Muslim youth to highlight Olive Tree Foundation's gala

(June 22, 2011) – Muslim youth will be focus of attention at the Olive Tree Foundation’s Gala evening on June 26, 2011.

CBC’s well-known broadcast journalist, Muhammad Lila, will keynote the Gala that will include the release of a major study, “Canadian Muslim Youth: Concepts of Political Participation”, co-authored by Dr Paul Nesbitt-Larking and Dr Katherine Bullock, and the premiere of a short film, “Neglected Voices: Young and Muslim in Canada.”

The evening will also feature the award presentations of the inaugural Mohamed and Opheera Nasir Leadership Scholarship and bursaries honouring Muslim youth achievement in Academic Excellence, Women’s Education, Youth Action, and Special Needs.

Keynote speaker, Muhammad Lila, isn’t your run-of-the-mill story teller. He’s a reporter, anchor, photojournalist, and editor – all rolled into one.

Lila has also anchored CBC News Today and The National. He is an avid traveler writer and has written for the Toronto Star and Globe and Mail. He is a graduate of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.

Dr Paul Nesbitt-Larking who is Professor of Political Science,  Huron College, University of Western Ontario will release, during the evening’s program, the Tessellate Institute’s study “Canadian Muslim Youth: Concepts of Political Participation.”

The Olive Tree Foundation supported project, that was conducted in the context of growing governmental and community concern over the ‘radicalisation’ of Canadian Muslim youth, gathered data on how Muslim youth regard political participation.

“The gala evening will go beyond the average dinner event and unveil some significant community initiatives that the Olive Tree Foundation has recently funded,” said Muneeb Nasir, President of the Olive Tree Foundation.

During the Gala, a short film, “Neglected Voices: Young and Muslim in Canada“, will be premiered. It profiles Muslim youths who may have been victims of Islamophobia,  racial profiling, or living in poverty or have recently arrived in Canada and are finding it difficult to adjust to their new homeland.

The Olive Tree Foundation is an emerging, volunteer-run public foundation that promotes community development through the collection of endowed funds and charitable contributions to fund services for the long-term benefit of the community.

Event details:

WHEN: 5:00pm – Sunday June 26, 2011

WHERE: Hotel Novotel North York
Gibson Ballroom
3 Park Home Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M2N 6L3

TICKETS: Early bird single: $45; Early bird table of 10: $400

Tickets: contact info@olivetreefoundation.ca

or online: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1571027987/efblike