IMO Tenth Anniversary poem of congrats

IMO WAY TO GO

IMO-INTERESTING MAGNIFICENT ORGANIZERS

THE TEARS AND SWEAT OF TEN YEARS
SYNONONYMOUS WITH GLOBAL ACTIVE BLISS

MAKES EVERY CENT WORTH A 1000 MASJIDS

WHAT THEY SAID? YOU WOULD NEVER REACH

TEN GUYS AT 1000 EACH
MONEY YOUR WIFE WISHED TO SPEND ON SEARS

BUT THANKS TO ALLAH TODAY'S CELEBRATED TEARS

HOW CAN IT NOT BE?

WHEN THE FIRST LADIES OF EVERY ATTENDEE

ROLLED UP THEIR SLEEVES

NEVER MIND THEY CALL US SOCIALESE

OPEN TO ALL, NO ONE TOO SMALL

THEY SAY IT'S SUCH COMPROMISE LEADS TO FALL

BUT ISN’T THIS THE PRIDE OF OUR FAITH, WHERE’S YOUR INSIGHT?

UNLESS YOU DON'T DIG OUR FOOD, RIGHT

SO IMO YOU HAVE LOTS MORE TO DO

FOR NOW SING AND PRAISE, LET THE WORLD KNOW

THIS IS FOR REAL NOT A SHOW

IMO, WAY TO GO!

ensuring the law of the land is followed is totally Islamic

Dear Editor

In your recently published article in the Star on polygamy practiced in GTA the statement of certain religious leaders within the Muslim community needs to be qualified within the context of Canadian Muslims and as per se the Canadian Council of Imams. This council has actively existed and participated in the everyday politics of Canada since 1991, providing guidance for all layers of governance, while emphasizing the importance of adhering to the religious teachings of Islam, the obligation of following the law of the land and ensuring reasonable religious accommodation as constituted in our proud Charter of Rights and Freedom.

Muslims must realize that following the Canadian Law of marriage provides the very provision Islamic Law seeks i.e. protecting women, children and husband in the event of separation and of course during marriage. This Council has repeatedly made it known that it will only perform traditional ceremonies registered and approved by the Province. It has challenged any member who seeks to do otherwise and again call upon all leaders and followers to uphold the coveted laws of Canada that are especially based upon equity and belief in God.

To the surprise of many the elements of a civil marriage are the very primary factors of Nikah/Islamic marriage- consent, witnesses, dower; however in civil ceremonies the Faith of both parties remain a private affair. In having one's marriage performed in this legally licensed fashion provides the very essence of marriage- security and happiness.
Yours truly,

Independence Day: Gratitude and Reflection

Independence Day: Gratitude and Reflection



It is with deep gratitude for the Creator I stand here to day to share my message on behalf the Muslim Community of Guyana. I am honored for this opportunity.

Independence spells freedom for many who lived in bondage and slavery- colonial or post. But Guyana could not have achieved this 42 years ago without the six races standing shoulder to shoulder, ripping those chains with only tears, blood and sweat. The Quran reminds us aptly that such diversity is humanity’s indispensable trump card.

49:13 O Humanity! 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).

But what about recognizing our value as a spiritual nation? We saw the fruits of such when the ERC engaged us in a blitz on anti-racism prior to the last election.

Today let us reflect as our own Martin Carter did: All are consumed. Therefore we are each shepherds and in the words of Muhammad, each must take responsibility of his/ her flock, making Guyana not only the only English speaking country in South America but also the only peaceful, spiritual and safe State in this hemisphere.

And God Willing, Inshallah, we can.

Thank You

Events

Canadian Council of Imams held first development seminars

Knowledge sharing and professional training are no strangers to Imams. That’s what they do. However, finding the time off to attend an Imam’s development workshop, where you are now the listener that could be a challenge.

On May 19th 2008 twenty Imams attended a half day professional training workshop hosted by the Council itself, headed by Hamid Slimi at the Bosnian Islamic Centre, downtown Toronto.

Among the presenters were lawyer Irfan Syed who dealt with Canadian Laws and common issues; Nyla Hassan spoke on the importance of communicating through appropriate self imaging; accountant Qamar Sadiq provided crucial information on taxes while Nazim Baksh explored the sorely crucial area of media interviews. The IttihaadCapital team presented on their version of investing in ethical funds in Canada.

Attendees felt this was indeed an eye-opening event and wish more workshops are planned especially in the area of social work and public speaking.

The Chair thanked everyone, and specifically the Masjid management for hosting all with a sumptuous Bosnian cuisine. More of these workshops are slated as Imams need to operate within the Canadian context and knowledge shared is never too much. The JamiatulUlama, the body of local Islamic scholars, also supported this event.


Islamic Foundation opens its doors for Toronto, again

Affording the tickets to some of Toronto’s exotic destinations could be out of reach for some. And then the phobia in entering certain sacred spaces complicates it further. Well that should no longer be, at least per year. For the last nine years this wonderful Turkish architecture at Markham and Nugget has earned a reputation of being a must stop for those venturing out on a warm Open Doors weekend.

Visitors toured the various sections of the mosques, received refreshments and literature about complex and the religion it represents. Moreso a special session in the public library accommodates the many questions Canadians may wish to settle. Educated presenters dealt alternately throughout the Saturday and Sunday with issues as simple as the meaning of the prayers to complex matters like polygamy.

This conversation has to continue among Muslims with more open doors outside Toronto Open Doors.





NAMF walkathon a small success despite the rain
Last Saturday the weather was not cooperating like most would say for this long Victoria weekend.
However, this did not deter the signed up walkers for NAMF Walkathon 2008 in aid of orphans around the world, including Guyana. The thirty odd walkers started from Scarborough Civic Centre at 10:00 am and ended up at Midland and Finch 11:30 am, doing the 6 km comfortably in the cool of the after rain morning. Many did not want to brave the weather but youths and adults alike joined to make the premiere event a success. The twenty three hundred dollars raised will go towards the orphan sponsorship program, says the Director of North American Muslim Foundation, Mr. Farouk Khan. Among the walkers was Aliya Khan, originally from Guyana and her friends of varied backgrounds. With free t-shirts, popeyes and hand bands plus happy going colleagues she says they are bound to be back next time, bigger and better. “The run was fun, compelling and inspirational”, says Aliya. “It was great to see high school students getting involved in such a great cause since we are expected to spend our Saturday mornings sleeping in! It was a great opportunity to spend time with friends and family, knowing your spreading awareness about orphan sponsorship, not only an Islamic, but World Wide crisis,” she added.

Muslims host seminar on Muslim inmates

Mothers cry. Families distressed. Imams try. Why so many youths in the prison system? And how do they receive basic spiritual care?

Mothers concerned about their sons imprisoned and unable to receive basic Muslims chaplaincy services convened at the West Mall Community Centre, Etobicoke, recently, May 1st to discuss this issue with their local MP and Muslim Leaders.

Basically the community needs to collaborate in providing preventative programs in the community, making their mosques more active. At the same time inmates desperately need qualified Muslim chaplains. The Canadian Council of Imams and the Muslim Children AID Society have committed themselves to continue this important pursuance.

Allowing the free spirit to enter Jumua

Let not the tardiness of a partner be your pain
Allow the whispers of spring to touch your hair
Let divine solace be more important than olay
So like the moth on the candle light you'll each other desire

For many have listened to old man sea
Unpouring into wine glasses memories
Many relish the dinner and candlelights
But love is a journey of commitments that turns and turns

When not in the mood don't pretend
When making amends be sincere
For with every caution to the wind
Tauba is more essential than air or a nice jacket
www.imamhabeeb.com

Absence yet present

You are so talented

You raise my hopes
with words scented of lovely things
With your heart like carnation

You have indulged the aura
beyond understanding

Why make yourself tired
At the feet of longing

When you can sit by the river bankof fulfillment
And be carried on the palaquin of butterflies and birds
conversing, carressing
the frog questions the rain
Why do you keep away
The rain absorbed in her misty thoughts
Replied for with union
the magic may be unbelievable.

Green Muslims

Islamic Foundation receives award for joining the greening spaces program thanks to the youths
I drive by these days seeing David Suzuki lying under a bus seat with a huge glue-gun and an even huger smile and I say ‘what a guy!’ Well who isn’t inspired by this father of the greenies? Last Saturday, April 12th 2008, I was even more inspired and so over 150 others at the U of T by the eloquent, erudite and committed Fr. Giorgio Di Ciccco as he cared for these attentive flowers in his garden of Ecology of the Heart, during his opening key note speech.

Hosted by Faith and the Common Good environmental organization, this one day "Greening Sacred Spaces Forum" afforded, easily, the various faith leaders and concerned citizens, from both urban and rural GTA, great motivation and insight to make their places of worship energy efficient and in turn for them to join the movement of saving our God-given planet.

Fr. Di Cicco, author of twenty odd books, including Municipal Mind, reminded the attendees that we are not independent of each other but dependent and therefore it's our loving duty to save the earth.
Among the workshops offered were: how to get funding for greening one's holy sanctuary, understanding the concept of spirituality in the eco-movement, renewable energy, organic gardening, sealing old roofs, green interior decor, etc
No doubt our duty to saving this planet goes way beyond walking to work and eating organic. It rather includes important questions about carbon emissions and globalization, legislation and education. But with single drop after drop an ocean is built and as we say in Guyana “one-one duty ah build dam”- it takes one brick at a time to construct a highway.
As Dr Ted Reeve, Director for this non profit organization aptly puts it: “To engage in the radical discipline of seeing deep beauty in changing seasons, the love in people’s faces, each interdependent element of creation, is to walk differently in the world. I find this profoundly challenging as I rush from one To Do, to the next. Yet, when I remember to focus on beauty my attitude shifts and I engage the world in a more loving way.”
Among the places of worship recognized for doing something positive about greening their space was the United Church of Parkdale and Islamic Foundation, Toronto.

As Muslims we are already chosen to help for Allah called humans Khalifa- one who succeeds and inherits and one who ensures that the heirloom remains safe and intact in order to pass it to the next in line.