Lifestyle

A collection of 253 posts

Canadian Muslims

Let Books Transform You This April

(April 1, 2011) – This April, join Toronto Public Library for a city-wide celebration of books and reading. Come out to more than 80 events across the city – including readings, panel discussions, performances, and more. Meet your favourite writers and celebrities, including Alexander McCall Smith, Alissa York, Andrew Pyper, David Bezmozgis,

Canadian Muslims

My vote counted: a last-minute trip for Egypt’s referendum

By Hoda Osman (March 25. 2011) –  I got excited as the plane approached the tarmac. A wide smile overtook my face. I felt more confident about my last-minute decision to travel from New York to Cairo to vote in Egypt’s constitutional referendum. I was anxious to get out of

Canadian Muslims

On observing Earth Hour on March 26

By Hind Al-Abadleh Earth Hour (http://www.earthhour.org) is coming up this year on Saturday March 26, 2011 starting at 8:30 p.m. Many, if not all Canadian cities, will be observing this 4-year old global event that started as grassroots environmental initiative in Sydney, Australia. Of all

ABC News Investigative team

Rehab El-Buri – a believer who walked gently on the earth

(March 7, 2011) – Rehab El-Buri, a former ABC News staffer who helped shape the network’s coverage of the Arab world, died Sunday at the age of 26 after a courageous battle against cancer. According to a tribute by the ABC News Investigative Team [http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/remembering-rehab-el-buri-abc-news-investigative-team/

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My Ignorance

By Tim Brauhn I grew up rural. That’s the important part of this story. I lived in a farming community about two hours west of Chicago. I was a Catholic; Catholicism was my received faith. Some of my friends were Catholics. The rest were from various Christian denominations. We

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A Muslim, a Christian and a Gift

By Mardi Tindal, Moderator of The United Church of Canada He wasn’t someone I ever expected to meet in a church, let alone on Christmas Eve. But then again, I’d never before been part of a congregation so active in interfaith efforts. Mohammed El-Farram, the Imam of the

Canadian Muslims

Guarding our spiritual privacy

By Sikander Hashmi [January 27, 2011] – I was recently at a pharmacy to pick up some boxes of tissues. As the cashier returned my credit card, she glanced at the name on my card and asked, “If you don’t mind, how do you pronounce your name?” I told her

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Hanny Hassan receives Order of Canada

(January 23, 2011) – Hanny Hassan, a resident of London, Ontario, who has dedicated over 40 years of his life to voluntary service was recently named to the Order of Canada. Hassan is well-known for his work in cross cultural and interfaith understanding, specifically in the Arab and Muslim communities. On

Arizona shooting

An open letter to parents following the tragedy in Tucson

By Michelle Obama Dear parents, Like so many Americans all across the country, Barack and I were shocked and heartbroken by the horrific act of violence committed in Arizona this past weekend.  Yesterday, we had the chance to attend a memorial service and meet with some of the families of

Abdullah Hakim Quick

The early years at Scarborough’s Islamic Foundation of Toronto

By Muneeb Nasir It was an exciting time for the community. It was the beginning of a new decade, the 1990s. And the Muslims of the Islamic Foundation of Toronto community were experiencing euphoria as they began to use their new Centre in Scarborough. This cosmopolitan mix of people had

Canadian Muslims

Restorative justice project for GTA Muslim community

“What we are hoping to do is to infuse Restorative Justice as another way of thinking about justice in the Greater Toronto Muslim Communities”, say Michael AbdurRashid Taylor, Coordinator of Victims with Diverse Voices, an innovative Restorative Justice project. “Many of Toronto’s Muslims come from a variety of backgrounds.

Canadian Muslims

Arabs say education pointless without free speech

Arab youth sent a strong message to their leaders in the latest Doha Debate [http://www.thedohadebates.com/], saying education is pointless without the freedom to express your opinion. Out of an audience of mostly Arab and Muslim students, 53 percent supported the motion: This House believes education is worthless

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Muslims and Jews visit each other’s holy places this November

By Habeeb Alli I can see your stares! I get them every time I say we are twinning our mosques and synagogues this month. “Really?” people ask, jaws dropping. For the third year, this exercise of interfaith exchange has progressed in good faith. Synagogues agree to twin with nearby mosques,

Canadian Islamic Congress

The Hajj: A time of importance, blessings and hope

By Imam Dr. Zijad Delic Muslims – wherever they are geographically located — live in continuous connection with the sacred house called the Ka’bah, the symbol of their relationship with the Creator, the homeland of the Prophet, and the first Masjid (Mosque) on earth. Allah has chosen this Masjid as the

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Interfaith dialogue for a globalised world

by Tareq Oubrou In these times, it is essential to engage in interfaith and intercultural dialogue, given the way our world is evolving. With post-modern globalisation there has been a decline in the belief in the philosophy of progress: the secular theory of salvation no longer has the answers to

Canadian Muslims

Haider and Habib

This is a story about Haider and Habib. It’s a real story that happened seven, maybe eight years ago. Haider was a humble, down to earth kinda guy – a guy who’d give up his seat on the bus to just about anyone else: Old, young, sick, healthy, didn’

Canadian Muslims

Religious bias in US textbooks?

By Susan Douglass Last week, the Texas Board of Education adopted a resolution with a 7-6 vote that “accuses textbook publishers of favoring Islam over Christianity and tells them to stop it.” Although the resolution is non-binding on future board members or textbook publishers, it attempts to set a precedent

Canadian Muslim Fellowship

Aboriginal peoples are our family, our brothers and sisters

By Dawood Zwink Turtle Island is an ancient land, place and people. Canada, as an evolving reality, is rooted and nurtured by millennia of wisdom seeking, spiritual experiences, and a circular approach to thinking that remains open and inclusive. Aboriginal Elders and peoples are the guardians of that legacy. Islam

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A Defense of Free Speech by American and Canadian Muslims

We, the undersigned, unconditionally condemn any intimidation or threats of violence directed against any individual or group exercising the rights of freedom of religion and speech; even when that speech may be perceived as hurtful or reprehensible. We are concerned and saddened by the recent wave of vitriolic anti-Muslim and

Anishnabe Nation

Aboriginal leader extends hand of friendship to Muslims

By Muneeb Nasir ‘We were not created to be denied the knowledge of other peoples’ (Toronto, ON) – On August 8, 2010 a hand of friendship was extended by an Aboriginal leader to Canadian Muslims. Elder Dave Courchene Jr., of the Anishnabe Nation, Eagle Clan, in Sagkeeng, Manitoba met with a

Arayssi

Sweets of tolerance

By Carla Haibi On Fifth Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, between eateries fragrant with Middle Eastern scents, stands a small pastry store that’s been open since 1992: Sweet Arayssi. Rima Arayssi, 43, is the fifth generation of a family of Muslim confectioners operating since 1844 in Lebanon. Her achievement

Canadian Muslims

Dear Kathleen, I join my voice with yours and "agree not to tolerate hatred"

Dear Kathleen, Re: Your Open letter to Muslims [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/10/AR2010091006508.html] Thank you for your open letter to Muslims [ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/10/AR2010091006508.html] which was published in the Sept 12th edition of the

Canadian Muslims

Foundation asks Muslims to make a difference at home this Ramadan

(August 14, 2010) – Muslims are being encouraged to be active contributors to Canada by directing a portion of their charitable donations during Ramadan to local projects. The Olive Tree Foundation has launched its 7th Annual Ramadan Campaign encouraging Muslims to share part of their annual charitable donations with deserving community

Canadian Muslims

My Ramadan challenge

By Imraan Assim A few years ago I gave some of my madrassa students a checklist of a few tasks that they would commit to during Ramadan. They listed things like “not being mean to my siblings, helping mommy in the kitchen, and lending a hand in the kitchen.” I

Canadian Muslims

Why Halal food is good for everyone

[http://www.myhalalkitchen.com/]By Yvonne Maffei, Editor of My Halal Kitchen [http://www.myhalalkitchen.com/], a halal food and cooking blog showcasing culinary tips and healthy halal recipes. Within the Muslim community, halal is used to describe what is permissible both in food and in actions. We typically associate