The Link Canada - Volume 1: Issue 2

VOL. 1, ISSUE 2 SUMMER 2015

BREAKING THE ICE: The Muslim Welfare Centre’s new extraordinary venture:

The Arctic Food Bank

Our Civic Duty: How can we encourage more Canadians to vote?

HUSBAND. FATHER.

VISIONARY. A conversation with Mohammed Ashour 1

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ART & CULTURE The Silk Road Institute: Strengthening Muslim-Canadian culture through the arts

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Leaving a Legacy Behind An interview with Farrah Marfatia, author, principal and role model

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LIFESTYLE

Fatima Fasih: A talented humanitarian who believes in creating art with meaning

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Popcorn Studios Capturing unique perspectives

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Shifting Perspectives: On the Pursuit of Education Breaking out of pre-conceived notions about higher education

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RECIPES / Grillin’ Summer Food: Cooking with Thas

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Nadia J. Art: Art Beat: Think Like An Artist

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RECIPES / Sweet Summer Treats: Chocolates and Chai

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Book Review Laughing All The Way To The Mosque by Zarqa Nawaz

RECIPES / Choosing Local: Lin’s Ethical Eats

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Children’s Book Review The Boy and The Owl: Encouraging children to ask “why?”

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Ramadan in Bahrain: A Muslim-American Indo-Pakistani’s Experience

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POLITICS

BUSINESS

Exercising Our Civic Duty: How can we encourage more Canadians to vote this time around?

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Shattering Glass Ceilings Q&A with the ever-determined

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Diversity in the Workplace: Gaining valuable insight about workplace diversity from retired Senator: The Honourable Dr. Donald H. Oliver, Q.C.

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New brand alert: Haya Boutique Behind the scenes information on a new Canadian-Muslim clothing brand — launching this August

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Farheen Khan

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The Entrepreneurial Process: Beyond the world of glitter and lace lies hard work and dedication

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PHILANTHROPY Husband. Father. Visionary.

Sitting down with the brilliant Mohammed Ashour — dedicated family man and winner of the prestigious Hult Prize — as he shares his insight on life

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44 Project Ramadan Fighting the unfortunate reality of hunger in Canada — one food basket at a time

46 Breaking the Ice with The Arctic Food Bank Learn more about an extraordinary venture set up by the Muslim Welfare Centre — high up north in Inuvik

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SPIRITUALITY The Value of Dhikr Following in the footsteps of giants

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Spiritual Reflections: Islamic poetry and reflections on the importance of prophetic respect

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The Need for Muslim Chaplaincy: The successful model of Muslim Chaplaincy at The University of Toronto — and Amjad Tarsin’s journey to it all

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EDITOR’S NOTE

PATRON’S NOTE Liberty and freedom are basic fundamental human rights and democracy is the means of lending a voice to these liberties.

The ability to vote and choose the people who represent us in government is a privilege.

Asalamualaikum (may peace be upon you) readers, As we near the end of summer, we are happy to present you with The Link Canada’s second issue — full of inspiring stories, words of wisdom and organic ideas to better yourself and your community. We’d like to cap this season off with gratitude to all our talented contributors who meet and exceed our expectations everytime.

This issue aims to bring you inspiration via Canada’s own Mohammed Ashour, an entrepreneur (and parttime superman) who founded Aspire Food Group.

As a recent winner of the Hult Prize, read about his humbling thoughts on faith, family, and success (p.40).

Impressive projects such as The Silk Road and the Arctic Food Bank will also stir the creative, social entrepreneur in you — as they show us the infinite ways in which we can benefit the community at large (p.6, p.46).

Tremendous amounts of hard work goes into this publication, with everything produced and written by a handpicked team of expert contributors. The idea behind The Link Canada is to propogate knowledge and promote good work undertaken by the Muslim community. Visit our website and subscribe to receive our exclusive print copy delivered to your home.

However, voter turnout in Canada has traditionally never exceeded 80%. In the 2011 federal elections, voter turnout was about 61%. There are many things that deter people from voting: a steep political learning curve for new immigrants, frustration, lack of motivation in the youth, and the lack of time and resources to facilitate voting in young working adults, etc. Most Muslim immigrants also hail from countries where there has not been much training in the democratic political process and hence, they may underestimate the power of their individual vote.

We make democratic decisions everyday, in every little decision that is made in a household. For example, when it comes time to watch a movie or going out to eat, family members weigh their options; we chose to watch the movie that most family members wish to watch, or chose to go to the restaurant most members wish to go to. The same principle applies to choosing our government.

It is important that we go out and vote for the candidates who will help shape the Canada we envision for our families and our children. Each vote counts! Families need to make discussions on politics in their homes so that children grow up respecting and exercising their right to vote. Even if it is sometimes hard to understand all the rhetoric that goes on between parties and during election campaigns, electronic media, individual discussions and reading up on Canadian history can help provide information on the view point and philosophy of each party.

Finally, don’t forget to exercise your civic duty this coming October — make every vote count!

Please choose to vote and make a difference in the October 2015 Federal elections. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

Naeema Farooqi, PhD Founder, Editor-in-Chief The Link Canada

Dr. Saadia Hameed Patron The Link Canada

Cover photography: Kamran Hameed, QVision Photography, +1 289-971-6219 / Models: Mohammed Ashour and Yasmeen Khattab / Location: The University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON

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THE LINK CANADA TEAM: VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 Founder / Editor-in-Chief Executive Director / Managing Editor Patron

Naeema Farooqi Naira Ahmed Dr. Saadia Hameed

Creative Director / Designer

Naira Ahmed

Senior Correspondent

Leila Almawy

Senior Correspondent

Saud Inam

Contributor / Photographer

Abdullah Ishaque

Contributor

Aisha Hollyer

Contributor

Alexis York Lumbard

Contributor / Photographer Contributor Fashion Correspondent

Amal Ahmed Albaz Amira ElGhawaby Annum Khokhar

Contributor

Aruba Mahmud

Contributor

Ayman Oweida

Artist / Contributor

Fatima Fasih

Contributor

Helal Musleh

Senior Photographer Food Blogger / Contributor

Kamran Hameed Lin Abdul Rahman

Contributor

Madiha Salman

Contributor

Mohamed Shaheen

Contributor

Nabeela Khan

Artist / Contributor Photographers Contributor / Photographer Recipe Contributor

Nadia Janjua Popcorn Studios Rizwan Asad Thasneen Ansi

Contributor

Zeba Hashmi

Contributor

Zenia Sultan

Want to join our awesome team at the The Link Canada?

Visit www.thelinkcanada.ca/contribute

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Cultural representation remains one of the strongest tools for developing identity, strengthening social cohesion, and dispelling stereotypes. By embracing the strength of the various ideas and artistic expressions that define our collective experience, cross-cultural bridges are developed.

THE SILK ROAD INSTITUTE STRENGTHENING MUSLIM-CANADIAN CULTURE

WRITTEN BY MOHAMED SHAHEEN PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF THE SILK ROAD INSTITUTE

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ART & CULTURE What does it mean to be a Muslim-Canadian? Can we sum up the diversity of the Muslim Canadian experience in a few sentences, or even a few paragraphs? Who defines the Muslim Canadian experience? These, and many related questions, were the focus of a discussion I co-moderated for the Silk Road Institute earlier this year in Montréal. The large and diverse audience present debated, discussed, and shared personal experiences — and even though the conversation extended beyond its originally-allotted two hours — many in attendance felt that we ended it prematurely and that there was much more left to be said.

the free flow of ideas — to encourage the exploration of identity and create a platform for cross-cultural exchange.

Since then we have hosted speakers to address a wide range of issues. In our inaugural panel discussion on Quebec, minorities, and human rights, we hosted the National Council of Canadian Muslim’s (NCCM’s) Executive Director Ihsaan Gardee, and Shirley Sarna of the Quebec Human Rights Commission. In early 2014, indigenous rights activist Ellen Gabriel shared her insights on the relationship between indigenous rights and universal rights. In February of this year,

Imam Yasin Dwyer addresses attendees on Malcolm X’s legacy.

Photo courtesy of Oubai Elkerdi

Many Muslim-Canadians see their identity as a combination of factors. They, and particularly the younger generation, view themselves as bearers of multiple identities. This should come as no surprise.

Like that of most of Canada’s diverse communities, the Muslim-Canadian experience reflects and is defined by a broad, collective spectrum of demographic, cultural, and spiritual backgrounds.

Above: Monia Mazigh speaks during the Montreal launch of Mirrors and Mirages Photo courtesy of Oubai Elkerdi

Creating a cultural space Since the Silk Road Institute was founded two years ago, it has become clear that there is a need for spaces where the Muslim community can make its voice heard on the cultural front by exploring and strengthening Muslim-Canadian culture, as well as participating in the broader Canadian cultural discourse. The Silk Road Institute uses the tools of cultural representation — like the arts, literature, and

to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X, Imam Yasin Dwyer — a Silk Road Institute Board member — inspired the audience as he shared Malcolm X’s legacy and contributions to the Muslim experience in North America. To mark the Silk Road Institute’s second anniversary in May, we welcomed Zarqa Nawaz, creator of the CBC comedy series Little Mosque on the Prairie, and author of Laughing all the Way to the Mosque.

The Silk Road Institute’s interest in literature has spawned regular book clubs, during the course of which we have hosted Globe and Mail columnist, and Silk Road Institute Board member Sheema Khan, author of Of Hockey and Hijab. Last year, we organized the Montreal book launch of the English translation of Monia Mazigh’s novel, Mirrors and Mirages.

Active promotion of the arts and cross-cultural

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COMPLETE PRINT ISSUE RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS Top: Zarqa Nawaz, signing books at SRI’s second anniversary Photo courtesy of Farah Sadek

artistic exchange form a cornerstone of our work.

The Silk Road Institute has hosted a wide range of performing artists through its ‘Viva Voce’ artistic series. Jason ‘Blackbird’ Selman and Kaie Kellough bought their unique spoken word voice to our first event. Suad Bushnaq, Didem Basar, and Ali El-Farouk, entertained a full house with their Levantine inspired music. Recently, we hosted an event showcasing the artistic talents of emerging local artists. At the organization’s second anniversary, Tounkara-Lavoie entertained audience members with their own compositions as well as the traditional music of Mali.

We also lend our support to local and emerging artists. Through our Viva Voce Studio Sessions, the Silk Road Institute has produced two musical video productions, showcasing the music and directorial work of the artists involved. Additionally, we staged a seven-part photography workshop designed to

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inspire a new generation of photographers. This Ramadan, we joined with with the National Council of Canadian Muslims and the Tessallate Institute to run a national photo contest to mark the fasting month.

Establishing a long-term cultural vision The Silk Road Institute’s events point to the emergence of a common factor: that much greater effort is needed to strengthen and promote MuslimCanadian culture and strengthen cross-cultural dialogue. The Silk Road Institute is dedicated to providing such a platform, a space where the Muslim-Canadian cultural experience can be shared among the many elements that shape the Canadian cultural mosaic. The Silk Road Institute is now fundraising in order to hire a full-time staff to strengthen our current structure, which relies currently on volunteers. We are also working to

establish a cultural centre dedicated to providing a space where diverse communities can connect, where Muslim-Canadian culture can be supported through theatre and the performing arts. These initiatives require the financial and moral support of MuslimCanadians.

This natural progression is a result of the expanding needs of our community; Muslim cultural representation and artistic expression should no longer take a back seat. The Muslim community’s support will reflect recognition that cultural and artistic activity and representation is no longer an optional proposition for our community, but an essential pillar of the Muslim Canadian experience.

Cultural representation remains one of the strongest tools for developing identity, strengthening social cohesion, and dispelling stereotypes. By embracing the strength of the various ideas and artistic

Author and Globe and Mail columnist Sheema Khan discussing her book, Of Hockey and Hijab Photo courtesy of Mohamed Shaheen

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expressions that define our collective experience, cross-cultural bridges are already being developed.

We believe that the time has come for the Muslim community to invest in its future through cultural engagement.

WWW.THELINKCANADA.CA/SUBSCRIBE

Mohamed Shaheen, Contributor for The Link Canada, completed his Bachelor’s degree at Dalhousie University, Halifax, before moving to Montreal where he completed his Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering at McGill University. Mohamed has been involved over the past decade in several community organizations, where his focus has been on civic engagement, advocacy, cross-cultural exchange, and civil liberties. In 2013, he founded the Silk Road Institute and served as the organization’s Founding Executive Director. He now serves as the organization’s Chair of the Board of Directors.

Suad Bushnaq, Didem Basar, and Ali El Farouk perform for an audience Photo courtesy of Oubai Elkerdi

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FATIMA FASIH Creating Art with Meaning

In the Name of God

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ART & CULTURE It was in 8th grade when my parents decided to gift me a set of watercolour paints in order to focus my creative energies to one stream of art.

Since then, my watercolour tablets and I have been an inseparable duo. It took long for me to accept that I was an artist, but it had to be done.

After moving to Canada in 2009, my homeland Pakistan was devastated with massive floods from its northern to southern end. It was the first summer in my life that I had spent away from Pakistan and so I decided to use my art to raise awareness about the environmental disaster that had made millions homeless and thousands dead.

I produced a series of ten paintings focusing on the impact of the disaster on children. These works were auctioned in Pakistan and Canada to fundraise for emergency relief efforts. Then on, I painted for all the issues that mattered most to Canada, and it being my home for the past six years, was the perfect place to start to reach out to people of all kinds. Hence, year after year, I began to use my work as a way to raise awareness for more social justice issues, as well as help demystify the many myths people have about Muslims. In order to play my due part, I made portraits and paintings regarding the devastating droughts in the Sindh province of Pakistan and the Syrian Conflict. Through artwork produced about the impact of conflict on children of Syria, more than $4,000 were raised for emergency relief of child refugees. Furthermore, I also wanted to showcase the Pakistan I fell in love with growing up and produced series of paintings highlighting the colourful culture of the country — I was able to exhibit these at many occasions in Toronto.

Just last year, I was featured as the exhibit artist at the Women & Conflict Conference hosted by

the Mosaic Institute at the University of Toronto.

Through this opportunity, I learned about the suffering and success of many women that fought for justice and peace in countries around the world — including DR Congo, Burma, and Afghanistan.

While researching for the themes of these paintings, I went through an emotional debacle, reading stories about what innocent by-standers, mostly women and children, go through during times of war and conflict. With many parts of the Muslim world in a state of war, my heart worried for the innocent women and children that result in being the worst sufferers of conflict, despite being those with the least responsibility in the crises. Being a Masters student in Sustainability Management at UofT, my vision with Fatima Fasih Watercolors began to greatly align with the sustainability issues that I was already passionate about.

Moreover, to bring to light the simplest of things, I began using my paintbrush as a tool to inform people about my values and faith as a Muslim and remove any stereotypes that they might believe. With an explosion of reliable and unreliable information available through the media, I decided to produce artwork about Islam that showcases its values of tolerance, peace & harmony. Like many Muslims, I was raised to respect all people and value all beings, regardless of their beliefs and backgrounds, and hence, watercolors have helped me carry that message forward. In such times of political unrest across the globe, with streaks of intolerance and conflict poisoning the most peaceful of communities, I believe there is still so much more to be done to produce a harmonious, peaceful and happy world.

I hope that through my work as a sustainability professional and an artist, I am able to help in the near future.

The Sleeping Man

“…there is no compulsion in religion.”

Portrait of Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Leymah Gbowee

An artist by heart, Fatima Fasih grew up in the Middle East with a strong influence of her Pakistani heritage that is visible in her artwork. She moved to Canada in 2009 to pursue her formal studies and is currently a Masters student in Sustainability Management at the University of Toronto. Fatima uses watercolor to paint about issues that matter most to her and strives to build bridges between the many cultures she has been part of through her artwork. She has won several awards and scholarships for her work in raising cultural awareness and most recently, received the “Honorable Mention” at the MARTYs 2015 Award Night. She believes art can speak much louder than words and as a Muslim youth, it is her responsibility to show the true side of our peaceful community. You can follow her work on Facebook at: facebook.com/fatimafasihwatercolors and on Instagram: @fatimafasihwatercolors.

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POPCORN STUDIOS — Capturing new perspectives

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ART & CULTURE

We just celebrated our seven-year wedding anniversary and whenever we shoot a nikkah (Islamic marriage ceremony) it brings back wonderful memories. It’s so amazing to witness a marriage ceremony and document all the emotions of those present. We feel so blessed to see so many beautiful couples from so many different backgrounds come together to fulfill the sunnah (Prophetic lifestyle/teachings). Our passion lies in absorbing the joys shared between two families, experiencing their unions and painting a portrait of their special day. It really doesn’t feel like a job, it’s more of a lifestyle. This is why we love what we do — documenting weddings allows us to relive our own big day! We also love to travel and some of our favourite images were taken during our globe trotting adventures.

Popcorn Studios is made up of British born wife Enum, Torontonian husband Jash and his younger brother Zane Malik.

They specialize in wedding and lifestyle photography and have a deep passion for travel and coffee! Check out their work on: www. popcornstudios.ca

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THINK LIKE AN ARTIST Art Beat with Nadia Janjua

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ART & CULTURE

Photographs courtesy of Ayesha Ahmad Photography

Often, in various settings where I am teaching art workshops, I’ll hear the phrase “but I’m not an artist!” to which I always respond, “everyone is an artist, you just have to start thinking like one!”

If I were to describe in the simplest way how one can think like an artist, I would say it begins with embracing ambiguity, by confronting the unknown, and by using curiosity in creative ways to develop ideas and solutions.

interpreting it in a visual manner using paint on canvas. I eased the students in by introducing tools, colours, materials, and techniques, and then gave them plenty of time to openly explore. This was followed by a brainstorming and sketching session where we first selected adjectives to describe parts of our quotes and then discussed how we would paint the adjectives in a visual way. The final classes then involved the students working towards a completed painting.

As an abstract painter, I often have a clear idea of my concept and colour palette but hardly any clues about what form that concept will take. It isn’t until I put that first stroke of colour onto the canvas that my creativity unfolds with more intention. Even though I don’t know what the painting will ultimately look like, I have faith in the creative and spiritual process.

And it is precisely this curious state of both knowing and not knowing which really excites me. I see it as a journey — an adventure — and I might even say that it’s the best part of the process for me. For most people, however, it is the most daunting moment to see a blank canvas staring back at them from their easels. I have witnessed this in many of my students — whether adolescents, teenagers, or adults — they experience a certain degree of discomfort with not knowing, and sometimes they remain stifled in this state. Other times, they are able to get past it to allow their creativity to flow.

The beginning of this process, like so many other classes, involved a lot of uncertainty, some quiet, blank stares and a bit of frustration. To remedy this, I would gently guide the student to think about what colour they were feeling, and encourage them to start by applying that colour on the canvas. The process would start to become lighter as students began to move from their outer states and connect with their inner ones. Conversations and comments amongst classmates would flow in and out of the painting process, and I would make sure there was little judgment or talk of art that was “good” or “bad.”

I would often demonstrate techniques on student’s canvases, which excited them and helped build confidence in their own skills, and I saw their moods gradually transform from uncertain to spirited.

Before they knew it, they had covered their canvases in colour and started recognizing expressions in their work.

As an art educator, it is this discomfort that I try to teach my students to work with — in the hopes that they not only create a work of art that will please them, but ultimately do so to be better equipped to face and manage the uncertainty and occasional instability of life.

The most moving element of it all for me was the transformation the students experienced from feeling lost to feeling more in control of their thoughts.

They did it all by themselves — and experiencing it through the conduit of the arts made it all the more enjoyable.

Recently, I was able to experience this with a wonderful group of 14-16 year old teenage students enrolled in Camp Ramadan in Bethesda, MD. I was hired to lead an abstract painting class, and in a nutshell, our project involved selecting an inspirational quote by Jalal ad-Din Rumi, and

Through this experience, I truly hope more adults will encourage themselves and the youth around them to think like an artist and practice facing uncertainty with more optimism and creativity, as certainly it will lead to many more life-learning moments!

Nadia Janjua, Contributor for The Link Canada, is an Architect, Visual Artist, and Art Educator based in the Washington, D.C. area, working under the business name “Nadia J Art.” She holds a B.A. in Fine Arts from the George Washington University, and a Masters in Architecture from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Recently named one of DC’s Best Up-and-Coming Artists, Nadia has been professionally exhibiting her abstract and mixed media paintings throughout the past ten years. She has served as a panelist and curator for numerous exhibitions and conferences in the United States, England and Malaysia, and is best known for her entrepreneurial and social activist spirit, focusing on promoting arts education and women’s empowerment through her professional and volunteer community work. Her main medium of work is acrylic and oil paint, and she also operates a handmade line of retail art sold online. Her work can be seen at nadiajart.com.

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ZARQA NAWAZ

Laughing All The Way To The Mosque WRITTEN BY ZEBA HASHMI

spaces. Her early recognition came from two short documentaries called ‘BBQ Muslims, Death Threat, Random Check and Fred’s Burqa.

In terms of how Zarqa was inspired to write, she talks about attending a conference where Irshad Manji and Faisal Al-Rauf were also present. She witnessed Irshad yelling at Faisal AlRauf.

She started telling him he wasn’t progressive and started challenging him publically. She had written a book and because of that she was allowed to berate someone like that. Seeing that, I was forced to write a book about my life,” she says with a chuckle.

Zarqa can create comedy out of difficult situations.

I, as her friend, can distinctively remember this situation occurring very close to the tragic incident of Sept. 11, 2001. It was a tense time, however, Zarqa conquered that moment with her humour and still is able to capture it for us in the book. Here’s an excerpt from Laughing All the Way to the Mosque:

If anyone can put the notion of comedy and mosques together, Zarqa Nawaz surely can.

Zarqa’s new book Laughing All the Way to the Mosque, is a comedic memoir about growing up Muslim in North America. The book features hilarious anecdotes ranging from Muslim rituals of cleanliness, to 9/11, to being on mosque committees, to married life — all to name a few. Her initial intention had been to write a serious, informative book about Islam and what Islam was about, however, she was advised otherwise.

Perhaps you have heard of Zarqa from Little Mosque on the Prairie, a comedic show about Muslims residing in the small town of Mercy, Saskatchewan.

The show aired for 6 seasons with 91 episodes on CBC from 2007 to 2012. It is now shown in 60 countries around the world.

Zarqa has been gifted with a knack for connecting her faith through comedy. Zarqa is a vibrant part of the mosque and Muslim community. Zarqa has been relentless when it comes to patriarchal trends in the Muslim community and produced the documentary, ‘Me and the Mosque’ for the National Film Board of Canada. Zarqa travelled to different mosques in North America to investigate women’s

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As an active member of the Muslim community who has been working on building bridges, she certainly is able to do so with Laughing All the Way to the Mosque. Through her candid humour, she is able to demonstrate that we are all indeed similar regardless of our faith, race and background. Zarqa is currently involved in the Give 30 campaign to fight hunger across Canada.

Laughing All the Way to the Mosque is nominated for the Kobo ‘Best Emerging Write’ award. It’s also been short-listed for Steven Leacock Medal for Humour, short-listed for Saskatchewan Book Award of the Year. Laughing All the Way to the Mosque was Chatelaines Book Club Pick and Canadian Living’s Book of the Summer.

Zarqa is married to an active member of the community and has four delightful children. She juggles her time writing, volunteering at the mosque, in work-related travelling, and with the family.

“Sadly, her fears were initially justified when the RCMP called her father-in-law in for questioning, after a neighbour called the cops about a “suspicious” packing cube in Dr. Muhammad Haque’s driveway.

“Your parents have lived peacefully in Saskatchewan for forty years and now in the blink of an eye people are frightened of them.” Undeterred, the indefatigable Zarqa gets “proactive” by inviting the whole neighbourhood over for a “giant open house.”

It was, however, a shindig with a hidden agenda: “To smoke out the person who called the RCMP.” Zarqa attributes the success of her book to the fact that not many funny books about Muslims exist.

Most books on the shelf are about Islam or against Islam, however, nothing exists that would make your bones tickle.

Zarqa’s states her intentions about what Muslims can take away from, “I hope it encourages other Muslims to write. There’s a huge vacuum when it comes to writing about our community. Ninety-nine percent of us have not a horrific experience growing up as a Muslim.

The books out there skew the image about our community.”

What’s her next project you may be asking? She is working on a novel about a Muslim author who writes a book and how she becomes jealous when her book doesn’t do as well as others. Obviously, it’s a comedy.

Zeba Hashmi, Senior Correspondent for The Link Canada, is a community activist, mother, and a student. Zeba is involved in various voluntary efforts. She has served on Boards and Committees in Regina, SK. Now in London, ON, she continues to participate in community efforts. Zeba is currently involved with the London Muslim Mosque, Islamic History Month Canada, Muslim Association of Canada, City of London Race & Diversity Advisory Committee, & the Canadian Mental Health Association.

ART & CULTURE

ASKING “WHY?”

Book review:The Boy and the Owl WRITTEN BY ALEXIS YORK LUMBARD

There are two words that stand out in early childhood. They are “no” and “mine.” Thankfully, a third and far more pleasant word, “why” makes a quick début.

“Why are you laughing?” “Why do birds sing?” “Why should I eat my broccoli?”

To brush off the use of “why” as a simple, cute or even irritating addition to your child’s vocabulary would be a missed opportunity. Some of the most intelligent people on the planet share one, consistent feature — they ask questions. Lots of them.

Einstein once pondered, “What if I rode a beam of light across the universe?” and that “what if ” lead him straight to the theory of relativity.

So the next time your child looks at you wide-eyed and asks, “why?” embrace their God-given curiosity with excitement and thanks. Oh — and then read this book together.

The Boy and the Owl by Siraj Mowjood is a wonderful adaptation of an early 20th century poem by Moroccan thinker Muhammad b. Jafar al-Kattani alHasani al-Fasi. Known as the Creed of Salvation, the original poem covers all the theological cornerstones of Muslim creed. The Boy and the Owl, however, takes one section of the original poem and brings it to life in clear, simple prose. Mowjood brings the reader on a wonderful journey, asking along the way, “Who is God?” It is a wonderful question to explore with children — a question that inevitably begs, “Why did Allah create me?” To which the wise owls declares, “So that you may know Him.” May you and your child grow in knowing Him. Ameen.

Alexis, Contributor for The Link Canada, is a children’s book author of 6 picture books including: The Conference of the Birds and When the Animals Saved Earth—adaptations of classic Islamic fables. She lives in Natick, Massachusetts with her family and was inspired to write by her three daughters, long walks and the language of birds.

OUR CIVIC DUTY:

ENCOURAGING MORE CANADIANS TO VOTE WRITTEN BY AMIRA ELGHAWABY

... in the 2000 federal election, the Muslim participation rate was 25 per cent less than that of Christians and Jews, 19 per cent lower than that of Hindus, and 14 per cent less than that of Sikhs.

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OPINION / POLITICS A few years ago, while visiting a mosque in a European capital, I came across a small circle of young women in a heated discussion about democracy. At first, I thought, ‘how refreshing to find young women speaking about such critical issues in a mosque!’ However, my heart quickly sank as I heard one woman decry any participation in the democratic system.

“To vote in this Western system is to go against your religion,” she said. The other young women listened intently, and to my great surprise, no one challenged her statement. I participated in the discussion, being the lone dissenting voice, and soon realized that the often marginalized experiences of the Muslim community in that particular city was quite different than that of our own communities back home in Canada.

And for that I was extremely grateful.

Most Canadian Muslims, like most Muslims around the world, have long ago realized that such debates about the compatibility of Islam and Western democracy have been settled. The consensus is that Islam is most certainly compatible with democracy and that it is in fact a civic duty for Muslims to participate in the democratic process in order to contribute to the well-being of our communities.

However, statistics point to a troubling truth – Canadian Muslims participation in electoral politics is low: historically lower than the participation of most other major religious groups – though the numbers are in flux.

According to analysis by researcher Daood Hamdani of the 2002 Ethnic Diversity survey, as well as his study of Canadian Muslim women in 2005, the Muslim voter rate is around 46.5 per cent.

Hamdani further points out in his recent report for the Canadian Dawn Foundation titled, “Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review” that in the 2000 federal election, the Muslim participation rate was 25 per cent less than that of Christians and Jews, 19 per cent lower than that of Hindus, and 14 per cent less than that of Sikhs.

The key question must be: why?

There are no simple answers, mainly because there aren’t many in-depth, professional surveys gauging the motivations (or lack thereof ) of Canadian Muslims when it comes to voting. The Environics Institute did survey the issue in 2006 superficially: 51% of Canadian Muslims questioned said they had voted in that year’s elections, and another survey is coming soon. However for deeper analysis, one has to look to general surveys and research into the participation rates of immigrant and newcomer communities, as well as those of non-European cultural groups to try to understand what might be discouraging participation.

Elections Canada published a 2007 working paper exploring the participation of ethnocultural communities in previous elections. It is a treasure trove of information that should be read and internalized as we find ourselves in another federal

campaign. Unfortunately for those who care about such issues, the report may signify the last of such indepth government-funded analysis given budget cuts and changes to the mandate of Elections Canada under the federal government’s new “Fair Elections Act.” Let us delve into that report then, and analyze some of its key findings: •

•

•

•

•

• •

Canadians who acquire citizenship after immigrating to Canada or who belong to non-European cultural groups vote at lower rates than eligible voters born in Canada or members of the majority cultural group.

Immigrant status is not a barrier to participating, but that being a newcomer to Canada can sometimes be a barrier to voting. So Canadians who are more established in their communities are more likely to vote (though it can take up to 20 years to close the ‘turnout gap’).

Among all immigrants, factors associated with a lower turnout were brief residence, youth, lower income, a high school education only, single marital status, a weaker attachment to Canada and a higher level of trust in one’s own family members.

Different ethnocultural communities will have different attitudes towards voting. For example, Greek community leaders cited “habit, a taste for voting and duty” as the main reasons for relatively high voter participation, while Chinese leaders suggested that electoral participation “was not a significant part of the community’s political culture”, and in fact, was sometimes deliberately avoided.

Community leaders can have a positive impact on mobilizing participation, particularly as was the case of the Canadian Muslim community in the 2004 election in which Canadian Muslim organizations played a key role in informing voters about strategic issues. Some estimates are that 80 per cent of eligible Canadian Muslim voters took part in those elections– though this is unverified.

Communities where languages other than French or English dominate often had lower turn-out rates, ie.

Cantonese, Portuguese, and Italian.

Voters who were struggling economically also were less likely to vote.

Why is this important information for all Canadians?

Voter participation rates are symbolic of the health of a democracy. Much to the dismay of those of us who strongly believe in voting, fewer Canadians cast votes in the 2011 federal election that at almost any other time in Canada’s history. According to the Conference Board of Canada, 53.8 per cent of eligible Canadian voters cast a ballot in the most recent election. That was only slightly higher than the 53.6 per cent of voters who took part in elections in 2008. Unbelievably, Canada ranks 14th among 17 other peer countries.

Unfortunately, the situation may not get much better this time around.

Livianna Tossutti, Associate Professor at Brock University, and the author of that 2007 working paper, examined best practices both in Canada and abroad to boost voter participation among ethnocultural groups. In Canada, there were some very serious efforts made.

In 2004, Elections Canada hired 59 ethnocultural

community relations officers in 48 electoral districts; in 2006, 64 were hired in 53 districts. They were mandated to work with communities, place posters in key locations, drop-in to meetings and places of worship and give workshops to encourage voting.

They distributed election materials to secondlanguage institutions and monitored ethnic media.

Only Canada, the U.K. and Sweden supported projects like these to engage and partner with community organizations.

But under Canada’s recently passed “Fair Election Act,” which some political parties have called “unfair,” Elections Canada can no longer engage in voter education (except for elementary and secondary school students, and even that was a hard-fought win). It remains to be seen whether or not there will be any outreach at all this election.

That means that the role of engaging voters from communities historically less likely to vote will now fall primarily on the shoulders of community leaders and community organizations themselves.

On the one hand, finding sustained funding to mount coordinated and professional civic engagement efforts will be challenging for community groups and associations already struggling to survive, let alone to thrive.

But on the other hand, greater community engagement can itself lead to greater voter participation.

Research shows that when communities have strong associations, they are in fact more likely to participate in national and local politics. The working paper points to Holland, for example, where members of supportive, interconnected Turkish community organizations are highly engaged and well represented in non-Turkish institutions, including in government.

This offers an important lesson for Canadian Muslims, indeed all minority communities wishing to promote an active and involved citizenry. Strengthening our community networks, our institutions, as well as our supports for new immigrants and youth, will help to ensure that more of our voices are heard.

That means that both on individual and institutional levels, we should be aware of potential barriers to participation – as summarized above – and do all we can to help fellow community members overcome them.

For a country as diverse as Canada, that’s a sure win for everyone.

Amira Elghawaby, Contributor for The Link Canada, is the Communications Director for the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM). NCCM recently launched a civic engagement campaign titled “Election Energized: Activating Canadian Muslim Voters.” To find out more, visit www.nccm.ca.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2

19

SHATTERING GLASS CEILINGS Q&A WITH FARHEEN KHAN WRITTEN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY NABEELA KHAN

20 SUMMER 2015 | THELINKCANADA.CA

POLITICS

In the political realm, I am the only hijabi running federally. In light of all that’s happening [around the world] people are very curious. It’s about challenging people’s misconceptions.

In light of recent events, it has become more apparent that we live in a world where minorities are often discriminated based on the simplest of qualities: gender, image, dress, skin colour. So what happens when you’re a hijab-clad woman of SouthAsian descent running for MP? You make something out of yourself.

As an NDP candidate from Mississauga for the upcoming federal elections, Farheen Khan opened up about her past experiences and what led her to where she is now: How did you get into the political world? What motivated you?

“I have always been a social democrat. I have always been someone who believes in wanting to make the world a better place for other people. A lot of that has to do with my personal experiences. Growing up, we were a family of 9 and I started working at a young age. My family and I lived in subsidized housing. There were times when my father would grow ill, and my mother was a stay-at-home mom with four toddlers running around. Quite frankly some days we didn’t have a lot to eat — there were a lot of difficult times.”

I’ve heard my fair share of stories about families living abroad who faced poverty, but it hit close to home hearing about Farheen’s experience.

Khan continued, “When I was 16 I thought, maybe it’s more important that my baby siblings have milk to drink than me pursuing an education so I made that decision very early on in my life and started to work full time. All of that made me realize there’s so much wrong in our society, we need to make change happen. As I grew older and began wearing the hijab, I began to face discrimination and started to realize what it means to live in a world where racism really exists. People treat you differently.”

How did that drive you to want to make a change and become a political figure?

“After 9/11, I was attacked. There was a lot of backlash and it was extreme — that’s when my journey started. I began to question: ‘How do we create positive images of Muslims in society? And how do I support women who are going through these types of experiences so we can shift the way women are being treated?’ Those became my two major goals.”

Prior to politics, Farheen worked as a Senior Manager at a women’s shelter and as a Fund Development Consultant. She’s also worked at sexual assault and repressed centres and found herself getting into work regarding violence against women.

She soon became a community organizer and strove to bring the community together on key issues that she believed in.

“A lot of people told me that politics was natural progression but I never really thought about it that way. I was critical of the process but I was invited to think about it and realized this is what I need to do to take my community organizing, advocacy, and activism to another level.”

Farheen’s approach to life and in accomplishing her goals despite the adversities she has gone through as an individual is inspiring. However, I couldn’t help but think how her experience differs as a Muslim woman who wears the hijab.

The media frames stories in such a way that people hold ignorant or false views and perceptions about Muslim women. Does this reflect on your campaigning and canvassing?

“It’s one of those things I was questioned about in the beginning. In being a politician appearance does matter. People told me to wear my hijab in a more modern style, but I made sure I told my team we aren’t doing that. I am staying true to who I am, it’s part of my identity. If I am the only hijabi a person ever meets, I want them to know Muslim people are good people. In the political realm, I am the only hijabi running federally. In light of all that’s happening [around the world] people are very curious. It’s about challenging people’s misconceptions. When you see all this stuff in the media constantly, you are bombarded and there’s nothing they can compare it to. Not everyone meets people who wear the hijab — so I see it an opportunity to educate others.”

I nodded in absolute agreement. Wearing the hijab comes with many challenges but it also encourages you to be a better person to those around you, especially those who have never met another Muslim before.

What about people in our own South Asian community? People can still carry very outdated mentalities about a woman’s place, how has this affected your goals and ambitions as a politician?

I have faced some barriers where people will ask, ‘Shouldn’t you be married? Why are you single?

You should focus on your family.’ The role of what a woman should be doing gets displaced. It’s been interesting, but I have gotten a lot of media exposure because I wear hijab whereas many people are finding it difficult to get media attention.

A lot of south asian communities also hold a view that is almost like an obligation to vote Liberal. Why have you chosen to run for NDP? I’ve always had a soft spot for NDP. I didn’t feel like I belonged with the Liberals. My dad like many immigrant fathers said we owe it to the Liberals because they brought in immigration and we have to vote for them. We have been exposed to the Liberals for a long time and I think a lot of people, including myself, believed Justin Trudeau would bring a fresh new perspective to the Liberal party. Unfortunately, the Liberals values have started to fall in line more with the Conservatives.

Why do you have a soft spot for NDP and why should we as a community vote NDP? “I chose the NDP because my personal values align with the NDP’s goals and mission statement. Tom Mulcair focuses on wanting to make Canada more affordable, improve the economy and create safety [access to justice] where the safety of all people is being questioned right now. NDP focuses on living affordable lives and not having to worry about making ends meet. Statistics show that 900,000 Canadians are accessing food banks every month.

That’s concerning and should not be happening in Canada. NDP is talking about affordable childcare and housing — things that should already exist but unfortunately don’t because so far, the government has focused more on helping corporations than people.”

What are your goals for your campaign?

“My main goals are to raise awareness about these issues and who I am [and who Thomas Mulcair is] so we can get the NDP government to come into power in order to make necessary changes. Canada has always been a peace-keeping nation and we have fallen from the global stage as a peace-keeping nation, so I would absolutely want to reinforce that.”

— In addition to running for MP, Khan is a social worker, activist and an author of two books on overcoming adversity. She’s also a well-renowned superwoman.

Nabeela Khan, Contributor for The Link Canada, is a communications professional who strives to cover topics of interest to modern Muslims and their faith. She is the Founder of Envision, a website that showcases Muslim women in leadership roles and aims to break negative stereotypes.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2

21

LEAVING A LEGACY BEHIND Farrah Marfatia

WRITTEN BY HELAL MUSLEH PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAMRAN HAMEED

22 SUMMER 2015 | THELINKCANADA.CA

POLITICS

As I sat bright eyed and eager in my teacher’s college class, my peers and I were told by our instructor, “If education is not 100% your passion, then you need to leave now and find another career.”

After becoming a teacher, I truly understood my instructor’s rather abrupt sentiment. Teaching is not a 9-5 job. It envelops and consumes even the best educators, leaving us marking before bed, planning over the summer break and preparing in early morning hours. For Farrah Marfatia, a career in education was the result of a “serendipitous” stroke of events, which led her towards what she says she was [meant to do] as it was her true passion.

Marfatia is the principal at Maingate Islamic Academy, which is a private school in the suburban area of Mississauga, Ontario. Through her own educational experience she attended an array of denominational schools from a nunnery in kindergarten, to a public school in Thorncliffe, Ontario, to ISNA Elementary, and finally to The Bishop Strachan School as a teenager. Marfatia’s varied experiences in different school environments and cultures shaped who she is today. As she describes it, she was exposed to a “network of very interesting people.”

However, it was her experience at ISNA in her elementary years that she feels solidified her Islamic identity. It was this very identity that Marfatia felt she needed to continually defend, while also learning to mold in order to navigate through the torrid waters of teenage life. She would later learn to repeat this process with her Muslim identity and a promising career in the pharmaceutical industry.

While co-workers would unwind after a hard day of work with a trip to a local bar, Marfatia would have to dismiss herself from the activities because of the Islamic prohibition of consuming alcohol. It wasn’t until she found her place as a Principal that Marfatia’s life began to take on a new meaning. “For the first time in my life, at Maingate, I’m fitting in.”

Listening to Marfatia describe her work, it’s hard to miss the apparent care and drive she possesses. The principal, who is currently pursuing her Masters in Education at Brock University, explains:

needed to find room for the second generation”.2 Marfatia expresses a deep understanding of this special consideration and says to Muslim educators in Islamic schools, “You have the opportunity and chance to shape what our Islam is going to look like in the future, because

I think the only way to make a change in Canada is for us to really educate ourselves on how to make a change through peaceful discourse. And I think that you do that by getting involved in politics, by understanding policy, by understanding procedure, by positioning our kids [to get involved in initiatives that are not exclusively for Muslims].

“I’m giving back. I am so motivated by contributing to society […] We have to mold and shape [our kids] to fit in here [in Canada]. We want them to fit in, but we want them to understand that they are Muslims first and foremost. Islam doesn’t mean you can’t have it all. You can have [worldly success] and you can have [your religion].”

our children are going to become the future, they are going to be the vehicles of what Islam is going to look like.”

This is an important sentiment given that statistics indicate that the Canadian-Muslim population is expected to triple from the years 2010 to 2030.1 Even more so, many Muslims are first generation Canadians, and a “special consideration will be

According to Marfatia, another important aspect of educating the Muslim youth is by community leaders and members coming together to discuss important matters. One such matter is the revised Ontario sexeducation curriculum — which will be implemented

Marfatia also encourages Muslim educators to attain positions in the public school system in order to further strengthen a diverse Canadian fabric.

in schools across Ontario starting September 2015.

Marfatia feels the revised curriculum has “polarized our community,” while also calling it a blessing in disguise because it’s forcing our community to have an uncomfortable but necessary conversation.

Rather than simply speaking about the curriculum, which she also does, Marfatia created a “Parent Talk” document, in which she gives an overview of the topics discussed in each grade, and how parents can address it with their children. She also worked in part to create a different version of the Sex Education curriculum, which she hopes will closely coincide with Ontario’s curriculum, but from an Islamic perspective. Both documents are currently in revision, and are not yet available to the public.

Marfatia’s ambition to help shape her community for the better is part of her greater hope to bring Muslims into a more positive public light. A nationwide survey conducted in 2012 “indicates that as many as 52 percent of Canadians feel Muslims can be trusted ‘a little’ or ‘not trusted at all’”.3 Marfatia is working to change this.

“Muslim children and Muslim parents need to become more involved in politics. I think the only way to make a change in Canada is for us to really educate ourselves on how to make a change through peaceful discourse. And I think that you do that by getting involved in politics, by understanding policy, by understanding procedure, by positioning our kids [to get involved in initiatives that are not exclusively for Muslims]”.

Marfatia goes on to say that this type of active engagement in her community is her responsibility as a leader. When asked what kind of legacy she wants to leave behind for her two school-aged sons, she says: “The legacy I want to leave for my kids is that when you are in this world, you are responsible for making it different. You are responsible for creating what you want from it. You are responsible for that.”

(1) The Future of the Global Muslim Population (Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS) (2) Profile of Muslims In Canada (Profile of Muslims In Canada) (3) 52% Of Canadians Distrust Muslims, According To Latest Poll (The Huffington Post) By: Barooah, Jahnabi.

Helal Musleh, Contributor for The Link Canada, is an Ontario Certified Teacher, and was most recently a grade 3 homeroom teacher. She is currently writing for thegrade3teacher.com, and loves to share her insight and experience with other educators. She believes the world is our collective classroom, and that learning is a lifelong journey.

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23

SHIFTING PERSPECTIVES:

THE PURSUIT OF EDUCATION WRITTEN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY ABDULLAH ISHAQUE

There is a dire need in our society, particularly with new immigrant-families with children who are entering (or already enrolled in) post-secondary education, to learn the skills and utilize available resources to navigate through the education system to realize their goals – whether they be personal or professional. In this piece, I wish discuss how I feel the structure and style of post-secondary education in Canada are different than what most families from South Asia or Middle East are accustomed to in their native countries. Well-defined and targeted programming and resources are needed from established and professional members of our communities to assist newcomers in adjusting and achieving their goals and aspirations.

The traditional model in South-Asian culture measures education based on “objective” measures and outcomes such as grades in final exams, nationallevel entry exams, and rankings among peers. In Canada and North America in general, the approach to education is a holistic one: grades do matter, but they are only part of the equation.

For example, to graduate from high school, students need a certain number of volunteer hours. To gain admission into top-level undergraduate and professional programs, students need to show aptitude for leadership, communication, and goodwill. A lot of parents – my parents especially had this issue – have a hard time grasping this concept; it takes time for them to understand how spending time coaching a youth soccer team will help their son or daughter get into medical or law school. The growth of the student as a person from all aspects is valued higher than grades or academic accolades by itself.

Rote memorization can work in high school, however, students are pushed towards building a deeper understanding of the subject matter in university and college. Grades are also influenced by behaviour of a student in the classroom – is the student sitting at the back of the class? Do they ask questions? Do they visit the professor during

24 SUMMER 2015 | THELINKCANADA.CA

OPINION / LIFESTYLE

office hours to build rapport? All these things play a substantial role in a student’s success. It is important to shed light on these nuances so parents and children are on the same page and avoid major pitfalls when expectations are not met with realities.

face a radical shift in the culture they experience in North American societies after immigration and it is up to us as established and educated communities, to pull our resources together to inform and assist each other in climbing the ladder of success.

Looking ahead towards professional careers, many South-Asian and Middle Eastern students aspire to become either engineers or doctors. There are a lot of misconceptions and issues that blindside families into emotional and social distress. When my elder brother decided to go through the undergraduate engineering program at University of Toronto, our family was not prepared for an onslaught of allnighters, missed family commitments, and mental exhaustion that followed. Engineering programs not only push students academically, but also professionally into business arenas. Students are constantly required to network (a term most students know too well), attend social events, and maintain an almost ruthless professional edge over others. There is no room to be “nice” or “considerate” for others because everyone wants to secure a job in an already saturated job-market. Many of my brother’s peers had to move to different provinces as they were hired by non-engineering firms into unrelated jobs. Work ethic, dedication, and perseverance became crucial qualities.

I am heavily involved in student mentorship with regards to transitioning into undergraduate programs and applying for professional programs such as medicine. Hence from my personal experience, I believe that parents that have lived in these communities should provide moral and social support to newcomer parents. Prejudices based on socioeconomic status and perceived children’s academic performance need to be eradicated because they stunt the growth of the entire community. This piece is simple a call for us to band together, pool our resources and build structured programs to assist one another into success in a new society. It is an exciting time for our community and we should take full advantage of it.

Medicine is another profession many parents dreams of for their children because of the financial stability and prestige it offers. Gaining an admission into a medical program in Canada compared to the process “back home” is drastically different. Admission is no longer just given to the “250 students with the highest grade” or the highest bidder. Of course, the academic competitiveness is through the roof these years. This year, the average GPA admitted to the University of Toronto medical program was 3.96.

Equally, if not more important, however, are factors such as extra-curricular activities, involvement in communities at local and international levels, commitment, and ingenuity. An entire book’s chapter can be written about the nuances of getting into a Canadian medical school. The idea here is to recognize that grades and academic success are not the only key to getting into a medical program — it is only one piece of the puzzle.

The purpose of this article is not to deter people away from education but rather to provide a primer about the complexities of the education system. Families

Moving forward, I believe there are a few things we need to do — both individually and as a community: • •

•

•

As individuals, there needs to be a sense of urgency and desperation towards achieving our goals. Complacency is a slow-killing poison.

People in situations applying for professional programs or careers should actively seek out help, mentors and resources. There is a plethora of information and untapped resources that are waiting to be discovered.

As communities, it is crucial to evolve from how we think about education. It is not a benchmark or a numerical ranking for our children. It is a process. It takes time and everyone has their own path to follow.

Communities should start initiatives and program to pool together resources and make them readily available for newcomers and people in need. There is a lot of potential in our community that goes unnoticed too often.

Abdullah Ishaque, Contributor and Photographer for The Link Canada, is based in Edmonton, Alberta. He is currently an MD/ PhD student at the University of Alberta. He completed his undergraduate degree at University of Toronto where he began photography in 2008. Abdullah focuses his work towards telling stories and providing enriched experiences.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2

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26 SUMMER 2015 | THELINKCANADA.CA

LIFESTYLE

GRILLIN’

SUMMER FOOD COOKING WITH THAS

GRILLED INDIAN STYLE CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS Ingredients: 10 Chicken Drumsticks, skin-on For making the marinade: Chilli powder - 1 ½ tsp Turmeric powder - 1/8 tsp Ground Cumin - 1 tsp Coriander powder - 2 tsp Garam masala - 3/4 tsp Ground pepper - 1/4 tsp Dried Oregano leaves - 2 tsp Plain Yogurt - 7 tbsp Mint leaves, chopped - 7 leaves Curry leaves - 1 sprig (optional) Cilantro, chopped - 2 handfuls Oil - 2 tbsp Salt - a few pinches While Grilling: Juice of half lemon, to drizzle while grilling Non-stick cooking spray Instructions: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

In a bowl, combine all the abovementioned ingredients under ‘for making the marinade.’

Place the chicken drumsticks in a large ziplock bag, pour the prepared marinade over the chicken drumsticks. Close the bag tightly and shake the bag well so that the chicken drumsticks will be coated with the marinade.

Let marinate for 3 hours (or overnight, that is better).

Fire up the grill, grease the grill rack with non-stick cooking spray.

Place the marinated chicken drumsticks over the grill and cook covered at medium heat for 6 to 7 minutes.

Spray non-stick cooking spray over the chicken drumsticks.

Flip them over and grill till they have cooked well.

Drizzle lemon juice over the grilled chicken drumsticks and grill for a couple more minutes.

Serve immediately when they are still warm.

GRILLED GROUND BEEF BURGERS

GRILLED SHRIMP

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

For making Beef Patties: Lean ground Beef - 1 pound Yellow onion, chopped small - 1 Pickled Jalapeños, chopped - 6 slices Ginger-Garlic paste -1/2 tbsp Ground cumin - 3/4 tsp Chilli powder or Ground Cayenne 1/2 to 3/4 tsp Garam Masala - 3/4 tsp Fresh Mint leaves, chopped - 8 leaves Cilantro, chopped - 1 handful Salt - to taste Other Ingredients: Burger buns Lettuce Cheese slices Tomato slices Mayonnaise or other dressing Instructions: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients mentioned above, under ‘for making beef patties’. ​Make into medium sized patties.

Fire up the grill and grease the grill rack with non-stick cooking spray.

Place the patties on the grill and cook uncovered over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until the juices run clear.

Serve on burger buns topped with lettuce, cheese slices, tomato slices and spread mayonnaise or any other dressing of your choice.

Shrimp, deveined and shelled - 25 Lemon juice - 2 tsp For making marinade: Cilantro, chopped - ¼ cup Green onions or scallions, chopped 1 stalk Whole black pepper corns - 1 tsp Ginger, chopped - 1 inch slice Garlic, chopped - 1 large clove Soy sauce, low-sodium - 1 ½ tbsp Instructions: 1.

2.

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In a blender, puree all the ingredients mentioned under ‘for making marinade’ to a smooth paste by adding very little water.

In a bowl, combine the shrimp along with the marinade and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours.

Insert the marinated shrimp into wooden or steel skewers without crowding.

Spray non-stick cooking oil on the grill. Spray non-stick cooking oil on the skewered shrimp as well.

Grill on medium high heat till the shrimp turns golden brown in colour, rotate the skewer half way through.

Drizzle the shrimp with lemon juice.

Half way through, spray non-stick cooking oil over the shrimp and grill for a couple more minutes, this will give a fried taste to the shrimp.

Remove the skewers from the grill and let cool down a bit.

Serve along with salad.

Thas, Recipe Contributor for The Link Canada, is the author of Cooking with Thas, a popular food blog showcasing recipes from Indian, American and Fusion cuisines. Based in London, Ontario, she loves travelling, gardening and outdoor activities. She always says, “Remember, you don’t have to be an expert to cook delicious food. Do it with all your heart, sprinkle some love and share with a smile on your face!” - Find more of her recipes on www.thas.com

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28 SUMMER 2015 | THELINKCANADA.CA

LIFESTYLE

SWEET

SUMMER TREATS CHOCOLATES & CHAI

Something you may not know about me is that I spent a good part of my childhood in France. And I have many fond memories of Paris — studying there, working there, constantly forgetting the French word for “duck” (it’s “canard” by the way), exploring cobbled backstreets so full of personality, and of course, the food.

Man, I miss the food!

The following recipes are based off two of my favourite French foods.

They’re easy to make, delicious to taste, and perfect for serving at summer brunches. Bon appétit!

Rizwan Asad, Contributor at The Link Canada, is a writer and photographer based in Toronto, Ontario. You can find more of his work at Chocolates & Chai (www.chocolatesandchai.com), his food blog filled with recipes and restaurant reviews.

LEMON & POPPY SEED MADELEINES

CROISSANT FRENCH TOAST

Madeleines are an amazing little snack I used to have all the time as a child in Paris. They’re easy to make, incredibly tasty (seriously, try eating just one!), and in my opinion, carry an elegance that’s lost when serving most alternatives – for example, cupcakes.

The airy, buttery goodness of a croissant makes for a fantastic little twist on your standard French Toast fare. Add to that some flavourful strawberries and you have a sweet brunch option that you’ll no doubt keep coming back to.

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

¾ cup All-Purpose Flour 1 tsp Baking Powder ½ tsp Sea Salt 2 Large Eggs ⅓ cup White Sugar 1 tbsp Brown Sugar 1⅓ tbsp Honey 1 tbsp Lemon Zest 1 tsp Water 6 tbsp Unsalted Butter, melted 1 tbsp Poppy Seeds

2 Croissants 2 Large Eggs 2 tbsp Whole Milk (3%) 1 tbsp Sugar 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon, or to taste 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract Butter, for frying Maple Syrup, for serving Strawberries, for serving (optional) Icing Sugar, for dusting (optional)

Instructions:

Instructions:

1.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a small bowl.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, white and brown sugar, honey, lemon zest, water, and poppy seeds until a smooth mixture is produced. Whisk the dry ingredients in until just incorporated, and then add the butter, whisking until the mixture is smooth and sticky.

Transfer to a plastic bag or a pastry bag (that is, if you’re planning to pipe the batter. Otherwise just cover your bowl with cling film), and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour, ideally overnight.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly coat mini madeleine pan with butter and dust with flour, tapping out any excess. Pipe or spoon (it doesn’t affect the shape of the madeleine) the batter into the pan, filling ⅔ of each madeleine well. Bake for 5 minutes (about 8-10 minutes when using a full-sized madeleine pan), until edges are browned slightly and spring back when pressed lightly.

Tap to release the madeleines. Dust with icing sugar. Serve warm.

2.

3.

4.

Slice the croissants in half through the middle.

In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Soak each croissant half in the mixture for a minute or so; make sure it’s fully coated. Set pieces aside.

Heat a large non-stick pan over low-medium heat, then melt a small amount of butter. Fry the croissants (cut side down), adjusting heat accordingly. Cook for 3-4 minutes (until golden brown) before flipping and cooking the top side for 1-2 minutes.

Serve top and bottom pieces together with maple syrup and strawberries; dust with icing sugar.

— Serves 2 Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes

— Yields 60 Prep time: 1 hour, 15 minutes Cook time: 5 minutes

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30 SUMMER 2015 | THELINKCANADA.CA

LIFESTYLE

LIN’S

ETHICAL EATS — CHOOSING LOCAL

Besides making my diet a little bit more ethical by consuming less meat and more greens, I also try to eat locally and according to what’s in season. By doing this, I’m contributing less to the carbon footprint produced when food is shipped from outside of Ontario or Canada. Summer is a great time to make small changes towards eating more ethically without breaking the bank. Simply pick a few vegetables or fruits that you eat regularly and buy them from local producers or suppliers. Check out these three simple recipes using some of my favourite local summer produce – eggplant, carrots and strawberries.

CHILLI GARLIC EGGPLANT Ingredients: 2 medium sized Antigua or Italian eggplants 2 tbs vegetable oil 2 stalks of spring onions, roughly chopped. Separate the white parts from the green.

1 tbs light soy sauce 1 tsp sugar 1 tbs chilli-garlic sauce or 2 cloves garlic and ½ red chilli, finely chopped Vegetable oil for deep frying

EASY SUMMER THAI SLAW Ingredients:

Instructions: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Cut eggplants into quarters lengthwise, then cut each piece into half cross-wise.

Fill a medium saucepan with about 2 inches of vegetable oil and bring to high heat. Fry eggplant pieces in batches until slightly browned. Drain on paper towels and set aside.

Heat 2 tbs vegetable oil in a lidded sauce pan on medium high. Add chillie-garlic sauce and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add light soy sauce, sugar and white parts of the spring onions. Cover and simmer for about 3 minutes.

Turn off the heat and add the cooked eggplant pieces and green parts of the spring onions. Gently toss until all the eggplant pieces are evenly coated in the sauce.

Garnish with additional spring onions and serve hot with steamed white rice.

— Serves 2

1 medium sized carrot, julienned 1 cup shredded white cabbage ½ cup cilantro, finely chopped 3 tbs mayonnaise Lime juice and zest of ½ lime 1 tsp sugar ¼ salt 1 tbs crushed peanuts Cilantro (for garnishing)

MINTY STRAWBERRY-LIME GRANITA Ingredients: 1 generous handful of ripe strawberries (halved and stems removed) ¼ cup sugar Juice of ½ lime 5-6 mint leaves 2 tbs water

Instructions:

Instructions:

1.

1.

2.

3.

In large bowl, combine mayonnaise, lime juice, lime zest, sugar and salt.

Mix well, making sure all the sugar and salt are dissolved.

Add carrots, cabbage and cilantro. Stir to combine.

Ideally, chill in the fridge for 30 minutes or longer before serving.

Garnish with crushed peanuts and cilantro.

— Serves 2-4

2.

3.

Place all ingredients into a food processor (or blender). Process for 1-2 minutes until all ingredients are liquefied and combined.

Pour into a flat, preferably wide container and freeze for 30 minutes.

Remove from freezer and scrape the icicles that have formed with a fork.

Freeze for another 30 minutes.

Repeat step 2 three to four times until all the liquid has turned into ice. Serve with some sprigs of mint for garnish.

— Serves 2

Lin Abdul Rahman, Food Blogger and Contributor at The Link Canada, is Malaysian-born and Toronto-based. She has a background in journalism and loves getting creative with food. Lin believes eating healthy is easy and loves sharing simple recipes and tricks in the kitchen.

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RAMADAN IN BAHRAIN

A MUSLIM-AMERICAN INDO-PAKISTANI’S EXPERIENCE WRITTEN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAUD INAM Though the title of this article may be a mouthful, it reflects the complex issue of identity that thousands of Muslims minorities living in the West face; few understand the identity crisis that occurs. While in the West one becomes too foreign and alien, in Muslim-majority countries the same person becomes not ethnic/cultural enough to fit in. When I tell Muslim brothers or sisters I’m from America their faces light up. They ask more questions about how Muslims are doing in the US. Yet when I explain the challenges Muslims in the West have to deal with, I am faced with confusion at times. I don’t think words do justice to the struggle.

It’s understandable that living in a Muslim-majority country (like here in Bahrain) people may not understand what it means to be a Muslim minority in a non-Muslim secular country. Hence, I try my best to clarify and demystify misconceptions not only about Muslims living in the West, but also of nonMuslim Americans. At times I feel like a diplomat or ambassador both for America and MuslimAmericans — but alhamdullilah though draining, it is a great opportunity to act as an ambassador, promote understanding, respect and tolerance between cultures, countries and faiths.

32 SUMMER 2015 | THELINKCANADA.CA

When Ramadan began in Bahrain I was excited to experience my first Ramadan in a Muslim-majority country. However, as the days of Ramadan went

by I realized more and more that I, as a “MuslimAmerican Indo-Pakistani” expatriate, really didn’t have a community to be a part of. Yes, there are masaajid (mosques) everywhere and Muslims everywhere, yet the community-feeling didn’t exist for me. Nor were there many Muslim American expatriates I could talk to or become friends with.

In Bahrain there are four demographics: American or European non-Muslim Expats, Arab-Muslims, Southeast Asian, and Far-East Asian expatriates.

Unfortunately, I fit into neither demographic, thus the very unique dilemma of being stuck between being too American to be considered either Indian or Pakistani and too foreign to be considered as part of the American-expatriate community. This aspect alone made my Ramadan here by far the most difficult. The fasting was easy but not having a community or family close by made my first Ramadan in a Muslim-majority country one of my most difficult ones of my life — ironically so.

On the positive side — Ramadan went well as I witnessed the respect and reverence given to

the month by businesses and restaurants. It was truly a blessing. Seeing “Ramadan Mubarak” in all advertisements, billboards, magazines and newspapers was really interesting. In addition to the fasting, the taraweeh prayers, and Quran recitations it was also amazing to see the generosity of individuals opening their homes, hearts and wallets to those less fortunate than themselves. I was also able to meet some amazing Muslims converts from various parts of the world; hearing their conversion stories was amazing and humbling. Most of the Muslim converts mentioned how they would work in Muslim-majority countries and observe the family dynamics of Muslim families. The character, peace, and tranquility they witnessed played a huge role in their decision to become Muslim.

What was really fascinating to witness was Bahrain “pre-Ramadan” and how it changed during Ramadan.

Alcohol was banned from being sold, and restaurants closed down during the day and opened at night.

Work timings were made shorter for employees and staff so they had more time to spend in worship and spend time with family. What was also interesting was just how quiet the streets became and how peaceful the atmosphere felt. Usually, pre-Ramadan you’d hear honking, loud noises, and see people

OPINION / LIFESTYLE

on the streets — yet during Ramadan there was a tranquility and peace that really was beautiful to witness.

Now this isn’t meant to say that Bahrain is a perfect country by any means and as with any country it has its challenges. Non-Arab expatriates (like Southeast Asian and Far East Asian working class individuals) are sometimes treated badly and paid poorly, prostitution does exist, drivers can be ill-mannered and be inconsiderate, and an overall sense of Arab entitlement and selfishness exists as a part of the societal fabric in Bahrain. But despite these challenges I met so many beautiful brothers and sisters who I spoke to about these issues; they recognized them and were working to rectify the problems in their own ways. So as much as Muslims living in the West may think how “backwards” or “uneducated” our brothers and sisters may be in Muslim-majority countries, there are individuals here putting in time, energy and effort into addressing local issues facing their communities here.

Lastly, one of the biggest reflections and realizations

I had living as a Muslim-American Indo-Pakistani expatriate in Bahrain was just how blessed I was to be a Muslim-American and be a part of the Western activist community. I realized just how amazing our North-American community is and how advanced we are in terms of addressing our community’s unique challenges as well.

As I reflect on my time here in Ramadan I’m reminded of how as an ummah we may be geographically far, but we are inherently one ummah, one community and united in our love for Allah and His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

While we may have our challenges, we have hope and we have well-intentioned brothers and sisters working towards changing the world for the better.

I pray that Allah accepts our fasts, ibadah (worship) and gives us all opportunities to meet brothers and sisters in different parts of the world to exchange ideas, thoughts, and solutions to common challenges our communities face.

I pray we all get the opportunity to travel to other Muslim communities around the world and learn

about their cultures, traditions and challenges. If you don’t have the ability to travel internationally then visit a different masjid than your own or visit a masjid with a different ethnic/cultural or racial demographic than your own. Build genuine relationships with a brother or sister who’s different than you. Learn to listen, learn to empathize, and learn to respect others different than yourself.

We must become ambassadors of understanding, agents of change, and messengers of peace, and servants of mercy to all. It’s only through making genuine connections with others will we solve the problems facing our world.

Saud Inam, Senior Correspondent for The Link Canada, is a Muslim American activist, blogger, strategy & management consultant, and social entrepreneur who has helped develop and organize non-profit organizations and small businesses nationally and internationally. He is always on the lookout for ways to help serve others.

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ON DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE WRITTEN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY RIZWAN ASAD

34 SUMMER 2015 | THELINKCANADA.CA

BUSINESS

The racism that exists today is far more insidious and therefore, all that harder to combat. For some visible minorities, it’s a glass ceiling. For others, the ceiling is cement. But, for all visible minorities, it’s a barrier that must come down.

A 2005 Royal Bank of Canada report asserted that “society has undergone a profound change since the 1960s in how it views the roles of women, celebrates cultural diversity, and the contribution of visible minorities, and recognises the strong contribution of Aboriginal Peoples in shaping Canada’s culture.”

However, the same report notes that though Canada has attracted a myriad of talented immigrants, it has since slipped in its ability to successfully integrate them.

On average, immigrants arrive in this country better educated, in better health, and at similar stages of their careers as those born in the country, but the evidence suggests that during the past two decades, they have been much less successful in achieving success than earlier waves of immigration.”

Workplace diversity, much like gender diversity, is crucial to companies that want to attract and retain talented employees. A diverse workforce allows for greater levels of innovation in order to obtain that crucial competitive edge in what is, a more and more, globalised world. A 2011 Forbes Insights study entitled ‘Global Diversity and Inclusion: Fostering Innovation Through a Diverse Workforce’ noted that of the 321 companies with more than $500 million in revenue surveyed, 85% agreed or strongly agreed that diversity is the key to driving innovation.

Failing to recognise the potential contributions of immigrants to the workplace is severe – untapped economic resources that will quickly tally to gigantic losses in wages, productivity, and output; also, it is a reflection of prejudices we know should no longer exist (or should have ever existed, for that matter).

Is Workplace Diversity Really An Issue?

effect Canada as on a macro level.

In my interview with Retired Senator, The Honourable Dr. Donald H. Oliver, Q.C., he stated that the integration of talented visible minorities into the senior ranks of both the Canadian public and private sectors has been an abject failure. Senator Oliver has spent much of his career fighting to eliminate racism and advance opportunities for visible minorities. To that effect, in 2004, he raised $500,000 to lead a Conference Board of Canada study that identified barriers preventing visible minorities from advancing in the workforce. The study is now used as a tool by employers to help create more diverse workforces.

“If foreign-born workers were as successful in the Canadian workforce as those born in the country, personal incomes would be about $13 billion higher each year than at present.” (‘The Diversity Advantage: A Case for Canada’s 21st Century Economy’, RBC 2005)

After recounting a harrowing tale of his youth, and his experiences in a time where racism was much more overt, Senator Oliver continued in reference to the contemporary workforce.

The racism that exists today is far more insidious and therefore, all that harder to combat. For some visible minorities, it’s a glass ceiling. For others, the ceiling is cement. But, for all visible minorities, it’s a barrier that must come down.”

The notion of a glass ceiling certainly isn’t a new one.

While speaking with immigrants living throughout the Greater Toronto Area, one term constantly reemerged, ‘Canadian Experience‘ – a generic response that many seemed to have received as reasoning for a lack of opportunities. Senator Oliver was familiar with the term, referring to it as the latest incarnation of terms used to grant excuse to a lack of opportunity for visible minorities. At the start of the Senator’s career, a lack of “Managerial Experience” was cited as the main reason that minorities could not be afforded career opportunities.

A much-cited study published over ten years ago by professors at Chicago Booth and MIT determined that CVs belonging to White-sounding applicant names received 50% more callbacks than CVs with Black-sounding names. More recently, a 2014 study by the University of British Columbia found that resumes with names like Jill Watson or John Martin received interview callbacks 40% more often than identical resumes with names like Sana Khan or Lei Li. Does It Really Matter?

It is inherent to Canada’s morality structure that every individual regardless of age, sex, race, or background to be afforded the opportunity to achieve their full potential, whatever their chosen field may be. University of Toronto’s Professor Philip Oreopoulos (at the time, an Associate Professor at University of British Columbia) was quoted by CBC News as saying that name-based discrimination may contravene human rights laws.

Aside from that, there are economic benefits that

In fact, successfully integrating immigrants into the Canadian economy and society could have even greater gains. Many immigrants arrive with a high level of skills that, with the removal of credential, and other workplace barriers, could potentially lead to them obtaining above-average incomes. Higher incomes for such a large group of people would likely result in multiplier effects to the economy via the housing market and increased consumer spending, as well as through higher levels of savings and investments. As such, there’s a good chance that all Canadians would benefit from immigrants and visible minorities being able to work and earn to their full potential.

Moving Forward Faster At a talk he gave to students at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management in March 2015, Senator Oliver provided some guidelines on what is required to better the situation, to ‘move forward, faster’ – a clear strategic plan that ensures accountability; zero tolerance for racism; training and education; and finally, establishing a solid support structure for visible minorities.

Earlier this year, the Van Horne Institute under the Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity (WORBE) program received $125,000 from the Canadian government to help them identify the barriers, solutions, and best practices of inclusive workplaces — an excellent step in the right direction.

When asked if there was anything visible minorities or immigrants could do to create change from within, Senator Oliver responded poignantly, “Regretfully, the visible minority community does not speak with one voice.”

Quoting his brother, the late Rev. Dr. Oliver: “We are like crabs in a barrel…We don’t want our own to be successful…We pull each other down. Instead of pushing each other up and saying, ‘Let me give you all the support you need.’”

Rizwan Asad, Contributor at The Link Canada, is a writer and photographer based in Toronto, Ontario. You can find more of his work at Chocolates & Chai, his food blog filled with recipes and restaurant reviews.

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BRAND ALERT: Haya Boutique WRITTEN BY THE LINK CANADA STAFF PHOTOGRAPHY BY HAMDI ALI FOR HAYA BOUTIQUE

36 SUMMER 2015 | THELINKCANADA.CA

BUSINESS Launching on August 22nd at the IMFDF fashion show in Toronto – Haya is Canada’s newest modest fashion label. Established in 2015 out of London, Ontario by a husband-wife duo, the name Haya reflects what the brand stands for: modesty, bashfulness, self-respect and humility. As one can be modest and still celebrate fashion and beauty.

Haya represents the woman in love with her faith, a woman who possesses inner beauty and is strong, confident and bold.

It is a source of pride that all Haya’s products are designed and handmade in Canada. The company works with local Canadian businesses to manufacture their clothing line as opposed to importing from overseas. Made in Canada means everything — from concept to catwalk — Haya adheres to high ethical standards and business practices. It is part of the company’s psyche to ensure that all its business decisions are environmentally and socially conscious and that Islamic business ethics are a top priority.

The concept of Haya came in to being when the founders were seeking options for starting up their own business. Hamza Lakhani, 24, business-oriented and entrepreneurial, didn’t believe in the 9-5 job cycle. Wanting to break out of that system, he motivated his wife, Ambreen Yousaf, 24, to explore business options. The couple realised a dire need for trendy modest clothing and the frustrations that Muslim women faced when shopping mainstream. In the future they hope to design clothing for Muslim men as well, a market that has not been explored much in Canada.

Two years in the making and the brand has finally began to materialize. Offering styles that take you from day to night, Haya has a range of options to choose from: casual, formal and semi-formal. It is also one of the few modest fashion brands that has introduced select pieces of work-wear for their working clientele, which they hope to expand in the near future.

Ambreen, the clothing designer, seeks to preserve tradition and create modern styles that reflect the current identity of Muslim women. The fabrics, trims and patterns are thoughtfully chosen to create perfect wardrobe staples. All pieces are tailored to perfection and hours are spent on constructing and re-constructing each design before it is finalised.

A detailed process of designing, pattern-making, grading and ensuring that the piece is fashionable as well as functional takes place. A lot of thought and hours of work go into making one piece of clothing, which is what makes Haya’s products amongst highest quality. It is not part of the brand’s philosophy to compromise quality and standards to produce cheaper products.

The goal of Haya is to offer Muslim women clothing options that won’t make them compromise their faith, values and principles. With the help of Allah, Haya intends to offer customers the best Muslim clothing in Canada.

Above: The masterminds behind Haya Boutique: Ambreen Yousaf and Hamza Lakhani This piece was written by a contributor for The Link Canada. If you wish to know more about how you can contribute or pitch a story, please visit our website’s Contribute page: www.thelinkcanada.ca/contribute If you wish to join The Link Canada’s official team, contact us at via the information on our contact page: www.thelinkcanada.ca/contact

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THE ENTREPRENEURIAL PROCESS: A GLIMPSE BEYOND GLITTER AND LACE WRITTEN BY ANNUM KHOKHAR

38 SUMMER 2015 | THELINKCANADA.CA

OPINION / BUSINESS

Changes in consumer behaviour and economic trends are changing the landscape of the world of retail. While some giant retailers close their doors, others grasp the opportunity to showcase their talent and introduce their products. So much has changed in the world of fashion and retail — yet one hurdle remains: shifting mindsets (though we’ve come a long way)!

More often than not, new businesses emerge due to a lack of options or the ability to do something better. This is certainly the case for Miss.Nova — as she realized that moms of her generation are looking for something new, something different but most importantly, something that still connects them to their roots. From over embellished clothes for toddlers to fabrics that may not necessarily be comfortable, Miss.Nova hoped to resolve these concerns…and she did!

In trying to enter the fashion/clothing market, many local entrepreneurs face a fairly common problem — pricing their products and having to justify those prices to consumers like you and I!

Often times we look at clothes for exactly what they are: clothes. We forget however that they have the ability to tell stories, carry history and help us build bonds. Miss.Nova aims to create Eastern clothing for toddlers that helps maintain culture without compromising western identity in the most respectful of ways.

What do we really know about the process of creating a product? How are ideas brought to life? Is there such a thing as overnight success?

I got my answers from two awesome brands that let me into their entrepreneurial lives and showed me where the magic all happens. And let me tell you — it definitely isn’t in their wallets!

Here’s how all those pretty dresses are really made: 1. Get inspired and put thoughts on paper (with toddlers in the other hand).

Sketch designs and create color palette.

2. Create size chart from scratch.

Fabric sourcing: go to fabric stores to get swatches of fabric for color and fabric accuracy.

3. Mail swatches and sketches to manufacturer.

Skype dates/phone calls, pictures and messages with manufacturer.

4. Received pictures of products, go through approval/dismissal process.

5. Receive packages (pay shipping, customs… all the fun stuff !)

6. Marketing, social media, packaging, and branding of product.

7. List product online to be sold!

The popular dress worn in this photo (previous page, bottom-centre) took 4 months to make from start to finish. It retails for $60.00 via her Facebook store!

Nida Khan Baig started Hayah Collection due to the need she sensed in the community. Since the age of 13, she felt that less and less options were available that provided both modesty and style.

My favourite part of Nida’s vision is that she kept three types of women in mind when designing her products: the woman who prefers pants, the one who likes her skirts and the one who rocks her abayas and long dresses.

While Hayah launched lots of great pieces since she started last year, my favourite piece (the boho lace/crochet cardigan) is one of her best yet — and the one piece that possibly also drove her partially crazy!

Here’s a little inside scoop on all the steps it took to just launch that one piece (and this can be generally applied to most of her pieces): 1. Come up with new ideas (this can go on forever at times).

2. Draw out your design — and hope that manufacturers can understand your 3-amdrawings sketched in the dark.

3. Find fabric samples, design samples, images, colours…anything to help your manufacturer understand exactly what you want.

4. Receive first sample: which was an epic fail and did not meet standards. Pay for each sample sent, and communicate with manufacturer on the other side of the world for more samples.

5. Receive second sample: Almost there!

6. Receive third sample: It’s coming together.

From the third to the fifth and final sample — at last! It is exactly the quality, design and color envisioned. Five samples, endless communication, shipping and customs, clothing labels, wash labels, packaging, social media promotion through bloggers, product giveaways and loads of online research later — from start to finish — one

As you can see, many local entrepreneurs start their journey without paying themselves — for a long time! They may cover costs, make a profit but they never truly compensate themselves for the days, nights and coffees that have gone into turning their ideas into a reality.

cardigan took six months to complete. Currently, her cardigan retails for only $59.99 on her Etsy store!

The next brand, Binish Khan, is the face and brain behind Miss.Nova. Inspired by her daughter to create eastern clothing for toddlers that are safe, stylish and representative of her dual roots, (Canadian & Pakistani) Binish is a woman on a mission!

Annum Khokhar, Fashion Correspondent for The Link Canada, is a Montreal native now building her home in Toronto. She’s passionate about fashion, food, faith & fun! Annum is also the founder of Fashion Caravan; a lifestyle blog and online boutique celebrating all things beautiful….and yes, she also speaks French!

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HUSBAND. FATHER. VISIONARY. A CONVERSATION WITH MOHAMMED ASHOUR WRITTEN BY THE LINK CANADA STAFF PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAMRAN HAMEED

It would be an understatement to say that the intelligent, charismatic and humble Mohammed Ashour has brilliant educational and professional qualifications for someone his age. As the Cofounder and CEO of Aspire Food Group, he recently won the the prestigious million-dollar Hult Prize, awarded by Bill Clinton in New York City to business plans designed for social good. Through his organization, he utilizes his understanding of science and global food insecurity to help those who are suffering from malnourishment.

Academically, he is currently enrolled in the joint MD-MBA program at McGill University, working towards a Doctor of Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Desautels Faculty of Management. He also holds an M.Sc. degree in Neuroscience from McGill University and a B.Sc. degree in Life Sciences from the University of Toronto.

However, apart from just being a scientific superman, Mohammed Ashour is a devoted husband to Yasmeen Khattab, Founder of Oils by Balance, and father to an adorable toddler. Having already written about Ashour’s success with The Hult Prize, The Link Canada wanted to know more about the man behind the plan. We were honoured to spend some time with him and his family, and in doing so learning more about his inspiring and humbling thoughts on faith, success and family • The Link Canada: We’re curious: How did you balance everything at once — from married life, to school, to Aspire? What’s the secret?

Mohammed Ashour: Well, it did get to a point where it was difficult to do so many things at the same time and be successful in all. One has to be selective and disciplined. There is no shortage of good opportunities. And I think that is the difficulty that you have to face as a Muslim: that which of these great opportunities do you have to decline in order to selectively pursue,

40 SUMMER 2015 | THELINKCANADA.CA

very rigorously, certain ones and do them well? I think that is a very important lesson that I learnt that being able to do. For most of my colleagues, Medicine is really more than a full time job — and to imagine running a start-up is more than a full time job, you can ask any entrepreneur who is running a start-up. To do both is insanity. And I learnt that the hard way of course, alhamdulillah (praise be to God). I was able to pull off to a degree but I mean (to make it very blunt) I reached a point where we had investors who were ready to support us in scaling the business and told me point blank: You will have to dedicate yourself to this in a full time capacity. It so worked out that the Faculty of Medicine at McGill are proud enough that they told me I could take a leave of absence, or a sabbatical, and complete my studies later. InshaAllah (God-willing) this project [Aspire] has tremendous potential to make massive global impact if it is pulled off and the intentions are right.

The Link Canada: How do you balance your religious commitments with your practical work life?

Mohammed Ashour: I think it is important to know why we do everything to begin with: “why do I want to pursue what I am pursuing?”

Ultimately, it is all for the sake of Allah. Not to be cynical, but the sum total of everything I am going to do is — at the end of the day — not going to add anything to God’s kingdom. It would be a disaster, if in the process of it all I forget the most important thing: my spiritual connection to Allah.

So that is my number one priority. I engage and interact in circles which are dominated by non-Muslims. A lot of people I engage with: investors, venture capitalists, other entrepreneurs, competitors, and collaborators are not Muslim, so how do I hold on my Muslim identity? I feel that a lot of Muslims when they get involved in these kinds of circles, tend to let their religious identity take a back seat. I, on the one hand, don’t feel the need to shove down people’s throats that I am a Muslim unnecessarily. On the other hand, I need to absolutely have you know that I am who I am not in spite of Islam but because of Islam. Because

of the values in my faith, whether it is giving back as sadaqah (charity), thinking of humanity before thinking of yourself, thinking of your neighbour, etc. You know when you look at the Quran and the teachings of the Quran, ultimately, it is a book about service: service to mankind and to every non-human living thing.

I think a lot of people are fascinated by that and intrigued by that. The irony is that, you would be surprised that how many people don’t know what Islam is — besides what they see on the media. Often times when I talk to my friends and they ask me this and that and we have an interesting intellectual conversation about an aspect of Islam it suddenly does open up people’s eyes. They genuinely emerge with a certain new appreciation and respect for this faith and realize that if more Muslims are actually practising, the better they are. The media can suggest that to be a better Muslim you need to practice Islam less, you need to shave your beard, you need to look less of a Muslim and be less of a Muslim — maybe pray less and overall focus less on all the things which make you Muslim. Whereas, there is also a parallel narrative where the more practicing you are the more likely you are going to be someone who isolates himself from society and someone who would do harmful things to people. I think it is very important to disrupt that media narrative and to show others that their Muslim-Canadian neighbour is a practicing Muslim and therefore is a good Canadian — that they share a lot of the same good values which all Canadians aspire towards.

I talk to a lot of Muslims about this. Those who have, for lack of a better phrase, “watered down their faith” to fit in. I tell them all the time: you do not need to do that; you can still be a practicing Muslim and be successful, even if it’s a little more difficult it is still possible. Take a look back at the time of the Civil Rights Movement — where yes, the average black person had to work much harder than their white counterparts to prove themselves.

The same is also true for us Muslims today. It was also true for Jews for a certain period of time. You may have to work a lot harder to prove yourself,

PHILANTHROPY

I think it is very important to disrupt [the] media narrative and to show others that their MuslimCanadian neighbour is a practicing Muslim and therefore is a good Canadian — that they share a lot of the same good values which all Canadians aspire towards.

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to this somewhat limiting narrative that the best that you can do is go to school and then go to even more school, then earn a living that society dictates you to earn — and then you cap yourself there. And then you look others in the world and they don’t see the world that way, they see it as an ocean of possibilities. This is what I believe we need to inculcate in our community, with the young and the old.

COMPLETE PRINT ISSUE RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS but at the end of the day, you don’t have to fundamentally change yourself to do that.

Alhamdulillah, in high school I was very active both in extra-curricular activities and academically I was the top academic athlete in the school.

I was eventually awarded as valedictorian and gave a speech in front of my graduating class as a Muslim, as Mohammed. Bill Clinton also called me up on the stage as Mohammed Ashour. These are the things you don’t need to hide.

This brings me to another point: we need to also get rid of a victim-narrative. We must pursue opportunities, and if you pursue it aggressively, you will get it with the help of God. We have to acknowledge that there is an unequal level playing field, but you can play and you must play.

The solution is not to stop playing but it’s simply to play harder — and level the playing field by working harder and smarter. You have seen this in various communities, be it with Muslims, Blacks or the Jews. You have a community that is massively disadvantaged — literally playing 42 SUMMER 2015 | THELINKCANADA.CA

tennis with their one hand tied behind their back (figuratively) — and yet they realize that either they play harder against their adversary or competitor or essentially accept the defeat.

We are a community of so many millions of people — there is a big pool of talent and a lot of ambition. We know that some of the most extraordinary ambition, innovation and fruitful contribution to the society has always happened under pressure. We have one of the most pressured communities across the globe; these are ironically both terrible conditions and also exceptionally good conditions to foster innovation. When does the best come out of people? Under pressure in the worst times. If we have hit rock bottom, we can only go up from here. That’s when you look at the cup half full as an infinite resource of possibilities.

This really inspires me: the extraordinary talent pool of young people in our community who have so much talent and are so capable. The same people who have unfortunately sold themselves

The Link Canada: So, as someone with an MSc in Neuroscience, how did your road to becoming an entrepreneur start?

Mohammed Ashour: Everything happens for a reason: looking back getting a job at a start-up in between my Masters and MD/MBA program for a year gave me a chance to get out of my academic bubble and experience business and entrepreneurship. It was at that time I fell in love with being an entrepreneur. Looking back I realized I needed to have that experience, I needed to not be accepted in medical school earlier to understand that. Surely, Allah has a plan and you have a plan — but He always has a better plan.

So, I had a year in between when I had no choice but to do something to earn a living. I was rejected by so many jobs that I had to accept a job at a start-up. As far as I was concerned, earlier to me, business was just a numbers game; it was corporate and dirty — but little did I know.

Although I worked there for only a year, I had contracted the entrepreneurship bug. I knew then that it would only be a matter of time that I would go back to business. In fact, I liked the fact I was in an MD/MBA program, as that would allow

PHILANTHROPY

We have one of the most pressured communities across the globe; these are ironically both terrible conditions and also exceptionally good conditions to foster innovation. barakah from Allah; it all perfectly aligned due to His blessings that He bestowed upon me in the shape of a family.

me to pursue my love for clinical medicine but also focus on the business and management side of things.

Six months later when I started my MBA, two months into the MBA program, a friend sent me a message saying, “Hey! Have you heard of the Hult prize, maybe you should go for it?” I looked at it and thought it was interesting as it offered the opportunity to start a business but also a million dollars as seed capital — something that wasn’t insignificant to get the idea off the ground.

I had just come off the entrepreneurship boat and it was so risk-free to apply — all I had to do was to submit in an application and then see what happens. I could move on with life if it did or did not work out; I had nothing to lose.

interesting breath of fresh air. After my undergrad, I was going to Montreal for my graduate studies when subhanAllah (Glory be to God), I felt I was ready for marriage. I approached Yasmeen’s family and soon after, we were engaged and then married.

We moved to Montreal together for my Master’s degree at McGill.

A lot of times one witnesses tensions in families of entrepreneurs or professionals, as a lot of guys find that it is hard to be married to a wife and a business at the same time. It can be challenging, their partner has not been part of the process of their struggles, so they can’t share the same feelings of how they got where they got to be; they are isolated from the process. That’s why it’s important to have your partner understand the process and be a part of that process — that way you are on the same page. As an entrepreneur, you really do need to stay centred — you need that balance in your life. I look at Yasmeen and she gives me that. She is not just my supportive and caring wife, but also my business partner. You have no idea how many times I come home in the middle of tough business decisions and she is my sounding board, giving me valuable advice.

Otherwise I would have developed a tunnel vision as that is all I can see. In her perspective, she being involved in my work does not mean she is competing with my business for attention, but rather that we are building it together. Now that she has also recently started a business of her own recently, she is getting entrepreneurial experience firsthand; it is also giving me an opportunity to offer her that same support and attention that she was able to provide for me. In my case, marriage is a partnership that can actually multiply your productivity and success in ways that you possibly cannot do on your own (thus the barakah factor).

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WWW.THELINKCANADA.CA/SUBSCRIBE is that a lot of times young people avoid marriage

Again, Allah facilitated a risk-free opportunity for me to undertake business. It was like God was training me little by little with my experiences and teaching me how to take risks. Eventually, alhamdulillah, we pursued the Hult Prize and that changed things considerably for Aspire Food Group.

The Link Canada: Tell us more about your family — how did you balance personal and professional life?

Mohammed Ashour: In my second year of undergrad I was the President of the MSA at UofT and got a chance to work on a project with students from McMaster University. This project was about Muslim families who had children with disabilities, and how to help and support them. This is where I was introduced to Yasmeen.

I was inspired by the fact she was a strong-willed Muslim sister — who specifically intrigued me by the way she would speak up and not fear dissent.

She had her opinion about ideas and would tell everything how it is. That push back was an

The point of sharing this part about my marriage

at a young age — as per the whole narrative of first establishing themselves, having the exact job they want, and so on.

My father told me when I graduated, “There is barakah (blessing) in marriage and children.”

There are a lot of places in the Quran where it is mentioned how many people are afraid of having a family as they are afraid of rizq and providing for them — yet Allah promises that He will provide for them. For some reason, that specific time, those verses of the Quran really spoke to me. It was then that all of a sudden it became a priority for me to look for a partner — someone who would work with me on these goals and support me through them. And alhamdulillah, when I approached my in-laws I did not have the baggage of questions regarding what my income was, etc. All they saw was that I was ambitious — and having seen my deen and character they agreed.

I promise you I would never have got into medical school or this MBA program without Yasmeen.

Lina, my daughter, was born two months exactly after we were announced as being one of the six global finalists amongst 10,000 teams. When she was 6 months old, we were receiving the milliondollar prize from Bill Clinton.

I choose to look at all of these as indicators of

Currently visiting Ghana for research purposes, we wish Mohammed Ashour the best with Aspire Food Group, his further education, and family. His perspective on life is an inspiration to many.

This piece was written by a contributor for The Link Canada.

If you wish to know more about how you can contribute or pitch a story, please visit our website’s Contribute page: www. thelinkcanada.ca/contribute If you wish to join The Link Canada’s official team, contact us at via the information on our contact page: www.thelinkcanada.ca/contact

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PROJECT RAMADAN

HUNGER IN CANADA: AN UNFORTUNATE REALITY WRITTEN BY ARUBA MAHMUD PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF PROJECT RAMADAN

44 SUMMER 2015 | THELINKCANADA.CA

PHILANTHROPY Given that charity is one of the pillars of Islam, and that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) stressed the importance of helping those in need, it is no surprise that many Canadian Muslims are generous in giving to charity with both their time and resources. This is especially true in the blessed month of Ramadan, when the spirit of community, selflessness and helping others is emphasized.

Many Muslims are also aware of the unfortunate reality that the hunger resulting from fasting in Ramadan is a day to day reality for hundreds of millions of people around the world. Hunger is a global concern which also affects millions of Canadians every year. Nearly 850,000 Canadians, over a third of them children and youth, are assisted by food banks every month. According to Food Banks Canada, 14 million visits will be made to food banks across the country. One in eight Canadian families struggle to put food on the table.

Recognizing the need to do something about hunger in their own community, a group of young Toronto area graduates and professionals took action and created Project Ramadan in 2009. In an interview with The Link Canada, Project Ramadan’s project co-leaders Talha Ahmed and Sameena Qureishi took the time to share the inspiring story of this growing and much needed initiative.

What is Project Ramadan?

Project Ramadan is an organization with a relatively straightforward mandate: address food insecurity in the GTA by making food baskets containing staple items, such as oil, chick peas, dates and more, and distributing them to families in need. Rather than forming a separate registered charity, Project Ramadan partnered with the well-respected and long established Muslim Welfare Centre (MWC), located in Scarborough, and uses the MWC’s client list and distribution services to deliver the baskets to families in the region. The MWC already delivers hundreds of food baskets in the GTA to those in need, regardless of race, religion or creed and Project Ramadan has built on this framework by providing baskets containing items commonly needed and used to families just before Ramadan. In 2009, their first

year, Project Ramadan distributed 200 baskets. In 2015, the organization (which is 100% volunteerbased) created and distributed 2,000 baskets.

Since its inception, Project Ramadan has made and provided over 7,400 food baskets. Donations have also continued to increase over the years and Islamic Relief Canada has also supported the project with a $75,000 donation in 2015.

The organization also continues to improve its work by receiving and following up on feedback from clients and the MWC. This has helped the team to ensure that the items included in the baskets are those which are most needed for families, and in addition to non perishable items such as halal chicken, in order to ensure that recipients can create healthy, balanced meals. The organization has also impressively managed to keep costs at $50 per basket since 2009, despite the fact that many more items are included in the baskets now than in the Project’s early years.

Project Ramadan is currently able to meet.

He encourages all those who are able to donate to Project Ramadan through their website. Sameena also notes that once Project Ramadan receives the required amount of funding to create the baskets before Ramadan, all donations go to the many worthwhile programs run by the Muslim Welfare Centre, which in addition to its food bank and meal services also provides a number of other services for those in need, such as a women and children’s shelter, health clinics, religious education and counselling.

Finally, both Talha and Sameena encourage anyone interested in learning more about Project Ramadan and starting their own chapter to contact the organization for resources and information in order to help others copy their model and help Project Ramadan grow. Sameena explains how since the creation of Project Ramadan in Toronto, there is now also Project Ramadan organizations in Dallas and similar initiatives elsewhere as well.

The baskets are assembled at community ‘builds’ which attract volunteers from across Toronto, many of them young professionals with families of their own. Four builds took place in 2015, the last one in June in order to ensure all families received their baskets before Ramadan. Talha Ahmed shares that his favourite part of the project is these builds,

It really is remarkable to see how the motivation and willingness of young graduates and professionals to give back to their community has grown into a successful and much needed organization like Project Ramadan. By providing thousands of families with Ramadan staples over the years, hundreds of volunteers have helped to make a lasting and

which bring people together with the common goal of helping others and serving the community, regardless of race, colour or nationality. He explains how participating in the basket builds is the most rewarding part for volunteers, as it is a totally different experience from donating online which allows people to experience firsthand the impact and results of their efforts.

significant difference in their community. We hope that their story will inspire you to do the same in yours!

For more information on Project Ramadan and to get involved/contribute, please check out their Facebook page (Project Ramadan) or visit their website: www. projectramadan.com

How can I help?

Six years after its inception, Project Ramadan is now the largest program of its kind in Canada. Although the organization’s growth and accomplishments are impressive, Talha notes that there are 8,400 users registered with the MWC’s Halal Food and Essential Items Bank, indicating that there is unfortunately still a much greater need for the food baskets than

Aruba Mahmud, Contributor for The Link Canada, is an artist, educator, activist and writer living in Sarnia, Ontario. She has an Honors B.A. in Visual Arts, a B.Ed and a Masters of Education where her research focused on religious accommodation, the media and Islamophobia. She is currently working in community outreach and engagement and also online for Purify Your Gaze. In her spare time enjoys painting, reading and volunteering.

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BREAKING THE ICE with The Arctic Food Bank

WRITTEN BY LEILA ALMAWY PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF THE MUSLIM WELFARE CENTRE

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PHILANTHROPY

We hope this initiative will bring awareness to the issue of poverty in Canada and abject poverty worldwide.

According to the World Food Program, hunger is the number one cause of death in the world, killing more than HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. That’s 805 million people worldwide who are living with food insecurities — as documented by the United Nations. Living within the supposed privileged boundaries of North America, these statistics can seem distant and unfamiliar to us.

However, if we take a minute to look in our own backyards we will surprisingly find that 4.8 million Canadians live in poverty every day — while one in eight families struggle to put food on the table.

Yet, that does not compare to the food shortages that Canada’s First People are struggling with in the Arctic. The very disheartening statistics associated with the food shortages can be quite overwhelming to face.

However, one organization has been doing just that. The Muslim Welfare Centre (MWC), based in Mississauga, Ontario, has been setting up food banks in Toronto in hopes of alleviating some of the hardships that come with poverty.

“We hope this initiative will bring awareness to the issue of poverty in Canada and abject poverty worldwide,” says Muhammad Iqbal Ali, Secretary and one of the Directors on the MWC board. “Even with government support and welfare, many are falling through the rapidly widening cracks in our social infrastructure,” he continues. “Hence, the food banks operate five days a week and provide those in need with halal food (food prepared as prescribed

by Muslim law) as well as any essential household items.”

After the success in organizing food banks in the Toronto area, the MWC was able to start up a food bank that was much needed in Inuvik, a town in the Northwest Territories of Canada — located way up in the Arctic.

“The logistics were daunting, to say the least, because Inuvik is about 7,000 kilometers northwest of Toronto and is in the Arctic Circle,” explains Ali. “But what encouraged our decision in favour of establishing our services was the exceptionally strong support that the local Muslim community was providing for the MWC.” The Muslim Association of Inuvik erected a 40-foot by 10-foot trailer on behalf of the MWC, which sits on a platform next to the Midnight Sun Mosque in Inuvik. The food bank is stocked with staple food items that were requested by the families in need

such as: honey, flour, baby formula, diapers, tuna, canned fruits and vegetables — to name a few — and is accessible to 60 families on a weekly basis.

With a population of about 3,500, Inuvik “has the second highest food insecurity rate in Canada – more than four times higher than the Canadian average,” expresses Ali. It is mainly populated by those working government jobs. However, it is also home to Canada’s Original People, who happen to be at more of a disadvantage than the rest of the inhabitants there, mostly because jobs are very hard to access given the limited opportunities presented. They are the ones who struggle the most with poverty and hunger because the price of food is ridiculously high, about one and a half to three times higher than what we would pay in the rest of Canada. Hence, right now, the Arctic Food Bank is exclusive to the Natives of Inuvik since, as Ali explains, “they have the first right to our help and they are our first responsibility.” He goes on to mention how “the society is generally depressed in more than one way, given the long history of deprivation and mistrust.”

Though the Arctic Food Bank in Inuvik may be their latest project, the MWC team will not stop there.

“The next phase of this project is to extend the food bank services to the neighbouring communities in the Arctic,” says Ali. “Heading towards this goal, we have already visited the Arctic Ocean Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk, about 200 kilometers further north of Inuvik and connected to it by ice-road and air.

Arrangements are underway to provide them some sustenance as well.”

In addition to the food bank, the MWC has provided Saturday lunches to over 300 people in the Greater Toronto Area for the past 15 years through their Halal Meals-on-Wheels program as well as a community service program that delivers 1,200 meals a month to seniors in need.

Though we are not able to remove the stain of disenfranchisement and trauma that was left by the colonial settlers when Canada was first “discovered,” we can start by picking up the pieces and helping out our sisters and brothers of humanity who are most in need. If you wish to start making a difference, get to know your city/town/village and find out how you can help to give back. You can even get in touch with the kind folks at MWC and learn from their successful plan to help alleviate poverty in different areas. Following the example of the Arctic Food Bank, here’s to many more humanitarian initiatives in Canada — and around the world •

Leila Almawy, Senior Correspondent for The Link Canada, is a Community TV Producer for the Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning and Development Board. She is based in London, Ontario where she continuously finds inspiration from the people, the causes and the nature of the city. Leila believes that media is a strong proponent of activism when used justly.

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A podcast for spiritual refinement

WI LL B E BAC K ON SEPT 4

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THE VALUE OF DHIKR WRITTEN BY ZENIA SULTAN

When we look at the lives of the sahaba (the companions of the Prophet Muhammad ‫)ﷺ‬, we commonly see extraordinary displays of strength.

Abbad ibn Bishr (ra) was once praying when an enemy arrow shot him. He removed the arrow and continued his prayer only to be shot by two more arrows. Abbad completed the prayer until its end and then said to his shocked companion, “I was reciting verses of the Quran which filled my soul with awe and I did not want to cut short the recitation…” 1 At the battle of Khaybar, Ali (ra) dropped his shield and with nothing else around, picked up the broken gate of the fortress and used it to protect himself.

Abu Rafi (ra) later said, “After the incident, seven of my friends attempted to lift the gate off the ground.

By Allah, we could not even move it.” 2 How were the sahaba able to accomplish such miraculous feats? From where did they get their strength?

In his book Al Wabil As Sayyib, Ibn al Qayyim writes that dhikr, also known as the remembrance of Allah, can physically change the body. Observing the actions of his teacher, he writes: “I have personally witnessed something very strange in the strength of Shaykh al Islam Ibn Taymiyyah – in his ways, his speech, his courage and his writings. He would write in one day the equivalent of what would take others a week or more than that. Even the army witnessed his extraordinary strength at war.” Ibn Taymiyyah was known to pray Fajr and then remain sitting in the remembrance of Allah until almost half the day.

Ibn Taymiyyah said of this practice, “This is my breakfast. I do not have any other breakfast. If I did not have this breakfast [ie. dhikr], all of my strength would fall away.”3 Islamic history is filled with examples of ordinary men and women accomplishing the extraordinary.

The Prophet even advised his own daughter with a spiritual remedy when she was experiencing fatigue and physical pain: “…When you go to your bed, magnify Allah thirty-four times, glorify Him thirtythree times and praise Him thirty-three times. That is better for you than a servant.” [Sahih Bukhari: 3502].

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Islamically, there is a clear relationship between dhikr and physical strength. The question then remains, are these feats of strength miracles from Allah or are they attainable even in this day and age? Can a person’s state of mind truly alter his or her physical being?

This is a question that has been asked many times by philosophers and psychologists alike. Current research supports the notion that mental states can cause a chemical change in the brain, which can then lead to physical manifestations in the body. For example, studies involving functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) found that meditation activates regions of the brain that are involved in attention and control of the autonomic nervous system.4 Another study found that an 8-week meditation program lead to a significant improvement in pain intensity for patients with arthritis or back/neck pain.5 Meditation, just like dhikr, can lead to changes in the brain and thereby changes in the body. Allah SWT says in the Quran, “…and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so – for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward” (33:55).

So today, ask yourself: Are you doing enough to receive these blessings?

(1) Khalid Khalid. Men around the Messenger, 494 (2) Ibn Kathir. Al-Bidaya wa’n-Nihaya, 4/189 (3) Ibn al Qayyim. Al Wabil as Sayyib, 58-59 (4) Lazar, Sara W., George Bush, Randy L. Gollub, Gregory L. Fricchione, Gurucharan Khalsa, and Herbert Benson.

“Functional Brain Mapping of the Relaxation Response and Meditation.” NeuroReport: 1581-585.

(5) Rosenzweig, Steven, Jeffrey M. Greeson, Diane K. Reibel, Joshua S. Green, Samar A. Jasser, and Denise Beasley.

“Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction for Chronic Pain Conditions: Variation in Treatment Outcomes and Role of Home Meditation Practice.” Journal of Psychosomatic Research: 29-36.

Zenia, Contributor at The Link Canada, studied Psychology at Western University and aspires to become a mental health counsellor for the Muslim community. She is interested in Islamic theology and enjoys public speaking.

OPINION / SPIRITUALITY

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SPIRITUAL ISLAM 101 WRITTEN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMAL AHMED ALBAZ

Let me, introduce myself.

My name, is Islam.

The root word of peace- salam, Or even ‫سلم‬- meaning submission.

Which to a Muslim, is like his tuition.

It’s his ticket in– But before I begin, Let me greet you like I’m supposed to do, Assalamu Alaikum, may peace be upon you!

You know? It’s kinda’ funny…

I’m accused of oppressing, when really I’m oppressed.

I’ve become on the list of things to detest.

I’m screamed in rage in almost every protest, & I’ve become the “red scare,”, a “threat to the west.”

You see?

If you look at me and all my obligations, You’ll see why I have such a great population, It’s cause there’s the motivation, And that sense of inspiration, That keeps “Muslim” as their occupation.

To me, being a good Muslim means being a good person.

‘Cause I’ll never ask you to kill or to slay, Or to lie at least 5 times a day.

I’ll never ask you steal or to hate, Or to swear or discriminate.

I actually tell you to smile to everyone you see, Cause a smile’s the best form of charity.

I tell you to not smoke and not to drink, To stay clean and take showers so you simply don’t

stink.

I tell you to care for animals and treat them with care, So yes, I’m against animal testing And abuse in case you weren’t aware.

I tell you to treat those who treat you bitter, better.

I tell you not to be mad at someone for more than 3 days, I tell you to respect women and lower your gaze.

I tell you that paradise lies under the feet of your mother, I tell you to passionately love your significant other.

I tell you to never mistreat your wife!

I mean, if I tell you to care for animals, then what about the love of your life?

I tell you to be precious and save yourself for the one.

So you don’t keep giving yourself away, ‘till you’re literally done.

I tell you to be moderate and that balance is key, Just in the middle is the perfect place to be.

I tell you to excel in all that you do, From that essay to that slam-dunk too!

I tell you to clear your ignorance and to never judge, To love for your bro what you love for yourself And to never hold a grudge.

I tell you how to be a good person — A person of peace and a person of love. & They say I’m a terrorist, An extremist.

And you know what? I am.

I am a terrorist; I terrorize terror, I kill injustice to make this world fairer.

I am an extremist; I am extremely kind.

So beware of my extreme benevolence to all of mankind.

Yes, there are those who kill and bomb in my name, But if I don’t approve, then why am I to be blamed?

In every religion, you’ll find those who abuse it, Thinking they have a permit, To do wrong.

A religion may be perfect, but the followers may not be.

So when mine commit mistakes, don’t blame it on me.

I give what I got, and what I got is good.

So if they do otherwise…they misunderstood.

And I’m not here to preach, I’m only here to teach.

I’m a professor in politics, economy and sociology.

In manners and etiquette, I got my PhD. To all my teachings, I have two sources.

The book of God and the words of the prophet are my resources.

I teach for free and to whoever desires to learn, It’s all for the sake of Allah, I ask for nothing in return.

And listen, I’m not here to convert, but just to clear misconceptions.

With the way I’m viewed and my common perception.

Because yes, it hurts when I’m literally abused, By some, who do it for pleasure, just to be amused.

And by some, who just follow the “trend” ‘cause they’re simply confused.

In a nutshell, my name is Islam, And everything I do, goes back to salam– peace.

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Amal, Contributor for The Link Canada, is a journalist, poet and speaker. She loves travel, sunshine and lives by this motto: “Know something about everything, and everything about something.” Life is her battlefield and words are her weapon.

OPINION / SPIRITUALITY

REFLECTIONS PRACTICING PROPHETIC RESPECT WRITTEN BY AYMAN OWEIDA An Imam recently visited our local mosque and brought to the table a chronic illness that many Muslims have: Demanding Respect Disorder. The Imam wisely started by reflecting on Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) character — the type of character that millions admire and would love to emulate.

deal with those who disrespected him, they appreciated his noble character and morals.

Through his countless examples of dealing with all kinds of individuals, Muslim and not, the Prophet (pbuh) earned the respect of those around him. It is for those reasons that his character continues to earn that respect today.

His reflection was simple: The Prophet (pbuh) never demanded respect. The Prophet (pbuh) earned respect.

To clarify — this is not to say that the Prophet (pbuh) was complacent or adaptive to disrespect, quite the opposite. Those who accepted Islam knew that the Prophet was a messenger from God and that in itself entailed a high level of respect, but many did not exemplify that respect. Some companions used to visit the Prophet’s home and loudly call him to come out (a behaviour that is certainly disrespectful to anyone).

Our religion gives priority to certain people when it comes to respect — the elderly being one of them. The Prophet (pbuh) told Muslims to “start with the elderly” when serving a drink or the like (Abu Ya’la; Authenticated by AlAlbani).

Teaching Islamic values and principles to our children can be one of the most difficult challenges we face, but it can be an enjoyable and mutually rewarding experience if we choose to emulate the example of our beloved Prophet (pbuh). We constantly encounter instances that test our tolerance and it is those precious encounters that will elevate us if we choose to embrace them correctly.

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Yet, we find many of us demanding respect.

And indeed, we even demand it while referencing how the Prophet (pbuh) was respected. Although many of us can recount a story or two of the Prophet (pbuh) being disrespected, and his companions jumping to the scene to defend him, he would always tell them to stop to allow the person who showed disrespect to express his demand freely.

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This high standard of moral practice seems to make good content for preaching, but it rarely reaches the realm of practice for some of us.

As the Prophet’s (pbuh) companions saw him

Although, the Prophet (pbuh) felt disrespected by this behaviour and it was entirely in his right to shun it, he shied away from doing so.

Subsequently, God revealed the verse: “Oh you who believe do not raise your voices above the Prophet’s voice.” (49:2)

This piece was written by a Contributor for The Link Canada. If you wish to know more about how you can contribute or pitch a story, please visit our website’s Contribute page: www.thelinkcanada.ca/contribute

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THE NEED FOR MUSLIM CHAPLAINCY AN INTERVIEW WITH AMJAD TARSIN WRITTEN BY AISHA HOLLYER PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF MCUOFT

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SPIRITUALITY

“ You must, O my brothers, be mindful of God in all your movements and times of stillness, at every moment, with every blink of the eye, with every thought, wish, or any other state. Feel His nearness to you!”

These words were penned in the 12th century by the great scholar Imam Abdullah bin Alawi al-Haddad, in response to a student of his who asked for a concise treatise which could assist him on his path to God. Imam al-Haddad responded with The Book of Assistance. Firmly based on principles from the Quran and Sunnah, it became widely renowned as a concise manual on Islamic spirituality.

His blessed words did not remain confined to his hometown of Tarim, located in the Hadramawt province of Yemen. Instead, they trickled out through space and time, until they reached the state of Michigan in the 21st century — where a young undergraduate student, known as Amjad Tarsin, was encouraged by his brother to attend a class at the local mosque. The instructor had studied in Tarim and was leading the class in a study of The Book of Assistance.

“There was just something different,” remembers Ustadh Amjad Tarsin, now a Muslim Chaplain at the University of Toronto. “Something unique about the book and the way it was taught.”

The impact it had on him was so great that he couldn’t remain satisfied with just one class. His research led him to discover the Dar al-Mustafa Islamic Seminary, established in Tarim by Habib Omar bin Hafiz, a descendent of the same line as Imam al-Hadaad and one of the foremost scholars of the modern age.

From that point on, I just said that I have to see it for myself. I have to see this place.”

But by then, he had already graduated with a degree in English literature and Islamic Studies, and been accepted into law school. A high-paying career as a lawyer awaited him but he knew what he really wanted to do was to go to Tarim, even though some of the people close to him were initially wary of his plans.

“And then, subhanAllah, Allah just opened the doors,” he says in wonder. Not only did he receive a deferral on his law school acceptance, but he also discovered unexpected support. “The people who were the most not comfortable with me going to Yemen were the ones who were telling everyone [about my plans to go to Yemen]. Change of heart, all of a sudden.”

Tarim, cradled in towering golden-gray mountains surrounding it on three sides, is a bowl of narrow streets and mud-brick houses steeped in ilm (scared knowledge) and dhikr (remembrance of God). At night, the sky, in the eyes of the Western traveller, holds stars rearranged from the Northern Hemisphere’s familiar patterns now completely scattered, a reminder that this is someplace different on all spheres.

Amjad stayed at Dar al-Mustafa for a year, studying the various Islamic sciences inherited from Imam al-Haddad and other great scholars. However, what impacted him was not the academic-aspect of it all, but the spirit of it.

“One of the things that stood out was just the way they practised Islam. While there, it didn’t feel like something you had to be forced to do. It was lived, in every aspect of life.”

“In Ramadan, when they would do a khatam (completion) of the Quran, they would have a parade, give little kids firecrackers, sing anashid (songs)… everyone in the neighbourhood was partaking in the celebration. I found it to be a beautiful expression of life and faith.”

The environment he was in affected him heavily.

When his year was up and he had to return to the States, he realized that he didn’t want to be a lawyer anymore.

“When I came back from Dar al-Mustafa, my heart wasn’t in it. [But I was told] not to make any rash decisions. So I tried it out for a couple of years, but really, I knew for a fact that I couldn’t see myself in that field. At that point I decided to transition into something else.”

After what he’d learned in Tarim, a career in chaplaincy seemed appropriate.

“The thing that really seemed to fit the closest to the way we were taught dawah (through) community engagement, teaching, and so forth, was chaplaincy.”

It was then he enrolled in the Hartford Seminary’s Masters of Chaplaincy program and was due to graduate in June 2012.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the border, a group of concerned individuals had seen the need for solid religious support amongst the University of Toronto’s thousands of Muslim students, and began the formation of the organization they called the Muslim Chaplaincy. Because the university did not endorse any religious groups, they had to rely on the community to raise the $70,000 dollars needed to support the program for one year.

As he prepared to graduate, he found out about the position. He sent them his resume and underwent a few interviews.

In the September of 2012, at the age of twenty-eight, he was picked from a large pool of prospects to be the university’s first full-time employed chaplain.

This move was significant not only because it was

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Education is key, because I think Muslim students need to be equipped with a sound understanding before they’re faced with all these secular ideals and ideologies that are being forced very heavily on them.

COMPLETE PRINT ISSUE RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS the position of the first full-time employed Muslim chaplain at the University of Toronto, but also because this was the first full-time employment of a Muslim chaplain in any Canadian university since, well, the beginning of time.

Amjad was eagerly welcomed into the community.

“It was all very overwhelming and exciting,” he says of his first few days. “I had to adjust to a new job, new city, and new country! The students were very friendly and welcoming and I immediately felt comfortable working at UofT.” His concern for his students’ feelings sets him apart in many aspects…such as the fact that he’s known by his given name instead of any formal title. “Initially we didn’t want students to feel too intimidated to come speak with me if they ever needed counselling.

I also didn’t feel comfortable with the title ‘Imam’ or ‘Shaykh’ which is reserved for scholars.”

He also speaks enthusiastically about the Muslim Chaplaincy. “There are two major services that it seeks to provide for students. One major service is to provide quality educational services; relevant programming; classes, seminars, symposiums… giving them the tools to understand their faith

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within a university context, within a modern context.

And the second aspect of that is supporting that education duty with counselling. So we have office hours, we meet with students, on any issues that they really want to talk about. Sometimes it’s issues of faith, sometimes it’s emotional stuff, sometimes it’s relationship stuff, sometimes it’s school stuff; different things.

not welcome here, intellectually.’ So I think that’s one of the biggest challenges for a lot of Muslim students; kind of negotiating where Islam falls on these issues, and where do I fall within all of that?”

“So there is the education side and the counselling side.”

The answer, he believes, lies in education.

“Education is key, because I think Muslim students need to be equipped with a sound understanding before they’re faced with all these secular ideals and ideologies that are being forced very heavily on them.”

His days are busy and full of activity. “My day normally consists of several counselling sessions, an occasional administrative meeting, and usually a halaqa or event in the evening. Alhamdulillah, there’s so much energy at UofT and it’s a blessing to work closely with students.”

In addition, he draws on his time in Yemen. “Another way to deal with it is… providing the spiritual support as well. A lot of people, [when] they’ve been in an environment where they feel a strong connection to Allah and His Messenger, they’re not easily shaken by these arguments.”

Currently, Amjad is finishing his third academic year in the position and attests to the fact that his students are facing a lot of challenges. “A lot of Muslim students are really trying to figure out who they are, how they can live their Islam within an environment that is very staunchly secular—and secular, not in the sense of not promoting one particular religion, but in the sense that ‘religion is

When asked about what other chaplains can do to improve their services, however, he grows concerned.

He feels that the problem can’t be solved so easily.

“More [important] than the chaplains, is that the community recognizes that there is a need, and that we, as a community, support services for Muslim students. So I think that are a lot of chaplains doing great work, but there needs to be more of a

TO SUBSCRIBE, PLEASE VISIT WWW.THELINKCANADA.CA/SUBSCRIBE Bottom top-right: The city of Tarim, Yemen — Photo courtesy of Aisha Hollyer support system, a vibrant centre for Muslim life on campuses.”

It is interesting to note that, although the University’s Muslim Students’ Association was established in 1965, a chaplain wasn’t hired until 2012—almost half a century later. Clearly, Amjad is right when he says that more is called for.

“The MC is funded by support from donors and the community. The University does not fund our operations, because they don’t support faith-based positions. We serve literally thousands of Muslim students. At the downtown campus alone, there are approximately four to five thousand Muslims.”

“The way that things can improve inshaAllah, moving forward, is [through] greater community awareness about the challenges that Muslim students go through at university. We need to have more of a support system.”

a commentary on gardens of the righteous (riyadh-us-saliheen) with ustadh amjad tarsin tuesdays at 5:30-7pm · sidney smith hall, rm 1083

Aisha Hollyer, Contributor for The Link Canada, Born in Toronto of Ukrainian and Pakistani heritage, Aisha Hollyer considers herself a student of all those who give of themselves to help others.

Stay in touch! info@mcuoft.com

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