editor’s note As salaamu alaikum everyone, Compassion can be defined as the ability to empathize with another human being’s struggles. Perhaps we are slowly losing this quality as we are exposed to the multiple tragedies happening around the globe on a daily basis. Have we become desensitized to feelings of empathy and kindness? This issue carries with it the inspiration of compassion. With an encouraging article on three little girls who help out children their own age, through having access to clean water and a place to live and study, and a thought-provoking article on losing compassion on a communal level, this issue rekindles that feeling of care for others in our daily lives. Let us strive to think deeply about being empathetic, concerned, caring and benevolent — like the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) and assess if our hearts and actions embody compassion. May your 2015 be full of light and kindness. Sincerely, Naeema Farooqi Founder/Editor-in-Chief
contents 3/Amer Ebied Makes it to Top 20 Under 40! 4/ From One Child to Another 7/ The Need for Compassionate Communities 8/ Teaching Our Kids Quranic Arabic 11/ United for the Love of God 12/ LIS does it again! 13/ A Pharmacy with a Conscience 14/ Recipes
editorial board 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 and Lina El-Shamy (Studio Noon); contributors: Madiha Salman, Leila Almawy, Saud Inam, Alexis, York Lumbard, Saleme Fayad, Thasneen Ansi, Abeer Jawed, Fahim Khan cover photo: Fahim Khan; inside cover: Naeema Farooqi
The extremely polarized views on social media following Malala Yousafzai’s Nobel Prize win, from within the Muslim Ummah were interesting to follow. People’s opinions were based on many different points of view; social, political, religious and gender based, as they should be in a living and dynamic society. A lot of the rhetoric presented was based on pervasive cultural values and about the young woman personally, not the fundamental issues behind her fame. I see many parallels between the Kashmiri and Palestinian people fighting for their liberties, other nations fighting for freedom from oppressive dictatorships and Malala Yousafzai fighting for her right to acquire knowledge and make choices as a free muslim woman. These are fundamental human rights that all people should be guaranteed regardless of gender, race, nationality or religion and whenever they are taken away from people, we will see discontent and people standing up to fight for them. Malala has become a symbol of the fight against the deprivation of basic human rights! The cause of this deprivation in a free Islamic State needs to be studied and rectified and becomes the responsibility of the elected government as it represents that voice of its people. Through His book, Allah has said in multiple places that men and women are created equal (entitling women the same rights as men to acquire knowledge and engage in society as they wish, based on their innate qualities). It is within the family unit, like any other institution, that the husband or father (the relative, not the man) may be the leader to protect, provide and care for his family. This would become true for the wife or mother if her husband were disabled or unavailable. It is important to make the distinction between basic human rights of men and women, which are equal, and the apparently unequal hierarchy of family leadership, which is meant to ensure the ongoing sanctity, harmony and integrity of the family unit; the building block of society. So as a people, our support for all those who have the courage and tenacity to fight for their fundamental liberties and human rights needs to be unanimous. Dr. Saadia Hameed Patron, London Link Magazine
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photo credit: Abeer Jawed
Amer Ebeid makes it to the Top 20 Under 40! “We must continue to explore our most ultimate potential and to work for Allah’s sake in every aspect of our life to attain the true purpose of our existence,” says Amer Ebied, one of the recipients of the Business London’s 2014 Top 20 Under 40. He is a chemical engineer and the founder of PolyAnalytik Inc., a company that offers advanced analytical support and characterization services to petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, bio-materials and agricultural fields. After completing his Masters in Chemical Engineering from Western University, Mr. Amer Ebied felt the need in the market for services relating to advanced chemical material characterization and research services, which led to the start of PolyAnalytik Inc., a laboratory with one process setup back then. Now the company has over 10 analytical processes and a diverse client base including companies in North and South America, Middle East, Europe, India and China. Mr. Ebied feels very humbled to receive the award of Top 20 Under 40, an annual award program by Business London community to recognize the young professionals who are accomplished leaders, innovators and community contributors. Amer Ebied considers this recognition as an opportunity by Allah Subhan-o-Taala to help and support others. His aim is to be able to provide more job opportunities to new graduates and skilled immigrants to Canada, and create networking atmospheres for them. After Allah (SWT), he is grateful to his parents, Hamdi Ebied and Mona Al-Sakka Amini, his wife Dalia El-Laham and three sons (Hamdi, Hamza and Kareem) for their care, guidance and support. He also wishes to acknowledge the hard work
and efforts of his team members, including Ahmed Abu Romeh, Ahad Al-Hakim, Eric Landry, Dalia El-Laham and all the co-op and intern students from both Canada and Brazil. For the last 8 to 9 years, Mr. Ebied has been involved with the Muslim community, particularly with the Muslim Association of Canada, in putting together enriching programs to mentor students and further develop young professionals. For a couple of years, he chaired the committee involved in the 13 acre land acquisition for the Southdale Project, an Islamic Institution that will feature a mosque, multifunctional facility, and recreation services for the community at London Ontario Insha Allah. He is also the director of the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen in the London Ontario region proudly serving Halal certified meals for over 30 years. He acknowledges all of his amazing 80 employees and managers including Mr. Abdul Rahman Daouk, Rabbie Narrain and Fahad Lodhi for their dedication and commitment. In his message to the readers of the London LINK Magazine, Amer Ebied says that all of us, in particular the youth, need to recognize our ultimate potential, and set high goals for ourselves. He feels that with Allah Subhan-o-Taala’s blessings, we can fulfill our duty to guide and support our youth and community to be high achievers and to deliver the great message we have been entrusted with to others. — Madiha Salman
photo credit: Stephen
Martin Photography
— “We must continue to explore our most ultimate potential and to work for Allah’s sake in every aspect of our life to attain the true purpose of our existence.” —
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photo credit: Fahim Khan
page 4 // volume four, issue five
From One Child to Ano ther Im proving the World
(left to right) Safiya, Zaynab, Maryam
The door opens and I am greeted by three anxious little girls, one of whom I could hear urging her sisters to move aside as she wanted to be the one to open the door for me. I have finally gotten the opportunity to meet Maryam, Safiya and Zaynab, the three remarkable young girls who raised over $50,000 for a water well and an orphanage in Galkayo, Somalia. As they each try to grab my attention, simultaneously, we sit at the table and eventually fall into the discussion of how they started this fundraiser, what it means to them, and how others can make a difference by starting fundraisers of their own, with their mother, Nosheen, filling in the details and elaborating modestly. “I heard that a child dies every 20 seconds [from a water-related disease],” states eight-year old Maryam. Nosheen explains how they had been doing research on fundraising and found that water is one of the most lacking necessities in many third-world countries, frequently polluted and not fit for use. “When we started researching, it just seemed so sad that it’s so
hard for people to get water around the world,” says Nosheen, who talked to Human Concern International (HCI) and found out that Somalia was the place of greatest need because there is a lot of drought. Hence, the girls spent the summer of their first year of fundraising by going door-to-door in hopes of educating people about their cause and informing them about how they can contribute towards improving on these impoverished conditions. Although they were rejected at times, as is expected with this method of fundraising, they persevered despite the rejection and despite the summer heat. Nosheen expresses her awe at her daughters’ determination even though it was Ramadan and they were fasting throughout some of it. Although the summer is typically reserved for summer camps, traveling, and many other riveting activities for children, Nosheen expresses the importance of getting her girls started with fundraising as part of a Sadaqa Jariyah (continual charity) for the summer. “That was what was great about doing it in the
summer time for us, it was a family goal and we all worked towards it,” she adds, emphasizing the importance of spending valuable and constructive time together as a family. She and her husband supported their daughters and guided them accordingly along the way, yet they were mindful of respecting their girls’ thoughts and ideas as well. So, when Maryam desperately urged them to set up a lemonade stand in their neighborhood, they complied willingly, though they knew it wouldn’t raise a lot of money. “We wanted them to be involved and give their ideas a chance even if we knew that it wouldn’t get very far, but everything has it’s blessings in it,” explains Nosheen. Hence, what started out as a simple doorto-door fundraiser for their benevolent cause turned into several speaking opportunities to bring awareness to their cause. “We went to International Day of the Girl at Brescia College!” Maryam eagerly shares. She and her sisters were asked to be speakers there to share their inspiring story and they happened to be the
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youngest girls ever to be asked. For a speaking engagement attended by over 300 people, anyone would have been nervous, hence when I ask about the experience, six-year old Safiya confidently states, “It was embarrassing. We had to do a lot of speeches in front of everyone.” The girls got the opportunity to be invited to Brescia College because of a leadership camp that Maryam was in one summer, which is befitting considering the role of a speaker should be one of projection and leadership. In addition to speaking at Brescia College, the girls also spoke at their school and occasionally at fundraising dinners in order to bring awareness to their charitable cause. Thus, as Nosheen explains, “Charitable work shows kids and helps give them self-esteem, develops their social skills, fosters an introduction to the greater world and encourages them to appreciate their own lifestyle.” Though many people refrain from involving their children in world issues in hopes of sheltering them, the benefits outweigh the negatives because, as Nosheen clarifies, “if you can do it in a way that’s age appropriate and show it as a way that can be positive and that they [the children] can make a difference and have a goal, then it’s something that they can strive for and not something that is just disheartening for them.” Thus, starting children out with humanitarian causes at an early age is beneficial to their upbringings as compassionate and emotionally intelligent individuals. These activities help instill good solid values, morals and ethics and in turn, our world becomes an easier place to live in. With the girls’ contribution towards the village in Somalia, HCI was able to install a water well, as well as build an orphanage which consists of classrooms, dormitories, a mosque, a cafeteria, and several other structures. They are hoping to move in the orphans by mid 2015, yet that requires some more donations on the part of the public. For more information on Maryam’s, Safiya’s and Zaynab’s water well and orphanage fundraiser, please visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/MaryamSafiyaCleanWater or the HCI website at http://www. humanconcern.org/orphanage-centre-somalia. — Leila Almawy
—
(top to bottom) Camels stopping for a drink from the livestock troughs made possible because of the waterwell; finished school building with 13 classrooms; Community garden within the Orphanage complex made possible because of the water well’s piping system. For the first time ever they are able to grow fruits and vegetable for their own use and as a means of establishing an income
“Charitable work shows kids and helps give them selfesteem, develops their social skills, fosters an introduction to the greater world and encourages them to appreciate their own lifestyle.” —
Dining hall in orphanage complex. The Kids are holding a banner to thank everyone involved in the fundraising project through Maryam, Safiya and Zaynab.
photo credits: Mohamed Ali Aden, president of Himilo International Civic Development Agency
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The Need for Compassionate Communities As I speak to friends, family members, community leaders, converts, youth, young professionals and others in the Muslim community I find that the most common issue facing our community is a lack of compassion. When Muslims speak to non-Muslims we often say “Islam means peace” and then we go onto describe the Islamic greeting of “Assalamalaikum” (May Allah’s peace be upon you), however how many of us actually mean it when we say it to our fellow brothers and sisters? When we think about the phrase it is actually a covenant or an agreement between us and the others we are engaging with. It makes no sense for us to say the greeting of peace and abuse a person or harm them in any manner be it physical, emotional or psychological. When it comes to forgiveness some Muslims it seems have adopted the total opposite of the sunnah. We’ve become quick to anger and slow to forgive. We’ve become quick to condemn and slow to show forbearance of an individual. Imagine on the Day of Judgement our one act or word turning someone away from Islam. How would we respond to Allah on the Day of Judgment if He were to ask us why we repelled someone away from Him? In Islam we condemn the sin not the sinner. Everyone has the ability to recover from his or her sin if they make sincere repentance and change their ways. Why then when someone makes a mistake or sins do we immediately assume the worse of them and go
on to destroy their character and image either verbally or on social media? The Prophet SAW had companions and Muslims in his own community who openly came and admitted their sins to him, yet he showed forbearance, mercy, compassion and caring for them. Islam is not a cult where we demand uniformity and perfection from imperfect human beings. The Prophet SAW called people to Allah and the path of Islam which led to Allah. Muslims today make Islam to be some club or cult where if you don’t dress, act or practice Islam a certain way you’re the “wrong type of Muslim.” We need to be understanding that each and everyone of us are in different stages of life, facing different internal and external challenges. Some people in our community have lost their jobs, lost loved ones, have committed sins that they’re not proud of, are addicted to drugs, and are being tested with severe personal struggles. Are we adding to their stress or being a source of peace, understanding, and compassion for them? Sometimes all a person needs is someone to listen to and that in itself can be helpful for them. It doesn’t take a psychologist, therapist or counselor to solve someone’s problem all it takes is for you to show empathy, compassion, mercy, and caring for others in pain. So next time you see a new face in the masjid go and greet them with a warm smile. Take out time to greet them and get to know their
name, where they are from, and get their contact information. You never know what condition people are in and if your one smile and greeting changed their life. I’ve been to masjids where I’ve walked in prayed and walked out without anyone giving me the greetings of peace or asking who I was or where I was from. I speak often to converts, women and youth and they often complain about the unwelcoming nature of some of our masjids. We can change that by being a cheerful smiling face at our masjids. We can be the change we want to be in masjids. Yes, some of our masjids are poorly run, but imagine you being the person to change the entire culture of a masjid just with your presence. Our own brothers and sisters suffering silently need us. Be a friend who can listen compassionately and with empathy. There is so much hurt, pain, sorrow in the world. We need to do our own little part by infusing our communities with compassion through ourselves, our actions and our words. We cannot blame anyone but ourselves for the condition of our community. We need to be the change. We must be the mercy we want to be in the world. If we claim Islam means peace, we must begin walking the walk. Bismillah. —Saud Inam
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Teaching Our Kids Quranic Arabic: The First Steps Knowing more than one language isn’t just wonderfully practical in this ever-globalized world. But, as the recent work of neurologists, psychologists and educational specialists suggests, being bilingual actually makes us smarter. Furthermore, from an Islamic perspective, knowing Quranic Arabic can make us more intelligent in a spiritual sense too. And this is why Muslims the world over have sought to give their children—non-Arabs too—an education in the basics of Quran. It’s our duty, our pride, and the core of our existential heritage. So how then should we approach Quranic Arabic with our young children? If you are fortunate to be Arabophone or live near (and can afford) a good Sunday Islamic school, well, count your blessings. But either way, no matter what we have or do not have, parent involvement is key. Make your child’s intellectual, linguistic and moral development a priority. You can make time for it and the rewards are endless. I’d like to share some great resources that I’ve been exploring and you needn’t be a master of Arabic to use them. The first is YouTube. Qasid Institute, which is based in Amman, Jordan (yes I studied there so I am partial) has a series of free YouTube “Arabic Letter Tutorials.” I highly recommend it. I also suggest Ustadh Wisiem Sharieff’s website l2rq.com. The instructor has a wonderfully clear Arabic and English accent.
Apps—There are several Arabic language apps on the market. But the one app I enjoy the most, isn’t specifically a language app. It’s a digital “chalkboard.” You may use it like a flash card (though far more flashy), or, like a multiplechoice test. Decorative Art—Fill your children’s bedroom with bright, cheerful Arabic letters. These large wall stickers from ChicWallsDesign on Etsy are especially fine. Play “I spy” with your new stickers. Games—Use Arabic bingo cards, letter blocks and puzzles to keep your child engaged. Young children learn best through play. Good luck and keep at it, inshaAllah! And don’t forget Skype. There are many tutors available for you and your child. —Alexis York Lumbard
— “Knowing more than one language isn’t just wonderfully practical in this everglobalized world... Knowing Quranic Arabic can make us more intelligent in a spiritual sense, too.” —
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volume four, issue five
United for the love of God Marriage is a word which sparks notions of commitment, sacrifice, companionship, love, for an entire lifetime. It’s part of the circle of life where a man and woman unite, pledge their oaths before God and witnesses in the Muslim faith. It’s a cycle of renewal and continuance as commonly the younger generation revives the life cycle of the parents and with God’s will procuring progeny. Marriage is a religious and civic rite infused with cultural traditions. The ceremony itself is simple. A Muslim marriage requires the religious service recognition by witnesses. It is also human nature to celebrate a happy occasion. It has also been demonstrated by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that celebrating a marriage is encouraged. However, the question is how to celebrate? By fulfilling our most wanted desires at the wedding? By organizing the best event anyone has ever seen? By acquiescing to all the cultural rituals which we have learned through the old generation, new generation and the standards the entertainment industry sets for us.
fizzle out. The other option is to start off consistently with consideration of what’s important in a marriage, namely the blessings of Allah SWT first and foremost which can, inshaAllah (God Willing) attribute to a sustained and balanced life of union. Three major events in life that many individuals witness are birth, marriage, death. Birth signifying the start of a new life, marriage signifying a union of two people which may lead to birth and the start of a new life, and then death which is the end of life. Our paths are destined by Allah SWT however to choose within the parameters prescribed is our doing. Marriage is a beautiful chapter of life. May God bless every union with mutual love, compassion, care, sustenance and ease (ameen). —London Link Contributor
It’s at this point, we have to self-reflect and assess what is important for the marriage. Our desires are endless but our pocketbooks aren’t. Our desire for entertainment is also endless but it’s the teachings of our faith which places parameters between what is fine, in the grey area and out of it. A start in the right direction can begin with all the fireworks which crosses budget and parameters related to faith. This dazzling show doesn’t guarantee the life ahead, it can maintain its spark or perhaps photo credit: Saleme Fayad
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LIS does it again! Once again, this year the London Islamic School has demonstrated an outstanding performance in EQAO Testing. The school’s scores were higher than the average provincial scores reinforcing its high standard of education. Grade 6 - Reading 100%, Writing 95%, Mathematics 95% Grade 3 - Reading 100%, Writing 95%, Mathematics 100% The school attributes its excellent achievements to all its hardworking staff and students as well as the parents and community members for their support. Staff and teachers at LIS are dedicated not only in student learning, but also in spiritual and social development. Together they create a school community that feels like an extended family. The strong relationship developed with the parish team also helps to nourish each member of the school community. At LIS, students learn, teachers educate and live together as a vibrant, positive, accepting and spiritual community. —Mazna Kamal
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photo credit: Abeer Jawed
A Pharmacy with a Conscience It is a Friday afternoon and I walk into London Care Pharmacy on Oxford only to find a pharmacist deep in dialogue with a customer. I observe, curiously, as he explains the effects of back pain and, interestingly enough, he proceeds to take a back support belt out of its box and demonstrates its use to her on the spot. What dedication, I think to myself. As he finishes up with his customer, Karim Ragheb greets me warmly and invites me into his office for our scheduled interview. We begin by discussing his unconventional childhood, as he fast-tracked through school, and moved on to his early admittance into university, and his final destination as a pharmacist and entrepreneur. Born in Saudi Arabia in 1986, the Cairo native fast-tracked through school by completing grades five and eight in the summers, which are typically reserved for vacationing and “free time” for most people. Noticing the surprised look on my face, he stifles a laugh and explains, “My dad’s philosophy about it was always to channel our energy into something positive.” Hence, by the time he was 13 years old, Karim had already completed high school, but he was faced with a new challenge – he was denied entry into university given that the law in Egypt states that a person must have completed 11
years of secondary education in order to be considered. Refusing to be discouraged, Karim’s father decides to move his family to Canada in hopes of a better future for them. At 14 years old, Karim began his undergraduate degree in what he thought would be Genes, Genetics and Biotechnology, but what eventually turned into Pharmacy at the University of Toronto. He made sure to join all the student associations as possible. “I wanted to get as involved as possible to understand how things work,” he explains. As with any student in university, Karim constantly switched between the ideas of Premed, Dentistry, and Pharmacy, struggling to make a decision. However, when he took up a job for a company that wrote up drug profiles by simplifying technical terms and statistical analyses into Layman’s terms for people, he realized that he found his niche. “I like to take something that’s very complicated, simplify it, and then explain it back,” he says. Years and many pharmacist jobs later, Karim settled in London, Canada and opened up his own pharmacy, which he suitably named London Care Pharmacy. “I wanted to be able to spend time with someone to educate them on their health, I wanted to be able to explain how
the body works,” he expresses passionately. “So, I opened up my own store because I wanted to make sure that when I’m giving something, I’m telling the person everything they need to know to make that educated decision. It’s about your health.” He even goes so far as to make home visits for his customers to ensure that their medicine cabinets are not still stocked with expired medication or medication that they thought were vitamins. Additionally, he and his staff make regular phone calls to their customers’ doctors to ensure that both parties are aware of the customer’s health and the medication being prescribed. “My relationship with my customers doesn’t end with them as they walk out of the pharmacy, my relationship is ongoing as long as they need it to be,” he explains. “I want the essence of care and personalized approach to be felt and sensed by any interaction that my customers make at my pharmacy,” says Karim. So, for more information on where to buy medication or who to consult, visit the London Care Pharmacy at 140 Oxford Street East or visit the website at www.londoncarepharmacy.com —Leila Almawy
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R
CHICKEN LEGS CASSEROLE
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INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
chicken legs - 8 ground pepper - ¼ tsp Salt- to taste onion, diced - 1 large carrot, diced - 1 large celery, diced - 2 stalks tomatoes, diced - 3 large garlic cloves, chopped - 4 large ginger, chopped - 2 inch slice basil leaves - 10 leaves french rosemary - 2 sprigs bay leaf - 1 red chilly flakes - 1 tbp paprika - 2 tsp
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
DIRECTIONS
ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP
1.
FOR MAKING MEATBALLS • ground chicken or beef - ½ lb • ground pepper - ¼ tsp • Italian seasoning - 1½ tsp • medium-size onion, chopped small - ½ • breadcrumbs - ¼ cup • parmesan cheese - ¼ cup (optional) • parsley, chopped - 1 handful • salt - a few pinches FOR MAKING SOUP • chicken stock, low-sodium - 8 cups • kale or spinach chopped small - 1½ • orzo or pearl pasta - ¾ cup • Italian seasoning - 1 tsp • ground pepper - a few pinches • salt - to taste • parmesan cheese, grated (as topping)
Preheat the oven to 375 F. Season the chicken with ground pepper and salt. Throw in all the ingredients into a dutch oven or oven proof wide pan, combine well. Cover the dutch oven with its lid or with aluminum foil. Place on the lower rack and bake for 1 hour. After an hour, uncover the dutch oven and bake for another 45 minutes. The chicken will be juicy and slightly browned. You could serve the chicken legs and veggies with roasted potatoes or quinoa or rice.
In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients to make the meat balls. 2. Make very small balls out of the meatball mixture, around 25 to 30 small balls. Keep aside. 3. Pour the chicken stock into a large soup pot and place over medium heat, let the stock come to a slight boil. 4. Gently drop the meatballs and cook covered for 8 minutes, or till meatballs are cooked through. 5. Add the chopped kale leaves or spinach. Cook covered for a couple of minutes. 6. Add orzo or pearl pasta, cook covered for 7 to 8 minutes till pasta turns tender, these pastas cook very fast. 7. Add Italian seasoning and ground pepper. 8. Taste and add more salt if needed. 9. Lower the heat and let the soup simmer for 3 to 5 minutes. 10. Serve into a soup bowl, if needed sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and enjoy every sip of it.
Places & Photography // McIntosh Gallery, Western University, London, Ontario Book Review // In the Footsteps of the Prophet
Tariq Ramadan is a leading Muslim scholar from the West. He has been name as one of the top 100 innovators of the century by the Time Magazine. In this book written for a wide audience, he offers an inspiring biography of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), one that highlights the spiritual and ethical teachings of one of the most influential figures in human history. Ramadan provides both an intimate portrait of a man who was shy, kind, but determined, as well as a chronicle of a leader who launched a great religion and inspired a vast empire. The book highlights the importance of the Prophet’s example for some of today’s most controversial issues, such as the treatment of the poor, the role of women, Islamic criminal punishments, war, racism, and relations with other religions. Selecting those facts and stories from which we can draw a profound and vivid spiritual picture. In this thoughtful and engaging biography, Ramadan offers Muslims a new understanding of his life and he introduces non-Muslims not just to the story of the Prophet (PBUH), but to the spiritual and ethical riches of Islam.
Abeer Jawed is a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of Western Ontario majoring in Digital Humanities and Digital Communication. Photography is a hobby and passion rather than work for him and he expresses himself through photos to the world.
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