In our troubled world horrifying tales of brutality and of the killing of innocent people in Muslim and non-Muslim countries shock us every day. Random killings are common even in the United States. In serene Canada, they are rarer. But they do occur and several took place recently, reminding Canadians that they are not immune from evil and barbarism. As they await the blessed month of Ramadan, Canadian Muslims will thank Allah for His many blessings, among them that they are lucky to live in a country that, despite its imperfections, offers them freedom of religion, peace, security, dignity, basic rights, rule of law, economic amenities - and hope. Here's a sample of what's happening. Toronto's Muslims just presented a check for one million dollars to the Brampton Civic Hospital through Imam Hamid Slimi of Sayeda Khadija Center and president, Faith of Life Network. In Ottawa, the South Nepean Muslim Community is struggling to complete its mosque. So a church offered its hall to Muslims for taraweeh (special Ramadan night prayers) throughout the holy month. Reverend Maggie Melansom of the Barrhaven United Church credited Imam Zijad Delic for the excellent relations between her church and Muslims. “We're all people of faith and it's when we come together that great things happen,” she declared. Imam Samy Metwally of the Ottawa Muslim Association (OMA) warned Muslims not to disturb neighbors, be considerate, not block driveways by careless parking and not talk noisily following taraweeh prayers. The Muslim Coordinating Council of the National Capital Region seeks to uplift the Muslim community and make it a respected component of the Canadian family. So it arranged an information session on the provincial election to enable Muslims to hear the candidates of different parties. More non-Muslims attended than Muslims. Only one imam, Imam Metwally of OMA, and only one president of a Muslim organization, Dr. Mohammed Mustafa of Darussunah Islamic Center, turned up. All candidates thanked MCC for arranging an excellent session to help citizens understand provincial issues. MCC is arranging a family picnic on July 1 to bring Muslim families closer together and to enable them to celebrate Canada Day with fellow Canadians of other faiths. This year the day comes during Ramadan. So MCC is arranging a Canada Day iftar. Every year Ayan Dualeh arranges a harmony iftar and invites mostly Canadians of other faiths to share food and knowledge with their Muslim neighbors. It has become a popular tradition. The Abo-Ther Ghaffari mosque invites Muslim leaders to iftar every Ramadan. This year the Islamic Society of Cumberland has already sent out invitations to the community for an iftar. For the Anjuman-e-Muslimeen (Omar mosque) this year is special - they will offer taraweeh in their new mosque which is nearing completion. It's the best planned mosque in Ottawa, with a prayer hall, school, gymnasium and a future retirement home for seniors. The Ahlul Bayt Center complex, when built, will also include a swimming pool to attract youth and the entire community. Human Concern International is arranging an iftar to raise funds for victims in Syria and Bosnia. This year the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) has endorsed a campaign started by Toronto Muslim lawyer Ziyaad Mia three years ago. His Give-30 drive asks Muslims to donate the money they save by not having coffee or lunch during Ramadan to their local food bank. In its first two years, $130,000 was raised. Now cities in five provinces have joined. Mia has asked people who are not fasting and Canadians of other faiths to join too. He says: “Hunger knows no race, religion, ethnicity or creed and that's why it's important for everyone to join Give-30.” The campaign will run till Sept. 5. The Muslim Association of Canada is focusing meanwhile on bringing Muslim families closer through informal dinner get-togethers, fostering better understanding with Canadians of other faiths and encouraging youth to attain excellence. When the Ottawa Muslim Association opens its doors under the City of Ottawa project to enable Ottawans to visit prominent institutions, it asks MAC to guide visitors and inform them about Islam. MAC has done this for years. This year MAC brought its Educational Muslim Achievement Awards Night to Ottawa to salute 31 students graduating from high school and to give awards and scholarships worth $6,000 in seven categories to grades 9-12 students. It was a memorable dinner get-together for the students, their parents and others. MAC started EMAAN in Edmonton in 2002 to encourage youth to seek knowledge and pride in their identity, contribute to society and achieve excellence in academics, leadership and faith. That year 32 high school graduates were honored. On its tenth anniversary some 300 students received awards. Now the program includes Edmonton, Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa, Windsor, London and Hamilton. The function in Ottawa was inspirational and one of the few Muslim functions I have attended that focused exclusively on youth and encouraged them to become better Muslims, productive citizens and a source of pride to their parents and their community. An inspiring keynote speech, good dinner, beaming students and proud parents made it a great event - a great way to welcome Ramadan. — Mohammed Azhar Ali Khan is a retired Canadian journalist, civil servant and refugee judge.
