White Ribbon Days to be run at Muslim convention
(December 20, 2011) – The campaign to end violence against women is being taken to the largest Canadian Muslim convention set to take place this weekend at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Muslim Presence Toronto, a network of community activists, has announced that it will be running White Ribbon Days at its booth throughout the Reviving the Islamic Spirit Convention from December 23 to December 25.
The White Ribbon Campaign (WRC) is the largest effort in the world of men working to end violence against women.
It is primarily targeted to men and boys asking them to step up and step forward by taking a personal pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls. Attendees at the convention will be asked to take the pledge and wear a white ribbon to signal their commitment to end violence against women.
“We are hoping the raise awareness about domestic violence in Canada with the White Ribbon Days,” said Afaun Mandol, a spokesperson for Muslim Presence Toronto. “We’re particularly interested in reaching out to men and boys during the convention.”
The Reviving the Islamic Spirit Convention, which will be celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, draws thousands of delegates from across North America and the gathering will be addressed by well-known Muslim personalities.
Muslim Presence Toronto launched the 3-week White Ribbon Campaign in the Muslim community at the Islamic Institute of Toronto on December 10.
The White Ribbon campaign comes on the heels of the “Call to Action to Eradicate Domestic Violence” statement that was recently issued by Canadian Islamic organizations and leaders and which saw Imams and Khateebs deliver sermons (khutbas) on domestic violence on December 9 in mosques across the country.
“The White Ribbon Campaign is a means to start the conversation in our community to challenge everyone to speak out, and think about their own personal beliefs, language and actions,” said Mandol.