I would like to express our deepest shock and disgust at the Bombings and taking of hostages in Mumbai, India. We the members of religious leadership of Canadian Muslims, strongly condemn these terrorist acts, resulting in loss of many innocent lives and injuring hundreds others.
Canadian Muslims join the international community in grieving this tragedy and strongly condemn these cowardly acts. We hope that the perpetrators of such heinous acts are quickly brought to justice.
Acts like these are an awful exercise of rationalization and must be condemned unequivocally.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
poem on Abraham's love
Abraham to God: Je souviens!
But have we forgotten?
So thus the fear
Every heart trembles at
Whose love will survive
the tsunamis of hurt?
In relinquishing a part of us
The trauma
Erases even the sunshine
Off the summer face
Did Abraham love God and no other?
Was the passion for a son, his only
plus belonging to Hagar
Burnt him like a candle in his Lord’s displeasure?
In trying to loose Ishamel
He was to prove his love was divine and unconditional
And it belongs elsewhere
And never these two mortals
But the Absolute knows it
and so today we relinquish
Only a few kilos of lamb, a donation, maybe online
Calling it the souvenir of Father Abraham.
Yours too
I’m sure is a story
Of where you loved and share
And your anxiety is never be the sacrificial lamb!
Willingness is such
That in being prepared to sacrifice
But fearful of the loss
God will grant both loves, on His behalf!
Habeeb Alli
But have we forgotten?
So thus the fear
Every heart trembles at
Whose love will survive
the tsunamis of hurt?
In relinquishing a part of us
The trauma
Erases even the sunshine
Off the summer face
Did Abraham love God and no other?
Was the passion for a son, his only
plus belonging to Hagar
Burnt him like a candle in his Lord’s displeasure?
In trying to loose Ishamel
He was to prove his love was divine and unconditional
And it belongs elsewhere
And never these two mortals
But the Absolute knows it
and so today we relinquish
Only a few kilos of lamb, a donation, maybe online
Calling it the souvenir of Father Abraham.
Yours too
I’m sure is a story
Of where you loved and share
And your anxiety is never be the sacrificial lamb!
Willingness is such
That in being prepared to sacrifice
But fearful of the loss
God will grant both loves, on His behalf!
Habeeb Alli
Thursday, November 13, 2008
What is Qurbani? and EidulAzha?
Qurbani is the annual sacrifice performed by Muslims in commemoration of Abraham's intention to offer God his only son, Ishmael. Such ultimate dedication was accepted by God through a dream in the form of a lamb. Abraham instead sacrificed lambs and distributed the meat as per his norm of being charitable. Later on, this tradition took roots in Mecca, the city of his making.
Today, in keeping with Islam's origin to Abrahamic Culture, - pilgrimage, circumcision and a host of other religious acts, Muslims who can afford this donation are obligated to. For the most part the price of a sheep or a goat or even 1/7 of a cow is paid and the meat distributed to the poor and needy.
While many are not privileged to have the time and access to actually perform the slaughter, especially in modern societies, many bona fide charitable organizations will accept the amount and have the act performed in some underprivileged place in the world. The price is about CDN 230.00 for a sheep and the meat can be consumed by oneself, by friends and neighbors, albeit the destitute deservingly are mostly the recipients.
The prayer at the time of the sacrifice remains one as in making any domesticated animal halal for consumption-blessing the meat by mentioning God's name (Bismillah), the source of life and the prayer for acceptance finalizes the act- Oh Allah accept from us as you did from Abraham! The intention of the devotee is considered made at the time of paying the amount and hence there is no need for publication of names and lengthy litanies, however, the mention of it doesn't invalidate the act.
Finally this is not a senseless ritualistic ruin of animals but rather an act of charity that has deeper roots into an historical act, done by a Prophet shared by world religions, of great self sacrifice. Today he remains an emblem of unity and icon for alleviation of poverty through this pro bono act of religious charity. Muslims should therefore think of those daily food banks when planning their Qurbani as this meat is good for all humanity.
EidulAzha is the festival when this act is performed, mostly three days, commencing just after the performance of the pilgrimage to Mecca. The Hijra calendar marks it as 10th of ZilHijja and this year it may fall on Tuesday, December 9th, as per calculated predictions.
Be what day it is, this time of Eid doesn’t usually get the same fanfare like the Eid of Feast. But shouldn't Eid be festive and filled with jubilation? After all this is also thanksgiving for having Ishmael's life saved and God making it easy that purchasing a simple goat is enough to display rather fulfill the need for divine approval in the devotee-God circle of love.
Today, in keeping with Islam's origin to Abrahamic Culture, - pilgrimage, circumcision and a host of other religious acts, Muslims who can afford this donation are obligated to. For the most part the price of a sheep or a goat or even 1/7 of a cow is paid and the meat distributed to the poor and needy.
While many are not privileged to have the time and access to actually perform the slaughter, especially in modern societies, many bona fide charitable organizations will accept the amount and have the act performed in some underprivileged place in the world. The price is about CDN 230.00 for a sheep and the meat can be consumed by oneself, by friends and neighbors, albeit the destitute deservingly are mostly the recipients.
The prayer at the time of the sacrifice remains one as in making any domesticated animal halal for consumption-blessing the meat by mentioning God's name (Bismillah), the source of life and the prayer for acceptance finalizes the act- Oh Allah accept from us as you did from Abraham! The intention of the devotee is considered made at the time of paying the amount and hence there is no need for publication of names and lengthy litanies, however, the mention of it doesn't invalidate the act.
Finally this is not a senseless ritualistic ruin of animals but rather an act of charity that has deeper roots into an historical act, done by a Prophet shared by world religions, of great self sacrifice. Today he remains an emblem of unity and icon for alleviation of poverty through this pro bono act of religious charity. Muslims should therefore think of those daily food banks when planning their Qurbani as this meat is good for all humanity.
EidulAzha is the festival when this act is performed, mostly three days, commencing just after the performance of the pilgrimage to Mecca. The Hijra calendar marks it as 10th of ZilHijja and this year it may fall on Tuesday, December 9th, as per calculated predictions.
Be what day it is, this time of Eid doesn’t usually get the same fanfare like the Eid of Feast. But shouldn't Eid be festive and filled with jubilation? After all this is also thanksgiving for having Ishmael's life saved and God making it easy that purchasing a simple goat is enough to display rather fulfill the need for divine approval in the devotee-God circle of love.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Obama’s victory
Obama’s victory
And how can one not be romantic about President Obama's win? I cried tears of joy and poured prayers of gratitude and protection, that while many have sought him with demeaning names, his conviction for change was marvelously answered- like the Secret magic or rather the Moses rising out of the wicker basket in the drowning ocean of two centuries of slavery. But definitely the divine intervention to have a Muslim-sounding-name American of black ancestry to sit in the White House, while many pundits of doom scattered our horizons with otherwise disdain, is democratically reassuring. Will the Third World and the Muslim lands kindly stand with renewed vigor and peaceful discipline in their electoral challenges?
While racism has not ended, it has sure made an opening for exit. Yes, the many times Muslims felt alienated only to be brought back into the circle of love by no lesser a person like Collin Powel speaks volumes that an inclusive process is the sure strategy of a successful democracy. May this inspire the rest of the world where the price of the same is the costly price of lives and dignity! The Prophet of Medina established the precedents of having the will of the people decide when he signed the treaty among the religious groups of that city and when he ruled by shura or collective consultation. Once more the tears of my reflection gathered momentum upon the sight of 104 years old African woman saying she couldn't have exercised her right being a woman and a person of different color.
And how can one not be romantic about President Obama's win? I cried tears of joy and poured prayers of gratitude and protection, that while many have sought him with demeaning names, his conviction for change was marvelously answered- like the Secret magic or rather the Moses rising out of the wicker basket in the drowning ocean of two centuries of slavery. But definitely the divine intervention to have a Muslim-sounding-name American of black ancestry to sit in the White House, while many pundits of doom scattered our horizons with otherwise disdain, is democratically reassuring. Will the Third World and the Muslim lands kindly stand with renewed vigor and peaceful discipline in their electoral challenges?
While racism has not ended, it has sure made an opening for exit. Yes, the many times Muslims felt alienated only to be brought back into the circle of love by no lesser a person like Collin Powel speaks volumes that an inclusive process is the sure strategy of a successful democracy. May this inspire the rest of the world where the price of the same is the costly price of lives and dignity! The Prophet of Medina established the precedents of having the will of the people decide when he signed the treaty among the religious groups of that city and when he ruled by shura or collective consultation. Once more the tears of my reflection gathered momentum upon the sight of 104 years old African woman saying she couldn't have exercised her right being a woman and a person of different color.
My heart throbbed grievously that Brother Malcolm seem oblivious as the remarks of others triumphed in credit. But this was his dream- a vision where colour was absent but ideas flourished, where class vanished but character reigned and where the superficial clout of wealth and power disintegrates while faith and trust fly high. Inspired he was from Muhammad, the great world leader, who made not only persons of different country and color one of his own but he made it forbidden to insult anyone of such- there is no black or white and no Arab and non Arab but yes there will always be respect for piety and good works.
So at a time when the world wants the end of violence, when Muslims are tired answering about their religion's peaceful stand in the jury box of opinions and when jobs are loss to mega bucks protection, this is the time to not only hope for change but collectively work to make that inspiration not become thin flurries on the plains of life sunny challenges. Now we are not onto a destination so much as we are on a journey.
Abu Bakr, the first Caliph, rightly said in his acceptance speech some 1400 years ago, preserved until today without the help of you tube, fellow citizens correct me if I err as that would be dearer that following me in error. I am hopeful when I heard our brother Barack said he will listen more to the disagreeing opinions- yes it's time we do not only listen but hear- for something divine may come out of our global poverty of virtue and absence of environmental well being.
Dale Carnegie said it mostly aptly: Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.
Q 13:11 says: Verily never will God change the condition of a people until they change it themselves. Congrats to him and all his supporters and thank you for your time- may this world be a better place.
Friday, October 10, 2008
ThanksGiving for real!
So Thanksgiving is about that
Among the endless list of divine gifts
To register deep within what Canada has done for you
The gratitiude of finding heaven right here on earth!
Among the endless list of divine gifts
To register deep within what Canada has done for you
The gratitiude of finding heaven right here on earth!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Interfaith at UFT
Interfaith at UFT
If you haven’t met Fr. Terry Gallagher you have missed almost half of your life of warmth and true respect for Islam from a practicing Christian. This Ramadan he hosted the youth council at UFT Multi Faith Centre, Toronto. This was in collaboration with the Scarborro Missions. Earlier this summer one of their outstanding reverends, David Warren spoke at dinner with Dr Munir El Kassem on poverty and what Jesus would have done about it at NAMF.
While the Muslim presence was near absent the UFT conference, read Ramadan blues and not being on a school day, the discussions centered around how youths can make a difference through their spirituality and social activism. What is respect; love and spirituality were among the topics discussed.
Over and over again we are told about the importance of joining hands in combating social problems. We are invited repeatedly to lend support on interfaith initiatives. But how many times we ourselves are the organizers of such events? Before Ramadan a debate was organized at North America Muslim foundation convention hall where Jonathan Kay front the National Post and Dr David Liepert from Calgary challenged each other on freedom of speech versus freedom of religion. The audience was definitely a mixture of religious backgrounds. The session ended respectfully with lots of Q/A thanks to the Faith of Life network support. More of these sessions are definitely needed. As a matter of fact a session of elections and what it will do for Muslims in Canada is much needed.
If you haven’t met Fr. Terry Gallagher you have missed almost half of your life of warmth and true respect for Islam from a practicing Christian. This Ramadan he hosted the youth council at UFT Multi Faith Centre, Toronto. This was in collaboration with the Scarborro Missions. Earlier this summer one of their outstanding reverends, David Warren spoke at dinner with Dr Munir El Kassem on poverty and what Jesus would have done about it at NAMF.
While the Muslim presence was near absent the UFT conference, read Ramadan blues and not being on a school day, the discussions centered around how youths can make a difference through their spirituality and social activism. What is respect; love and spirituality were among the topics discussed.
Over and over again we are told about the importance of joining hands in combating social problems. We are invited repeatedly to lend support on interfaith initiatives. But how many times we ourselves are the organizers of such events? Before Ramadan a debate was organized at North America Muslim foundation convention hall where Jonathan Kay front the National Post and Dr David Liepert from Calgary challenged each other on freedom of speech versus freedom of religion. The audience was definitely a mixture of religious backgrounds. The session ended respectfully with lots of Q/A thanks to the Faith of Life network support. More of these sessions are definitely needed. As a matter of fact a session of elections and what it will do for Muslims in Canada is much needed.
Ramadan’s Ranting: Reflections around September 2008
Ramadan’s Ranting: Reflections around September 2008
Allow me to greet our world of good citizens and spiritual revelers a special Ramadan happiness. As we watch the world, again, unravel their layers of spiritual energy, I just want to reflect on some lessons. With Obamania bouncing around us it behooves the spirit to really take this quick teaspoon of "hope-filling" medicine. After 9/11 the world definitely hasn't been the same. And with all the despair, wars, disasters, racism, economic woes and everything else that spells doom encircle us, a thrust for hope and faith make the best appeal. Ramadan gives us too that hope after a year long, and for some, more, of wallowing in sins, despairing of God's mercy and forgiveness. Can we see ourselves rejoicing in the same spirit though? Also the passing way of two important figures in the religious world recently in the West tells me that good and progressive scholars are so valuable; I still think the zealots and narrow-minded leaders can't get the same value, regardless of how much they shout. Imam WarithDeen from the States shouldered the legacy of the Nation Of Islam from his father Elija Muhammed with an astute scholarship and dedicated and wise endurance that he changed the landscape of America from a black racist movement into a mainstream all embracing social order. He will be missed.
Moulana Shafee Akalwaya from Trinidad died in Tortula after a heart attack and will be remembered for his tireless years around the Latin America and the Caribbean. He brought joy and rejuvenation to the millions he touched throughout his long years here. He has left those smiles still behind. And so too will your soul receive grace as you prepare in this sojourn all the good things Ramadan and otherwise bring with it.
Fortunate for us in Canada we do enjoy a plethora of Scholars locally who are quite erudite and also visits of special experts from overseas. One such eminent teacher is ShaikhulHadith at DarulUloom Deoband, India, Mufti Saeed Planpuri, who was, as usual, was quite inspiring and deeply relevant. Lastly Open Air Iftar at the Nathan Philips Square, Toronto recently taught us, and proudly so, that respect for religion is ingrained in our genes. We gave a day for our religious community and enjoyed each other's presentations and food, while making the world feel warmer and safer. This is the second year the TARIC Mosque is putting on this free public spirited event where all are welcome.
So with lots of new places bouncing back and Taraweeh buzzing the air, including some young local Hafiz the prospect of a spiritual growth in Toronto is quite promising. Yes our mosques projects are still demanding, in total, for all the unfinished work, almost 23M. Generosity is one thing and knowing this is Allah’s house and He will take care of it is another.
Yes, our prayers have been answered. Safe and happy is what life should be. After Ramadan is Eid- the time to rejoice at the harvest of good deeds and self sacrifice. Well with the loads of Eid dinner in the planning, and rightly so, we will still relish the taste of samosas and biryani but savored with the self edification that it’s after a day’s hunger, rather a month of hard work. May it be good and easy and may the starving ones and helpless ones never be deprived from our charity and love.
Allow me to greet our world of good citizens and spiritual revelers a special Ramadan happiness. As we watch the world, again, unravel their layers of spiritual energy, I just want to reflect on some lessons. With Obamania bouncing around us it behooves the spirit to really take this quick teaspoon of "hope-filling" medicine. After 9/11 the world definitely hasn't been the same. And with all the despair, wars, disasters, racism, economic woes and everything else that spells doom encircle us, a thrust for hope and faith make the best appeal. Ramadan gives us too that hope after a year long, and for some, more, of wallowing in sins, despairing of God's mercy and forgiveness. Can we see ourselves rejoicing in the same spirit though? Also the passing way of two important figures in the religious world recently in the West tells me that good and progressive scholars are so valuable; I still think the zealots and narrow-minded leaders can't get the same value, regardless of how much they shout. Imam WarithDeen from the States shouldered the legacy of the Nation Of Islam from his father Elija Muhammed with an astute scholarship and dedicated and wise endurance that he changed the landscape of America from a black racist movement into a mainstream all embracing social order. He will be missed.
Moulana Shafee Akalwaya from Trinidad died in Tortula after a heart attack and will be remembered for his tireless years around the Latin America and the Caribbean. He brought joy and rejuvenation to the millions he touched throughout his long years here. He has left those smiles still behind. And so too will your soul receive grace as you prepare in this sojourn all the good things Ramadan and otherwise bring with it.
Fortunate for us in Canada we do enjoy a plethora of Scholars locally who are quite erudite and also visits of special experts from overseas. One such eminent teacher is ShaikhulHadith at DarulUloom Deoband, India, Mufti Saeed Planpuri, who was, as usual, was quite inspiring and deeply relevant. Lastly Open Air Iftar at the Nathan Philips Square, Toronto recently taught us, and proudly so, that respect for religion is ingrained in our genes. We gave a day for our religious community and enjoyed each other's presentations and food, while making the world feel warmer and safer. This is the second year the TARIC Mosque is putting on this free public spirited event where all are welcome.
So with lots of new places bouncing back and Taraweeh buzzing the air, including some young local Hafiz the prospect of a spiritual growth in Toronto is quite promising. Yes our mosques projects are still demanding, in total, for all the unfinished work, almost 23M. Generosity is one thing and knowing this is Allah’s house and He will take care of it is another.
Yes, our prayers have been answered. Safe and happy is what life should be. After Ramadan is Eid- the time to rejoice at the harvest of good deeds and self sacrifice. Well with the loads of Eid dinner in the planning, and rightly so, we will still relish the taste of samosas and biryani but savored with the self edification that it’s after a day’s hunger, rather a month of hard work. May it be good and easy and may the starving ones and helpless ones never be deprived from our charity and love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)