Big Shop

Where you go to night school at Guruji, Sunday school at Brother‘s bottom house and learn Qaida at Uncle Hydar!

But your intention is another kind of parsaud, mambogh and sirney!

Only in Enmore you can sleep tight knowing vigilante and Barry waking up all night!

But it’s Enmore alone where you can find this

Fetching mould from Choo-cow and shavings from Bawan on your father’s Big ben

Catching water from the hydrant and not the tap.

And yes where else but unique Enmore

Vidyarthi, Bheem and Jenu

Beating, way before American idol, lyrics of Lata, Jim Reeves and Sparrow

All in one night, with Jhango dancing before Building whistle!

Titanic

How amazing
After years of drowning
This epic episode still sinks the heart
Tears afresh flow from the Atlantic that washed us

I now get why you said Titanic
The song has always been with me
Celine sang from her heart like its her story
Or was it mine like millions?

The heart does go on
Parting from Jack sent chills in the spine
I felt it more than once
Rose lived on to fulfil the promise

The destiny of a shipwreck
Did not separare him from saving his engaged beloved
While she lived imprisoned in the whims of others
Society, fiancee, mother and finances

Freed like the wind
Freed like the child
Freed by the bravery of a simple man
She lived such a few hours in the belly of love

That it touched her for a life time to come
He found the purpose of living like a gypsy finding family
Before he could gamble all for there was nothing to live for
He knew love meant being useful for someone but not just anyone

The iceberg suddenly loomed infront of their haven
The bare incidence of sideways diversion
Caused the family of Titanic to be buried at sea
The slips of the seffish mind can do just about that to any

Civilizations across the Atlantic
Now married after a century, celebrating on screen
April 14th seem so fateful, who knows that feeling knows
That Jack's martyrdom of love should be the new Valentine

I sailed across oceans and flew across nations
The parting embraces have not parted still
The heart goes on although life is breathing on land
The whipsers of Rose on Jack's lasting breath is still loud, and warm

That you do your best
You love with your heart even if it burst at the seams
When the waters subside and history will write its mystery
It will be said- he searched for her in a lifetime without end!

Faith of Life Network hosts Gala in aid of Brampton Hospital

Faith of Life Network hosts Gala in aid of Brampton Hospital

 “What an awesome way of saying we care!” says the Mohamed family from Sayyeda Khatija centre. They were among the 500 odd guests who attended the recently fabulous Gala in Brampton’s finest Chandni Banquet Hall. Treated to an evening laced with eloquence, delicious cuisine, tabla entertainment and awards- all in aid of Brampton tripartite hospitals.

Muslim Friends of Osler five years ago targeted 1 million dollars and with Dr Hamid Slimi at the helm of this, the goal is not faraway with approx 650 000 fundraised so far.

The evening proceeding began with Dr Mohamed Naveed reminding all of the constant flow of critical patients at his emergency ward- some 230 per day, since the opening. He congratulated the retiring The President and CEO of William Osler Health System Foundation, Anne K Randel while the President and CEO of The William Osler Health System Dr. Mathew Anderson joined by the Chair of the Muslim volunteer group recognized her contribution with a plaque. Dr Anderson proudly reminded that some 7500 babies are born here per year making it the second busiest hospital in Canada. Critical care, surgery, rehab, mental health, first psychiatric unit, etc.

Minister Responsible for Seniors Hon Linda Jeffrey, MPP (Brampton--Springdale) spoke briefly on the importance of such a donation.  She has been touched by Imam Slimi since the first day at the opening. Fazil Baig, nephew of the late Mohamed Rafie, world famous Indian singer, rendered a beautiful qaseeda- song in praise of the Prophet. Honorable Minister Dr Charles Souza, MPP Mississauga South, commended the efforts of the volunteers and reminded the attentive audience that Islam is a great faith and Ontarians are people of faith! He was deeply impressed by the deep commitment Muslim youths demonstrated at the RIS conference recently and hopes for more great things from the Muslim community.

The chief guest was leader of the Opposition in Ontario, John Tory, Chair of Civic Action and radio talk host at CFRB. He was inspired by Islam since he first met imam SlimI at IMO in 2003 and has even brought his family to attend the mosque so they may learn Islam firsthand rather from the media types! Mr. Tory applauded the effort to help the hospital and saw the diversity of Ontario as a means to help out in many different ways and as reflected in the saying there are many ways to skin a cat! Canadians like Muslims wish for themselves strong families and better opportunities. He even asked the Jewish community to reflect on the Muslim experience, as they aren’t new to stereotype- victimization.

Sponsors were acknowledged by having their names placed on the hospital donors’ wall and those who donated 2500 and more were among those. There was beautiful art auction done by the famous AbdulLatif Tajideen, Kitchener. Imam Hamid Slimi conducted the fundraiser and ably extracted more benevolence from the Muslim hearts as well recognized everyone present including the Canadian Council of Imams’ delegation.

The MC of the night was Asim of SKC and it was indeed a lovely evening to say thank you for caring!

http://faithoflife.net/ http://www.muslimfriendsofosler.com/