contents 3 Hammad Aslam 4 No Mountain is Too High 5 Senator Salma AtaAllah Jan 6 Children of Hope 7 On Fatherhood 9 The Drop Zone Rappel 10 The Quilt Exhibit 11 A Principal with a Difference 12 Sameer’s Eats 13 Children’s Reads 14 My Dad, My Friend 15 Going Back Home
editor’s note As salaam u alaikum! This issue brings to you a kaleidoscope of bright topics with a touch of summer to it! We discuss fatherhood, facing adversity, climbing mountains, overcoming challenges, helping orphans, quilts from Africa, Ramadan books for kids, a halal food tour and so much more! Summer offers us just that, an opportunity to discover a myriad of places and things to do in and around the city we live in! Discover Ontario and beyond, pack an iftar picnic, get your family together and try breaking your fast in the vast openness of nature and then find the nearest mosque in a new city to offer taraweeh in before heading back home! A list of mosques around Ontario and beyond can be found on: www.islamcan.com/masjid It’s summer and it’s Ramadan—we can do both! May this upcoming month of Ramadan bring us peace and blessings! Ramadan Kareem!
Naeema Farooqi
Founder / Editor-in-Chief, London LINK Magazine July 2013
16 Double the Ice Cream
18 Recipes
Cover photo: NF, Cover design: Naira Ahmed Location: Dalewood Conservation Area, www.kettlecreekconservatory.ca Jeep by: South West Chrysler Dodge Inc 658 Wharncliffe Road S. London, ON Models: Hussain, Sandra and Adam
editorial board
19 Marketplace
founder / editor-in-chief: Naeema Farooqi ; the design team: Naira Ahmed & Lina El-Shamy (Studio Noon) ; business development / advertising manager: Ahmed Javed ; copy editor: Amal A. Albaz ; contributors: Saud Inam, Abeer Iqbal, Madiha Salman, Iram Abbasi, Zeba Hashmi, Aksa Mahmood, Javeria Saad, Ahmed Javed, Hamza Haqqi, Alexis York Lumbard, Ayesha Saeed, Claudia Jaime, Anam Islam, Saleme Fayed, Shoaib Mazhar, Thasneen Ansi, Event Photographers: Kamran Hameed, Fahim Khan
17 The Strength in my Weakness
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page 3 Photo credit: Nia AlZuhur Photography
Hammad Aslam against all odds // Hammad Aslam was set to start medical school in fall of 2009 when a car accident almost took his life. Paralysis from the chest down delayed his plans by one year. Hammad has overcome many obstacles and is now pursuing his doctorate at the Medical College of Georgia. MH: You overcame a pretty serious lifechanging event in your life. Can you tell us more about it and how you overcame it? I was in a car accident with my family in May of 2009. Our SUV hydroplaned off the road and hit a tree. The tree fell on top of the corner of my vehicle, crushing me under the roof and glass. Thankfully, no one else was seriously hurt. My dad fractured a bone in his forearm and had a small neck injury. My mom had a minor injury to her ribs. My younger sister broke her leg, and my youngest sister was untouched. My older brother was away at the time. I am just blessed to be alive. I received a traumatic brain injury with a skull fracture with bleeding in my brain, nerve damage in my right arm, and a complete spinal cord injury. I spent a few weeks in an unconscious and semi-conscious state. I do not recall anything from this time period and I do not even remember getting into an accident. I came consciously aware of things a few weeks later. At the time, I was in the traumatic brain injury unit at the Shepherd Center, because my brain injury was so severe, the doctors all predicted that I would be permanently inflicted with mental deficits on top of my physical handicaps. I spent a few weeks in that unit before I was transferred to the spinal cord injury unit. I spent three months as an inpatient at the center. I continued to go there for therapy for several months after I was discharged and living at home. MH: What inspired you to pursue medical school?
I‘ve always wanted to go to medical school and become a doctor. After my accident though, I wanted it even more. It became even more apparent to me that my passion was in the relief of the suffering of others. I have suffered a lot and I do not want anyone else to suffer like I have, or suffer in their own circumstances – whatever those may be. Medical school was also a big challenge. I knew that people doubted me with many things so I wanted to prove to them—and to myself—that I could do it.
MH: What challenges did you face on your road to medical school? The first challenges in medical school included just adapting to living completely alone. I was stubborn and I somehow convinced my family to allow me to move away to a different city and live by myself, without any roommates or helpers. This was only a year after my accident and I was still adapting to my disabilities. Doing everything in a wheelchair for the first time took longer than I expected. On top of adapting myself, both physically and mentally, to these new circumstances, I also found myself struggling in medical school. I was quite timid and had a significant inferiority complex. I felt like everyone was smarter than me. I was afraid to speak up during our discussions. I also found myself studying harder than I ever had before, and I was barely getting by. This was extremely frustrating and I was very upset about this. But I adapted. I knew I could do this one way or another. So I adjusted my study habits to study both smarter and harder.
It is these challenges and the way we react to them—or fail to react to them—that define us.”
MH: What advice would you give to others facing the same challenges you’ve faced on pursuing their dreams and goals in life? First off, I wish and pray that no one faces the same challenges I have faced. That being said, many people face their own challenges in their pursuit for accomplishing the tasks that they plan and dream of. As I stated earlier, it is too easy to blame our circumstances on God or on other people. It is too easy to simply accept our circumstances, as “just the way God wants them to be.” Instead, I feel like people shouldn’t look at different situations as something from God that must simply be accepted, but as situations that should be looked upon as challenges to overcome. It is these challenges and the way we react to them—or fail to react to them—that define us. I suggest that others “get their hands dirty” in terms of learning about this profession. Learn about the ups and downs. Learn about life. Perhaps more importantly, learn about death. I have faced my own mortality and it has given me a completely new perspective on life. It was only after I had almost everything taken away from me that I was able to think clearly. // Interview by Saud Inam, Muslim Heroes [USA]
Patient Freda Beale of Jefferson, Ga, is examined by second year medical student Hammad Aslam in the hospital at Athens Regional Medical Center. Photo Credit: Andrew Davis Tucker, University of Georgia. Reproduced with permission from University of Georgia, Public Affairs.
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“It was a humbling experience. It reminded me of how little we need to survive and how we take things for granted. I carried out basic clinical procedures in the villages and will never forget how grateful those people were.”
No Mountain is Too High! // Dr. Lalarukh Khan, a general practitioner in the UK, completed a huge climb to Everest base camp in order to raise funds for a local charity. She runs a semi rural practice and loves interacting with patients particularly children; from the time they are born up to their teenage years. She also aims to make a difference in the well-being of the elderly and the vulnerable sector of the population. Dr. Khan strongly believes in pushing her boundaries and challenging herself. Being a single parent, her main motivation is her two daughters Ghalia and Tooba. She thinks they can achieve anything they set their hearts to, and that no mountain is too high. “No dream has to be left as a dream,” she says. Dr. Khan’s main motivation to do social work were her patients who went out of their way to support the flood victims in Pakistan. She was very touched by this and therefore decided to support the Nightingale House charity three years ago. It provides specialist palliative care services free of charge. In 2013 it will cost £2.6 million to run the Hospice, which equates to more than £7,000 needed per day. Only 19% of this comes from the Local Health Board, which is enough funding to support the Hospice for 69 days. Therefore, they greatly rely on the
generosity of the community to raise the additional funding for the remaining 296 days of the year. Dr. Khan raised £3000 this year by successfully climbing to the Everest base camp which is 5,337m high! In order to take on this challenge, Dr.Khan joined the gym to increase her fitness level and took personal training classes. However, being a single parent and having a demanding profession, she was not able to do any outdoor climbing. The climb was one of the toughest physical challenges for Dr.Khan requiring a huge amount of mental focus and determination. The trek took sixteen days to complete and she described it as an “unforgettable experience full of trial, tribulation and jubilation.” One of the setbacks Dr.Khan faced was losing her luggage during her flight. Hence, she had to make the climb without walking poles for three days, resulting in a nail infection. She says, “I wasn’t sure if I could do it as it was excruciatingly painful to continue walking for hours in walking boots in an extremely difficult terrain. My speed reduced and as I went higher, it got very cold with temperature reaching to -16°C.” Fighting against altitude sickness and
Dr. Lalarukh with her dau ghters Ghalia and Tooba
walking with low oxygen levels was a test of mental strength for Dr. Khan. Diet was poor due to limited resources, sanitation levels decreased and water, if available, was a luxury. Nevertheless, the feeling of achievement was all the more touching because of this. “It was a humbling experience. It reminded me of how little we need to survive and how we take things for granted. I carried out basic clinical procedures in the villages and will never forget how grateful those people were. I wish I could have done more but I had such limited supplies.” (Dr.Khan) This climb brought Dr.Khan closer to nature, strengthened her faith, and increased her quench for helping others. This is what she teaches her children; “When we give, we get more.” Dr. Khan believes that being a good human being is more important irrespective of gender, colour, or religion as taught in Islam. One should lead by example and follow the right path, even if it is the harder one. Dr. Khan says, “By channeling one’s thoughts and energy in the correct way and avoiding negative influences, everyone can overcome obstacles and be more than one can be.” // Abeer Iqbal [UK]
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Honorable Senator Salma AtaAllah Jan // Senator Salma Ataullahjan is the first South Asian female Muslim senator of Canada. She is a dedicated politician, and is also known for her commitment to community work. Regarding her journey to the Senate, Ataullahjan immigrated to Canada in 1980 as a new bride from Pakistan. Coming from a joint family system, being alone in Canada was a big shock for her. However, she was keen to work and integrate in the society; therefore she started community volunteering. “I could have just sat down and beeen miserable, but I decided to make the most of this challenge,” she said. She finished her license in real estate and worked as a realtor for a few years. Later, she started volunteering in her daughters’ school, and was the founder and an active member of the David Lewis Public School Advisory Council. Meanwhile she got involved with social organizations like the South Asian Regional Council of Canada (promoting harmony between South-Asian communities); the Pakistani Canadian Academic Executive (involved in fundraising; notably the fundraiser for Credit Valley Hospital Mississauga where the organization had a room named after the founder of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah); the Canadian Chapter of the Citizen Foundation (supporting over 730 schools in Pakistan for needy children), and the Canadian Pashtun Cultural Association. In context of her selfless community work, Senator Ataullahjan said, “When I volunteered, I felt there was a need, I never thought of what I will get from this. I always stepped out and helped in whatever way I could.” Coming from a politically-oriented family in Pakistan, politics was a part of her everyday life. On the advice of some close friends, she joined Canadian politics, and continued with social work as well. In recognition of her social and political work, she was appointed as a senator by the advice of Prime Minister Stephen Harper in July 2010. Referring to her appointment in the Parliament Hill while being the first generation immigrant to Canada, Senator Ataullahjan said, “I am a deeply spiritual person. I believe God has a plan for us all and when He wills, the impossible becomes possible. I am happy that the Prime Minister had this confidence to appoint me to the Senate.” In response to the Prime Minister’s comment about bringing a Muslim voice into Canadian Politics, she said, “I am very conscious of the responsibilities given to me. I feel everything I do, reflects my
community; so I do my work diligently.” In the Senate, Senator Ataullahjan is the president of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU), and deputy chair of the Human Rights Committee. She has published studies on the condition of Afghan women, and cyber bullying of children. She is also a member of the Library, along with Foreign Affairs and Art Committees. While being busy at the red chamber, she tries to do as much community work as possible. She said, “My belief is that whenever you volunteer, meet people. No appointment is waste; you always learn something new from everything you are associated with.” Salma Ataullahjan is very passionate about her home country
“Find something you are passionate about, and step outside your comfort zone. Volunteer with whatever you are comfortable with; it’s the best way to integrate into society.”
Pakistan. She visited the campsites of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the Swat valley, and in 2010 helped the people displaced by the flood. In 2012, she was awarded the “Pakistan’s Women Icon Award”. She finds it rewarding to be recognized by her own community.
Senator Ataullahjan at her desk in the Senate
(L-R) Antoine Pouliot, Senator, and Minister Fantino at End of Polio Campaign Reception on Parliament Hill. Senator with Minister Kenney
Senator Ataullahjan considers herself lucky to have an understanding and supporting husband, Saleem Ataullahjan. She is proud of her two daughters for being successful in academic life. Her eldest daughter, Anushka, is doing her PhD in Public Health from the University of Alberta, while her younger daughter, Shaanzeh, was recently admitted to law school. Senator Ataullahjan is passionate about women and youth, and is always willing to help. In her message to the London LINK readers, she advises the women to, “Find something you are passionate about, and step outside your comfort zone. Volunteer with whatever you are comfortable with; it’s the best way to integrate into society. Never be afraid of failure; everyone has set backs in life. The trick to success is to stand up and start going again. My message for the men is to support and encourage their women.” // Madiha Salman [Canada]
Photo credit: Saad Khan Photography
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Children of Hope // Taking care of Orphans is an act of charity that we are reminded of over and over again in the Quran and hadith. Children of Hope (COH) is a relatively new Canadian charity that it is committed to caring for orphans’ overall well being in a way that gives them hope for a brighter future. Br. Sadiq Hasan is on the Board of Directors and is one of the founding members of COH. He gave me some background on how COH was founded in Toronto in 2005. It is a federally registered, charitable, volunteer organization governed by a board of directors. The board continues to grow its ability to make a difference through advocacy and raising funds for orphans and destitute children. Br. Sadiq is very aware of the fact that the zakat or sadaqa money is a trust and responsibility on their shoulders. They have tried their best to limit the administration costs to 2%, as dedicated
volunteers do all the work. Most of the volunteers are parents with young families, from various backgrounds and cultures, who feel compelled to help children around the world who are vulnerable and are in dire need of our help. COH has partnered with local organizations in Haiti and South Asia to build or sponsor orphanages and schools. I visited one of the orphanages sponsored by COH in Islamabad Pakistan, Basera, in May. Amongst the forty some kids, I met two young sisters whose father passed away last year. Their village school is non-functional and their mother was financially challenged. So she sent her daughters to Basera. At the shelter, they are provided with a nurturing environment, regular meals and sprinkled with love. They attend school and complete their schoolwork without any
financial burden, and are provided with all the tools to be successful. The shelter is also running a regular evening literacy class for street urchins. Basera is currently seeking sponsorships for their vocational training project. With COH’s emphasis on transparency and accountability, donors are encouraged to visit the projects and see how their contribution is changing the lives of children. Every donation, big or small, is important and the need is always there. If we are blessed, let us not forget the needy, especially in the upcoming month of Ramadan. // Dr. Iram Abbasi [Canada] Children Of Hope childrenofhope.ca/donate info@childrenofhope.ca 647-995-7044
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Dr. Mahmoud Haddara —on fatherhood
// Dr. Mahmoud Haddara is an active community leader and father who is blessed with two sons and five grandchildren. His many accomplishments include the past positions of: Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Memorial University of Newfoundland; Director of Cooperative Education at Memorial University of Newfoundland; President of the Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador; Imam of Al-Noor Mosque in St. John’s, Newfoundland; Board member of the Centre for Christian, Jewish, Muslim Learning; and now most currently serving as imam of the London Muslim Mosque. We took this opportunity to learn from Dr. Mahmoud Haddara, who has worn many hats throughout his lifetime as an academic, as a leader in the community, and as a father of children who themselves have taken on leadership roles in society. London Link: What does fatherhood mean to you?
Mahmoud Haddara: Fatherhood is a unique responsibility. There are thousands of engineers, medical doctors and other professional but there is only one father for every child. LL: How have you applied that in raising your family? MH: Fatherhood does not work alone. The upbringing of a child requires both a
father and a mother. They should both work together. We have endeavored to apply the Prophet’s (PBUH) sunnah in bringing up our kids. However, there is always the process of trial and error. What we always believed in is that there are three elements in the success of any endeavor: pure intention that the endeavor is for the sake of God; hard work by using all means available; and putting one’s trust in God. The results are in the hand of God and we have to accept whatever He decrees. LL: Advice to fathers, especially young ones out there.
MH: People get training for each job they hold, but there is no formal training for fatherhood. We need to pay more attention and spend more effort and time to learn what it truly means to be a father. The best recipe for the role of a father is found in a hadeeth by the Prophet (PBUH). The Prophet (PBUH) indicated that there are three stages in the development of children; each is seven years long. He said, “Play with your kids the first seven years, teach them for another seven years, and befriend them during the next seven years.” Very often people understand that the first stage is a “spoiling stage,” and very often they stop at the first stage without following up with the next two stages. One last thing piece of advice to the parents; never ask your kids to do something that you do not do yourself. We thank Dr. Mahmoud Haddara for the wisdom he has shared with us. Parents have the most powerful role in shaping their children’s views and actions. We hope that all fathers, mothers and families continuously enjoy the relationships and opportunities they’ve been blessed with. // Zeba Hashmi [Canada]
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The Drop Zone Rappel // “The most wonderful opportunities appear when we are not seeking them.” Upon meeting Kimber Bogema, a determined accessibility advocate, this was one of the first things she said to me. Completely unexpected, an opportunity appeared before Kimber; one that involved rappelling down a 26-story building – in her wheelchair – for Easter Seals Ontario. Easter Seals Ontario’s goal is, “helping kids with physical disabilities succeed.” Every year, they hold The Drop Zone rappel where you can “challenge yourself and change lives.” Being terrified of heights, Kimber turned down the opportunity, but then reconsidered. “The challenges the children face every single day, with such a great attitude, convinced me that I needed to step up and help any way I could. I contacted them again and said I would do it!” Kimber conquered her fear of heights by rappelling down a 26-story building while raising $1500 for Easter Seals Ontario. The experience left her feeling exhilarated and filled with happiness. “I couldn’t stop smiling! I had tears in my eyes … I worried I would back out in fear. I was pleased I hadn’t let anyone down.” Kimber enjoyed the rappel so much that she plans on rappelling again this year! This time, she hopes to raise a minimum of $3000. Ultimately Kimber wants “to help as many children as humanly possible.” Kimber describes Easter Seals Ontario as, “a life raft for children with disabilities. I would say it represents the difference between living and existing in a lot of family situations.” She has a firm belief that no child should be denied the opportunity to experience activities such
“The challenges the children face every single day, with such a great attitude, convinced me that I needed to step up and help any way I could.”
Photo credit: Andrei Calinescu
as fully accessible camps and vacations, nor should they be denied financial assistance for mobility equipment when they need it. Kimber’s dedication to the organization has created a personal relationship between her and the children. After getting to know Kimber, I am left with the impression of a strong, courageous, inspirational woman who has
everything it takes to be there for others. If Kimber has inspired you, you can support her in The Drop Zone rappel. Email Kimber at kimberbogema@gmail. com or visit www.thedropzone.ca/london and search Kimber Bogema for more information. // Aksa Mahmood [Canada]
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The Quilt Exhibit
discovering an array of fascinating cultures
// Recently, Londoners had a chance to embark on an exciting journey to Africa, where they experienced different cultures in all their vibrancy and dynamism— without leaving London. Two quilting enthusiasts—husband and wife—brought Africa to us in the guise of 200 African quilts along with a plethora of other African quilting activities and workshops at the London International Quilt Festival: “Out of Africa”. It was held at the Grand Ballroom of the London Hilton few weeks ago. For the husband and wife duo, Garnet Smalley and Suzanne, quilting is a passion that has taken them on a journey of discovery around the world. Through their “Out of Africa” quilting exhibit (third in a series of quilting exhibits first held in 2008, then 2011 and now this year), they want to offer fellow Londoners a chance to discover the economic, cultural and historical aspects of different countries through the brilliant world of quilts. A few days before the opening of the exhibit, I had a unique opportunity to chat with Garnet and get a sneak peek at some of his prized quilts. I found Garnet to be engaging, passionate and extremely knowledgeable about quilting. Garnet believes that quilts are “works of art that reflect the unique culture of the country from which they come” and therefore a “way of learning about a particular culture.” For instance, some people perceive Africa as a monolithic entity, but when they get a chance to
witness some of the quilts from Africa, they develop an appreciation of the continent’s cultural complexity and its many artistic nuances. “After all,” Garnet gently reminds me, “Africa is a continent that consists of 54 countries.” Almost everyone knows that quilts are crafted by painstakingly sewing together pieces and shreds of cloth. What most people may not realize is that embedded within the layers of the unique quilts, is a unique history. Garnet travelled to Gee’s Bend, Alabama where he saw quilts that slaves had made in bondage, with virtually no resources, as a means of expressing their creativity. At the Ulster Folk Museum in Ireland, Garnet witnessed a “bright and beautiful quilt” from 1860 that soldiers sewed during the Crimean War as therapy from war trauma. Garnet fervently hopes that the London International Quilt Festival will become a means for generating revenue for the city of London. He says that quilting is a $3.2 billion industry in the US, and the largest quilt festival takes place in Houston, Texas that is attended by 62,000 people over three days. With the right amount of advertisements and promotions, the quilting exhibit can increase tourism and raise of lot of money for London. Garnet envisions that the London International Quilt Festival will become an annual event that transforms the forest city into a cultural hub. // Javeria Saad [Canada]
Garnet Smalley holds up a traditional African quilt
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// Mr. Omar Hamadache has had a career that is filled with exciting endeavors that make him a highly valued member of the London community. Firstly, he is a certified teacher in both the provinces of Alberta and Ontario. He holds: a Bachelor degree of Education from Trent University, Peterborough Canada; a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Science and Technology in Algiers, Algeria; a Master of Science in Computer Science, from DePaul University, Chicago; and also a Master of Science in Physics from ULB University, Brussels, Belgium. To date, Mr. Omar has over 17 years of experience in teaching and education management, working as a researcher, university professor, Vice-Principal and Principal in Canada and around the world. Today, Mr. Omar is the new Principal at the London Islamic School (LIS) in London, Ontario. Although he is still new, Mr. Omar has already made a significant positive impact on the lives of students and teachers alike. He has raised the expectations of students’ behavior by means of a new and effective discipline policy, based on constructive and preventive approaches. With regards
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A Principal with a Difference to academics, Mr. Omar had worked hard to improve academic achievement through quality education and curriculum alignment. Furthermore, he has also improved the teaching quality through the professional development of the staff to support LIS performance that is above Ontario expectations. Mr. Omar takes his job very seriously. Working towards greater parental involvement, Mr. Omar believes that parents play a vital role in the academic, social and moral development of the children. His procedures are new but they have increased the pride parents take in their children’s education. Mr. Omar feels as though the students at LIS are his own children. Taking a deep
interest in their success, Mr. Omar feels a strong sense of commitment to enrich the LIS learning experience. Omar is married and has four lovely boys, all of whom are very proud of their dad and look up to him as a role model. // Ahmed Javed [Canada]
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Sameer’s Eats! Sameer’s Quest for Halal Food
// Living in today’s fast paced society, it’s often times difficult to find affordable halal cuisine when eating out at local establishments. Halal is a term for meat that has been slaughtered in the manner prescribed by Islamic law, and is a crucial part of Islam. It often times results in the majority of Muslims finding alternate options when dinning out. So how does one combat the dilemma of what to eat
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when eating out? Well Sameer’s Eats of course! Sameer’s Eats is on a halal food tour that’s taking over the United States. Through YouTube and Instagram, Sameer Eats finds the best halal eateries and posts them online for viewers around the world to see. This is resulting in a halal food revolution that is changing the way people find local fare, while showcasing many benefits of eating halal. Sameer’s Eats founder Sameer Sammrat launched his project back in 2010. He worked hard to establish credentials as a long time advocate of eating healthy and halal. Sameer is very goal orientated and passionate about food, and loves sharing all that he learns with other people. Sameer says, “We create and produce alloriginal monthly episodes and encourage community driven programs, which is all watched by a super-committed, foodloving, passionate fan base.” Sameer emphasizes that his loyal fans are what makes Sameer’s Eats successful; he owes all his success to them. Ideally he would like to open up his own restaurant and a segment on the food network showcasing perfect representation of great halal cooking. Sameer is basically the desi version of Guy Fieri of the show DriveIns and Dives, who happens to be one of his role models. Halal food contains many benefits that anyone of any faith can enjoy. The preparation and practice includes removal of pesticides, toxins, and pollutants. Based out of New York and streaming to 200,000 on their YouTube channel, Sameer’s Eats presents the best food anyone can eat based on any budget. From fancy, 5 star establishments to local food trucks—Sameer’s Eats has it all. They recently kicked-off their outstanding Halal food tour that has been traveling around the United States. They will be in New York in June, Washington D.C. in August, Chicago in October and Houston in December. The halal food tour showcases all that is great about halal cooking, eating and education. Sameer’s Eats has recieved a variety of questions ranging from anything to
do with what to eat after Jum’uah prayers, to a nice sit down restaurant to celebrate a birthday or any larger celebration. Sameer personally recieves a variety of messages from fans, but the ones that stick out to him are the ones that focus on the global expansion of Sameer’s Eats. “I had individuals email me how much they enjoyed the pictures, and videos even though they were vegan!” said Sameer. It’s messages like this that show Sameer that his project is touching a lot of people’s lives. He was shocked when 2 non-Muslim fans from Ireland messaged him about how much they love Sameer’s Eats. Stories like these show just how important of a role Sameer’s Eats plays in advocating for Islam and Muslims. “Great food will bring people together. No one argues or disputes when you present something that’s inspiring,” says Sameer. The best conversations happen around good food, friends and family. Sameer’s Eats is breaking barriers to show just how important of a role food can play in bringing people together. Sameer’s Eats is a project of passion. With a successful tour on the way, that wrapped up in LA and is moving onward, the future looks great for this online gem. Stay up-to date with the halal food-tour coming to a city near you!// Hamza Haqqi [USA]
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// I sincerely believe in the transformative power of good fiction, especially folk and fairy tales. So when I saw that Barefoot Books was releasing another story from the Islamic world, I thought to myself, “This one we must get!” The moment The Girl with a Brave Heart: A Tale from Tehran by singer Rita Jahanforuz arrived at my doorstep my girls and I tore open the package as though it were Eid. As we settled down into this beautiful book, illustrated warmly with sun splashed tones and heavenly blues, I felt that perhaps we were reading yet another rendition of Cinderella. Shiraz, a sweet girl in Tehran, suffers in patient silence as she lives a life of servitude under an unrelenting stepmother and cruel stepsister. But as the narrative unfolded, I soon realized that my suspicions were totally wrong. If this is to be cast as a Cinderellesque story, then rest assured; this version is refreshingly different. With each page the tale takes a surprising new twist. Reading, quiet literally on the edge of my seat, I kept asking, “Where is this going?” And where you might too be wondering? As Jane Yolen observed, “In fairytales, the
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Children’s Book Review The Girl with a Brave Heart: A Tale from Tehran
story ends at the moment of greatest happiness.” And this one ends with not only with joy, but wisdom too. Ages 4 and up. The Girl with a Brave Heart makes a great Eid gift. And speaking of Ramadan, here are my three favorite Ramadan themed picture books: 1. Ramadan Moon by Na’ima B. Roberts 2. Night of the Moon by Hena Khan 3. Nabeel’s New Pants: An Eid Tale by Fawzia Gilani-Williams Lastly, if you are looking for a book which teaches your child the inner spirit of Ramadan, that of purifying the heart, then you might consider my own book, The Conference of the Birds (also for ages 4 and up). Ramadan Mubarak! // Alexis York Lumbard (USA) www.alexisyorklumbard.com www.facebook.com/alexisylumbard.books
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My Dad, My Friend He is a man of determination, dedication and generosity, with one goal in life –to succeed. A loving son, father, grandfather and friend are some of the many titles he holds. An individual with a work ethic superior to any other I have ever seen. When in need of assistance and time, this man accommodates unlike any other. Since his youth, being raised in an orphanage, he displays the utmost level of humility. As one of his daughters, I have the utmost admiration, as he has been not only an inspiration, but also a role model and a beautiful friend. He is Muhammad Saeed. Thank you for your endless years of love and friendship. May Allah continue to bless you with all the happiness in life and the hereafter. Happy Father ‘s Day Abbu! // Ayesha Saeed [Canada]
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Coming back home // I am back in Canada after spending six wonderful weeks in Colombia! I am Claudia Jaimes, an alumna of the Marketing program and the Corporate Communications and Public Relations program at Fanshawe College. I was born in Colombia, and in 2009 I joined the London community. Today, I am venturing in the professional photography world, and I have decided to start in my beautiful country where I had the opportunity to explore different places and landscapes that I would love to share with Londoners. I do not have enough words to describe how blessed and happy I feel every time I have the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful lands God has created. Despite what many people think, Colombia has lots of amazing things to offer that not only include delicious food, but also captivating landscapes, friendly people, and happiness. The hispanic and colonial infrastructure captures the attention of hundreds of thousands of visitors that every year travel to Colombia. Every small town preserves its essence and infrastructure. The church is the most important place of the town, and in most cases it is located at the main plaza surrounded by houses, restaurants, local shops, and the city hall. This town is called Raquira, and it is famous for its hand-made clay crafts. My family and I had a great time together, and we remembered all those unforgettable moments from when my brothers and I were little kids. I love Canada, but being back home was nostalgic and completed my happiness! // Claudia Jaimes [Canada]
page 16 // volume three, issue four
// Looking for an authentic English experience? Also happen to have a sweet tooth? I know a place. While cruising down Wellington Rd, it’s hard to miss the bright red, doubledecker bus, which also happens to house one of London-Ontario’s finest ice cream parlours. Double Decker Ice Cream, a parlour in a parked bus, just celebrated the first anniversary of its opening in London. The idea to bring this unique piece of London, England to “Canada’s London” was inspired by, British owner and General Manager, Niel Sunnuck. “It’s important to have something that brings a smile to people’s faces,” said Sunnuck. “Something that is going to bring some interest and people are going to be excited about.” However, as Sunnuck discovered for himself, “bright-red-double-decker bus” doesn’t exactly turn up many search results on Kijiji. After months of searching high and low for the iconic British vehicle, he finally found a double-decker bus in good condition at Aboutown, a local taxi company. So Sunnuck and his handy father, who flew in from Scotland, began the laborious task of transforming the bus from inside-out into a fully functioning parlour. Sunnuck praises London’s community
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Double the ice cream Double the fun of business owners who provided him with support during the early stages of his venture. “It’s those small things that are big for small businesses to get going,” said Sunnuck. Fast-forward one year later—Double Decker Ice Cream is a popular spot for Londoners and has become a local tourist attraction. Sunnuck and his wife, Melissa, can be found at the window personally greeting their customers and serving their signature “double-decker ice cream sandwich”. Although the bus is British, the ice cream is proudly local. Double Decker serves up delicious scoops of Shaw`s Ice Cream, a Canadian company based out of St. Thomas, which is made from Ontario dairy products. During the anniversary events this weekend, customers of Double Decker Ice Cream enjoyed a very British experience with performances from a Celtic fiddler, displays of classic British cars, and a visit from the Queen herself. Well, a look-alike. But everyone was too busy eating the ice cream cake to notice // Anam Islam [Canada]
Creative Homes Birthday Celebrations
// First birthdays are definitely a memorable milestone. Madena’s 1st birthday was inspired by my love for vintage and shabby chic decor. Start with a theme for the party. (It doesn’t have to be a cartoon character) Choose items that you would like to incorporate into the party, or items that represent the child. Next, work on a color scheme and cake. The rest of the party and decor all comes together
easily after that. Banners are very easy to make, inexpensive, and versatile. All you need is patterned paper or fabric, ribbon or twine, and a hole punch. Cut your paper into the shape you want, hole punch each edge, thread your ribbon through, and viola! custom party decor. But remember, the most memorable part of the party are the photos, so take alot! // Saleme Fayad [Canada]
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The Strength in my Weakness // I am visually impaired, partially sighted, and legally blind; yes they all describe the same thing. I’ve always believed that my visual impairment is not a weakness, but a strength. Despite the fact that I missed out on so much in life, due to my visual impairment, I am convinced this experience has made me the person I am today. My experience with visual impairment has taught me to be solution oriented. It taught me to work hard and be innovative. It taught me how to effectively communicate with others. I’ve always had a reason to succeed. I’ve always been aware that anytime I fail in something, it would be understood as a deficiency of my disability. My abilities and my shortcomings will have a little chance to be considered in the inevitable verdict that follows. I let my visual impairment be the reason behind my success. It was my motivation to prove everyone wrong. My religion, Islam, has been a source of guidance when I found myself asking the questions like, “Why me? Have I done something wrong? Have my Parents done something wrong I am to being punished for? Do I have a reason to be hopeful? Is there hope? Is there an explanation?” Fortunately, I have faith in God, and that has helped me answer all of these questions. The key is to find strength in your weakness. It’s funny; sometimes you need to be blind to see the truth. // Shoaib Mazhar [Canada]
volume three, issue four
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page 18 // volume three, issue four
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Simple Summer Recipes
by Thasneen Ansi, from Cooking with Thas
Vanilla Pudding Fruit Salad
1
Spinach and Fruit Salad
Grilled Pepper Chicken
INGREDIENTS
PREPARATION
Chicken thigh-leg pieces - 5 For making Marinade: Half an onion, chopped Ginger, chopped - 2 inch slice Garlic, chopped - 4 cloves Tomato, chopped - 1 small Whole black pepper corns - 20 Cumin seeds - 1 1/2 tsp Cilantro, chopped - 1 handful Mint leaves - 7 leaves Ground pepper - 1/2 tsp Salt - 1/2 tsp or according to your needs Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
In a blender, grind all the ingredients for making the marinade along with very little water to make a thick paste—and spread. Cover the chicken with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least an hour or marinate it overnight. Spray the oil over the chicken and place it over the grill at medium heat. Grill till both sides have turned golden brown. Squeeze some lemon juice while the chicken is grilling.
INGREDIENTS
PREPARATION
Extra virgin olive oil - 6 tbsp Red wine vinegar - 3 tbsp Honey - 1½ tbsp Ground pepper - ⅛ tsp Ground cinnamon - 2 pinches For Salad Fresh Spinach Strawberries, ripe - diced Mandarin oranges, canned - 1 can (drain the water or sugar syrup) Nuts, any kind - if needed
INGREDIENTS
For Making Vanilla Pudding Sugar - 2/3 cup Corn starch - 1/4 cup Salt - 1/4 tsp Milk - 2 1/2 cups Egg yolks- from 4 large eggs Vanilla extract - 1tsp Butter, unsalted - 2 tbsp, cut into small pieces Layering the Pudding: Apple, chopped finely -1 Orange, chopped finely -1 Banana, ripe, chopped -1 Strawberries, chopped finely - 4
Thasneen started Cooking with Thas in 2009 with the intention of sharing her family recipes and the other recipes that she created in her kitchen with all food lovers. Check it out at: http://www.thasneen.com/cooking/ • Photo credit: Thasneen Ansi [Canada]
In a glass bowl, whisk together all the ingredients mentioned for making the vinaigrette, let it rest for an hour. In a salad bowl, combine spinach, strawberries and mandarin oranges. Just before serving, drizzle with the vinaigrette and serve. Leftover salad and dressing can be refrigerated.
PREPARATION
Place a fine-mesh sieve over a large bowl and set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine together sugar, corn-starch and salt. Add milk slowly and dissolve the cornstarch completely. Whisk in the egg yolks. Place the saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly until the first large bubble forms and it sputters. Reduce heat to low, whisking constantly and cook for a few minutes. The mixture will start to thicken, whisk constantly till it gets a thick constituency. Remove from the flame, immediately pour the mixture over the sieve into the bowl. Stir butter and vanilla extract into hot pudding and combine well. Place a plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pudding (to prevent the formation of skin on the pudding). Chill for 3 hours in the refrigerator or keep it overnight. After 3 hours, take the pudding out, mix the vanilla pudding and serve with fruits in a dessert bowl.
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volume three, issue four
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Places & Photography // Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Television Series Review // Omar Series, MBC // The story of one of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)’s companions, Omar ibn El-Khattab is one which is full of dynamism and lessons to be acquired in life. In a beautifully directed historical drama of 30 episodes titled Omar, we are transported into the world of the sahabis (companions), the aggressions they faced as the first Muslim converts, and most enlightening of all: Omar’s change of heart and his perpetual wisdom as the message of Islam unfolds. Produced by MBC, the drama was dubbed into several languages and subtitled in English on YouTube, where it can be easily viewed. It is a quality drama well worth watching // Lina ElShamy [Canada]
Book Review // The Arts of Islam, Nasser Khalili // The Arts of Islam is an Islamic art collection of Nasser D. Khalili with five hundred beautiful color photographs. This book took forty years to make covering the geographic and cultural diversity of the Muslim world from the 7th century up to the early 20th century. The Arts of Islam hopes to contribute to a broadening of understanding between cultures and faiths. //
Naved Altaf is based in London, Canada. He has a great passion for capturing natural landscapes and the wild creatures that inhabit within it. He aspires to inspire a love of nature through sharing his images and encourage folks to get outside, explore, have adventures and expand appreciation of our beautiful planet. More of his beautiful work can be found on: www.facebook. com/Vitalpixelsphotography
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