4
Hanny Shousher
6
Nazem Kadri Charity Golf Classic
10
The Stigma of Mental Health
editor’s note As salaam u alaikum everyone! Our cover photo says it all. Passing on knowledge and ideas to others is the best way of giving back and becoming wise. And doing it joyfully is what makes a person inspiring. Hanny Shoushar is one such icon in our community who is courageous, enthusiastic and driven to meet and educate those around him in any way that he can. He cares especially for the youth by engaging them in delightful conversation of his stories and beneficial life experiences. We should all give, share and connect with others with a happy positive attitude — just like Hanny Shoushar — the man who inspires! Read more about him and his contribution in an article on page four, written by our new Resident Editor, Leila Almawy. Hope you enjoy the issue as much as we did in putting it together for you! Naeema Farooqi founder / editor-in-chief London Link Magazine
The death of Robin Williams resonated throughout the world, followed by an outpouring of grief and condolences from the most unlikely of sources; from the mountains of Afghanistan, to the deserts of Africa to the jungles of the Amazon. I reflect and marvel at the universality of humor and the power of movies and the performing arts to touch all peoples and transcend all cultural, social and ethnopolitical differences. What a tremendous ability to unite! I also reflect on the universality of mental illness; no race, creed, culture or religion is immune to its suffering. Mental illness can afflict anyone, with or without a cause. In many cultures mental illness still carries a huge stigma. This trend also continues in the Islamic world today. People either judge people suffering from mental illness as not having enough faith in God to be able to surpass their illness or are more primordial in their evaluation. Many cultures still only attribute the symptoms of mental illness to the machination of supernatural beings like the Jinn or Satan himself. As people try to warp their heads around the cause of the sufferers’ illness, they lose sight of what is in front of them; a human being who needs support. Regardless of what our understanding is of mental illness, we can still do our part for the one who is suffering with a smile, support, a good word to boost their morale. If you are a family member or close friend then encourage them to see their doctor, but do not try to diagnose them. Respect their privacy and solitude if that is what they need. Support can sometimes be silent; just be there for them! Dr. Saadia Hameed patron, London Link Magazine
contents 3/ Lessons from Gaza 6-7/ Nazem Kadri Charity Golf Classic 10/ The Stigma of Mental Health 13/ Healthy Snacks for Kids 17/ Family Fun Fest and BBQ
editorial board 4-5/ Hanny Shousher 9/ Steam Canada 12/ Fresh East 14-5/ Once Upon a Palestine 18/ Recipes
The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and advertisers
founder / editor-in-chief: Naeema Farooqi ; patron: Dr. Saadia Hameed ; resident editors: Leila Almawy and Fatima Khawaja; operations/advertising manager: Ahmed Javed ; the design team: Naira Ahmed & Lina El-Shamy (studionoon.com) ; contributors: Saleme Fayad, Imam Sikander Hashmi, Leila Almawy, Hassan Mostafa, Saud Inam, Najwa Zebian, Mohammed Saleh, Thasneen Ansi, Fahim Khan
cover and contents photography: Saleme Fayad; location: London, Ontario, Canada
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volume four, issue four // page 3
Lessons from Gaza This year, the holy month of Ramadan began almost as soon as summer arrived. For many Canadian Muslims, that meant long days of no food or drink, beginning with a pre-dawn meal in the middle of the night and lasting till sunset, which almost always brought cool drinks and delicious food. For days when it was hot, there normally was a fan or air conditioning available. Nightly taraweeh prayers were spiritually uplifting when they weren’t met with boredom and indifference. Life, albeit a bit challenging, was pretty good. Some 10,000 kilometres away, a starkly different scene was unfolding in Gaza. The increase in faith during Ramadan experienced by many Muslims likely took a totally new dimension with the constant buzzing of Israeli drones and F-16s flying overhead, dropping leaflets and small projectiles warning of larger ones to come. Fisherman were involuntarily given an unpaid vacation as Israeli naval boats shelled the Gaza shore, tightening even further the chokehold on Gaza that has existed since 2007. For the nearly 2 million residents of Gaza, any moment really could have been their last. This terrifying reality was expressed by 16 year-old Farah Baker (@Farah_Gazan) in an emotional tweet sent out as Israeli flares and bombs landed in her neighbourhood. “This is in my area. I can’t stop crying,” she wrote. “I might die tonight.” A ground invasion made a terrible situation unbearable. Even if Gazans wanted to heed Israeli warning and head to safer ground -- as encouraged by the Israelis and discouraged by Hamas, there really was nowhere safe to go. This was highlighted by the shelling of not just one, but seven school shelters operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Chris Gunness, a spokesperson for the agency, broke down crying during an Al Jazeera television interview while discussing an Israeli assault on the Jabalia Girls Elementary School that killed 21 people and injured at least 100. “Last night, children were killed as they slept next to their parents on the floor of a classroom in a UN designated shelter in Gaza,” began the UNRWA statement issued in response to the attack. “Children killed in their sleep; this is an affront to all of us, a source of universal shame.” The coordinates of the Jabalia school had been given to the Israeli military 17 times before the attack, UNRWA chief Pierre Krahenbuhl said. The scenes of dead bodies -- women and children included -- and of the devastation all around Gaza were just too gruesome to see. At one point, even Fox News reporter John Huddy, reporting from the scene of the massacre in the Shujaiyah neighbourhood of Gaza, threw up his hands and exclaimed, “I’m just getting- I’m just overwhelmed with emotion at this point.” (View the original video at http://tinyurl.com/ foxgaza) In the end, over 1400 civilians were killed in Gaza - including at least 450 children and 230 women, according to the United Nations. Seven civilians were killed by Hamas rockets landing in Israel, including a child.
While there were (and still are) other serious conflicts happening around the world, what likely gave prominence to this conflict was the human tragedy and helplessness of the victims, caged in an area the size of Montreal with no safe refuge. Groups like Hamas provoked the Israelis by firing rockets regularly and indiscriminately at Israel while rejecting ceasefire attempts, but it was the innocent civilians who had to face the brunt of the attacks by a massive Israeli military machine powered by the latest technology and supported by most Western powers, including Canada. The sense of disproportion and unfairness was there for all to see, including numerous Western journalists inside Gaza and in many cases, it was apparent in their reporting. The contrast between our life in Canada and their life in Gaza probably couldn’t be starker. What this signifies should provoke deep thought and reflection. We know that Allah is the Most Just. He tests people in different ways, some by taking from some and giving to others. We know this life is a test and we’re supposed to respond to every situation in the best possible way. The Qur’an instructs us to stand up for justice and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has taught us to help the oppressed. We have been taught that the global community of believers is like one body. When one part suffers, the others respond. We’re also tasked with bringing positive change, first with our hands, then with our tongue and barring that, at least with our hearts - and this is the least of the effects of faith. If the people of Gaza (and innocent victims everywhere) are being tested by having their lives destroyed in the most terrifying of ways, God is also testing us by granting us the best of lives with peace, comfort and luxury. The question is: When we come to know about their suffering and the injustices they face, how do we respond to their plight? Needless to say, our response needs to be wise and permissible, Islamically and legally. Most of us are very limited in what we can do with our hands, except for collecting donations for relief supplies, writing letters and clicking to share news and social media posts. We have slightly more options when it comes to speaking out - attending protests, holding events, participating in radio talk shows and contacting politicians come to mind. The latter was of serious importance during this conflict, especially in Canada, since the Prime Minister and leaders of both major parties (Liberals and NDP) were parroting the same line: “Israel has the right to defend itself.” After what seemed like an eternity (it was actually 14 days after the conflict began), the NDP finally released a statement expressing “deep concern” for “millions of innocent civilians” caught in the crossfire. It stated that the “attacks and incursion into Gaza have already caused too many civilian casualties.” A few days earlier, the prime minister had
issued a statement mentioning that he and the Israeli counterpart had discussed the need to “to make every effort to minimize civilian casualties.” The Liberals issued a statement on the first day of the conflict, stating that, “all possible steps must be taken to protect civilian life.” Another statement issued a week later condemned Hamas for rejecting a ceasefire proposal “that could have ended the tragic civilian loss“ and commending Israel for accepting the proposal and “demonstrating its commitment to peace.” Not a single politician from Canada’s three political parties had the courage to note that the Israeli response to Hamas rockets and tunnels was disproportionate and illegal under international law. To her credit, Green party leader Elizabeth May took a principled stance on the issue. After condemning Hamas for firing rockets at Israel, she said, “Israeli retaliation and the invasion of Gaza violates international law and humanitarian norms. The death and destruction in a place that was already experiencing a humanitarian crisis is simply unjustifiable.” We expect politicians to be fair and principled. In this regard, the Gaza war has been very revealing. What was also revealing was the indifference towards the human tragedy in Gaza by some Muslims due to political differences. Political positions are a personal choice, but should a choice other than ours make one deserving of oppression, death and destruction? The Qur’anic instructions on justice clearly remind us that justice is not just for us and those we like, but it’s even for those we dislike and disagree with. So if we don’t want death and destruction for innocent people on our side, we can’t condone it when it happens to innocent people on the other side without being unjust. For people of conscience, the entire situation can be mind-boggingly depressing. Yet, for the believers, there is solace in knowing that, as mentioned in the Qur’an, Allah is not unaware of what the oppressors are doing. Those who have died will be in a better place. We pray for them and those who are suffering. Help is not far; we - as communities of believers need to get our act together and solidify our connection with Allah. The absence of unity, internal divisions, lack of spirituality, inadequate knowledge and lack of expertise in important fields and lacklustre effort are all contributing factors behind our state today. This must change, but let’s remember that communities are made up of individuals like ourselves. Thus, change needs to start from me. —Sikander Hashmi is an imam, journalist, teacher and marketer based in Ottawa, Canada. You can reach him through his website, www.sikander.ca or on Twitter @kanataimam
page 4 // volume four, issue four
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Left: Hanny Shousher with his collection of antique cameras and full collection of London Link Magazine
Hanny Shousher proudly holding a photograph of his parents
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volume four, issue four // page 5
Canadiam Moslem Benevolent Society of London
Hanny Shousher: A Man for All Seasons “Hanny Shousher is known as the ‘Conscience of the Community’”, says Dr. Munir El-Kassem. “Even at his age, he continues to monitor the media vigorously and he gives back to the community wholeheartedly by being a constant active member.” Indeed, I found this to be particularly true as I sat down with Mr. Shousher at his home for an interview. A sucker for nostalgia, I let myself lose track of the time as we veered away from the interview questions and discussed stories about the first Muslims in London, Ontario (him being one of them) and the beautiful heritage they have left for this generation and the generations to come. Born in Karaoun, Lebanon in the Bekaa Valley on April 8, 1930, Mr. Shousher is the fifth of six children who was raised by a single mom (his father passed away when he was just over one year old). He grew up in the small village of about 3,000 people where he completed high school but was not fortunate enough to pursue a post-secondary education because of financial difficulties. Hence, in 1949, when he was 19 years old, he immigrated to Canada with his mother and siblings to seek a brighter future in the “land of opportunities”, as he put it. Back then, the Muslim community in London did not have much of a presence because of how few the Muslims were; instead, the few Arabs of Christian and Muslim faith would gather each other and meet once a week for friendly recreation. “We used to meet with a few men at the Syrian-Lebanese club on Dundas and Ridout. They had a room there that they would rent. We were just like one family – you couldn’t tell who’s Muslim and who’s Christian. They were very close – very good people,” Mr.
Shousher described. Hence, what started out as a few men meeting every Sunday at the SyrianLebanese club, stemmed into the Canadian Moslem Benevolent Society of London. “We did it for the kids,” Mr. Shousher explained about the Canadian Moslem Benevolent Society of London. “My brother and I realized that our nieces and nephews didn’t know much about Islam, so we decided to do something about it.” So, they started with the Athaan, the call for prayer, to familiarize everyone with a symbolic gesture from the religion, and proceeded with congregating weekly at Mr. Shousher’s sister’s house where a religiously knowledgeable man would give lectures about Islam. The success of the weekly lectures was bringing in more and more people from the Muslim community that the Canadian Moslem Benevolent Society of London decided to expand by purchasing a house on Oxford Street and using it for prayer and congregations – similarly to a mosque. When the house accidentally burned down one night, the members decided that the best idea would be to tear down the remains and build an actual mosque. And so, it became the first mosque in Ontario and the second one in Canada. When asked about the importance of his role in the community and in the Canadian Moslem Benevolent Society of London, Mr. Shousher humbly answered, “I am just a member, like everyone else.” Yet, he is clearly more than that. His role in the community has been an invaluable one. From the very start, Mr. Shousher would attend every meeting, convention and event. He was always there documenting by taking pictures and writing
down all the necessary information. “I made sure to write down the history because I didn’t want the community to forget who built the Muslim community,” he explained. He would make it a point to hand out booklets and pamphlets pertaining to the community because he deeply believes in educating one another about the ethics of Islam. He never charged for his handouts because to him, it was never about publicity or making a prophet – it was about education and proper representation. As Mr. Shousher gave me a tour of his basement, I stood frozen and captivated by what I saw. Never in my life have I had the privilege of laying eyes on a vintage camera from the 1930’s. So, to stand in a room that was lined with antique cameras from wall to wall was quite an experience. He saved every camera he ever owned – there must have been over a thousand of them. As I turned to the next room, I was shocked by how many documents there were. Mr. Shousher saved every single pamphlet, booklet, invitation, book, etc. that was ever presented in the Muslim community. I call this dedication. I am honored and privileged to have had the opportunity to sit down to chat with one of the last remaining pioneers of the Muslim community in London. His character is one to be emanated – for, he is one humanitarian who deserves to be celebrated for his loyalty and commitment. For more information on the history of the Muslim community in London, refer to the book “Now and Then” written by Mr. Shousher. —Leila Almawy Photography by: Leila Almawy
page 6 // volume four, issue four
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Nazem Kadri Charity Golf Classic This past month Nazem Kadri and his family in association with the Islamic Centre of Southwest Ontario and the London Muslim Mosque presented for the second year in a row cheques to local charities with donations totalling $135,000. The money raised are proceeds from the Second Annual Nazem Charity Golf Classic, held this past August at the FireRock Golf club in Komoka. The goal of the tournament was Nazem’s desire to support the Muslim Community and to work with the Muslim organizations to strengthen our bonds with non-Muslim organizations and charities. We were blessed with the support of over 50 corporate and private sponsors who generously contributed to the cause. Our Hall of Fame Sponsors were Paramount Fine Foods, Siskinds The Law Firm and Scotiabank. The charities chosen to benefit from this years tournament were selected from a list of dozens considered, many of whom applied. Each charity was awarded $45,000. St Joseph’s Hospice of London has been serving the community as a Resource Centre for terminally ill people in its newly renovated residence.
The team of professional staff and trained volunteers, along with the Sisters of St Josephs, diligently provide compassionate and individualized care during the final months, days and hours of life in a facility that is London’s only place for hospice care. Women’s Community House has been providing support to women in distress from abuse through a variety of confidential programs and emergency facilities. They assist women and children with privacy, shelter and counseling in a time of physical and emotional crisis. The Muslim Community is currently collaborating with Women’s Community House to prevent abuse by embarking on a campaign to educate our community and bring awareness of the services available to those in need. The Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration is a world class leader in support services for culturally diverse communities. MRCSSI creates a Safe Place for families, couples, women, children and men by offering integrative and inter-cultural family violence prevention and intervention services. The MRCSSI has successfully engaged local Muslim and Arab community leaders as well as social service and justice agencies in working through
complex family conflict and family violence issues that arise from stressors associated with immigration including pre-migration trauma as well as cultural differences. The Muslim Community of London is very proud of Nazem for not only his on-ice and athletic excellence, but for his generosity and spirit of giving back to his community. He is a true role model and mentor to young Muslim Canadians. He solidifies the dream of all immigrant parents that anything and everything is achievable for their children with hard work and perseverance. Planning is already underway for the 3rd Annual Nazem Kadri Charity Golf Classic. Stay tuned. For more information, including all the photos please visit: www.kadrigolfclassic.com www.facebook.com/kadrigolf —Hassan Mostafa Photography by: Saleme Fayad
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volume four, issue four // page 7
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STEAM CANADA’S BRAND AMBASSADORS: THE TECHNICIANS!
You Name It, We Clean It. THE HISTORY AND INTRODUCTION With over 44 years in business, Steam Canada has a long history with London. As your local cleaning experts, Steam Canada provides services for both the interior and exterior of residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner, this great company has a solution for you. With great experience and trained technicians, Steam Canada is able to service many of the older buildings and residential dwellings in town along with the new properties as well. With the support of its local customers from over the years, Steam Canada has developed proprietary cleaning methods for surfaces including walls, carpets, stairs, hardwood floors, windows, appliances, metals, bricks, cement, limestone, granite, tiles, flood restoration, graffiti removal, pressure washing and both industrial and commercial equipment.
A true indication of a great company is happy employees. Sameer, Ismail and Mohammed are Steam Canada’s brand ambassadors. If you have worked with Steam Canada, you have probably met these guys before. Their goal is greater customer satisfaction every time. When asked, they said nothing is more important to them than a joyful customer and we take pride in a job well done. The success of their company and the satisfaction of their customers all depends on the work they do and they feel proud of that responsibility. Dedicated, hard working and passionate, they said it’s important for us to do a good job every time. The better we do with each customer, the more referrals. The more referrals we get, the more business we bring for our company. The bigger our company grows, the better we can take care of our customers. At the end it’s all about the customers and we like the immediate satisfaction we see on their faces whenever we do a good job.
MOVING FORWARD – THE FUTURE OF STEAM CANADA Mr. Noad, the new owner of Steam Canada, has great respect for the previous owner Joe Braun. According to him, building upon an existing well established brand makes his job easier. Steam Canada’s plan is to keeping improving with the new technology, new focus on customer service and a new vision for its role in the community. Mr. Noad attributes the company’s success to the locals and is constantly looking for ways to give back. Currently Steam Canada proudly supports local hockey and soccer teams along with graffiti removal around the city.
CONNECT WITH US >
Steam Canada Technicians: Mohammed Issa, top left; Ismail Ishaq, top right; Sameer Khisay, bottom left
page 10 // volume four, issue four
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“People like my friend who committed suicide had smiles on their faces, joked and looked normal on the outside but may have been waging internal battles inside.”
The Elephant in the Room The Stigma of Mental Health in the Muslim Community On April 19, 2004 I got a knock on my door at 7:00AM. I was a sophomore in high school and I groggily opened up my bedroom door. What I was about to hear was not the type of wake up call I expected. My mom informed me that my childhood friend had been found dead outside his apartment. The police had declared that it was suicide. At first it really didn’t hit me and I went back to sleep and then got up for school, got ready and went to school. During school I thought about the news my mom had told me in the morning and tried to make some sense of it. I came back home after school to talk to my mom about what had happened to get more information. It indeed was true my childhood friend, a friend I had spent my summers with in Jacksonville, FL had died. It hit me like a ton of bricks and the pain in my heart that I felt and feel every time I think of him really is indescribable. The reality of it hit me when I met his father, mother and younger brother who confirmed the news when I visited them. At first I didn’t think much of it, but now I realized that it was in that moment that I began my journey to truly understand mental health and the internal struggles we don’t see that people go through on a daily basis. Fast forward a couple of years and in my college years I counseled two Muslim youth. One of the youth had sought help
from an imam at his masjid who had told him “Astaghfurallah, you shouldn’t expose other people’s sins, get out of my office.” When I heard that my blood boiled and I felt anger that a fellow Muslim would turn away a vulnerable Muslim youth who sought help. It was then I realized that there were probably more Muslim youth suffering silently and something had to be done about bridging the divide between Islamic knowledge and the mental health field. It was from that moment on that I sought to raise awareness about mental health in the Muslim community. I thought to myself of the thousands of Muslim youth who were suffering silently with no one to turn to. Many of whom were probably afraid, depressed, and dying inside while most of us wouldn’t even realize it. People like my friend who committed suicide had smiles on their faces, joked and looked normal on the outside but may have been waging internal battles inside. The truth is we really don’t know the internal struggles people go through so we must be kind and courteous to all people. We need to build communities where we are comfortable talking about mental health and wellness. There are thousands of Muslim youth suffering silently. If you truly want to understand the personal struggles of our Muslim youth I suggest you visit www.stonestobridges.org and
check out the Dear Fatima section and see the posts of some of the youth to see some of the issues our youth are dealing with today. I am happy to see more conversations occurring around the US about mental health in the Muslim community and a growing number of Muslim therapists and counselors. However more work needs to be done. We need to connect our Muslim counselors to imams, youth directors and teachers in Islamic schools to truly understand how to address mental health issues facing their communities. There are hundreds if not thousands of Muslims suffering silently--the question is what are we doing to help those individuals seek help? Are we creating masjids and communities that turn away those suffering with personal issues or are we creating welcome atmospheres? We cannot claim to be a religion of mercy or a community of mercy if we don’t actually embody that mercy when helping others seek help. We can no longer afford to ignore mental health issues in our community. We must remove the stigma surrounding seeking professional counseling and therapy. We cannot afford to lose any more of our sons and daughters. — Saud Inam
ROGER CARANCI
FOR MAYOR OF LONDON “My parents were new immigrants to Canada. They worked hard every day to give me and my family the best possible future in this great country. They taught me respect, trust and hard work. These are the lessons that I will bring with me to the Mayor’s office.”
You can see my election platform at
www.RogerCaranci.ca My promises to all Londoners are: • I will keep your taxes low • I will lead by example • I will restore your trust in city hall • I will establish a climate for job creation and retention • I will be open, honest and accountable
Request a lawn sign or get involved here:
519-601-8855 info@rogercaranci.ca www.RogerCaranci.ca 333 Horton Street East @RCaranci
“I am delighted to endorse Roger Caranci for Mayor of London.” – Dr Munir Elkassem, Imam
page 12 // volume four, issue four
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Fresh East by Paramount at UCC, Western University
With a new year at Western University, some changes have been brought along. One of them is a new 100% Halal food stall in Center Spot inside the UCC building called “Fresh East by Paramount”. Paramount, known for their amazing Lebanese and authentic middleeastern cuisine along with their beautiful atmosphere has brought themselves close to the Western Students. Fresh East has the classics such as the chicken/beef/falafel Shawarma as well as Shish Tawouk, Pulled Beef and Kafta Shawarma. They also provide different kinds of Salads that can be topped off with chicken or beef. This is a fantastic opportunity for Paramount to bring middle-eastern food to the Mustangs right in their homes. — Fahim Khan Photography by: Fahim Khan
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volume four, issue four // page 13
Healthy Snacks for Children Make the right choice today! With school just starting, many children have already made the switch from summer relaxation to full days at school. This makes it an important time to refocus on making sure children are well nourished to make sure they excel while going to school. A great way to keep children fueled and concentrated is providing them with healthy snacks to munch on in-between meals.
A nutrient-dense snack should have one of the 4 food groups from Canada’s Food Guide: grains, vegetables & fruit, milk & alternatives, and meat & alternatives. Pairing up at least 2 food groups helps to provide essential nutrients such as fiber, calcium and iron! Fiber is important to keep us fuller for longer while keeping blood sugar levels under control. Here are some examples of great snacks to pack:
Growing children burn a lot of calories, and hence need to eat every 2-3 hours to feel full between meals. Providing healthy, nutrient-dense snacks not only packs a punch when it comes to providing a child’s daily nutrients, but it also prevents them from picking junk food, which can be higher in calories, sugar and fat. Children have smaller stomachs, so they will tend to snack often in small amounts. This is a great chance to pack the nutrition they need when they don’t feel like finishing off their plate at the dinner table, too. Here are three tips to keep in mind when packing your next day’s worth of snacks for school:
• Whole grain crackers with cheese slices;
Choose snacks with 2 of out the 4 food groups from Canada’s Food Guide
• Fruit with yogurt dip; • Small oatmeal muffin and yogurt tube Get kids to help out when preparing snacks for school
Kids are more likely to eat snacks that they picked out themselves, so give them the choice between two or three healthy snacks. Then, get them to help make it with you! Not only does this get children to get excited about eating healthy snacks, but they also learn about important food skills. Younger children can place snacks in their lunch bags, while older ones can help with putting the snacks together. Try making
a nut-free trail mix with pumpkin seeds, dried apricots, almonds, raisins and you’re child’s favourite cereal for a good source of iron and fiber. Hold off on the sugar
Not only can sugary snacks cause cavities, but also a spike insulin levels, making children hungry faster and likely to overeat at the next meal. Making small switches can be easy, even for working parents. Lay off the sweetened beverages and ‘natural fruit juices’. Even though many juices have natural flavours, they provide little to no fiber and a lot of sugar. 1 cup of juice can offer up to 8 teaspoons of sugar! Go for a piece of fruit such as an orange, apple or peach instead of the juice. Want to find out more? Check out www. eatrightontario.ca and www.dietitians.ca for more information and great resources about healthy nutrition for children! —Marwa ElKelani
Once Upon a Palestine
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In a garden of roses, she stands tall. Her black hair captures the beauty of the night and contrasts with her fair skin which the beauty of the day would bow to. Her right hand rests on her waist, hugging her traditional Palestinian dress, with her delicate fingers gently yet fiercely adding a touch of humble overconfidence. The Palestinian koofiyah crowns her head and drapes over her shoulders adding to her modesty. Her left hand effortlessly holds a handmade basket on her head. She tilts her head up, giving the illusion of a skyscraper breaking through the clouds, adding to her pride. Her eyes vaguely look away from you, gazing into the sun which adds a hint of pink to her cheeks. Her lips arch slightly at the corners as she smiles a smile only a queen would dare to smile, speaking of courage. That is how Dr. Ibrahim El-Shalabi portrays the Palestinian woman, standing tall, with purity, dignity, bravery, and power written over every detail of her figure. If you have a thirst for creativity, allow your eyes to delve into the art of El-Shalabi. His art reflects a past that speaks of Palestine’s glorious history. The past and the future come together in his work to form an intricate melody of melancholy and hope simultaneously. He creatively portrays Palestine’s streets, markets, men and women
through sadness and through happiness. You will indeed be taken on a journey from a beautiful past of free streets and free people, and your heart will ache and long for that past to be rightfully returned in the near future. The mixture of colors will seep into your eyes and soon ignite a spark of emotions that you did not know existed in your heart. His work will leave you patriotic for a country that you were not born in. They will make you nostalgic for the freedom that Palestinians had before the merciless hands of war invaded every street, every home, every mosque and every church. They will flood your heart with hope and sadness; hope that freedom will return, and sadness at the stolen innocence from children’s faces. The true essence of resistance will be planted in every bit of your conscience. You will smile at every smile you see, and suppress a tear at every scene of misery you see. El-Shalabi’s work is far from stagnant. It is not still, nor is it repetitive. Every piece of art has a title and a story. Every piece of art will captivate your soul, portraying a culture that refuses to die after sixty six years of occupation. Your imagination will surrender to the story behind every piece, weaving a beautiful memory in a past that you did not live, and make it into a
volume four, issue four // page 15
hopeful dream for a future that you may not be in. Allow your eyes to get lost in the mirage of colors within every piece. Awaken your heart to the hope that every color gives life to. Every detail and every brush stroke draws you into El-Shalabi’s hopes for the land of his parents. His pride of the Palestinian heritage is evident in his gravitation to vividly paint symbols of the glorious Palestinian legacy. Our stories are a continuation of a history that we did not live, but learned about through the wisdom of the culture we were born into. Inspiration is the mother of creative expression, and what better inspiration could one have than a history of resistance, dignity, and strength? Every form of expression is grounded in a person’s beliefs and values. Creativity drives a memory from the past and crafts it uniquely into a revived and beautified hope for the future. In these times of despair, especially when the world is silent in response to the current atrocities taking place in Palestine, you will be captivated by the memory of freedom and pride in Palestine’s history. You must believe that if this freedom existed in the past, nothing will stop it from existing in the future. — Najwa Zebian
Strong Local Economy
Strong Leadership
Strong Neighbourhoods
Re-elect
SANDY
WHITE WARD 14
Councillor
Come out and vote for Sandy who is always there for our community.
MOHAMED
SALEH For the past decade I have had the honour of serving Londoners and Canadians here at home and across the country as a public servant working with all levels of government, as well as working in the private and non-profit sectors. That first-hand experience has strengthened my belief that we can do better and we deserve better, because I’ve seen it elsewhere.
WARD 3
So it’s about time we deliver real change right here in Ward 3. I understand that there are many challenges but I believe in our city and I know that London can be a city of opportunity. I say with the conviction that when you bring people together no matter how difficult the challenges are we can make tremendous progress, but city hall needs to change in order to make this a reality. No longer can we be divisive, we need to bring the focus to what’s in the best
interest of all of us rather than just some. I’m confident that London is ready to turn the page and begin to unlock this potential, but what we need to do to get there more than ever is to demand representation that will embrace change. I’m ready to embrace change, and that’s why I’m running for City Councilor. As a candidate for City Council representing Ward 3, there are several key points that are integral to the success of our neighbourhood. It is these goals that we need to bring to the forefront to bring solutions to at City Hall. It’s not good enough to just have symbolic examples of progress, we need substance. We need to be realistic but we must also face our challenges.
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volume four, issue four // page 17
FAMILY FUN FEST AND BBQ AT THE ICSWO On August 23, 2014 the Islamic Centre of Southwest Ontario welcomed the Community to the Family Fun Fest and BBQ in support of Canadian Tire Jumpstart. The event was fun for the entire family. Children were able to meet reptiles and touch them, catch fish to take home, face painting, tattoos, crafts, games and of course Pony rides. Everyone enjoyed a delicious BBQ while meeting new friends and enjoying the weather. On behalf of the Islamic Centre of Southwest Ontario, we wish to thank our community for joining us and supporting such a great cause. We look forward having you next year, InshaAllah. 951 Pond Mills Road London, ON, N6N 1C3 519-668-2269
ISLAMIC CENTRE OF SOUTHWEST ONTARIO
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page 18 // volume four, issue four
EASY BANANA BREAD INGREDIENTS • All purpose flour - 1 1/2 cups • Brown sugar or white sugar - 3/4 cup • Baking soda - 1 tsp • Ground cinnamon - ½ tsp • Salt - 1/4 tsp • Ripe bananas- 3 • Melted butter, unsalted - 1/3 cup • Egg - 1 • Vanilla extract - 1 tsp • Almonds or walnuts or pecans, chopped - 1/4 cup
1. Preheat oven to 350 F // 2. Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, ground cinnamon and salt // 3. In a bowl, mash the ripe bananas using a fork or potato masher until smooth and without any lumps // 4. Add the melted butter, egg and vanilla extract. Combine well using a whisk till smooth // 5. Slowly add the prepared flour mix into the banana mixture, combine well using a whisk until the batter has a smooth constituency // 6. Add the chopped nuts of your choice, give it a good mix into the batter // 7. Grease a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray or butter // 8. Pour the batter into the pan, even out the top // 9. Place in the preheated oven on the lower rack and bake for 55 minutes or till a fork inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean // 10. Remove the pan from the oven, let cool down completely // 11. Slice using a sharp knife and serve.
PISTACHIO SAFFRON PUDDING INGREDIENTS • Whole milk - 1½ cups • Sweetened condensed milk: 4 to 5 tbsp (based on preference) • Pistachios, unsalted and shelled - ¼ cup
Recipes —
• Saffron - 2 pinches, soaked in 1 tbsp water • Agar-agar strands, 1 inch strands - ¼ cup (or 2½ tsp powdered gelatin) 1. In a food processor, coarsely grind the pistachios // 2. Soak saffron in 1 tbsp water for 5 minutes // 3. In a small saucepan, add ¼ cup agar-agar strands along with ½ cup water. Heat over medium heat and let the agar-agar dissolve in water, stirring occasionally // 4. If using gelatin, sprinkle 2½ tsp gelatin over 3 tbsp cold water and let stand for 5 minutes till gelatin softens // 5. Place another large saucepan over medium heat, add milk and condensed milk, heat for 5 minutes // 6. Taste and add more condensed milk if you want it to be more sweet // 7. Add the soaked saffron to the milk, combine well // 8. Add the coarsely ground pistachios to the milk, combine well // 9. Lower the heat and let the milk simmer for a couple of minutes // 10. Add the dissolved agar-agar to the milk mixture (or softened gelatin), you could strain it to remove any undissolved strands // 11. Combine well and remove the pan from the heat // 12. Let cool down for a few minutes // 13. Pour into individual ramekins or dessert bowls // 14. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until the pudding has set well Recipes & photos by Thasneen Ansi www.thasneen.com
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Project: Curved Frame Sign
Date:
March 24, 2014
Client:
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Proof #:
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CD #:
168 Feb’14
Produced by: BH
Revision #: -
60 Meg Drive, Units 8-9, London, Ont N6E 3T6 Changes as Indicated Approved by: Correct as shown Tel: (519) 659-8846 Fax: (519) 659-9166 email: signs@1hs.ca IMP: Please check the proof carefully. All items will be produced as they appear. We will not be responsible for any errors or omissions. All artwork remains
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the property of 1 HOUR SIGNS unless other arrangements are made in writing.
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Places & Photography // Canandaigua, New York
About the photographer
Book Review // The Forest Feast The Forest Feast, a creative cookbook by Erin Gleeson, is a feast for both the eyes and the tastebuds! The author was a successful food photographer in New York whose life moved her out of the hustle bustle of the city into a beautiful cabin in woods. She then got inspired to make full use of her photographic and culinary talents through cooking and presenting wholesome, good food for her guests and family. Her simple, easy-to-follow and aesthetically pleasing photos inspire readers to eat better and connect back with nature simultaneously. Check out her website for more ideas: www.forestfeast.com
email at nf@creativeworkshop.ca
or call us on 519-476-7748
Fahim Khan, a student at Western University studying Aviation Management has a passion for photography. After his final year, he wishes to travel and photograph the beauty of the world. Currently, his first goal is to travel back to United Arab Emirates and India to photograph his origins. Find more of his work on: www.facebook.com/khandaanphotography
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