JUNE
ORPHAN WALK A GROWING SUCCESS
Walk-for-a-cause has become a hit for Charities. The third annual Orphan Walk organised in the summer by North American Muslim Foundation, an NGO for 36 years, attracted on the sunny and windy Saturday morning of May 29th 2010 some 100 walkers from all walks of life. They happily walked with families and friends raising awareness about the plight of those 30,000 children that die daily out of poverty, rather who suffer thanks to the indifference by those who can make a difference. NAMF sponsors such orphans in many countries and you can see profiles of these online at www.namf.ca
The walkers this year raised almost 4000 through their sponsorships from friends, families and businesses, with the most raised by Sawbera Khan for the third year. Fragrant prizes went to the three top fundraisers. T-shirts and sizzling BBQ were the bonus for registrants and the police were pleasantly at hand to guide the group down from Scarborough Civic Centre all the way down Midland Ave into Finch and unto NAMF lawns.
Mention must be made to some friends who came all the way from Brampton and downtown Toronto as well as the diverse presence, among others, the Hon MP Rob Oliphant and on wheel chair the founder Kabir Farouqui. Speeches and poetry scattered showers of inspiration to the jubilant walkers. Shuttle service at both ends was made available for drivers.
The fun of walking is simple; however, when done out of altruistic reasons it becomes spiritual. It's the giving that builds the soul like the walking builds the muscles.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
events in toronto
Ambition Aug
Muslim Youths gather at Long Bay Camp
Imagine going fishing, swimming, hiking, barbequing, boating, sleeping outdoors and more and still praying and eating halal! Well that’s what the Muslim Summer camp does for the last 25 years out of Ottawa. Every year parents feel safe and secured that their kids are off for a week with like minded youths who are having fun but also learning Islam in Long Bay camp. This is north of Kingston.
Interestingly when I visited there this year with my family the Jumna was being conducted by Imam Yasin Dwyer, Chief Muslim Chaplain for federal Prisons and he had it going on the docks!
The barbeque was sizzling and so were the stories coming out of camp. One thing that struck me was the cards students made during a group competition where the sisters won and these were to be sent to poor students across the seas!
ISSRA hosted seniors program for Ramadan.
Seniors gathered monthly at the downtown location to socialise and learn. They are Muslims so are often worried about Ramadan and diet. Diabetes, blood pressure or simply old age is conditions that warrant no fasting. Imam Habeeb reminded them during their many questions that Islam already is a mercy and when we act upon the concessions we get the reward as if we’re actually doing and more.
Sacred Sex Interfaith seminar
Talking about sex is taboo and for an Imam to comment on it is seen way beyond according to Moulana Yusuf Badat recently. Well the Quran talks about it and in Ramadan! Allah reminds us to approach the spouses after Iftar until dawn unlike the practise of pre Islam where a fasting person is considered at violation for having sex during the nights. Recently producers of a show Sex and Religion for Vision TV organised an interfaith panel at place that people shop the sex education and needed items- Just For Her, run by Carlyle Jansen.
Rabbi Yossi represented the Jewish Faith, Habeeb Alli spoke on behalf of Islam and Rev Ralphe Wuske answered on the Christian Faith. Among the questions presented by the moderator and from the audience was is sex for procreation only, what are some of the things the Prophet did to celebrate sex and is there a prayer before and after sex?
The comments after the panel was encouraging with people believing more of these types of progressive information and representatives are needed. Vision airs this on Sep 20th.
Hilal Meeting
While many people resort the calendar to fast and do Eid many people in GTA still depend upon the moon sighting and hence Hilal Committee of GTA held their annual ritual at Madeena Masjid in search of actual sighting in Canada, America and the Caribbean. No sighting was received from locally nor from Caribbean and when there was no sighting from America the decision was announced close to Esha that Ramadan will begin on Thursday and not Wednesday. This EdulFitr meeting will be held at Masjid Abu Bakr and will be on Sep 9th. Eid may fall on Friday Sep10th. Almost 70 organisations are members of Hilal while some others have left.
EID MUBARAK!
NAMF held Pre-Ramadan Dinner
Getting into the mood of Ramadan is sometimes required especially when so much is going on in Summer. Many centres chose to put on a dinner and lecture.
North American Muslim Foundation held a similar program at the location in Scarborough and Dr Imam Hamid Slimi was the chief guest. He spoke on Ramadan and reminded the audience that while it many be hard to fast in summer Allah respects our feelings and grants concessions for those who find it hard. Among the guests were some Christian and Jewish friends who attended the mosque for the first time and were pleased to learn about Islam and enjoy some good halal food! Appeal was made on behalf of the flood victims of Pakistan as Mr. Farouk Khan ED of NAMF, had already left to Pakistan to help in the disaster on Sep 8th. Every Sat throughout Ramadan dinner and lecture series has continued with Dr Imam Abdulhai Patel speaking one Saturday on his trip to Turkey and the rich culture he encountered there.
Twining of Mosques and Synagogues.
For the third year organisers of this interfaith concept are organising twinning. A mosque and a synagogue do an exchange where members of the synagogue would visit the mosque during Juma and in the evening Muslims would attend the synagogue and have an interfaith dialogue. Interest has increased in this in the Sates, Canada and Europe to about 50 twins. Locally the Muslim Jewish Dialogue group headed by Dr Barbara Landau and Shahid Akhtar are spearheading this and the Council of Imams has some members who are partaking. Interested persons should contact us for ore details. This will be done on third weekend of November.
Imams and Leaders hosted for Iftar at Paramount
For the second year the generosity and known tradition of entraining the Ulama in Ramadan took place at the famous best Lebanese cuisine in town- Paramount, Mississauga.
Among the many special invitees were Sh Abdala Idris, Ahmed Shehab and Ally Hindy. The owner of the restaurant was at hand to serve his guests with sumptuous cuisines and Salatul magrib was performed at the premises where many other iftar diners joined. It was simply amazing!
Open Air iftar at City Hall Toronto
For the fourth year Muslims and the public were treated to an open iftar at city hall Nathan Philip Square. Organised by TARIC mosque and the Islamic Call Society many Muslims turned out to enjoy the recitation of Qari Samir and nasheeds by a new youth choir run by Assadean Khan.
The ambience was superb with delicious food served at the end and the crowds grew even more this year with many passersby joining in the Iftar party!
One attendee said she loved the idea and it gives her pride to her faith being a worker downtown and to be part of such a different cultural item but still feel the program should entail more!
Imagine Azan sounding and the Church bell ringing at the heart of Toronto Financial district!
Muslim Youths gather at Long Bay Camp
Imagine going fishing, swimming, hiking, barbequing, boating, sleeping outdoors and more and still praying and eating halal! Well that’s what the Muslim Summer camp does for the last 25 years out of Ottawa. Every year parents feel safe and secured that their kids are off for a week with like minded youths who are having fun but also learning Islam in Long Bay camp. This is north of Kingston.
Interestingly when I visited there this year with my family the Jumna was being conducted by Imam Yasin Dwyer, Chief Muslim Chaplain for federal Prisons and he had it going on the docks!
The barbeque was sizzling and so were the stories coming out of camp. One thing that struck me was the cards students made during a group competition where the sisters won and these were to be sent to poor students across the seas!
ISSRA hosted seniors program for Ramadan.
Seniors gathered monthly at the downtown location to socialise and learn. They are Muslims so are often worried about Ramadan and diet. Diabetes, blood pressure or simply old age is conditions that warrant no fasting. Imam Habeeb reminded them during their many questions that Islam already is a mercy and when we act upon the concessions we get the reward as if we’re actually doing and more.
Sacred Sex Interfaith seminar
Talking about sex is taboo and for an Imam to comment on it is seen way beyond according to Moulana Yusuf Badat recently. Well the Quran talks about it and in Ramadan! Allah reminds us to approach the spouses after Iftar until dawn unlike the practise of pre Islam where a fasting person is considered at violation for having sex during the nights. Recently producers of a show Sex and Religion for Vision TV organised an interfaith panel at place that people shop the sex education and needed items- Just For Her, run by Carlyle Jansen.
Rabbi Yossi represented the Jewish Faith, Habeeb Alli spoke on behalf of Islam and Rev Ralphe Wuske answered on the Christian Faith. Among the questions presented by the moderator and from the audience was is sex for procreation only, what are some of the things the Prophet did to celebrate sex and is there a prayer before and after sex?
The comments after the panel was encouraging with people believing more of these types of progressive information and representatives are needed. Vision airs this on Sep 20th.
Hilal Meeting
While many people resort the calendar to fast and do Eid many people in GTA still depend upon the moon sighting and hence Hilal Committee of GTA held their annual ritual at Madeena Masjid in search of actual sighting in Canada, America and the Caribbean. No sighting was received from locally nor from Caribbean and when there was no sighting from America the decision was announced close to Esha that Ramadan will begin on Thursday and not Wednesday. This EdulFitr meeting will be held at Masjid Abu Bakr and will be on Sep 9th. Eid may fall on Friday Sep10th. Almost 70 organisations are members of Hilal while some others have left.
EID MUBARAK!
NAMF held Pre-Ramadan Dinner
Getting into the mood of Ramadan is sometimes required especially when so much is going on in Summer. Many centres chose to put on a dinner and lecture.
North American Muslim Foundation held a similar program at the location in Scarborough and Dr Imam Hamid Slimi was the chief guest. He spoke on Ramadan and reminded the audience that while it many be hard to fast in summer Allah respects our feelings and grants concessions for those who find it hard. Among the guests were some Christian and Jewish friends who attended the mosque for the first time and were pleased to learn about Islam and enjoy some good halal food! Appeal was made on behalf of the flood victims of Pakistan as Mr. Farouk Khan ED of NAMF, had already left to Pakistan to help in the disaster on Sep 8th. Every Sat throughout Ramadan dinner and lecture series has continued with Dr Imam Abdulhai Patel speaking one Saturday on his trip to Turkey and the rich culture he encountered there.
Twining of Mosques and Synagogues.
For the third year organisers of this interfaith concept are organising twinning. A mosque and a synagogue do an exchange where members of the synagogue would visit the mosque during Juma and in the evening Muslims would attend the synagogue and have an interfaith dialogue. Interest has increased in this in the Sates, Canada and Europe to about 50 twins. Locally the Muslim Jewish Dialogue group headed by Dr Barbara Landau and Shahid Akhtar are spearheading this and the Council of Imams has some members who are partaking. Interested persons should contact us for ore details. This will be done on third weekend of November.
Imams and Leaders hosted for Iftar at Paramount
For the second year the generosity and known tradition of entraining the Ulama in Ramadan took place at the famous best Lebanese cuisine in town- Paramount, Mississauga.
Among the many special invitees were Sh Abdala Idris, Ahmed Shehab and Ally Hindy. The owner of the restaurant was at hand to serve his guests with sumptuous cuisines and Salatul magrib was performed at the premises where many other iftar diners joined. It was simply amazing!
Open Air iftar at City Hall Toronto
For the fourth year Muslims and the public were treated to an open iftar at city hall Nathan Philip Square. Organised by TARIC mosque and the Islamic Call Society many Muslims turned out to enjoy the recitation of Qari Samir and nasheeds by a new youth choir run by Assadean Khan.
The ambience was superb with delicious food served at the end and the crowds grew even more this year with many passersby joining in the Iftar party!
One attendee said she loved the idea and it gives her pride to her faith being a worker downtown and to be part of such a different cultural item but still feel the program should entail more!
Imagine Azan sounding and the Church bell ringing at the heart of Toronto Financial district!
Working on Sexuality Series
What a dream
Talking about religion
But really not about it
The dynamics of sexuality
Like one who spreads love from her sex shop
One who makes you smile at the screen
One who presides from the podium
The other an eagle of scenic discourses
In the city of ecstasy
God is no longer somewhere just there
The creativeness and prayers, allowances et al
Making the orgasm of hearts real
Talking about religion
But really not about it
The dynamics of sexuality
Like one who spreads love from her sex shop
One who makes you smile at the screen
One who presides from the podium
The other an eagle of scenic discourses
In the city of ecstasy
God is no longer somewhere just there
The creativeness and prayers, allowances et al
Making the orgasm of hearts real
Monday, July 5, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
miraj- the spiritual spa treatment
Few can defy gravity
And make the time machine stop momentarily
Tired of grief from tormentors
Muhammad retreated into the Futures
From home all the way to Jerusalem
He was taken into Heaven
The gates opened until the Lote Tree
Until He was summoned by the Throne Owner Yaa Habeebe
He saw the sweetness of Heaven and met His comrades
He witnessed the cinders of Hell and realised his luckiness
Gifted with Salah and numerous gifts otherwise
Rasollulah brought His Followers forever a spiritual surprise
Upon His return, they dubbed his miracle a lie
How can you travel two months' distance in wink of an eye?
Abu Bakr believed, such is love not Hate!
The Believers always believe, isn't it, the logic of Faith?
So among the lessons of Miraj we learn
That God takes up the slave not the labels we earn
He uplifts you from your downtrodden state
If you can humble infront of Him and relate
That the lofty place of worship is the key
The masjid is mentioned and not his Meccan alley
To remind us that the haven of peace
Is the retreat of the broken hearted-on your knees
And its the care that counts when stressed-bent
That someone both hears and listens with all intent
So the All Hearing and All Seeing embraced His Beloved
Knowing the Year of Grief needed a break with beautiful memories lived!
And make the time machine stop momentarily
Tired of grief from tormentors
Muhammad retreated into the Futures
From home all the way to Jerusalem
He was taken into Heaven
The gates opened until the Lote Tree
Until He was summoned by the Throne Owner Yaa Habeebe
He saw the sweetness of Heaven and met His comrades
He witnessed the cinders of Hell and realised his luckiness
Gifted with Salah and numerous gifts otherwise
Rasollulah brought His Followers forever a spiritual surprise
Upon His return, they dubbed his miracle a lie
How can you travel two months' distance in wink of an eye?
Abu Bakr believed, such is love not Hate!
The Believers always believe, isn't it, the logic of Faith?
So among the lessons of Miraj we learn
That God takes up the slave not the labels we earn
He uplifts you from your downtrodden state
If you can humble infront of Him and relate
That the lofty place of worship is the key
The masjid is mentioned and not his Meccan alley
To remind us that the haven of peace
Is the retreat of the broken hearted-on your knees
And its the care that counts when stressed-bent
That someone both hears and listens with all intent
So the All Hearing and All Seeing embraced His Beloved
Knowing the Year of Grief needed a break with beautiful memories lived!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Wows for vows!
Wow!
The day of vows
Finally here
Your journey amazing
Nadia
You know how much it took
Your determination
Your virtue
Your trust in your values
Brought you the gift
Sirus
You have made your mom proud
Your dad smiling
The sweetness of love
Is tasted in every item
The union of two hearts
Two families
And two cultures
The song of love
Sung by angels enjoyed by all
May your marriage be blessed
And children plentiful
May your respect be kind
And in your eyes
Find coolness all the time
The day of vows
Finally here
Your journey amazing
Nadia
You know how much it took
Your determination
Your virtue
Your trust in your values
Brought you the gift
Sirus
You have made your mom proud
Your dad smiling
The sweetness of love
Is tasted in every item
The union of two hearts
Two families
And two cultures
The song of love
Sung by angels enjoyed by all
May your marriage be blessed
And children plentiful
May your respect be kind
And in your eyes
Find coolness all the time
Monday, April 12, 2010
In Praise of Islam
Oh Allah!
What a day!
You brought colors
Like spring flowers
Glowing from the light
You lit the Heavens and Prophets white
Let the love flow
Hatred disappear
Like the Niagara inspires from so far
The water of love motivates good from bad
The candle sometimes doesn't withstand the winds
But another candle lights her
Khatija name magnified
Lighted by the lamp of her simple Kaba, the Dignified
The sacrifice of building Islam
The tears, sweat, and blood they are
Todays' cuisine so luxurious
Tasty, wholesome food for the soul for the curious
The hearts are warm
Canada is secured
But where is the Faith
What will be the Star of the next generation?
Like Don's, the new revert, silent tears
Rejected for his reversal of atheist tendency
Like the mother's hands spread in Tahajjud nightly prayers
Our spirit will not fade
For Love and only love will survive the storm
When we beleive Allah is the behind this Huge Complex!
Who else can do but Him, the Merciful?!
What a day!
You brought colors
Like spring flowers
Glowing from the light
You lit the Heavens and Prophets white
Let the love flow
Hatred disappear
Like the Niagara inspires from so far
The water of love motivates good from bad
The candle sometimes doesn't withstand the winds
But another candle lights her
Khatija name magnified
Lighted by the lamp of her simple Kaba, the Dignified
The sacrifice of building Islam
The tears, sweat, and blood they are
Todays' cuisine so luxurious
Tasty, wholesome food for the soul for the curious
The hearts are warm
Canada is secured
But where is the Faith
What will be the Star of the next generation?
Like Don's, the new revert, silent tears
Rejected for his reversal of atheist tendency
Like the mother's hands spread in Tahajjud nightly prayers
Our spirit will not fade
For Love and only love will survive the storm
When we beleive Allah is the behind this Huge Complex!
Who else can do but Him, the Merciful?!
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