37 minute read
Respect for the Truth
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Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم (said, “Faith (Belief) consists of more than sixty branches (i.e. parts). And Haya (This term “Haya” covers a large number of concepts which are to be taken together; amongst them are self respect, modesty, bashfulness, and scruple, etc.) is a part of faith.”
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History of Imam Husain And His Martyrdom
By: Abdullah Yusuf Ali to bear on the Imam, but his will was in
Continued from last edition flexible. It was not a question of a fight, for
Pr e s e n t l y messengers came from there were but 70 men against 4,000. The little band was surrounded and insulted, but they held together so firmly that they could not be harmed. On the 8th day the Kufa, and Imam water supply was cut off. The Euphrates and Husain was asked its abundant streams were within sight, but to surrender. the way was barred. Prodigies of valor were Imam Husain ofperformed in getting water. Challenges fered to take one were made for single combat according to A great deal of poetic literature has sprung Muslims also. of three alternaArab custom. And the enemy were halfup in Muslim languages, describing the Explorers of Spirtives. He wanted no political power and no revenge. He said “I came to defend my own people. If I am too late, give me the choice of three alternatives: either to return to Mecca; or to face Yazid himself at Damascus; or if my very presence is distasteful to him and you, I do not wish to cause more divisions among the Muslims. Let me at least go to a distant frontier, where, if fighting must be done, I will fight against the enemies of Islam.” Every one of these alternatives was refused. What they wanted was to destroy his life, or better still, to get him to surrender, to surrender to the very forces against which he was protesting, to declare his adherence to those who were defying the law of God and man, and to tolerate all the abuses which were bringing the name of Islam into disgrace. Of course he did not surrender. But what was he to do? He had no army. He had reasons to suppose that many of his friends from distant parts would rally round him, and come and defend him with their swords and bodies. But time was necessary, and he was not going to gain time by feigned compliance. He turned a little round to the left, the way that would have led him to Yazid himself, at Damascus. He camped in the plain of Kerbela. Water cut off; Inflexible will, Devohearted, while the Imam’s men fought in contempt of death, and always accounted for more men than they lost. On the evening of the 9th day, the little son of the Imam was ill. He had fever and was dying of thirst. They tried to get a drop of water. But that was refused point blank and so they made the resolve that they would, rather than surrender, die to the last man in the cause for which they had come. Imam Husain offered to send away his people. He said, “They are after my person; my family and my people can go back.” But everyone refused to go. They said they would stand by him to the last, and they did. They were not cowards; they were soldiers born and bred; and they fought as heroes, with devotion and with chivalry. The Final Agony; placid face of the man of God On the day of Ashura, the 10th day, Imam Husain’s own person was surrounded by his enemies. He was brave to the last. He was cruelly mutilated. His sacred head was cut off while in the act of prayer. A mad orgy of triumph was celebrated over his body. In this crisis we have details of what took place hour by hour. He had 45 wounds from the enemies’ swords and javelins, and 35 arrows pierced his body. His left arm was cut off, and a javelin pierced through his breast. After all that agony, when his head was lifted touching scenes in which they figure. Even in their grief and their tears they are heroic. They lament the tragedy in simple, loving, human terms. But they are also conscious of the noble dignity of their nearness to a life of truth reaching its goal in the precious crown of martyrdom. One of the best-known poets of this kind is the Urdu poet Anis, who lived in Lucknow, and died in 1874. Lesson of the Tragedy That briefly is the story. What is the lesson? There is of course the physical suffering in martyrdom, and all sorrow and suffering claim our sympathy, - the dearest, purest, most out-flowing sympathy that we can give. But there is a greater suffering than physical suffering. That is when a valiant soul seems to stand against the world; when the noblest motives are reviled and mocked; when truth seems to suffer an eclipse. It may even seem that the martyr has but to say a word of compliance, do a little deed of nonresistance; and much sorrow and suffering would be saved; and the insidious whisper comes: “Truth after all can never die.” That is perfectly true. Abstract truth can never die. It is independent of man’s cognition. But the whole battle is for man’s keeping hold of truth and righteousness. And that can only be done by the highest examples of man’s conduct - spiritual striving and suffering enduring firmness of faith and purpose, paitual Territory That, to my mind, is the supreme significance of martyrdom. All human history shows that the human spirit strives in many directions, deriving strength and sustenance from many sources. Our bodies, our physical powers, have developed or evolved from earlier forms, after many struggles and defeats. Our intellect has had its martyrs, and our great explorers have often gone forth with the martyrs’ spirit. All honor to them. But the highest honor must still lie with the great explorers of spiritual territory, those who faced fearful odds and refused to surrender to evil. Rather than allow a stigma to attach to sacred things, they paid with their own lives the penalty of resistance. The first kind of resistance offered by the Imam was when he went from city to city, hunted about from place to place, but making no compromise with evil. Then was offered the choice of an effectual but dangerous attempt at clearing the house of God, or living at ease for himself by tacit abandonment of his striving friends. He chose the path of danger with duty and honor, and never swerved from it giving up his life freely and bravely. His story purifies our emotions. We can best honor his memory by allowing it to teach us courage and constancy. Abdullah Yusuf Ali is a renowned English tion and Chivalry up on a spear, his face was the placid face of a tience and courage where ordinary mortals translator and commentator of the Holy
For ten days messages passed backwards man of God. All the men of that gallant band would give in or be cowed down, the sacriQur’an. He died in 1952 in England. Little and forwards between Kerbela and Kufa. were exterminated and their bodies tramfice of ordinary motives to supreme truth in would he have known that his English trans
Kufa wanted surrender and recognition. pled under foot by the horses. The only male scorn of consequence. The martyr bears witlation and commentary of the Qur’an would
That was the one thing the Imam could not survivor was a child, Husain’s son Ali, surness, and the witness redeems what would become so popular in the West and East consent to. Every other alternative was renamed Zain-ul-’Abidin - “The Glory of the otherwise be called failure. It so happened alike, wherever English is read and underfused by Kufa, under the instructions from Devout.” He lived in retirement, studying, with Husain. For all were touched by the stostood. This article has been excerpted from
Damascus. Those fateful ten days were the interpreting, and teaching his father’s high ry of his martyrdom, and it gave the deatha longer version that was published in the first ten days of the month of Muharram, of spiritual principles for the rest of his life. blow to the politics of Damascus and all it Progressive Islam Pamphlet No. 7, Septemthe year 61 of the Hijra. The final crisis was Heroism of the Women stood for. And Muharram has still the power ber, 1931. on the 10th day, the Ashura day, which we There were women: for example, Zainab the to unite the different schools of thought in The complete article can be viewed at are commemorating. During the first seven sister of the Imam, Sakina his little daughIslam, and make a powerful appeal to nonal-islam.org. days various kinds of pressure were brought ter, and Shahr-i-Banu, his wife, at Kerbela. Prayer Schedule in Greater Vancouver Respect for the Truth Sep 11-25, 2020 -Muharrum23-Safar 7, 1442 H
By Dr. ‘Abdul Kareem Bakkaar
The greatness of a person, my sons and daughters, lies in the greatness of what he believes in, what he is willing to sacrifice for, and what he defends.
Our true religion, to which we proudly belong, urges us to love and respect the truth and embrace it as it is, without any polishing or distortion. Indeed, one of the Names of Allah, The Exalted, is Al-Haqq (The Truth), our Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) was sent with the truth, and the heavens and earth were created and established upon the truth. Verily, verifying the authenticity of the information that we hear or read is the first step we need to take to determine our stance towards it and start our journey in supporting and defending the truth.
To be continued at page 6
Isl. Dt. Day Date Fajar Sunr Zawal Dhuhr Asar Dhur Asar Shafi / Hanfi Maghrib Isha 23 Fri 24 Sat 25 Sun 26 Mon 27 Tue 28 Wed 29 Thus *30 Fri 1 Sat 2 Sun 3 Mon 4 Tue 5 Wed 6 Thus 7 Fri For such Prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times: Quran ,n 4:103 Source: BCMA
6Muharrum 23,1442H September 11, 2020 N ati o na l & I nt
Saudi Arabia remains committed to Coronavirus ‘emergency’ puts Palestinian state with 1967 borders: FM Jakarta back in lockdown: Jerusalem as its capital and that the KingGovernor of Indonesian capital says tough dom “supports all efforts aimed at reaching measures needed because surge in cases is a just and comprehensive solution” to the pushing health system to collapse. Jakarta conflict. governor Anies Baswedan says the IndoneThe minister made the comments at an Arab sian capital will head back into lockdown League meeting and said that the Kingdom as it steps up efforts to tackle what he said stands with the Palestinian people. was an “emergency - more pressing than the The UAE and Israel signed an agreement to start of the pandemic.” normalize relations between the two counFrom Monday, all offices will be closed extries last month. cept for businesses in 11 “essential” fields. RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Wednesday conThe accord made the UAE the third Arab Entertainment venues will be shut down firmed its commitment to a Palestinian state based on the borders before the Six-Day war in 1967. Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the Palestinian state should have East country to have normal diplomatic relations with Israel along with Egypt and Jordan who both share borders with the country. Source: ctvnews.ca and all gatherings banned. Religious events will only be allowed at the village level for people who live in the area, he added. Baswedan said the measures were necessary because modelling showed the capital’s hospitals would be overwhelmed by September 17 if no action was taken. Indonesia has recorded 8,336 deaths from coronavirus, the most in Southeast Asia. Source: aljazeera.com/news
Trump and Biden run vastly different pandemic campaigns coronavirus, but do not tell that to President Donald Trump. He basked in a largely mask-less crowd of several thousand supporters during a campaign rally in the state, which is set to be critical to the upcoming US election. “As far as the eye can see,” Trump said, revknow, grab hands and shake hands,” Biden recently told supporters. “You can’t do that now.”With less than eight weeks until the November 3 election, Trump and Biden are taking diametrically opposite approaches to campaigning amid a pandemic - and the difstrictions that he argues, without evidence, are politically motivated. “By the way, your state should be open,” the president said in North Carolina, where he has feuded with Democratic Governor Roy Cooper over Trump’s abandoned plans to elling at the sight of people flouting public ferences amount to more than political thehold the Republican National Convention in health guidelines at Tuesday’s event. “I really atre. The candidates are effectively staking Charlotte.“It’s you, it’s Michigan, it’s a couple believe that these crowds are bigger than out different visions for the country. Biden others,” Trump added, as he sees a line of atthey were four years ago.” emphasises guidelines supported by local tack in pivotal states run by Democrats. A day earlier in Pennsylvania, Trump’s health officials, while Trump rails against reSource: aljazeera.com Trump seeks crowds who flout virus controls while Biden sticks to small events in Democratic challenger, Joe Biden, held a meeting in a backyard ensuring social distancing. His team has been so attentive to Roadside bomb attack in Kabul misscautious regard for infection risks. North Carolina caps outdoor gatherings at 50 local regulations that some staffers have left the room if they risked breaking the rules on es Afghan vice president, but kills four people to prevent the spread of the novel crowd limits. “I really miss being able to, you China says Indian forces crossed border, fired warning shots BEIJING -- China said Indian forces crossed into territory it holds along their disputed border and fired warning shots at a Chinese patrol in a move it called a “serious military provocation” and a violation of their agreements.The nuclear-armed rivals have been engaged in a tense standoff in the colddesert Ladakh region since May, and their defence ministers met Friday in Moscow in the first high-level direct contact between the sides since the standoff began. China’s western military command said the incursion occurred Monday along the southern coast of Pangong Lake in the area known in Chinese as Shenpaoshan. On the Indian side, the area is known as Chushul where the two countries local military commanders have held several rounds of talks to defuse the tense standoff. After shots were fired, Chinese forces took “necessary measures to stabilize and control the situation,” the command said, in the statement citing spokesman Zhang Shuili. It demanded the Indian forces withdraw and investigate the move to open fire. There was no word of casualties on either side. Late last month, India says its soldiers thwarted the Chinese military’s moves “to change the status quo” in violation of a consensus reached in past efforts to settle the standoff. In turn, China also accused Indian troops of crossing established lines of control. Source: ctvnews.ca A roadside bomb in Kabul targeted First Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh on Wednesday morning, but he escaped unharmed, his spokesman said. The blast killed at least four people and wounded 16, a health ministry spokesman said, including some of Saleh’s bodyguards. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which comes just ahead of long-awaited peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban in Qatar’s capital of Doha. “Today, once again the enemy of Afghanistan tried to harm Saleh, but they failed in man for Saleh’s office, wrote on Facebook. He told Reuters the bomb targeted Saleh’s convoy and some of his bodyguards were injured. Saleh, a former intelligence chief, has survived several assassination attempts, including one on his office last year that killed 20 people. Officials and diplomats have warned that rising violence is sapping trust needed for the success of talks aimed at ending an insurgency that began when the Taliban was ousted from power in Kabul by US-back forces in late 2001. Respect for the Truth their evil aim, and Saleh escaped the at tack unharmed,” Razwan Murad, a spokes Source: dawn.com Continued from page 5 gives you [a greeting of] peace, “You are not a believer,” longer the chain of narrators and transmitters of the inforaspiring for the goods of worldly life...} [Quran 4:94] mation is, the greater the possibility of error and misunderNowadays, you hear much circulated news and read The second verse is a divine directive for the believers standing. much content online, and you notice that a great part during wartime not to hasten the killing before it becomes 4- Countless experiences and incidents prove that oral of such content is of unknown origin, some of its writclear to them who is a believer and who is not. transmission tends to be less accurate as narrators add to ers use pseudonyms, and the chains of transmission of most What does this mean for my daughters and sons? the orally transmitted messages according to their own unnarratives that we hear are unknown. It means the following: derstanding, moods, and personal whims. Therefore, do not All this urges us not to rush into believing everything we 1- Train yourselves not to believe everything you hear, start accept the narrations you hear to the letter, and do not trust hear and hasten to convey it and post it so as not to become questioning the authenticity of the information that reachall their details. accomplices in circulating fake and unfounded news, and es you, and judge for yourself. Train yourselves as well 5- Whenever the information sounds odd and unfamiliar, you know what Allah, The Exalted, Says in this regard; He to convey less of what you hear; the Prophet sallallaahu we should stop and investigate it further because much of Says (what means): `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: “It such information is often incorrect or exaggerated. {O you who have believed, if there comes to you a wicked is enough lying for a man to transmit everything he hears.” 6- The exact magnitude of a matter and the extent to which person with information, investigate, lest you harm a peo2- Always look for the source of the information that you it is true or false can only be known after it ends, and thereple out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, hear, try to identify the people transmitting it, and verify fore, you should wait before issuing judgment until the regretful.} [Quran 49:6] their credibility and trustworthiness. speaker completes his statement and the writer concludes {O you who have believed, when you go forth [to fight] in 3- The authenticity of what you watch is often greater and his work, which he might publish in several parts. the cause of Allah , investigate; and do not say to one who stronger than the authenticity of what you hear. Also, the Source: islamweb.net
7Muharrum 23,1442H September 11, 2020 politics
Learn the lessons of history, don’t ‘cancel’ them, new Tory leader O’Toole says
OTTAWA -- New Conservative Leader Erin statues of Canada’s first prime minister have Their story serves as a warning for modernO’Toole said Wednesday that plaques, not been toppled or defaced in protests against day politicians, O’Toole suggested. protests, should grace the fronts of historical systemic racism and Canada’s colonialist “Theirs is a story of what happens when sites and monuments that reflect controverhistory. O’Toole noted that Sen. Murray Canada is divided,” he said. “When Western sial moments in Canadian history. Sinclair, who led the Truth and Reconciliaalienation takes root and people feel ignored O’Toole told his party’s MPs and senation Commission into the residential school by a distant government in Ottawa who does tors gathered for their first meeting under system into which many Indigenous chilnot try to understand the fears and desires his leadership that those who are tearing dren were forced, has suggested instead that of people thousands of kilometres away.” down the statues of the country’s founders plaques be placed alongside such monuWith his party dominating much of Westare dooming Canada to forget the lessons ments to provide a more balanced look at ern Canada, O’Toole has taken up addressof history. The caucus was gathered in Othistory. O’Toole said he supports that aping feelings of alienation in the region as tawa Wednesday but scattered throughout proach. He contrasted Macdonald’s legacy one of his priorities as leader. He pledged the downtown. O’Toole himself was at the with that of Louis Riel, the Metis leader Wednesday that his party will be a unifying federal government’s Sir John A. Macdonald Macdonald saw hanged for treason, but who force in the country and urged his MPs and in the Royal Canadian Air Force: through building for his remarks. In recent weeks, was also considered by some a hero. senators to embrace a motto from his days adversity to the stars. Source: ctvnews.ca
Broadway Subway contract continues NDP insider handouts
more to the cost of public infrastructure down, shutting these people out is unconprojects, which equates to nearly $4,000 for scionable. John Horgan and the NDP need every family in the province. CBAs result to be working for everyone in B.C., not just in fewer competing bids and higher project their friends and donors.” costs while freezing out nearly 80 per cent of Due to CBAs, the Illicillewaet and Kicking VANCOUVER (September 3, 2020) – John Horgan confirmed today that, in the middle of a pandemic with countless British Columbians out of work, jobs on the Broadway Subway project will be limited through the NDP’s Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) scheme to only members of the 19 hand-picked unions that have historically donated to NDP campaigns. “While this transit expansion is good news for Vancouver, the issue remains that by continuing to utilize union benefits agreements, this NDP government is only giving its short list of pre-approved insider unions the chance to bid on these contracts,” said Marvin Hunt, BC Liberal Transportation Co-Critic. “With so many British Columbians out of work due to COVID-19, it’s outrageous to see the NDP effectively preventing countless British Columbians from gaining meaningful employment while also ensuring project costs go up during an economic slowdown.” An analysis by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) shows that CBAs could add as much as $4.8 billion B.C.’s construction sector. “The Broadway Subway project is yet another example of the NDP’s insiders-only union kickback program, the Community Benefits Agreement, which have added hundreds of million of dollars more to the cost of public projects since its implementation,” added Hunt. “The unions and workers who aren’t on the NDP’s VIP list make up more than 80 per cent of the construction sector, and many of them are currently out of work. During the best of times CBA’s fail to provide for fair and equitable employment, but during COVID-19 and an economic slowHorse Canyon highway expansions have seen cost overruns of 143 per cent and 33 per cent respectively, costing taxpayers $200 million more than when those projects were first announced by the BC Liberals. The NDP have also estimated that under their CBA scheme, the Pattullo Bridge expansion will cost a minimum of $100 million additional taxpayer dollars. The provincial deficit announced earlier this week, which stemmed from the NDP’s pre-pandemic taxes and spending, will now grow even greater as a result of additional CBA costs. Source by:Bajwa, Raman
B.C. to hire health-care workers, ramp up flu vaccines to prevent strain on hospitals during influenza season
province’s health-care system. response to the pandemic. sphere, which is just coming out of its influA key part of the strategy, announced on It will also be launching a major vaccination enza season. Influenza season in the northWednesday by Premier John Horgan, Health campaign against influenza, with the goal of ern hemisphere usually starts in October and Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health vaccinating nearly two million people, comNovember, peaking in December and JanuOfficer Dr. Bonnie Henry, involves reducing pared to the yearly average of around 1.4 milary. “The good news is that their immunizathe usual demand for hospital beds by reduclion. ”Our pandemic plan has been working,’’ tion rates were very high. This triggered us to ing seasonal flu cases, while boosting hospital said Horgan. “We need to accelerate. We need buy more vaccine here,” she said, adding that Plan seeks to minimize impact of B.C.’s influenza season and boost capacity to track COVID-19 surge capacity if there is a sudden influx of patients. The plan will inject $1.6 billion into the health-care system and involve the strateto up our game.’’ Vaccination on a scale ‘not yet seen’ Henry said B.C.’s vaccination strategy will be on a scale “not yet seen” and encouraged measures like physical distancing, masks, and handwashing also protect against influenza. The plan also focuses on boosting the capacity to conduct contact tracing and COVID-19 B.C. has released details of how it plans to gic hiring and training of 7,000 health-care everyone in the province over the age of six testing, with the goal of being able to test manage COVID-19 and influenza cases in workers. It aims to avoid a scenario where months to get vaccinated against influenza. 20,000 people per day, compared to the curthe fall and winter months and prevent a surgeries must be widely delayed, as the provShe said the province has been tracking rent capacity of around 8,000 to 10,000 tests. combination of the two from straining the ince did in the spring as part of its emergency COVID-19 cases in the southern hemiSource: cbc.ca
B.C. closes nightclubs, banquet halls after confirming 429 new COVID-19 cases over long weekend
2 more deaths announced as provincial levels, as cases of COVID-19 continue to people, both in long-term care, have died health officer amends public health orders spike in the province. of the virus.The new numbers represent to curb virus’s spread. B.C. is ordering nightclubs and standalone banquet halls closed, ending the sale of liquor at restaurants past 10 p.m. and telling venues to reduce the volume from music or other sources to conversational Bars and restaurants must close by 11 p.m., unless they are serving food. The amendments to public health orders come as the province reported 429 new cases of COVID-19 over a four-day period, bringing the total to 6,591. Two more four reporting periods over the long weekend. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said 123 of the cases were recorded between Friday and Saturday, 116 were reported between Saturday and Sunday, 107 between Sunday and Monday, and 83 new cases were confirmed between Monday and Tuesday.. Source: cbc.ca
Coronavirus infections over 28 million worldwide
8Muharrum 23,1442H September 11, 2020 N ati o na l & I nt
Is your child going back to school ? Canadians concerned about deficit, split on Here’s what to ask about COVID-19 safety feds’ ability to rebuild economy: Nanos survey TORONTO -- Most Canadians are conTORONTO -- From the ventilation in cerned about the ballooning federal deficit schools to how often doorknobs are cleaned, amid the COVID-19 pandemic but are diparents are brimming with questions as vided on if they have confidence in the fedtheir children return to the classroom. eral government to rebuild the economy, acSafety professional Lee-Anne Lyon-Bartley cording to a new survey by Nanos Research. -- affectionately known as the ‘Safety Diva’ The survey of 1,039 Canadians found that -- told CTV News Channel that there’s a more than three quarters of those polled are few questions parents should definitely be concerned (47 per cent) or somewhat conaware of for this back-to-school season. cerned (30 per cent) about the deficit. Just tion” that required unprecedented spending “I think you want to get a sense of, ‘What over two in 10 are not concerned (10 per to help stave off a full-blown economic colare they doing?’” she said in reference to cent) or somewhat not concerned (13 %) lapse. Some critics have said that the steep each individual school’s preparations. “What is the schedule at my child’s school for cleaning and disinfection?” She pointed out that high-touch areas in schools, such as doorknobs, handles and railings should be disinfected “at least twice a day,” since so many hands will use them. “The things that people are going to touch the most is where you’re going to likely have the spread of COVID-19,” she said. “So are they being disinfected? Cleaning is one thing, but disinfection is another. Are they being disinfected often enough, and is the disinfectant that they’re using on the approved list from the government of Canada? “Those are some of the questions that I’ll be public health measures, with the social distancing, there’s the hand washing, all those things, but [for] the actual physical building itself, ventilation […] can actually make a big difference.” Lyon-Bartley identified the Building Owners and Managers Association of Canada (BOMA Canada) pandemic planning guide as a good resource.“It talks about how you want to make sure that your schedules for your HVAC system and your preventative maintenance is being done and being done accordingly,” she said. “And also just making sure that you’re changing out those filters often.” It’s worth probing to see if Trudeau announces cash for loans, support to Black Before the pandemic hit, Canada was expected to post a $28.1-billion deficit for 2020-2021. Updated numbers released in July show that number skyrocketing to $343.2 billion, due in large part to record economic aid and stimulus plans that are on-par with Second World War-level spending. Part of that deficit can be attributed to measures such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, which has cost nearly $71.3 billion, and $30 billion spent on wage subsidies. The federal government has described COVID-19 as the “challenge of a generaspending made sense in the early days of the pandemic but may be difficult to sustain as the pandemic drags on. The Nanos survey suggests that those living in the Prairies are most worried about the deficit, with 83 per cent describing themselves as concerned or somewhat concerned. Every region surveyed found that most respondents were concerned or somewhat concerned, with Atlantic Canada (77 per cent), Quebec (77 per cent), Ontario (75 per cent) and British Columbia (74 per cent) expressing similar degrees of worry. Source: ctvnews.ca asking my child’s school next week.” How much ventilation a school or classroom has is important, and is something parents could be pressing on. “Ventilation is one of the points that I don’t think we’ve heard a lot about in all of the news that’s come through, and it is important,” Lyon-Bartley said. “There’s the schools are taking these measures seriously. Some of the biggest questions on parents’ minds are sure to be related to COVID-19 cases or outbreaks within schools. You want to make sure you’re aware of how schools plan to notify students, and what steps students and parents would be taking after that. Source: ctvnews.ca Canadian entrepreneurs OTTAWA -- Black Canadians who want to start or expand a business will have access to loans and supports for training and mentorship under a new federal program unveiled by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Toronto Wednesday. The $221-million proUnions mark Labour Day with calls for gram jointly funded by the federal government and eight financial institutions, is the increased COVID-19 help first of its kind to help Black businesses on a national scale. It responds to one of the reWE Charity has fully repaid full $30M received through now-cancelled government deal quests made in June by an open letter from the Parliamentary Black Caucus that was signed by more than 100 MPs and senators. Trudeau said the COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the systemic gaps and economic barriers Black Canadians face every day, and that his government wants a pandemic recovery that is “inclusive and equitable for all Canadians.” “An investment in Black excellence is an investment in economic empowerment and economic empowerment is an essential part of justice,” he said. “It’s justice against a system that has locked out far too many Black entrepreneurs and denied them the same opportunities as other Canadians.” Ottawa is putting up $93 million over the next four years for the Black Entrepreneurship Program, while banks are contributing up to $128 million for loans between $25,000 and $250,000 for Black business owners. The federal cash will including $33 million towards the loans, $6.5 million to collect data on the barriers preventing Black Canadians from succeeding in business, and $53 million for Black business organizations to provide mentorship, financial planning and business training. Trudeau made the announcement at a Toronto organization called HXOUSE, which describes itself as a “think centre” to help foster innovation and opportunities for young talents in Toronto. HXOUSE co-founder Ahmed Ismail said the program is a welcome sign of a government acknowledging systemic racism exists, addressing the fact opportunities are not equally available, and taking “the uncomfortable step of doing something about it.” “This is something I’ve never really witnessed in all my life in any country that I’ve studied,” said Ismail, who was born in Somalia and has also studied and worked in the United States. Liberal MP Greg Fergus, the chair of the Parliamentary Black Caucus, said the program isn’t all that is needed but will help Black Canadians be economic actors, community leaders and see “that we are full Canadians and want to participate in this wonderful country that we call home.” Source: ctvnews.ca OTTAWA -- Unions and labour groups across the country marked Labour Day with scaled-down versions of their traditional demonstrations, while calling on expanded federal government aid for workers struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian Labour Congress launched a campaign on Monday to coincide with the federal holiday that calls on the federal government to expand the changes to employment insurance that provides benefits to any Canadian worker left jobless even after the pandemic ends. CLC president Hassan Yussuff also said that he hopes Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will address their concerns in his upcoming throne speech with announcements of improved apprenticeship program for Canadian youth, and ways to help visible minorities and immigrants access unemployment benefits. “We know we have gaps, we know we have many issues and what we’re hoping to get the federal government to address in the throne speech is how do we address some of these things to make this country truly a better place for working people (and) for all Canadian,” Yussuff told The Canadian Press. At a rally in Toronto, Shelli Sareen, secretarytreasurer of Unite Here Local 75, the largest hospitality union in the Greater Toronto Area, called for additional paid leave and long-term benefits as the hospitality industry struggles through historic declines in large events and tourism. “Many of our members are struggling to put food on their tables and they’re struggling to pay their bills and struggling pay their rent,” she said. Source: ctvnews.ca OTTAWA -- WE Charity has repaid the full ment to deliver $543 million of up to $912 service is working with the organization to the time. $30 million that the WE Charity Foundation million in grants. WE Charity was slated to ensure that it is returned.” “We took that risk on in full knowledge ourreceived from the federal government under receive $43 million for the administration of In the tweet announcing the full repayment, selves.” Source: ctvnews.ca its now-cancelled deal to deliver the Canada the program, and $30 million of those funds WE Charity also explained that the charity Student Service Grant (CSSG), according to was delivered to WE before the program was had incurred $5 million in expenses — a one of the organization’s Twitter accounts. abruptly cancelled. cost the organization will now have to swal“As of today, WE Charity has transferred During her testimony before the House ethlow. Speaking before the House finance back the full balance of funds for the CSSG ics committee on August 11, Youth Minister committee on July 28, Craig and Marc Kielto the Government of Canada,” according to Bardish Chagger said the full amount had burger — the WE Charity founders — said the tweet sent from the WE Communicayet to be repaid — despite the fact that WE said had begun to incur eligible expenses tions account on Thursday evening. Charity had pulled out from the program on for the program on May 5, over two months “Over the last 2 months, WE Charity repeatJuly 3. before an actual contribution agreement was edly communicated to the ESDC the de“The money, as the organization has indisigned for the program. ”Although we startsire to return the remaining funds as soon cated, will be returned to the government,” ed working on May 5, we were aware that as the Gov was able to accept the transfer.” Chagger said at the time. despite our building a network in support, if The WE Charity Foundation had signed a “We want to ensure that all processes are bethe contract were not signed, we would not contribution agreement with the governing followed. I can assure you that the public be reimbursed,” Craig told the committee at
9Muharrum 23,1442H September 11, 2020
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Saudi court scraps 5 death sentences over Khashoggi murder, jails 8
A Saudi court on Monday overturned sons said in May they had “pardoned” the ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. five death sentences over journalist Jamal killers, a move condemned as a “parody of Khashoggi, a 59-year-old critic of the crown Khashoggi’s murder in a final ruling that justice” by a United Nations expert. The famprince, was strangled and his body cut into jailed eight defendants to between seven and ily’s pardon spared the lives of five unnamed pieces by a 15-man Saudi squad inside the 20 years, state media reported. people sentenced to death over the 2018 consulate, according to Turkish officials. His “Five of the convicts were given 20 years in murder in a December court ruling, which remains have not been found. prison and another three were jailed for 7-10 was lambasted by human rights groups afRiyadh has described the murder as a years,” the official Saudi Press Agency said, ter two top aides to the crown prince were “rogue” operation, but both the Central Inciting a spokesman for the public prosecutor. exonerated. telligence Agency (CIA) and a UN’s special None of the defendants were named in what Khashoggi — a royal family insider turned critenvoy have directly linked Prince Mohamwas described as the final court ruling on the ic — was killed and dismembered at the kingmed to the killing, a charge the kingdom vekilling which had sparked an international dom’s consulate in Istanbul in October 2018, in hemently denies. outcry. The verdict came after Khashoggi’s a case that tarnished the reputation of de facto Source: Dawn.com
Hezbollah, Hamas chiefs meet to discuss Israel-Arab ties
Meeting comes after August’s agreement beIran-backed Shia Hezbollah movement, and ic drive aims to boost a regional alliance tween Israel and the United Arab Emirates Haniya stressed the “stability” of the “axis of against Iran, Palestinians have condemned it to normalise diplomatic relations. Leaders resistance” against Israel. as a “stab in the back” as they remain under of Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement and the They discussed “political and military deoccupation and do not have their own state. Palestinian Hamas group met to discuss dipvelopments in Palestine, Lebanon and the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lomatic normalisation between Israel and region” and “the dangers to the Palestinian has said his country is in talks with other Arab countries, the movement said. cause”, including “Arab plans for normalisaArab and Muslim leaders now about norOn Sunday, Hamas chief Ismail Haniya was tion” with Israel, Al-Manar said. malising relations, following the deals with given a hero’s welcome at Ain al-Helweh, The meeting comes after an August 13 anthe UAE and, decades ago, Egypt and JorLebanon’s largest Palestinian refugee camp. nouncement that Israel and the United Arab dan. Hezbollah-run Al-Manar television reportEmirates (UAE) have agreed to normalise ties. Source: aljazeera.com ed earlier that Hassan Nasrallah, head of the While the United States-backed diplomat
Saudi Arabia tells US it wants fair solution for Palestinians
King Salman spoke to Donald Trump on which the United Arab Emirates agreed to the 1967 Middle East war. phone following UAE’s decision to normalbecome the third Arab state after Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and site ise ties with Israel in US-brokered deal. Jordan to normalise ties with Israel. of its holiest shrines, does not recognise IsSaudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz King Salman told Trump that he appreciated rael. However, this month the kingdom said told United States President Donald Trump US efforts to support peace and that Saudi it would allow flights between UAE and Isthat the Gulf country wanted to see a fair Arabia wanted to see a fair and permanent rael, including by Israeli aircraft, to use its and permanent solution for the Palestinians, solution to the Palestinian issue based on its airspace. which was the starting point for its 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. During the call, Trump told King Salman Arab Peace Initiative, the kingdom’s state Under the proposal, Arab nations have ofthat he welcomed that decision, and that the news agency reported on Monday. fered Israel normalised ties in return for a two also discussed regional security, a White The two men spoke by phone following statehood deal with the Palestinians and full House spokesman said. a US-brokered accord last month under Israeli withdrawal from territory captured in Source: aljazeera.com
Assistance to boost Tilapia production, minister hopeful We are hiring for Halal Butcher
The handing over of new aquaculture materials and heavy machinery worth $370,422 to Fiji’s Naduruloulou Research Station in Naitasiri yesterday is an initiative to boost Tilapia production in Fiji. The Japanese Ambassador to Fiji, Omura Masahiro did the handover to Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau and said materials and equipment will assist Fiji in its food security challenges brought about by the COVID-19 epidemic. “Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of food security and sustaining livelihoods has been increasing and regarded as an urgent matter in Fiji. One solution to this challenge is developing freshwater aquaculture in communities.
It gives me great happiness to say that the newly provided equipment will increase the annual Tilapia seed production forecasting for the station,” Ambassador Omura said. Minister for Fisheries Hon. Semi Koroilavesau thanked the Government of Japan while receiving the equipment which was funded under the Grants Assistance for Grassroots and Human Security Program (GGP). Minister Koroilavesau is optimistic that the generous assistance by the Japanese government will boost Tilapia production in Fiji by an annual production of $1.2m to $2.2m. “And maximum direct assistance to the ordinary freshwater farmers in Fiji,” he said. Source:fijitimes.com
Rossdown Farms & Natural Foods is a fourth-generation family business located in BC’s Fraser Valley.
Job Duties Benefits •Cut Poultry using •Extended Health the Halal Method / Dental benefits •Able to handle a •Pension plan sharp knife •Staff Discounts •Follow animal on Halal poultry welfare standards •Vacation(2weeks)
