contents 3/ A Life of Service 6/ Spotlight: Mohammed Kadri 8/ Artbeat: Ihsan Through Art 10/ Using art to promote understanding 14/ Empowering youth 16/ Children’s book reviews
editor’s note As salaam u alaikum everyone!
4-5/ Reflections on motherhood 7/ Ramadan: Cultivating community 9/ Two tales of a city 12/ Rabia Khedr 15/ London Link: Tried and tested 18/ Recipes
Projects of any sort require Allah’s blessings, vision, passion, perseverance and a continuous effort towards excellence. They require you to chase and outdo yourself each time by moving the benchmark higher. This requires hard work, persistence and a really strong belief in what you do, coupled with experience. London LINK is one such project that is close to my heart and seeks to motivate, inspire and drive my team and I to seek the same in our readers. I have been blessed with a team that performs to a high standard and is as excited about the project as I am. Alhamdolillah, with our social media outnumbering our expectations (92k+ likes) and our issue downloads increasing every few days — with visitors from more than 40 countries — London LINK is expanding. After three and a half years of being in existence, LINK is growing. Stay tuned and keep connected with us by following our Facebook page as we expand and gather even more momentum to excel and make an impact. Be rest assured, LINK is here to stay. I take this opportunity to wish all of you a peaceful and blessed Ramadan. May the peace and blessings of Allah SWT be with you all. Naeema Farooqi founder / editor-in-chief
editorial board founder / editor-in-chief: Naeema Farooqi ; operations/advertising manager: Ahmed Javed ; the design team: Naira Ahmed & Lina El-Shamy (studio-noon.com) ; contributors: Razia Sultan Hamidi, Fatima Khawaja, Mohammed Kadri, Saud Inam, Nadia Janjua, Javeria Saad, Madiha Salman, Alexis York Lumbard, Thasneen Ansi, Saleme Fayad, Nafeesa Salar, Abeer Jawed, Fahim Khan, Kamran Hameed
cover and contents photography: Naeema Farooqi ; location: Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
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volume four, issue three // page 3
A Life of Service The story of Sister Sabria For Sr. Sabria, working to help others is a part of who she is. As a young girl, her parents would load up the car every weekend with donations from friends and go serve the surrounding villages that were in need. This was a weekly highlight for her as a child. She grew up in service of others knowing that she was privileged to be given the opportunity to help those around her. “Sharing was a part of life for us” says Sr. Sabria, “even now I can’t eat alone, I have to share my meals. It’s something that’s been ingrained in me, Alhamdulillah”. Having moved to Canada from Malaysia 30 years ago, she quickly adapted to her new home; it was not long after her arrival that Sr. Sabria started serving the Montreal community. Ever since then, she becomes an integral part of the community; through her work and passion for serving others, she inspires everyone she meets. One of Sr. Sabria’s important projects is preparing and serving meals for the homeless in Montreal; she has been working with a local church for 4 years to help feed the homeless, and she is the only Muslim volunteer who is a food coordinator. The people who attend these meals look forward to Sr. Sabria’s warm smile, and ask about her in her absence. With her usual humility, Sr. Sabria explains: “I am not interested in people knowing my name but rather knowing I’m a Muslim woman helping my community”, as such many at the church simply know her as “The Muslim Sister”. Years ago, Sr. Sabria bought a home with the intention of serving her community; she uses her kitchen to prepare meals for over a 100 people a week. In her spare rooms, she also provides shelter for women in need and helps them get back on their feet. MashaAllah, she does all of her community work without donations; rather, she raises money for the services by preparing
and selling food after Jumu’a at a local mosque and McGill university campus. This allows her to meet the needs of the people who come to her shelter and the homeless she feeds every week. She also organizes yearly gatherings for new Muslims and puts together packages to help support them. She regularly visits the hospital to be with those who are severely ill, and in their last moments, she explains, “I want to be there to help them say the Shahadah and make duaa for them in their final moments”. On any given week, she will have 20 volunteers coming to help her with meal preparations, delivering, and serving. The volunteers that come to Sr. Sabria’s shelter are young adults who are continually motivated by her actions, humbleness, and drive. She doesn’t let her age slow her down, nor does she ever complain of fatigue. When asked what drives her energy every day, she replied, “My responsibility to my community and what I do is between me and Allah. I do this to establish a connection with Allah, all of this is for my Akheera. It’s a satisfaction no one can understand. Every minute counts for me, I want to die in peace and know that I died doing good acts.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever relieves a believer’s distress of the distressful aspects of this world, Allah will rescue him from a difficulty of the difficulties of the Hereafter.” Helping another human being is a fundamental aspect of Islam, an aspect we tend to forget in our everyday dealings. Sr. Sabria reminds us of this important principle through her continuous care for those less fortunate; her life’s work is a reminder and an inspiration for us all. —Razia Sultan Hamidi
Photo credit: Nafeesa Salar
page 4 // volume four, issue three
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volume four, issue three // page 5
Reflections on motherhood by a new mom Mother’s Day was extra special this year. Seven months ago I became a mother to our baby girl who came three weeks early and less than two days into my maternity leave. Her early arrival caught us somewhat ill-prepared, but I now treasure those “extra” three weeks that kickstarted the exhilarating and challenging journey of motherhood. In the past seven months, I have learned a number of things. Some are heard so often that I now cringe at sounding clichéd! Still, here are a few of my reflections as a first time mom. I have learned firsthand that motherhood is a very difficult job! Multi-tasking, tight deadlines, coordinating, supervising, planning, executing… the list goes on and apparently only gets longer the more milestones a child reaches. Feeling judged on one’s parenting makes the job extra challenging. After all, there needs to be a fair amount of valid research and careful thought behind my decisions, especially if I ever choose to defend it. At the end of the day, however, kisses, cuddles and smiles from my baby are worth it all. In fact, I am astonished that I have the capacity to love someone this much. I used to think I love my family to no limits. Not quite so. My love
for our baby knows no bounds, where her wellbeing and happiness trumps sleep deprivation, the repetitiveness of playing simple games, and self-consciousness as I do silly things to make her smile. Moreover, I have only now begun to understand – and fully appreciate – how much my own parents love me. I now also know that a happy mom means a happy baby. As much as I want to do it all myself, motherhood has taught me better delegation skills and the importance of a good partnership. From earlier than I imagined possible, my husband has been my best ally in following our “parenting plan” which covers our faith, beliefs and ideals on childrearing. He also ensures that both of us have time to ourselves, and for each other, especially now that our idea of time itself has reconceptualised. It seems to pass so quickly that I am constantly reminded of being mindful and fully present in all that I do. And finally, I learned that not all will be fun and games. When I certified in First Aid and CPR for work a year earlier, little did I know that my first time applying that learning would be on our baby. I remember her tear-streaked face going red and then blue with her mouth
wide open, unable to make a sound and trying to gasp for air as she choked on a piece of food. I clearly recall her panicked face and thinking that I was going to lose her. I gave it all I had in that parking lot for what were probably only a few minutes, but seemed so much longer at the moment. I did not care if I broke a bone or two in the process. I just wanted it to work and have our baby live. The following days were difficult for me but every hug, smile cry and giggle from her were soothing beyond relief and a lesson in gratitude. There is surely a lot more to learn, and more to say, but this is a start. I know that in realizing my dream of being that wonderful parent that I always imagined, I will be tested further and pushed harder- to fail too at times, but eventually succeed. — Fatima Khawaja
Photo credit: Sophie Sheldrick Raw Footage Photography www.rawfootagephotos.com
page 6 // volume four, issue three
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Spotlight
Mohammed Al Kadri Even at the age of 16, I have always asked questions to further my knowledge and to try and better the knowledge of other people. Allah has blessed me with a curious and inquisitive personality that has opened many doors for me today, as I have had opportunities that many other kids my age are not able to experience, Alhamdulillah. I have had a strong passion for science ever since I was a kid, and I have been doing science fairs for the past 5 years. This year marked an important year for me, as it was my fourth time attending the Canada Wide Science Fair. The past three years, I have only been able to conduct my experiments in my basement with the help of my mother, who has tried really hard to get me to where I am today. Alhamdulilah, I could not be in this position if it weren’t for all her support and guidance she has provided me. However, with the help of my biology teachers at my school, I was granted an interview with one of the most renowned scientists in all of Ontario. The interview was set so that the scientist, who would later become my mentor and help me conduct laboratory experiments, would be able to see my determination and passion for excellence in science. The interview went well, Alhamdulillah, and sooner than later, I was working alongside PhD students in a lab at the Western Medical Sciences Building. This year, I was able to take my ideas to the next level. I worked in the lab to try and find an alternative treatment for a disease known
Mohammed Al Kadri with his family; Photo credit: Saleme Fayad
as Cardiac Hypertrophy. Cardiac Hypertrophy occurs when the heart muscle cells increase in surface area, which causes the heart muscle to increase in size and thickness. Ultimately, this results in the heart pumping with less force due to the loss of elasticity in the muscle. Therefore, cardiac hypertrophy is the main cause of heart failure and sudden death worldwide. Many of the medications used to treat hypertrophy have a lot of controversy around them, as scientists noticed that a lot of their patients treated with those drugs were developing cancer as they aged. Therefore, the goal of my project was to assess the possible antihypertrophic effect of two natural compounds; Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). EGCG is the most potent catechin and antioxidant found in green tea, and DHA is an Omega-3 fatty acid found in fish. Pharmacological trials were conducted using cultured heart muscle cells to see if these two compounds could decrease cell surface area better than a frequently prescribed medication, Valsartan. A Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction analysis was also conducted to see if the compounds could reduce the expression of hypertrophic genes. At the end of six extensive trials, it was concluded that both natural compounds significantly decreased cell surface area better than Valsartan, and inhibited a great amount of hypertrophic gene expression as well. The results achieved in my experiment showed that both EGCG and DHA could be used as novel treatments
for Cardiac Hypertrophy, and may lower your chances of getting a heart attack while avoiding the controversy hidden behind Valsartan. Alhamdulillah, this experience has opened many doors for me today. At the past Thames Valley Science and Engineering Fair, I was able to place first in my age group category and win many other awards including the Scientific American Award and the Partners in Research Award. I was even invited to attend the Sanofi Biogenius Challenge, which is a biomedical competition exclusive to the Southwestern Ontario region. Furthermore, I was also awarded a bronze medal and a University of Western Ontario Entrance Scholarship at this year’s Canada Wide Science Fair. At the national level, I was also the recipient of the National Youth Science Forum Award, where 3 secondary school students out of about 100 applicants are chosen to represent Canada at the Australian National Youth Science Forum held in Canberra, Australia. This is a huge honor for me, Alhamdulillah, as I will be able to travel and tour Australia while also attending scientific lectures hosted by world renowned scientists at the Australian National University for 3 weeks. I am very thankful for all of my accomplishments, as none of this could have happened if it wasn’t for the support of my family and the help of my mentor, Dr. Morris Karmazyn and Allah (SWT). — Mohammed Al Kadri
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volume four, issue three // page 7
Ramadan:
an opportunity to cultivate a loving community
As I looked to my left and my right after fajr salah I noticed that a majority if not all the brothers were men well into their 40s and 50s. Alhamdullilah, people are coming to my masjid for Fajr salah and even Isha salah, but the demographics are mostly men who’re well into their 40s and 50s. I began asking myself where the youth and young professionals are? Is this phenomenon happening nationwide — worldwide? In 10-20 years will the masjid be empty? Will anyone come to pray? It is questions like these that got me to thinking, are we cultivating communities or simply building structures? We as a community are great at fundraising and building masjids, but what we really need to do is start building communities and start investing in people. We can simply look to the most perfect of examples from the life of the Prophet Muhammad SAW where the first act upon entering Madinah was to build a masjid. However, the Prophet Muhammad SAW didn’t just stop there. He didn’t just build the masjid and told everyone to pray in it. He didn’t merely build a structure, he built a community. His next step was to cultivate a community. He joined the Ansar (the citizens of Madinah) and Muhajir (migrants from Makkah) as brothers and sisters. He bonded their hearts with love
for one another as brothers and sisters who love Allah and His Prophet Muhammad SAW. Have we done the same in our masjids or merely done the initial step of building a structure? Have we taken time out to invest in our communities? Yes, your masjid may serve the basic needs of salah, jummah, marriage ceremonies, and janazah (funeral prayers), but beyond that has your masjid created bonds of love, mercy, and caring amongst the congregation? We have a beautiful opportunity coming up with the month of Ramadan to truly cultivate a community. Ramadan is the only time in the year that Muslims no matter what their level of religious practice begin coming to the masjid and engaging in salah, dhikr, and reading of the Quran. Virtually every ethnic and age demographic is present for 30 days in our masjids and communities. This is a great opportunity for us to begin cultivating loving communities. We must not let this Ramadan and future Ramadans come and go without seeing an increase in the Muslims that frequent the masjid. On the right are a few ideas of how to use Ramadan as a way to tie people’s hearts to the masjid and create a loving community.
1. Encourage community members to start coming for fajr to the masjid 2. Have a pot-luck suhoor (pre-dawn meal) at the masjid 3. Make a “Ramadan Pledge” for community members(and youth!) to pledge on personal goals to improve their spiritual state and connection to the masjid 4. Have a short tafsir of the surahs your imam will be reciting in taraweeh (i.e. what are the quick take-away lessons) before or in the middle of taraweeh 5. Switch up the iftaar cuisine! Have different cultural and ethnic foods on different days 6. Create an “Ansar Program” where you pair up community members with new Muslims in your community 7. Encourage your community members to meet someone new at your masjid (and get their contact information!) 8. Make Ramadan fun by having engaging talks on relevant topics for all ages 9. Encourage community members to volunteer with iftaar set-up and clean up 10. Review the surahs being read before taraweeh with friends 11. BONUS: Do not fundraise during taraweeh! Fundraising during a spiritual moment like taraweeh turns community members away when they attend the taraweeh to connect to Allah
—Saud Inam
page 8 // volume four, issue three
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ARTBEAT: IHSAN THROUGH ART
by Nadia Janjua
One of the most beautiful concepts in Islam is the concept of ihsan, which means, “to establish what is good and what is beautiful.” This is further explained in a Hadith that states doing what is beautiful means that you should worship God as if you see Him, for even if you do not see Him, He sees you. As an Artist seeking to beautify the world with my work, the verses in the Holy Qur’an that mention beauty and goodness are particularly relevant. In achieving a state of ihsan in our actions, there is a prerequisite of our intentions and motivations to also be beautiful and aligned. In my creative process, I have found that a painting will result in a successful outcome if it is an authentic reflection of what my intention was from the onset. This is not to say that ideas don’t change and spark further inspiration that can lead the creative process in a different direction entirely, but what’s important is that as long as I am remaining true to my intent, the end product will reflect that, regardless of what form it ultimately takes. Similarly, when we do what is beautiful, we are actually acting in accordance to our fitra, or our original disposition that God created us in. Recently, I decided to reflect further on ihsan through a new series of paintings I created for a six-month solo exhibition in Chicago, IL. The title of the series is called “Let Me Show You Beautiful Things”, and it includes seven abstract paintings in mixed media. Different paintings highlight different verses and ahadith, all glorifying God and reminding us to ”Do what is beautiful. God loves those who do what is beautiful” (Holy Quran 2:195). Special painting techniques are applied to create an echoing effect — an analogy for how sometimes we have to remind ourselves that beauty and signs are truly everywhere, but one must be conscious to notice them. Messages and verses are written in hidden spots in the painting, and on the sides of the canvas, mimicking how beauty resides in every detail — the hidden, and the obvious. The paintings are truly a call for viewers to reflect on how we can beautify our actions and ourselves on every scale. The entire series can be viewed at nadiajart.com.
(left) “God is Beautiful and He loves Beauty” Detail. Spray Paint & Acrylic on (2) Canvases, 30x40 inches pair (bottom, left to right) “Natural is Beauty” Detail. Spray Paint & Acrylic on (2) Canvases, 30x40 inches pair “God is Beautiful and He loves Beauty” Detail. Spray Paint & Acrylic on (2) Canvases, 30x40 inches pair “He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise” (59:24). Spray Paint & Acrylic on (2) Canvases, 30x40 inches “Do what is beautiful as God has done what is beautiful to you.” (28:77). Detail. Spray Paint & Acrylic on (2) Canvases, 30x40 inches pair
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volume four, issue three // page 9
Two tales of a city: Reflections on the two faces of Karachi
From afar, the building’s alluring sail like façade and sea front location beckons the affluent Karachiites—the fashionistas and the connoisseurs—with its dizzying array of branded and glamorous fashions, obscenely overpriced gourmet ‘fatburgers’, decadent desserts and epicurean snacks. People throng to it with a desperateness akin to that of a traveler whose ship is about to set sail, or the deals that are about to end…. This is Karachi’s most upscale mall and merely a few meters away from its grand entrance, emaciated beggars in tattered clothes plead hungrily for spare pennies which, if bestowed, would bring meager relief to their gnawing hunger; the misery of their futile existence etched deep within the crevices of every premature wrinkle on their frayed faces. This is merely one of the many contradictions, a single dimension of multiple realities that the infamous and often notorious city of Karachi lives and breathes with every heartbeat of its 20 million plus inhabitants.
The sharp divide between the rich and the poor is apparent in every facet of Karachi’s existence. Slums stretch endlessly interspersed by pockets of upscale neighborhoods, where people have comfortably cocooned themselves from the misery of the suffering masses. Dilapidating infrastructure, crumbling roads, rampant poverty, worsening energy crises and deteriorating law and order plague the city and yet the spirit of the people remains undaunted and perennially, if somewhat naively, hopeful. Life returns to normal minutes after a terrorist attack and despite the unrest, people enjoy the breezy Karachi nights with fervent zeal. Perhaps it would not surprise many people that Karachi holds the dubious honor of being one of the world’s most dangerous megacities. What is pleasantly surprising though is that it has earned its place as the “Philanthropic Capital of the World”, with the highest per capita donation and charity. ‘Edhi Foundation Pakistan’, is the largest social charity organization in the world.
As I reflect on these contradictions, Charles Dickens’ words resonate like a prophecy, as though he penned them from across time and space specifically for the conundrum that is Karachi: It was the best of times, it was the worst of
times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of
Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we
had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way….
Yes, for the people of Karachi these are the best of times and these are the worst of times, it all depends on what side of town you call home. — Javeria Saad
page 10 // volume four, issue three
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Using art to promote understanding
Suemiya Nsair uses her art to bridge cultures by promoting a deeper understanding of her faith. Originally from London, ON she now lives in Vancouver, B.C., and is a self-taught artist whose work includes clay pieces, ink sketches, sculptures and paintings. “It all depends on the theme and my feelings on a specific topic,” she says. “Art is a form of expression; it transcends many boundaries and barriers such as language, cultural differences, and religions. It [is] a way of speaking out on certain issues for me.” Nsair recounted an example of when she read an article criticizing the hijab in a newspaper. As someone observing the practice, she wanted to tell her side of the story and reframe the issue. So, she decided to make a painting. It featured a Quranic verse and the English translation that emphasized the importance of hijab, and the fact that it is a choice, not an imposition on women. Arabic calligraphy of Quranic verses and other Islamic supplications are particularly appealing to Nsair. She considers those works as a “form of worship, of devotion, [and what makes her] a stronger Muslim.” It is also about sharing her Muslim heritage. People from various backgrounds have bought her work, and all admire the fascinating colors, and the meaning of the verses. Nsair produces all these art works with another personal challenge. She avoids environmentally harmful products in creating new pieces and tries to recycle or reuse found objects in her work as much as possible. “I am learning more about Islamic environmental ethics and that is
affecting every facet of my life,” she says. Art also offers opportunities of challenging norms. One of her paintings features a red, ornamental pattern on an orange background that was adapted from an Islamic art book. By intentionally veering off the path of traditional Islamic design, Nsair wanted to show the “importance of (re)interpreting forms and going beyond traditions.” As the world evolves and is often plunged into bitter conflict – sometimes because of dogmatic thinking patterns– this is sage advice. Collaborating with other artists is especially important for Nsair. Together they critique each other’s work, share ideas, and discuss frustrations and social issues so that collective action can be taken. She mentions that some of her collaborative pieces were meaningful experiences that helped her grow as a person and artist. However, pursuing art seriously also has its challenges. “Mostly it was convincing my family that it was a viable career choice. I wanted to have a fallback career,” says Nsair, who is graduating in the Fall with a degree in Geography. Nsair is also vigilant about creating art that adheres to Islamic codes, particularly those concerning modesty, and unclothed life drawings. She asserts that being confident in her art helps her. “I thoroughly enjoy it. It is an ideal way to communicate my ideas and emotions especially when I am unsure of how to do it [in written form].” — Fatima Khawaja
LONDON CARE PHARMACY
GRAND OPENING! Alhamdolillah, it was a wonderful day on Thursday June 26th which marked the Grand Opening Lunch BBQ of the London care pharmacy in the heart of downtown London Ontario. The food was great, the weather was warm and sunny, and there were many raffle prizes and goody bags to give away. The place was surrounded by a wonderful crowd as the London Care Pharmacy owners Karim Ragheb and Felipe Campusano cut the red ribbon with the crowd cheering them on. The event was celebrated with friends and family as well as their neighbors, customers, general public and their partners at North West Health Properties at 140 Oxford Street medical building. While talking to Karim, the pharmacist and owner, he said, ‘We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that joined us on our special day and also thank NWHP for helping us coordinate the event, our neighbors for their support, at 140 Oxford, Dr. Hameed and Ahmad Jan for Oxford walk in clinic, Dr. C.Despards, Dr.M. Naher, Dr. Z. Katsios, Dr. G. Szczerbowski, Dr. S. Beattie , Dr. S. Gilpin, Dr. R. Goossens, Dr. G. Carr dental office, Dr. Vig dental office, Dr. P. Andrews at London cardiology, Lisa Kervin and associates,Life Labs, and a special thanks to our neighbors off site Dr. J. Daher, Dr. K. Khorshid, Dr. Davenport, Dr. S. Makhdoom. We were also very delighted to see our friends from the Muslim Association of Canada and the Egyptian community at this very special gathering.’ The London Care Pharmacy’s Grand Opening festivities continue this week with their week long sale on everything over the counter or any specialty order products. Their daily senior and student discounts continue all day and everyday. Karim said, ‘We believe everyone has different needs from a pharmacy, which all revolve around feeling better. At London Care Pharmacy we are dedicated to serving the London community and to have our customers always experience our personalized care approach. We want to ensure that by the time you leave our pharmacy, you are well on your way to feeling better’.
KARIM RAGHEB, pharmacist and owner
photo credit: Abeer Jawed
You can visit London Care Pharmacy at: 140 Oxford Street East, Suite 101 A, London Ontario. 1-519-663-9000
page 12 // volume four, issue three
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Rabia Khedr: Dreaming Big
“I want people to dream big, and go after it. With genuine intentions, you can make it happen, and all other stuff starts falling in place in your life”, says Rabia Khedr, a community leader, human rights advocate and consultant from Mississauga, Ontario. She is the founder and Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Muslims with Disabilities (CAM-D) and a board member of the Federation of Muslim Women, and the Ontario Women’s Health Network. She also chairs the Mississauga Accessibility Advisory Committee and a local school council, and was a member of the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council of Ontario. She is running for city councilor in Mississauga, Ontario in the October 2014 municipal elections.
advocates promotion of social access, equality and inclusion around disability issues. She has recently launched Deen Support Services for Muslims with disabilities. In reference to the foundation of CAM-D and Deen Support Service, Rabia Khedr said, “Disability issues exist, so do people with disabilities, and we have the right to participate in the community with dignity. There are many disabled persons in the Muslim community but their issues were neither recognized nor discussed”. Today, due to the effort of these organizations, more attention has been brought to these issues; however, there is still need for organized programs, services and long-term care strategies for people with disabilities, particularly when their families are no longer available to support them. She believes
“Disability issues exist, so do people with disabilities, and we have the right to participate in the community with dignity. There are many disabled persons in the Muslim community but their issues were neither recognized nor discussed” Ms. Khedr also runs a private consultancy company, diversityworX, facilitating organizations to promote diversity in their workplace. Being herself blind, she actively raises awareness and
TOP: Rabia Khedr was awarded the Queen’s Medal in 2012
that it’s our obligation to raise the bar on accessibility so that people with disability not only have access to our facilities but also enjoy the full benefits of that experience. Rabia Khedr is extremely grateful to Allah for all her blessings. She came to Canada at the age of four and got the educational and growth opportunities. She completed her Bachelors of Arts in Industrial Relations and Political Science from the University of Toronto, and Master of Arts in Critical Disability Studies from the York University. Though the path to education was not easy but she fought all the odds with love and the support of her family. She is grateful to her parents, Azhar Ali Khan and Aziz Fatima Khan, for helping her to be the person she is. Her husband, Hossam Khedr, and her four children, support and volunteer with her cause. The Khedr family, along with others, organize recreational programs for the Muslim community that are culturally and spiritually sensitive, like gender-specific swimming opportunities and family fun skate nights in Mississauga. In recognition of her community volunteerism and human rights activism, Rabia Khedr has been awarded many medals and honours, including Women’s Intercultural Network Award (2014), Outstanding Community Woman of 2013, Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), Woman of Resilience Award (2011), Ontario Outstanding Asian-Canadian Award (2010), and many others. She leads an exemplary life and wishes to motivate people to contribute positively to our society. —Madiha Salman
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volume four, issue three // page 13
page 14 // volume four, issue three
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EMPOWERING YOUTH with Omar Zia
Omar Zia is a well- known name in the GTA area as someone who works sincerely and enthusiastically to better the youth in all aspects of their lives. With his vast experience in working with the youth throughout his career, Brother Omar brings with him education and experience in the same field. A true mark of a youth guide or a leader is someone who is has empathy, understanding and patience for what the young are going through and the strong faith that things will get better with proper strategies in place. Brother Omar in his personal role as a father has developed a deep understanding of what parenthood means in the context of being Muslim. He regularly holds parenting workshops all across the GTA where he is able to offer realistic advice, tips and techniques to parents going through the challenges of parenthood in these challenging times. His current position as the Curricular Head Student Services at TL Kennedy SS, Peel District School Board in the Toronto area give him a unique perspective on the problems that youth face in the Canadian society. Equipped with what he is exposed to on a daily basis, he is able to come up with unique solutions to problems that Muslim parents face with children growing up in the West, He is a Guidance Counsellor, providing social, emotional and academic support to students aged 14 and up. This includes career education and post-secondary planning. In this capacity he works with administrators to design programming opportunities for students which includes a regional Leadership program and two SHSM programs in Business and ICT. He also works in Special Education Department, providing academic support for students with a learning disability and provides education for fellow teachers on how to differentiate instruction for students with special needs. It is inspiring to see people like Brother Omar helping younger adults in shaping their personality to a productive and value-added members of the society.
Spotlight
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London Link: Tried and Tested
London Towne Salon
volume four, issue three // page 15
London Towne Salon is new in town but Anita is not new to this field. With more than 15 years of experience in the beauty care and hair style, her new salon boasts of a luxuriously clean spa feel. With private rooms for Ladies Make up, updos, facial treatments and registered massage therapy, London Towne Salon offers the best services at a great price. Offering privacy for women and lots of tips and tricks on how to maintain your hairstyle and which products suit your hair type. For the hijabis, this is the perfect getaway for pampering yourself privately, in style and luxury!
Call Anita to book Pre-Eid offerings now: Tel: 519-473-1999 London Towne Salon: 1112 Dearness Drive, Unit 15, London Ontario
Elegance Auto Spa Elegance Auto Spa is a London, ON, based car wash dedicated to elegantly show off your car to the public. Our quality service can’t be matched!
We offer a variety of cleaning packages for both interior and exterior detailing and the Elegance Team is dedicated to impressing you with the device we provide. VISIT ELEGANCE AUTO SPA: 2119 Aldersbrook Road London, Ontario Canada N6G3X1 519-601-8800 www.eleganceautospa.ca
page 16 // volume four, issue three
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Children’s book reviews with Alexis York Lumbard
“The first pop-up book was created by a 13th century Spanish mystic as an aid for remembering holidays. Artists, philosophers and scientists would soon follow suit, embracing movable books (the term “pop-up” wasn’t used until 20th century America) as a teaching tool for scholarly literature. By the 18th century, the world of children’s books embraced this 3D invention. And now there is a Quranic one too. Excited? You should be. The Story of the Elephant: Surah al-Feel Pop-up Book by British author Hajera Memon is a true work of art. This impressive book has several exciting features: it’s handmade, vibrantly painted, well written, engaging, interactive and best of all, educational. A coloring map, quiz and other activities all enhance the educational punch of this quality book. However, it is the story itself that matters the most. Surah Al-Feel is a timeless lesson in the power of prayer—prayer and constant trust. How precious then to share these truths with the youngest of listeners. And they will listen, for the delivery is captivating. A treasure for generations and a fine present for Eid, learn more at see www.shade7.co.uk. Speaking of Eid, llyas & Duck are back for round two! Ilyas spies the cresent moon of Eid. Duck, a hilariously daft and addictive character, is eager to get the celebration started. While digging up fun, Duck confuses Eid with other holidays. Eventually everything gets sorted out in Illyas & Duck and the Fantastic Festival of Eid al-Fitr by American dad Omar Khawaja. Seehttp://www. littlebigkids.com/ for more information about this delightful picture book and its hit pair. It is said that creativity takes courage. Our community has many courageous souls. Thank you Hajera, Omar and countless others for taking the leap.” —Alexis York Lumbard
ILYAS & DUCK AND THE FANTASTIC FESTIVAL OF EID AL-FITR BY OMAR KHAWAJA
THE STORY OF THE ELEPHANT: SURAH AL-FEEL BY HAJERA MEMON
ISLAMIC CENTRE OF SOUTHWEST ONTARIO
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page 18 // volume four, issue three
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SWEET CORN CHICKEN SOUP
CHINESE CHICKEN STIR FRY
FOR MARINATING CHICKEN • Chicken breasts or thighs, diced- 2 • Soy sauce- 1 tbsp • Hoisin sauce- 1 tbsp • Sambal oelek or chilli paste- 1 tsp • Corn starch- 1/4 cup FOR STIR FRYING • Oil- 1 1/2 tbsp • Ginger, chopped- 1 inch • Garlic, chopped- 2 cloves • Onion, diced- 1 • Green pepper, diced-1 • Red or Orange pepper, diced- 1 • Mushrooms, sliced- 1/2 cup • Soy sauce- 1 tbsp • Hoisin sauce- 1 tbsp • Ground pepper- 1/4 tsp • Sesame oil- 1 tsp • Green onions, chopped- 1 stalk • Cilantro, chopped- 2 handfuls
In a bowl, combine all the ingredients mentioned “for marinating chicken.” Keep aside for 10 minutes. Place a wok over medium heat, stir fry the marinated chicken in 3 tbsp oil until golden in color. Keep aside. In the same wok add 1 1/2 tbsp more oil, followed by chopped ginger and garlic, saute till golden in color. Stir fry the onions followed by green and red/orange pepper. Add mushrooms and stir fry for a couple of minutes. Add soy sauce, hoisin sauce and ground pepper, stir fry. Add the stir fried chicken, cook for a minute. Drizzle sesame oil, combine well. Finish it off with chopped green onions and cilantro. Serve with jasmine rice or plain rice.
• Chicken stock, homemade or store brought- 5 cups • Cream style sweet corn, canned- 1 small can • Chicken, cooked and shredded- 1 cup • Egg, beaten-1 • Soy sauce- 1½ tbsp • Ground pepper- ¼ tsp or according to your needs • Corn Starch- 3 tbsp dissolved in 1 tbsp cold water • Green onions, chopped- 2 stalks • Sesame oil- 1 tsp • Cilantro, chopped- 2 handfuls
Recipes —
Pour the chicken stock into a soup pot and heat it for a few minutes. Add cream style corn to the chicken stock, combine well. Let the stock come to a slight boil. Add the shredded cooked chicken into the pot, combine well. In a small bowl, beat the egg using a whisk. When the chicken stock with the corn and chicken comes to a rolling boil, slowly add the beaten egg. Immediately stir the mixture using a spoon and keep stirring until the egg resembles fine threads. Add the soy sauce and ground pepper to the soup. Add the corn starch dissolved in cold water over the soup and stir gently. Cook until the soup thickens. Add spring onions to the soup, finally drizzle sesame oil over the soup. Recipes & photos by Thasneen Ansi www.thasneen.com
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“It’s the small things really... as I enjoy Madena and the little things she says or does. I often wish I could stop time, savor every moment and milestone with my children as they grow up so quickly, just like the beautiful pink magnolias that bloom every spring for such a short time.” —Saleme Fayad
About the photographer
Book Review // Keeping the Crocodiles at Bay An inspirational and empowering story by a local Londoner about navigating the crocodiles of life during a time of crisis while also advocating for the person most impacted by life’s unpredictable events. The author’s spouse went through a life-changing health related experience, though their journey was stroke related, the crocodiles that came against them are universal. Love, betrayal, faith, forgiveness, perseverance, family dynamics, healing; it is a riveting tale and a heroic uplifting read.
Saleme Fayad is a family, event, and lifestyle photographer based in London, Ontario. You can contact her at: salemefayad@gmail.com salemefayadphotography.blogspot.ca facebook.com/SalemeFayadPhotography
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