Miracle 541-March 26, 2021

Volume 21 Issue 541-Shaban 13, 1442 H, March 26, 2021 $1

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5 Who Is My First

07 3 Surrey Recreation

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Teacher?

What Is Self Care?

15 Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Centres to serve To Permit Outdoor Worship Services 81st Pakistan Day Virtual Celebrated at Consul General’s

Tareen, Hamza face arrest in sugar scandal Biden names Harris to lead effort to stem...

Red-hot real estate market sees Langley home

Massive Fire in Cox’s PM, wife contract Covid B.C. putting 1,400 furBazar Damages Rohingya tourism, hospitalas positivity rate tops 9pc loughed Refugee Camp ity employees to work in immunization clinics • Modi sends best wishes to Imran • Ministers dispel impression vaccine caused infection • No vaccinations on Sundays, national holidays • Pakistan Day parade to go ahead ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan’s national positivity ratio surpassed nine per cent, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday became the latest head of government in the world to contract Covid-19. is wife Bushra Bibi also tested positive for the

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virus.

It was decided that the staff of Prime Minister Office and contacts of the premier would be tested under the contact-tracing policy.

During the last 24 hours, the country saw the highest number of positive cases since July with 3,876 people getting infected.Social media was abuzz throughout the day with the news of the prime minister testing positive for the novel coronavirus, triggering a debate on the effectiveness of the vaccine which he had To be Continued at page 7

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ICTORIA -- The B.C. government is putting hundreds of furloughed employees from the hardhit tourism and hospitality sectors back to work through its immunization program.

Premier John Horgan announced Wednesday that some 1,400 workers are being placed in non-clinical positions at the province’s vaccination centres, helping with B.C.’s recently accelerated immunization rollout.Horgan thanked the furloughed employees for their participation, and acknowledged the crucial contributions of hundreds of volunteers who have also joined the mass vaccination efforts in their communities.

“I am so proud of the work that everyone across the province has been doing to get out of the situation we’ve been in for the last 12 months,” he said.

To be Continued at page 4

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ENEVA, SWITZERLAND - Aid agencies are rushing emergency assistance to tens of thousands of victims of a deadly blaze that broke out Monday in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, destroying thousands of houses sheltering Rohingya refugees.

U.N. refugee representative in Bangladesh Johannes van der Klaauw calls the scale of the fire catastrophic. He said he has never before seen anything as massive and devastating. He said teams are on the ground dealing with the huge rescue and relief effort that is underway. “We have so far confirmed 15 people dead, 560 injured, 400 are still missing and at least 10,000 shelters have been destroyed. That To be Continued at page 4

BREAKING NEWS

March 28 to May 13

Details @Pg 7

B.C. to allow limited indoor religious gatherings for upcoming holidays Masjid Ur Rahmah

Masjid al-Salaam &Edu.Centre

Richmond Jameh Masjid Abbotsford Islamic Center

Surrey Jameh Masjid Masjid Prince George

Masjid ul Haq

Masjid Al-Iman Victoria

Masjid Al Hadiya

Bullay Shah Academy

Masjid Anwar e Madina Fiji Islamic Centre Vancouver Jameh Masjid Az Zahraa Islamic Centre

Masjid Al-Noor

Under construction Jameh Masjid Aulia Allah

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Shaban 13, 1442 March 26, 2021

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Shaban 13, 1442 March 26, 2021

PAKISTAN

Tareen, Hamza face arrest in sugar Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad scandal LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has detected Rs110 billion earning by the sugar mafia during the last one year through ‘speculative pricing’ and on Wednesday constituted 20 teams to lay hands on those involved in it.

Also in the day, the FIA anti-corruption circle registered an FIR against estranged PTI leader Jahangir Tareen’s JDW group and Gourmet Bakers & Sweets Pvt Ltd, Lahore, under sections 420, 468, 471 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), read with sections 3/4 of Anti-Money Laundering Act 2010.According to the FIR, during the course of inquiry against the sugar mafia, “it has transpired that sugar industry barons, sugar-brokers & their satta-agents (speculative pricing players), in active connivance with sugar-mills, have transformed into a clandestine sugar satta-mafia and are operating in a collusive but secret-mode, especially through electronic means/ WhatsApp groups to dishonestly and fraudulently maneuver, manipulate and artificially hike sugar prices, amidst hoax of impending sugar-stocks shortages (while sugar-stocks are lying ‘unsold’ or ‘sold/un-lifted’ in mills & godowns and demand-supply gap is artificial)”.

The inquiry reveals “the satta-mafia had already fraudulently ramped-up the (speculative) ex-mill price by Rs20/kg in last one year (from Rs70/kg on Feb 11, 2020 to Rs90 per kg on March 21, 2021; they are now conspiring to pump it upwards of Rs110 per kg in Ramzan.”

During the inquiry it was revealed that “even the leading registered businesses in the country, like Gourmet Bakers & Sweets Pvt Ltd Lahore, are being facilitated by satta-mafia agents to commit huge accounting & tax-frauds in a very organized manner by concealing their actual sugar consumption & consequently business turnover.”

Source: dawn.com

Fazl, Zardari vow to keep PDM intact

ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUIF) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Asif Ali Zardari talked by telephone for a second time in a week on Wednesday and agreed to make every effort to keep the opposition’s alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) intact.

In a significant development hours after the telephonic talk between the two leaders, PPP gave a call to its workers to accompany Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz during her appearance before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Lahore on Friday (tomorrow) in line with the PDM’s decision.

While directing party leaders and activists to join the rally with full preparations, President of the PPP’s Central Punjab chapter Qamar Zaman Kaira in a statement announced that he would himself lead the party’s convoy.

On Tuesday, PPP Chairman Bilawal BhuttoZardari had barred the party leaders and members from issuing statements against any PDM component party, particularly the PML-N. PPP asks its workers to accompany Maryam during her appearance before NAB The decision that the leaders of the PDM component parties would accompany Ms Nawaz had been taken during a meeting between Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PML-N leaders at Jati Umra on March 21.

Source: dawn.com

Allowing private imports of Covid vaccines is a ‘deliberate policy tool’: govt The Ministry of National Health Services (NHS), responding to letter by Transparency International Pakistan (TIP), on Wednesday said the federal government’s decision to allow private imports of Covid-19 vaccines was a “deliberate policy tool”.

NHS Secretary Aamir Ashraf Khawaja, in the letter, said the government allowed private imports so those population segments which were not part of the government’s priority inoculation campaign could be catered to.“It was a well concerned decision of the federal government to allow the private sector to import vaccine as the national vaccination priorities favoured the healthcare workers and the elderly, involving some lag in reaching other segments of the society.”

Khawaja said in the letter that initially there had been no prices set for the imported vaccines since there was no reference price available according to the law but later, a provision of the Drug Pricing Policy under was applied to Covid vaccines “to keep a check on prices instead of leaving it solely to free market dynamics”.“It may be added that the government is fixing the maximum re-

tail price,” Khawaja said in the letter, adding that this meant competition and free market dynamics could potentially reduce the price from the maximum retail price.The government’s response comes two days after Transparency International Pakistan, in a letter penned by Justice (r) Nasira Iqbal, had asked the prime minister to review the policy of allowing private imports and cancel it altogether, as across the globe, governments were procuring vaccines and administering it to their citizens for free. The TIP letter had noted that Pakistan being one of the first countries to allow the private sector to import and sell Covid-19 vaccines would provide a window of corruption as there were possibilities that the government’s vaccines would be sold to private hospitals... Source: dawn.com

The grand military parade in connection with Pakistan Day celebrations, that was previously postponed due to “inclement weather”, is currently under way in Islamabad at Parade Ground near the Shakarparian hills.

President Arif Alvi is attending the parade as the chief guest, while Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Nadeem Raza, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi are also present.

However, Prime Minister Imran Khan was unable to attend as he is currently in quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19. The impressive ceremony kicked off with the fly past of the Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy fighter jets, led

by Air Chief Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, which saluted the president.

F-16, JF 17, Mirage, AWACs, P-3C Orion and ATR aircraft formation participated in the fly past.‘Pakistan fully capable of defending its integrity’In his speech, President Alvi said Pakistan was equipped to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty, categorically stating that any

misadventure will receive a befitting response, Radio Pakistan reported.

“We will defend our independence at all costs,” he said. However, he added that Pakistan desired peace, security and development in the whole region and had taken practical steps in pursuit of this. He said that peaceful coexistence was the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, adding that the current situation required the South Asian leadership to reject the politics of hate, prejudice and religious extremism.

“Pakistan wants to move forward with good intent and peace, but our desire for peace should not be construed as our weakness,” he said.

President Alvi also paid tribute to the country’s armed forces, stating that the entire country stood shoulder to shoulder with them in the face of foreign aggression and on national issues. “Our martyrs and our ghazis are our pride,” he said.

He also commented on the situation in occupied Kashmir. “The entire nation stands by their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in this hour of trial.” The president also urged the international community to take notice of the grim situation in the occupied valley.

Source: dawn.com

NA speaker writes to parliamentary leaders for electoral reforms ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Spea­­ ker Asad Qaiser on Thursday sent letters to parliamentary leaders of all parties in the house, informing them about a decision taken by him after consultation with Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani about formation of a parliamentary committee to carry out electoral reforms.

The letter with the subject “Appo­i­ntment of Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms”, written by a joint secretary of the parliamentary committees and a copy of which was released to the media by the National Assembly Secretariat, says that “the speaker, in consultation with the Senate chairman, has been pleased to inform you that the subject committee consisting of leaders of the parliamentary parties in the National Assembly and the Senate is required to be appointed to undertake comprehensive electoral reforms”.

“The committee shall be notified as soon as the list of the parliamentary leaders in the Senate is finalised,” says the letter, which was sent to all parliamentary leaders of the parties, hours after Mr Qaiser’s separate meetings with the Senate chairman and two key federal ministers — Information Minister Shibli Faraz and Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry.

In the meetings, it was decided that the committee would comprise all the parliamentary leaders of the parties having representation in the Senate and the National Assembly.

PML-N refuses to become part of committee The letter says the committee is being

formed “in pursuant to the prime minister’s agenda, in the interest of democracy in Pakistan, to establish a credible and transparent electoral system and to put an end to all venues that allow for corrupt practices that are eroding our parlia-mentary democracy and to ensure transparent, fair and free elections at all levels”.On the other hand, the main opposition Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) said a categorical “no” to the government-proposed parliamentary committee, as party’s information secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb said that “no negotiations are possible with a person who imprisons political rivals with their daughters”.

Talking to reporters in Lahore, Ms Aurangzeb said that those people were talking about electoral, parliamentary and political reforms who had put Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif and the party’s parliamentary leader in the National Assembly Khawaja Asif behind bars.

Source: dawn.com

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Shaban 13, 1442 March 26, 2021

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ANY approach the study of the Quran as a written text.

They will engage with its vocabulary, its translation and commentary but what is often overlooked is the fact that the Quran is originally a spoken word.

It was spoken and delivered verbally as it was revealed and it was its phonetics and recitation that captured the attention of its audience.

Thus the recitation of the Quran is a well-developed art form throughout the Islamic world, with the Egyptian tradition being widely acclaimed in the field.

The Book is not only recited as part of the five daily prayers and liturgical worship, it is also heard day and night in homes, shops, and taxis, and on the street, on television and on computers.

It is heard as a meditation as well as for its healing effects.

A number of qaris or reciters have become household names in the Islamic world.

The likes of Saud AshShuraim, Abdul Rahman asSudais, Abdul Basit, Abdul Samad, and Siddiq Minshawi have breathtaking recitals to their credit and are common voices in Muslim homes.

Among women, American convert Jennifer Grout is becoming very popular with her mesmerising vocals.

Continued from Page 1

O pinion

Art of recitation

national standards. tion of the Arabic text of the It is important to He also notes that Pakistani Quran by which letters and maintain originality and prevent distortions. religious seminaries are not words are pronounced in the Pakistan too is catching up and earlier I had the opportunity to speak to a young qari, Hassan Ali Kasi, who has been winning accolades for his gifted Quranic recitation.

I inquired about the process of becoming a qari and was given a detailed insight. Hassan memorised the Quran at a very early age. His father and uncle, both of whom are leading reciters, were his principal motivators.

Along with memorisation he learned the rules of tajweed (elocution).

Becoming a qari is not easy by any means, and Hassan had to do arduous yoga exercises and climbing of stairs as part of breath control. A typical day for him begins before dawn and he has to practise his vocals for a considerable period of time. As the voice is the main medium of delivery, it has to be taken care of through vocal exercises and an appropriate diet. A reciter who starts out young needs to be wary of changes that take place as youngsters undergo hormonal changes.

While being passionate about his art, Hassan also laments the fact that there is little governmental patronage extended to reciters and the country has an absence of training institutes working on inter-

playing their due role in producing reciters of international standard.

Competing in an international competition is an altogether different and challenging experience. A competitor has to pay attention to the rules of elocution as well as the maqamat or stations of recitation. Hassan says that tajweed should be taught in schools by capable teachers with special attention paid to the Egyptian style. His favourite reciters all hail from Egypt, the primary ones being the late Qari Basit and Qari Mustafa Ismail.

The common trend for Pakistani children is to learn to read what is termed as Nazira Quran. In this method, children are made to read the Quran mostly with their native accent and articulation of words as they occur in Urdu. However, this method does not do justice because the pronunciation and vocalisation of Arabic letters is different from Urdu letters.

Thus children are made to read the Quran as if it were an Urdu text. This has profound ramifications, because if Arabic letters are wrongly pronounced, then the meaning behind them changes. The need therefore is to introduce tajweed, or the rules of elocu-

Arabic standard.

This is important to maintain originality and prevent distortions. For example, wrongly pronouncing the word ‘thameena’ as ‘sameena’ with the letter ‘seen’ instead of the letter ‘thaa’, completely changes the meaning. Beginning with ‘thaa’, the word means ‘a precious female’, while pronouncing it with the letter ‘seen’ the meaning is very different.

Thus we can note why proper rules of tajweed are important and why we should not recite the Quran with a native accent and phonetics. Hassan feels that tajweed should be made a compulsory subject in schools and we need to produce competent teachers for the purpose. Even adults, who may not have had an opportunity to learn how to read the Quran at a young age, can learn tajweed within a year’s time.

Most importantly, we need to bear in mind that listening to the sound of the Quran is not a ceremonial affair only but is enjoined as a commandment within the Islamic scripture itself: “When the Quran is read listen to it with attention and hold your peace: that ye may receive Mercy” (7:204).

Courtesy by: Kashif Shahzada

B.C. putting 1,400 furloughed tourism, hospitality employees

“All of us are tired of this. But we are not out of the woods yet, we have several more miles to go before we rest.”

There are 14 businesses and organizations partnering on the project, including everyone from Air Canada to the Vancouver Canucks to Tourism Whistler, Horgan said.

There have been a number of hopeful developments in B.C.’s vaccination program in recent weeks, including the arrival of AstraZeneca vaccine doses that are being used to protect front-line workers.

Increased shipments of the Pfizer-

BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have also allowed the province to speed up the timeline for its agebased immunization program, with a goal of vaccinating every eligible adult before July.

Horgan said the cohort of B.C. residents aged 65-69 will be able to book a vaccine appointment by the end of the first week of April.

But there have also been concerns raised about some countries considering holding back vaccine exports, and what that could mean for Canada’s supply. Reuters has reported that India wants to pause

shipments of AstraZeneca because of a rising number of local COVID-19 cases, and the European Union has said it wants to ensure member countries have their “due share” of vaccine. While Horgan acknowledged Canada is “in the hands of international suppliers,” he offered some reassurances Wednesday.“My office has been in touch with the federal government today on both the India issue as well as the EU issue. We’re assured by the prime minister’s office that it’s full steam ahead,” he said..

B.C. has now administered more

than 580,000 doses of vaccine, with enough first doses to cover nearly 10 per cent of the population. The distribution has been ramping up, with upwards of 25,000 shots given out from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Horgan pointed to the recent mass immunization effort in Prince Rupert as an example of the province’s growing capabilities.

Health officials decided earlier this month to offer vaccine to every resident as the small community of about 10,000 grappled with an alarming surge in COVID-19 cases.

Source: ctvnews.ca

Massive Fire in Cox’s Bazar Damages Rohingya Refugee Camp

Continued from Page 1 means at least 45,000 people are being dis- dren. Spokesman for the U.N. children’s fund placed and for whom we seek now provi- James Elder said thousands of children caught sional shelter,” he said. Van der Klaauw said he expects the number of casualties to rise. He said the majority of refugees are women and children. They also are the most vulnerable. He said it is urgent to find places for them to stay where they will be safe and protected. Cox’s Bazar is the world’s largest refugee camp. It houses nearly 900,000 Rohingya refugees who fled violence and persecution in Myanmar in August 2017. More than half of this population is chil-

in the fire need assistance. He said a UNICEF team is in Cox’s Bazar trying to address and respond to those needs. He added health teams on the ground are administering first aid and working with other aid agencies.

“The reports we have are that yes, children are among the injured. Of course, there also are many children separated from their families.

UNICEF has many learning centers, as we have tried to build and build and bring a bit of nor-

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Contents

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Local s Cand.News Politics Middle Est Health Women/Y History Pakistan Urdu

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mality to these kids in these camps. Many of those have been fully burnt. The exact numbers we are trying to confirm, and we will, of course seek to rebuild those as quickly as possible,” said Elder. Source: voanews.com

Letters to the editor and Articles do not reflect the opinion of the Miracle media group. We do not publish anonymous letters or the letters of the people who do not disclose their identity to ‘The Miracle.’ A writer can use a pen name or request ‘The Miracle’ to withhold his / her identity. Please include your daytime telephone number for the confirmation of your letter.

We regret the inconvenience.

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Shaban 13, 1442 March 26, 2021

fait h

Narated By Abu Huraira : The Prophet said, SB.001-B002-H#008 “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.”

Who Is My First Teacher?

BY: MOHAMMAD MUMTAZ ALI

friend nor intercessor whose w o r d would be headed

by Allah SWT [40: 18]. Allah SWT would reveal all the secrets that people’s hearts had concealed and would make His judgment. He would judge with justice, and no one will escape His justice.

Whosoever would have committed any wrong in this world would see the result of it. Allah SWT is indeed Strong, Terrible in Retribution [40: 22]. We would cry out to one another for help [40: 32].

We would turn around to retreat; there would be none to protect us from Allah SWT [40: 33]. Just as there will be no savior but Allah in the Next Life, in this life too, our True Savior and Guide are Allah and His Book. These are the fundamental life lessons that Allah SWT has taught us. Living by these teachings, and turning to Allah SWT for knowledge and guidance can alone save us from walking blindly in the alleys of falsehood, pride, and gloom.

There is no compulsion in Deen [accepting Truth]. The right way now stands clearly distinguished from the wrong. Hence, he who rejects the evil ones and believes in Allah has indeed taken hold of the firm, unbreakable handle. And Allah [Whom he has held for support] is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. [2: 256] Allah is the Guardian of those who believe and brings them out of every darkness into light. And those who disbelieve, their guardians are the evil ones; they bring them out of light into all kinds of darkness. These are destined for the Fire, and there they shall abide. [2: 257]

W

ho is my first teacher? Have I ever thought about this question?

Yes, some times. I know that my mother, or my father, or my brother or my sister, or my primary school teacher, who taught me how to write and read, was my first teacher.

But is this answer correct? Do I know with certainty that this is the right answer?

Why am I asking myself this question at this stage of my life? Why do we all need to take a moment and ask ourselves this question? Because it is an important question. Knowing the correct answer to this question affects the way in which we live our lives. Could it be wrong that my mother or father or primary school teachers are my first teachers?

Yes, it is wrong. We have read several times the correct answer, but we did not notice it. We read in the Quran that it is Allah SWT, Who is the Creator of the entire universe. He is All-Knowledgeable, All-Wise, All-Hearing, All-Seeing, Self-Existent, Ever-Living, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. He taught us that which we do not know, especially the Right Way of life. He said: “He teaches you the Right Way and has full knowledge of everything” [2: 283]; “He taught you what you know not.

Great indeed has been Allah’s favor upon you” [4: 113].” He taught us many things. Referring to Prophet Isa, He said: “…recall My favor…when I taught you the Book and Wisdom [5: 110].” Allah SWT taught Prophet Yousuf how to comprehend the deeper meaning of things [12: 21]. He taught us about the truth and reality of life, society, and the world. He has said this repeatedly in the Quran. Allah SWT taught man about all necessary things of this world so that he can deal with them appropriately. The Quran says: Then Allah taught Adam the names of all things. [2: 31] He taught us to read in the name of our Lord and Cherisher, Who created us and taught us the use of the pen. Allah taught us that which we knew not, that we should know our limitations and not transgress them [96: 1, & 4-6]. He also taught us the Right Way of life as He has full knowledge of everything [2: 282].

No one is equal to Him in this regard.

We acknowledged this fact and said: Glory to You! We have no knowledge except what You taught us. You, only You, are All-Knowing, All-Wise.[2: 32] Whatever Allah SWT taught us, is recorded in the Quran. The Quran was introduced as the BOOK, which contains knowledge. There is no doubt about it; it is not only the book of knowledge but also of guidance and a mercy for all humankind [2:2]. Through His teachings,

He granted us the criterion by which we can distinguish truth from falsehood [3:3-4].

This Book, beyond all doubt, was revealed by the Lord of the Universe…It is the Truth from your Lord [32: 2-3] These are the ayahs of a Book that clearly expounds the Truth. [12: 1] Allah SWT taught us through the Quran about the Truth and Reality of life and the world. He guided us to understand and make our lives, society, and the world meaningful and worthy of living [16: 64]. He guided us to the Way that is the Most- Straight to do righteous works. He taught us about the Truth and Reality of the Next world. He taught us beyond any doubt that He will take the worldly life account in the Next world and grant us the best and greatest reward. He also taught and warned us about the grievous chastisement that waits for us [17: 9-10]. The Quran teaches us: He who follows the Right Way shall do so to his advantage, and he who strays shall incur his loss. No one shall carry another’s burden. And never shall We punish any until We send a Messenger [to make the Truth distinct to them from falsehood]. [17: 15] Hence, Allah SWT invited humankind through the Quran to understand the Truth and Reality of life and this world.

O mankind, serve your Lord Who has created you as well as those before you; do so that you are saved. It is He Who has made the earth a resting-place for you, and the sky a canopy, and sent down water from above with which He brought forth fruits for your sustenance.

Do not, then, set up rivals to Allah when you know[the truth]. [2: 21-22] The Quran presents a challenge to all ages’ thinking minds and urges them to disprove the Quran’s claims. Again and again, Allah SWT is the only Creator of man and universe Who revealed to man the True, Authentic, and Universal Knowledge [Islamic Revealed Knowledge] of the physical and the metaphysical world. Shouldn’t this knowledge revealed by Him occupy the central place in the scheme of further knowledge and education?

As Allah SWT is our First Teacher and the one Who revealed to us the Quran, it is the Quran’s content, the overall teachings, the morals, the values, the laws, and the principles that should be our guide in the development of people and societies. If the Knowledge-Giver’s Book is practiced and followed sincerely by people, individually and collectively.

Then, everyone can live a peaceful and happy life. Yet, we have forgotten that Allah SWT and His Book should al-

ways be our first source of knowledge and guidance. How many times have we turned to others around us rather than the Quran? We pursue our education and make choices in our lives, unguided by the First Teacher. Isn’t this a form of ingratitude? This is why Allah SWT is reminding people how they can be ungrateful to Him. How can you be ungrateful to Allah who bestowed life upon you when you were lifeless, will later cause you to die, and will again bring you back to life so that you will be returned to Him. [2: 28] Whether we like it or not, we all will surely return to Allah SWT to give an account of our life spent here. One of the most important lessons from our First Teacher which we must never forget: “There is no god but Allah. To Him are all destined to return [40: 3]. This lesson about the Next Life is to guard us against all evils and remind us to always turn to Him. Allah SWT says in the Quran that on the Day of Resurrection and Judgement, all people will see and confess the Truth and Reality of the Next world [40: 11].

On that Day Allah SWT will ask: “Whose is the Command today?” All the people would say: “It is Allah’s, the One, the Overpowering” [40: 16]. On that Day of Judgement Allah SWT would say: “Today shall everyone be fully recompensed for his deeds. None shall be wronged today. Surely Allah is Swift in Reckoning” [40: 17]. On that day, the hearts of those people who fail to recognize the Truth of the Next world, would be full of grief and they would not find any sincere Source: islamicity.org

Prayer Schedule in Greater Vancouver March 26-April 9, 2021, Shaban 13-27,1442 H

Isl. Dt. Day Date Fajar

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thus Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thus Fri

Sunr

Zawal Dhuhr Dhur Asar Shafi / Asar Hanfi Maghrib

Isha

For such Prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times: Quran ,n 4:103 Source: BCMA

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Shaban 13, 1442 March 26, 2021

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N E W S

North Korea carries out suspected Biden names Harris to lead effort to ballistic missile launch stem migration at border The Biden administration is struggling to respond to a growing number of migrants arriving at the US-Mexico border.

US President Joe Biden has named Vice President Kamala Harris to lead his administration’s efforts, along with Mexico and Central America’s Northern Triangle countries, to try to stem the flow of immigration to the United States. Biden announced the move at a White House meeting with his immigration team on Wednesday.

“I can think of nobody who is better qualified to do this,” Biden said.

“When she speaks, she speaks for me. She doesn’t have to check with me,” he said.

The Biden administration has faced mounting criticism over the arrival of large numbers of migrants and asylum seekers at the US border with Mexico in recent weeks.

In particular, increasing numbers of unaccompanied children, many of whom have been stuck in jail-like border stations for days while they await placement in overwhelmed government-run shelters, have drawn concern from immigration advocates.

Al Jazeera’s Manuel Rapalo, reporting from Tijuana, Mexico, on Wednesday, said approximately 1,000 to 1,500 people have been waiting in a makeshift camp just outside El Chaparral border crossing, hoping to be allowed into the US. The camp was set up about one month ago, Rapalo said, and many of the families fled their homes in Central America and southern Mexico due to threats of violence and recent natural disasters. Rapalo reported that many people living in the camp said they had not received instructions from Mexican or US authorities about what to do next, fuelling a sense of confusion, and “there is a sense of growing desperation among a lot of the people”. ...Source:ctvnews.ca

ISLAMABAD: Former US secretary of state Dr Henry Kissinger recognised Pakistan’s ‘key’ role in arranging his secret visit from Islamabad to Beijing in 1971 for making breakthrough in China-US relations.

Pakistan’s pivotal role was acknowledged during a high-level webinar event organised by China’s State Council in Beijing. The event marked ‘50 Years of China-US Relations’ with keynote speeches from former US Secretary of State Dr Henry Kissinger and Senator Mushahid Hussain on Pakistan’s pivotal role in arranging Dr Kissinger’s secret journey to China.

In a statement issued here, the China Development Forum said that China marked the 50th Anniversary of Dr Kissinger’s secret visit to Beijing from Islamabad in which Senator Mushahid Hussain said that it was an honour for Pakistan to play a pivotal role in the ChinaUS opening.

Dr Henry Kissinger praised Pakistan for its role during that period and how President Yahya Khan, acted as a go-between China and US, communicating secretly with Chinese Prime Minister Zhou Enlai and President Richard Nixon, which led to Dr Kissinger’s path-breaking journey in a PIA plane from Islamabad to Beijing on July 9, 1971.

Dr Kissinger recounted how the first message from China was in the form of a handwritten note, which was personally dictated to him in the White House by the then Pakistan Ambassador in Washington, Agha Hilaly.

Speaking next after Dr Kissinger, Senator

Mushahid Hussain, representing Pakistan, said that this historic breakthrough in ChinaUS relations became possible due to the ‘indispensable role of Pakistan. Pakistan enjoyed the trust of both China and the United States, when then President, Richard Nixon, had tremendous affection and goodwill for Pakistan’.

Senator Mushahid Hussain said that Pakistan’s then President General Yahya Khan, once entrusted with this task by both President Richard Nixon and Premier Zhou Enlai, undertook this sensitive mission with ‘military precision, secrecy and deception’, with an official announcement of a decoy visit by Dr Kissinger to Nathiagali. The pretext was that the American official was resting due to an upset stomach, while he had secretly flown to Beijing. He said that President Yahya relied only on a two-man team of his top diplomats, Foreign Secretary Sultan Mohammed Khan and Pakistan Ambassador to the US, Agha Hilaly.

Source: Dawn.com

“I send deep love to the Asian American “Chinese Virus” gained popularity on social community today,” wrote Paltrow. “You media in 2020 as people accused Asians of make our country better, we love you.” causing the spread of Covid-19 globally. The country worst-affected by the virus, howevAsian hate and the pandemic Celebrities are highlighting the sharp rise in er, is the US, which recently crossed 500,000 hate crimes against Asian-Americans since Covid cases. Asian countries such as China are celebrating defeating the virus. the Covid-19 pandemic began last year.

American actor and comedian Mindy Ka- The situation was exacerbated when former ling tweeted how “the targeting of our Asian US President Donald Trump tweeted and brothers and sisters is sickening, but not referred to the COVID-19 virus as the “Chisurprising given the normalizing of anti- nese Virus” in March 2020. According to a study, there was a large rise in anti-Asian Asian hate speech in the past year.”

Actress Olivia Munn, who starred in the hashtags on Twitter after the tweet was pubmovie X-Men Apocalypse in 2016, wrote lished.Some celebrities are also highlighton Instagram about how “hate crimes have ing that racial discrimination against the spiked since Covid and continue to increase Asian-American community is an issue that even though we ask for help.” Munn grew up goes back long before the pandemic. In an in Tokyo.Racial jokes surrounding phrases interview to Anderson Cooper of *CNN*, such as “Kung-Flu”, “Wuhan Virus” and Star Trek actor George Takei spoke about

the constant presence of anti-Asian sentiment in America.“It is an existing thing in American society, but it goes dormant for a while. And when there is an event that terrorises people because of Asians or AsianAmericans, then it wells up again.”..... . Many leaders of colour have voiced their support against anti-Asian violence, asking that all lives be respected irrespective of race and colour. US President Joe Biden has also called for a stop to hatred in the country.

Source:images.dawn.com

South Korea, Japan and US confirm Thursday morning launch with Japanese saying at least two banned ballistic missiles were fired into sea. North Korea launched two suspected ballistic missiles into the sea off its eastern coast, Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide said on Thursday, in a launch confirmed by the South and the United States, which is in the midst of a review of its policy towards the reclusive state.

North Korea is banned from developing ballistic missiles under United Nations Security Council resolutions and the launch adds a new challenge to US President Joe Biden’s efforts to engage with Pyongyang. Japan’s Suga said the two missiles fell into the sea outside Japanese waters.

“The first launch in just less than a year represents a threat to peace and stability in Japan and the region and violates UN resolutions,” Suga said in comments aired by Japan’s public broadcaster NHK. The missile launch took place only days after North Korea fired suspected cruise missiles.

“With its return to testing different types of

missiles, Pyongyang is flirting with the limits of what it can get away with under UN Security Council Resolutions,” Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international relations at Ewha University in Seoul told Reuters news agency. “The Moon government has doubled down on peace building engagement and the Biden administration is looking to complete a policy review before taking any major moves. Strategists in Tokyo worry that North Korea is taking provocative actions to undermine cooperation among Japan, South Korea and the United States. The three countries are trying to get on the same page about deterrence, sanctions and engagement.”

Source:aljazeera.com

The government is attempting crack down on people who arrive by unauthorised routes, such as in small boats or in trucks.

The United Kingdom is planning to toughen immigration rules to make it harder for people who arrive by unauthorised routes, such as truck stowaways or those who board small boats, to be given asylum.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said asylumseekers who come to Britain through organised, sponsored routes, will have their refugee claims considered promptly and will be given support to settle.

Those who enter the country otherwise will only be given temporary permission to stay, will receive limited benefits and will be “regularly reassessed for removal from the UK.” Patel said the system would be “fair but firm.”“People are dying at sea, in lorries and in shipping containers,” she said. “To stop the deaths we must stop the trade in people that cause them..Refugee groups and immigration lawyers say the plan unfairly

discriminates against refugees based on the way they got to the UK. “The proposals effectively create an unfair two-tiered system, whereby someone’s case and the support they receive is judged on how they entered the country and not on their need for protection,” said Mike Adamson, chief executive of the British Red Cross.

“This is inhumane.”

But Patel said the changes are needed to stop illegal people-smuggling rings, and will make the system fairer because it won’t give an advantage to those who can pay for their passage. “What is inhumane is allowing people to be smuggled through illegal migration, and that is what we want to stop,” she told the BBC. “We will create safe and legal routes to enable people to come to the United Kingdom in a safe way.”

Refugees and migrants have for years used northern France as a launching point to reach the UK, either by stowing away in trucks or on ferries, or in small boats organised by people smugglers. In 2020, about 8,500 people arrived in Britain by crossing the Channel in small boats, and several died trying to make the journey. Others have died while being smuggled by truck, including 39 Vietnamese migrants found dead in a refrigerated container in 2019 in the English town of Grays, east of London. The UK and French governments have worked to stop the people-smuggling journeys, without much success. Source aljazeera.com

‘Inhumane’: UK plan for tougher asylum system draws criticism

Kissinger recognises Pakistan’s role in establishing China-US ties

Why is #Stop Asian Hate trending on social media?

Social media has been abuzz with the hashtag #StopAsianHate recently and a number of celebrities are speaking out against anti-Asian violence.

A 21-year-old white shooter stormed into massage parlours in Atlanta, Georgia in the US and killed six Asian women. People are now calling out the rise in violence towards people of Asian descent.

Actor Sandra Oh, known for her role in Grey’s Anatomy, took to Twitter to condemn the mass shootings. “I send loving kindness and support to the families of the eight souls murdered in Georgia on March 16th. And to all the victims of racist violence.”

Big names such as Rihanna and Iron Man star Gwyneth Paltrow also posted words of support for the Asian-American community on their Instagram accounts.

7 l o c a l / c O v i d / c o n t B.C. to allow limited indoor religious gatherings for upcoming holidays March 28-May 13 Shaban 13, 1442 March 26, 2021

March 23rd News has been replaced from Print edition for e-paper

By Simon Little Global News March 25,

British Columbia’s religious communities are being given a temporary exemption to a ban on indoor gatherings to celebrate their upcoming holidays.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced a variance to her ban on in-person religious services that will allow faiths to choose four days over the period of March 28 to May 13 (edited from April 13 as per her video statement)

to hold indoor events. “It is a trial period, if you will,” Henry said.

“This represents a first step in the gradual reopening of indoor faith and spiritual group gatherings. It builds on our recent indoor variance, which permits outdoor religious services for up to 50 Continued from Page 1 received two days ago.

Mr Khan’s diagnosis was confirmed by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan in a tweet.

“PM Imran Khan has tested positive for Covid-19 and is self isolating at home,” he tweeted.Later, it was revealed that Bus­hra Bibi, the prime minister’s spo­use, had also contracted the virus.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfiqar Bukhari tweeted, “Wishing our First Lady & PM @ ImranKhanPTI a speedy recovery. May Allah give them both shifa.”

Senator Faisal Javed confirmed that the first couple had been infected.

On the international front, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, interestingly, became the first leader to wish Mr Khan.

The news stirred a debate on social media and within a couple of minutes, #ImranKhan became the top trend.

PPP Information Secretary Faisal Karim Kundi, in a video statement, said the timing of the prime minister’s vaccination and the

people with specific conditions, and we are hopeful that this one-time indoor variance can be extended soon.”

Under the variance, gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 50 people or 10 per cent of available space — whichever is less.

The period was selected in order to overlap with a variety of major religious holidays, including Vaisakhi, Passover, Ramadan and Easter.

Henry said the plan was developed after intensive consultation with B.C. religious leaders, who she said were understanding of the need to limit transmission and protect the vulnerable. The province will take the lessons learned over the course of the variance and use them as ground-

work for future easing of restrictions, Henry added.

She also warned that the exemption could be modified or revoked if the COVID-19 situation deteriorates.

“We take no pleasure, of course, in limiting any of the religious community’s practices, and we want this to be a success and we want to make sure we are protecting the most vulnerable among us,” she said.

“If conditions require us to revisit this, we will do so in consultation, again.”

On Wednesday, the province announced that it would permit outdoor in-person religious gatherings, also with a limit of 50 attendees.

Organizers of any permitted in-person gathering will be required to have a COVID-19 safety plan in place and en-

sure participants comply with the rules.

The ban on religious gatherings has been one of the most contentious pandemic restrictions in B.C. since it was implemented in November.

Earlier this month, the B.C. Supreme Court upheld the ban, ruling that it did infringe constitutionally protected rights, but that the infringement was reasonable and proportionate https://globalnews.ca/news

PM, wife contractrelatives Covid as positivity rate tops 9pc jumped the queue or violated the “The fact is that antibodies start developing

vaccine’s efficacy had raised questions.

He urged the government to share details of the vaccine’s effectiveness.

On the other hand, Ministry of National Health Services spokesperson Sajid Shah said Dr Faisal Sultan had a meeting with Prime Minister Khan and would share details soon.

Cabinet members also came forward on social media to clarify that Mr Khan had not been infected by the vaccine.

“May Allah protect him and give him shifa.

Some people questioning the efficacy of vaccination since he was vaccinated Thursday evening. The symptoms take a few days before manifesting. Hence it is certain that PM had been infected PRIOR to vaccination. So please do vaccinate,” Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar tweeted.

Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar further clarified in his tweet that “the vaccine develops more than 80% immunity two weeks after the second injection. Furthermore, No cabinet minister, including the Prime-Minister, nor any of their

priority order to receive the vaccine.”

PTI leader Dr Shahbaz Gill also urged people in his tweet not to link PM Khan’s positive test with the vaccine.

Lots of prayers for everyone and PM Imran Khan. May ALLAH help him recover soon,” Senator Faisal Javed tweeted.

Talking to Dawn, Member of the federal government’s Scientific Task Force on Covid-19 Dr Javed Akram said it was not uncommon for people to get infected just after vaccination.

“However it has nothing to do with the vaccine. I believe the premier was already infected but did not show symptoms as the incubation period of the virus is seven to 10 days. It will be next to impossible to test and trace from whom PM Khan contracted the virus as the positivity rate has reached around 10pc in Pakistan and over 3,000 people are getting infected daily,” he said.

Dr Akram, who is also the vice chancellor of the University of Health Sciences (UHS), said there was another misconception that people developed protection from the virus soon after getting the vaccine.

five to seven days after getting the first shot of the vaccine. After two weeks, antibodies reach the protective level but it takes 28 days to reach the optimum level. Despite that it cannot be said that a person has become fully protected from the virus as no vaccine has 100pc efficacy. Around 80pc efficacy rate means that a person, despite vaccination, can be infected with the virus but he/she will develop minor symptoms and there will be fewer chances of death,” he added.

When asked whether a person can be infected by the vaccine, he said at present, three types of vaccines were being used globally but not a single one could infect a person.

Replying to a question, he said the second jab was given three weeks after the first shot, but this would not be the case with the prime minister now.

“Mr Khan will have to wait for 12 days or until his result is found negative. Then he will have to wait for another six weeks and get a second shot,” he said.

Dr Akram said a comprehensive mechanism of contact tracing was already in place and all contacts of the prime minister would be tested as per policy. Source:dawn.com

rey at both the Cloverdale Recreation Centre and South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre.

FHA is planning to open a third clinic in Surrey at Guildford Recreation Centre and a date will be announced soon.

Each site will include a drop-off location for immunization appointments, and residents are encouraged to take public transit when possible. Free parking is available.

Eligible residents can book vaccination appointments by visiting fraserhealth.ca/vaccinebooking or by calling the Fraser Health vac-

cination appointment line at 1-855-755-2455, which is available 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Please call only when it’s your turn.

Recreational programming will continue at these facilities utilizing separate entrances, and City staff are working to minimize programming disruptions.

Find the latest information on COVID-19 on the City’s social media channels at www. surrey.ca/Covid19.

Source: Oliver Lum Communications Manager Office of the Mayor , City of Surrey

3 Surrey Recreation Centres to serve as mass immunization clinics for Fraser Health Authority

Surrey, BC – In support of Fraser Health Authority’s (FHA) COVID-19 vaccination rollout, gymnasiums at the Cloverdale Recreation Centre, South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre, and Guildford Recreation Cen-

tre will serve as sites for mass immunization clinics.“As vaccine distribution is set to ramp up, the City is proud to do its part in supporting Fraser Health’s safe vaccination rollout by offering the gymnasium space at these three civic facilities,” said Mayor Doug McCallum. “Vaccinating over 600,000 residents is no small feat, but we are confident that by offering these large distribution centres, everyone who wants to be immunized will have access to one near their home.”

Eligible residents can currently book vaccination appointments for clinics within Sur-

Coronavirus infections over 125 million worldwide Coronavirus Cases:

Deaths:

Recovered:

101,312,279

Last updated:

March 25, 2021, 06:48 GMT www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?

125,454,721

2,757,158

Coronavirus Cases:

Deaths:

Recovered:

CANADA Last updated:

Coronavirus Cases:

Deaths:

Recovered:

BC;CANADA Last updated:

946,370 93,969

22,759 1,441

886,512 86,857

March 25, 2021, 06:48 GMT

March 25, 2021, 06:48 GMT

https://experience.arcgis.com

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PM ‘concerned’ about vaccine restric- China slams Canada’s treatment of First tions, no indication Canada is impacted Nations in response to sanctions

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that while he is “concerned” that COVID-19 vaccine deliveries to Canada from India and the EU may be held back to prioritize domestic immunization campaigns, there is no indication yet that this country’s supply will be impacted. “We share the urgency of all Canadians to ensure access to COVID-19 vaccines. We are concerned with the new reports of restrictions,” Trudeau said in a response to a question from Conservative MP and health critic Michelle Rempel Garner asking whether he could “absolutely guarantee” none of Canada’s vaccines will be held back.

“We will be continuing to work with our counterparts, including direct contact from me to the highest levels of the European Commission, in order to ensure that Canada’s supply of vaccines is not in danger, is not interrupted,” said the prime minister.

Trudeau said that work is currently underway to ensure that the doses Canada is contractually obligated to receive, are sent.

Canada is entirely reliant on COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by international pharmaceutical companies as there is currently not adequate domestic production capacity in this country.

According to a spokesperson for the European Commission, the new export controls

are aimed at making sure Europe has it’s “due share” of vaccines, noting the EU is currently the main exporter of vaccines.

The move has been seen as likely most notably impacting Britain, which has a higher vaccination rate than some other nearby nations.“We have been discussing what more we can do to ensure a reciprocally beneficial relationship between the U.K. and EU on COVID-19. Given our interdependencies, we are working on specific steps we can take… to create a win-win situation and expand vaccine supply for all our citizens,” said the U.K. and EU in a joint statement. “In the end, openness and global cooperation of all countries will be key to finally overcome this pandemic and ensure better preparation for meeting future challenges.”

Source:ctvnews.ca

Red-hot real estate market sees Langley home sell for half-million over asking

LANGLEY, B.C. -- It’s a red-hot real estate market in Langley.

How hot, you ask?

A detached strata home in a gated community recently sold for a half-million dollars over the asking price. “It’s crazy,” said realtor Suki Bahi. Bahi listed the two-bedroom, twobathroom rancher, which was built around 1995, for $820,000. She says a home in the same complex sold for $770,000 last year.

Neither Bahi nor the owner expected what happened next. There were 110 showings in five days and 20 offers. The accepted offer came in at $500,000 over the asking price.

“It did break a record for Fraser Valley (for the) highest price sold for a strata property,” she said. “I never thought the market would get this hot.”She said the interest came mostly from local seniors who are selling their two- and three-storey homes, but still want to live independently.

“Nobody wants to go to a care facility and they said this is it,” she said. Langley also sold more townhomes in February than any other community within the region covered by the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. The average sale price in Langley was $611,600. But it’s not just Langley seeing a big jump in sales.

The managing broker at Holywell Properties says last month in Chilliwack, almost three-quarters of the homes sold at list price

or above. “I assume this is a COVID-driven, ‘let’s get out of the city’ momentum that is causing this,” Adam Major said.

Whatever the cause, it’s a tough time for would-be buyers. “If you’re a buyer, do you want to get in a bidding war on a house right now? I think buyers are feeling the pressure because a lot of people are wanting more,” Major said. “I know a lot of them have been prequalified for a mortgage. Mortgage rates have never been lower.”

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board says the pressure on prices could ease with the volume of new listings significantly increasing since February. “As of March 24, new listings are up 58 per cent in the Fraser Valley compared to last year. On Feb. 25, they were up by only 27 per cent compared to 2020. This is positive news for Fraser Valley home buyers,” said Chris Shields, president of the FVREB in a statement to CTV News Vancouver.

But Bahi is convinced prices will keep going up.“I feel like this market is going to get higher and higher,” she said. Source: /bc.ctvnews.ca

OTTAWA -- China lashed out Tuesday against Canada and other western countries, saying they have no right to criticize the regime’s human-rights record, considering their own. The criticism was part of the China’s response to the sanctions against the regime this week over alleged humanrights violations against minority Muslims in Xinjiang region.

Canada, the U.S., U.K. and EU all issued sanctions against four Chinese officials and one entity Monday, a concerted effort designed to pressure China to put an end to what allies called “a systematic campaign of repression.” China moved swiftly to issue retaliatory sanctions against the EU, and a spokesman said diplomats from the other countries had been contacted to express the regime’s displeasure.

“We urge them not to underestimate Chinese people’s firm determination to defend national interests and dignity. It’s a courtesy to reciprocate what we receive,” foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Tuesday during a press briefing in Beijing, according to a transcript.

“They will have to pay a price for their ignorance and arrogance.”

A spokesperson for Global Affairs confirmed that Chinese officials requested meetings in Ottawa and Beijing.

“As we have said repeatedly, we are gravely concerned by the egregious human-rights violations against the Uyghurs and other

ethnic minorities in Xinjiang,” Christelle Chartrand said in an email.

“We have raised this issue directly with Chinese authorities on a number of occasions, both bilaterally and in multilateral forums and we will continue to do so at every possible opportunity.”

In laying out China’s argument Tuesday, Hua listed off a range of historical injustices western countries have carried out against minority populations, including Canada’s residential school system among them.

The system saw Indigenous children removed from their families and placed in a largely government-funded, church-operated school system designed to assimilate them and where thousands suffered mental, sexual and physical abuse.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission that investigated residential schools and their legacy concluded in 2015 that the system had constituted cultural genocide.

Source: ctvnews.ca

Police identified the victim as Ma Cecilia Loreto of New Westminster The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team announced Wednesday afternoon that two people now face multiple charges related to a burning body that was found in a Burnaby park last week.

Carlo Tobias, 21, and a 15-year-old who has not been named face charges of first-degree murder and indignity to human remains.

Cpl. Frank Jang with IHIT identified the victim as New Westminster resident Ma Cecilia Loreto, who was also known by the name Mycel.

Loreto was a 49-year-old recent immigrant from the Philippines and a mother with a “loving family” who worked in a food store in the Vancouver area, according to Jang.

“Our deepest condolences go out to Ma Cecilia’s family, her friends, her colleagues in the community,” he said.

Homicide team investigating after burning body discovered near Burnaby playground Emergency responders were called to Greentree Village park in Burnaby on March 18 at 1:57 a.m. for reports of a bush and grass fire. Instead, they found Loreto’s body on fire.

“We believe that Ma Cecilia was in fact killed at her residence in New Westminster earlier that evening,” said Jang.

Her remains were found metres from a children’s playground. A section of the park, including the playground, was surrounded by yellow police tape the morning her body was found. Jang says the two accused and the victim were known to each other and the death was not random. There is no ongoing concern for public safety, he added.

No further details were released.

“We have a very good idea of what happened … but all that information, right now, isn’t for public consumption, unfortunately.” Source: cbc.ca/news

Man and teenager charged with murder after burning body discovered near Burnaby playgroundSocial Sharing

Feds to table 2021 budget on April 19: Freeland The 2021 federal budget will be the first of- restrictions, which happened in the months

OTTAWA -- The federal government will be tabling the 2021 budget on April 19, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced Tuesday.

The budget is expected to include a full accounting of the state of the country’s finances amid historic spending levels and dire unemployment figures due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.“Canada entered this global pandemic in a strong fiscal position, which allows our government to provide unprecedented support to Canadians. We will continue to do whatever it takes to support Canadians and Canadian businesses, and we have a plan for jobs, and robust growth,” Freeland said during question period.

ficial budget the government has issued in two years, after the Liberals called off the March 2020 budget as outbreaks began to worsen nationwide in the early days of the global crisis.In the last budget, which was presented on March 19, 2019, the federal deficit was estimated to be $19.7 billion in the 2020-21 fiscal year. However as of the 2020 fall economic update, that had ballooned to at least $381.6 billion in 2020-21, due to hundreds of billions of dollars in federal pandemic spending.

The fall fiscal figures showed that Canada could sink deeper into the red if outbreaks of COVID-19 worsened and led to extended

following. In what will be the first federal budget presented by Freeland following the 2020 resignation of former finance minister Bill Morneau, the government has promised more details on a massive economic stimulus plan to rebound from the pandemicprompted recession.

Depending on the state of the country’s finances the government has signalled they intend to spend roughly three to four per cent of the GDP— $70 to $100 billion between 2021 and 2024 – over the next few years on initiatives such as child care and a green recovery.

With COVID-19 case counts on the rise

once again in Canada, it’s possible the key spending document will include more targeted supports for people, businesses, and the health care sector.......

Source: ctvnews.ca

9 po l itics Trudeau’s story keeps changing on Vance sexual misconduct allegations Shaban 13, 1442

March 26, 2021

Justin Trudeau’s story keeps changing on when he first became aware of the sexual misconduct allegations against the former Chief of the Defence Staff, Gen. Vance. If the Privy Council Office and Prime Minister’s Office knew, then Justin Trudeau must also have known more than he’s admitting.

This isn’t the first time. Whether its covering-up sexual misconduct allegations, the SNC-Lavalin scandal or the WE Charity scandal, the Prime Minister’s first instinct is to mislead Canadians. For example: Version 1: Trudeau and PMO were not aware of any allegations PMO to Global News on February 4, 2021 A senior government source said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Prime Minister’s Office were not aware of any allegations regarding Vance prior to the report from Global News. (Source) Justin Trudeau to the House of Commons

on February 24, 2021 “Mr. Speaker, every person deserves a safe work environment. I first learned of allegations against General Vance in Global News reporting.” (Source) Version 2: PMO was aware of allegations but not specifics Justin Trudeau to the House of Commons on March 10, 2021 “Mr. Speaker, in 2018, my office was aware of the minister’s direction to the ombudsman, but my office and I learned of the details of the allegation through news reporting over the past months.” (Source) PMO to media on March 10, 2021 The Prime Minister’s Office did not comment on whether Mr. Trudeau was briefed directly about the matter at that time. The office pointed to remarks that Mr. Trudeau made in the House of Commons including that he and his office “learned of the details

of the allegation through news reporting over the past months.” (Source) Version 3: Trudeau was aware allegations had been raised Minister Sajjan at Defence Committee on March 12, 2021 Question: Mr. Minister, did you or your chief of staff inform the Prime Minister’s Of-

fice of these allegations?

Minister Sajjan: Madam chair, first of all, as the Prime Minister has stated, he was informed that I had raised those concerns with the privy council office, but he learned of those complaints through the media.

(Source)By: Chelsea Tucker

OTTAWA -- Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole brushed off the idea Tuesday that a vote by the party’s grassroots on climate change should colour Canadians’ opinion of his party.“I’m the leader, I’m in charge,”

O’Toole said a press conference as he reiterated his pledge that his party will present a plan to address climate change ahead of the next election.

Over the weekend, delegates to the Conservatives’ policy convention voted down a resolution that would have included the line “climate change is real” in the party’s official policy document. While the existing document does implicitly acknowledge that fact and the party’s 2019 election platform said it explicitly, that didn’t stop the Liberals from swiftly jumping on the vote results to attack the Conservatives as climate-change deniers.

They tossed that accusation at the Tories multiple times Monday, both in House of

Commons committee hearings and during question period.

The debate, and vote, on the motion came as O’Toole delivered a speech to the virtual convention warning that if the party didn’t come around on climate, they could not make any traction among voters.

“We’ve now fought and lost two elections against a carbon tax because voters did not think we were serious about addressing climate change,” he said.

“And I will not allow 338 candidates to defend against the lie from the Liberals that we are a party of climate change deniers. We will have a plan to address climate change.”

It’s that message that matters, O’Toole said

Tuesday.He suggested delegates voted down the motion because of other changes it had sought to make to the party’s official stance on the environment.

In addition to adding the line about climate change being real, the motion proposed adding language that highly polluting Canadian businesses take responsibility for reducing their greenhouse-gas emissions and be held accountable for the results, and that the party believes in supporting innovation in green technologies.

The debate around the motion during the convention heard from just a handful of speakers, as per party rules.....

OTTAWA -- The acting chief of the defence staff is proposing a host of measures to modernize and create a safer environment at the Canadian Armed Forces, amid allegations of sexual misconduct that have shaken the institution.Despite assuming his position just weeks ago, following news that his predecessor Admiral Art McDonald was “voluntarily” stepping aside as a military investigation is

ongoing, Lt.-Gen. Wayne Eyre is laying out his vision for change.“We have to learn why previous approaches did not work and learn from that and incorporate those into our plan going forward,” he said during testimony before the House of Commons Status of Women Committee on Tuesday. That includes a new “playbook” about how to quickly respond to sexual misconduct allegations against those in senior

ranks, which he said is currently being drafted at his request.

He’s also looking at overhauling Operation Honour, the military’s existing sexual misconduct awareness initiative.

“I’ve heard from many that perhaps this operation culminated and we need to harvest what’s worked from there, learn from what hasn’t, and go forward with a deliberate change plan,” Eyre said. Operation Honour was instituted by former chief of the defence staff Gen. Jonathan Vance in 2015. Vance is now under investigation for allegations of sexual misconduct that CTV has not independently verified.

The military’s code of professional conduct will also be updated, according to Eyre.

“Now this goes beyond our current doctrinal manual to add much more detail as to what is expected under each of our values, and then

OTTAWA -- The Conservatives are calling on the Liberal government to stop funding the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank given the ongoing detention and secret trials of two Canadians in China.

In a letter Tuesday to Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole urged the prime minister to cancel a US$40 million payment to the China-led agency.

“When the AIIB was first proposed it was criticized by the Obama administration as a political tool that the Chinese government would use to expand its influence throughout Asia,” O’Toole wrote. ”Furthermore, concerns about the AIIB’s environmental records, labour standards, and overall commitment to human rights continue to this day.”O’Toole said Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig “have been held hostage” by China for more than two years, ar-

bitrarily detained in apparent retaliation for Canada’s arrest of a top Huawei executive on the request of the United States. The are now being tried secretly in Chinese courts that “are not based on the rule of law,” he said.

O’Toole said China’s human rights violations against the Uyghur Muslims and protesters in Hong Kong are further reasons to stop payments to the bank.

Conservative foreign-affairs critic Michael Chong said it’s unacceptable that Canada would support the bank when China is conducting secret trials of Spavor and Kovrig.

Chong said the Liberal government should use all of the tools at its disposal, including withholding the payment, to put pressure on Chinese authorities to stop the trials and release the two Michaels.

“We should also be looking at using other tools at our disposal to put pressure on Chi-

‘I’m in charge’: O’Toole brushes off Conservative grassroots vote on climate change

Source: ctvnews.ca

From ‘duty to report’ to ‘duty to respond’: Acting defence chief lays out steps for change within Forces we need to hold ourselves to account,” he said.

Above all else, he says, change is about putting the victim of sexual misconduct cases first and going from “duty to report” to “duty to respond,” while respecting the victim’s wishes.

The vice chief of the defence staff Lt.-Gen. Frances J. Allen – the first woman to hold the role – added that victims should have the agency to decide how an investigation unfolds, whether through the military police or through the civilian route.

“Part of the process is to always be ready to guide the member should working towards reporting is something they wish to do,” she told the committee.

Eyre added that the recruiting pool from which the military draws is shrinking.

Source: ctvnews.ca

Conservatives call on Liberals to stop payments to Chinese infrastructure bank nese authorities, such as withdrawing from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank ... banning Huawei from the build-out of Canada’s telecommunications network, and a range of other measures,” Chong said in an interview.

“The fact that the government is not using these tools at its disposal indicates that they don’t have a plan to respond to China’s threats, it indicates that they’re naive and equivocating.”

Global Affairs Canada and Finance Canada have not responded to several requests for information on whether the payment that’s due this month has been made or whether Ottawa will withhold the payment to put pressure on China.

The government committed to contribute $256 million to join the Asian Infrastructure

Investment Bank in 2017 and has made payments of nearly US$40 million in March in each of the last three years.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland last week said Canada will make its final two payments to the bank in March 2021 and March 2022 to complete its commitment.

Source: ctvnews.ca

10

Shaban 13, 1442 March 26, 2021

MIDDLE

EAST

Erdogan says Turkey wants region to become ‘island of peace’

Turkish president tells party congress he is determined ‘to increase the number of friends and resolve hostilities in the region’.

Turkey wants to resolve conflicts and make more friends while turning its region into an “island of peace”, President Recep Tayyip Er-

dogan said on Wednesday.

Speaking to thousands of supporters at a party congress held amid a new surge in coronavirus cases, Erdogan said he was “determined to increase the number of our friends and resolve hostilities in the region”.

“We will continue to shape our relationships with every country from the United States to Russia, from the European Union to the Arab geography in line with Turkey’s interests and our people’s expectations,” the Turkish president told his ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) congress in the capital Ankara.“As a country located in the heart of Africa, Asia and Europe, we do not have the luxury to turn our backs on neither the East nor the West,” he said.

Despite a big jump in new COVID-19 cases, which reached 26,000 on Tuesday, the congress was packed with thousands of AK Party members and delegates who travelled from across the country, drawing criticism online.

But Erdogan talked up Wednesday’s address as an important moment in Turkish politics, in which he intended to lay out the country’s future course.

to his location and arrest.

Houthi-allied journalists mourned the death of Al-Shami, but falsely blamed his death on a COVID-19 infection.

More than 1,000 Houthis, including dozens of high-ranking military officers, have been killed this year following the resumption of a major offensive to seize control of Marib city, the government’s last stronghold in the northern part of the country that contains major oil and gas fields.

Hundreds of air raids by coalition warplanes have destroyed Houthi military enforcements and equipment in Marib, shifting the balance of power in the government’s favor and enabling loyalists to push back Houthi attacks.

Yemeni army officers and politicians believe that the death of Al-Shami and other military leaders will provide loyalists a morale boost and could lead to the crumbling of Houthi forces.

workshops affiliated to the Houthi militia in Sanaa.“The targeting operation aims to neutralize and destroy the sources of impending attacks and to protect civilians,” the coalition said.It also said that the operations carried out comply with international humanitarian law and its customary rules.

Reassuring investors

Erdogan also tried to reassure foreign investors spooked by the dismissal of the marketfriendly central bank chief, saying Turkey’s economy will prevail.

“I call on foreign investors who invest in our country to trust Turkey’s power and poten-

tial,” Erdogan said.

“The fluctuations of the past few days most definitely do not reflect the fundamentals of Turkey’s economy, real dynamics, potential or its tomorrow,” he said.

Erdogan last week dismissed central bank head Naci Agbal, who had raised investor confidence and shored up the Turkish currency following a series of interest rate increases. He replaced him with Sahap Kavcioglu, a banking professor who has argued for lower rates, in line with Erdogan’s economic thinking. The move raised fears about Turkey’s possible return to unconventional monetary policy and caused the Turkish lira to plummet.

Source: aljazeera.com

Senior Houthi leader killed in Arab coalition airstrike on Marib

In 2017, the Arab coalition placed Al-Shami on the top of its wanted list Arab coalition targets Houthi affiliated weapons camp and workshops in Sanaa AL-MUKALLA, Yemen: A senior military leader of the Iran-backed Houthi militia was killed in an Arab coalition airstrike last week in the central province of Marib, a Yemeni military official told Arab News on Sunday.

Maj. Gen. Zakaria Yahiya Al-Shami, a minister in the Houthi cabinet and former chief of staff of the militia’s army, was killed in Marib while leading rebel fighters during an offensive in the province on Wednesday, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “This is a major blow to the Houthis since Al-Shami is the commander of the Houthi military wing. This is the most important Houthi leader to be killed in Arab coalition airstrike since Al-Samad,” the official said, referring to Saleh Al-Samad, a senior Houthi leader who was killed in 2018.

In 2017, the Arab coalition placed Al-Shami on the top of its wanted list and announced a $20 million reward for information leading

Taiz

One civilian was killed and four others critically wounded on Sunday when a mortar shell fired by Houthis exploded in a residential area in the Al-Jahmalia neighborhood, east of Taiz city, residents and military officials said on Sunday.

Yemen’s army spokesperson in Taiz, Col. Abdul Basit Al-Baher, told Arab News that the shell ripped through a gathering of peoSanaa ple outside the College of Arts in Taiz, killThe Arab coalition said on Sunday that it ing a motorbike driver and fatally woundhad targeted a weapons maintenance camp ing four others.“The Houthis targeted Taiz and ballistic missiles and drones assembly university with treacherous and cowardly

shells,” Al-Baher said.

Houthis also tightened their siege of Taiz after closing a rugged road that links Taiz with other areas southeast of the city amid fighting between army troops and rebels on Saber mountain.

Residents have been using rough and dangerous slopes to leave or enter the city to avoid Houthi checkpoints at the southern, eastern and northern edges.

On Saturday, Houthis blocked roads from Taiz to Al-Huban, forcing residents to travel through dangerous terrain to leave the city, Al-Baher said........Source:dawn.com

The Suez Canal, which handles about 10 percent of international maritime trade, was blocked by container ship, causing a traffic jam. Egypt’s Suez Canal handles about 10 percent of international maritime trade and is one of the world’s busiest waterways, providing a crucial link for oil, natural gas and

cargo shipping between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

When opened more than 150 years ago, the canal was 164km (102 miles) long and eight metres (26 feet) deep, but after several expansions throughout the years, it is now 193km (120 miles) long and 24 metres (78 feet) deep.

The canal remains one of Egypt’s top foreign currency earners.

How much traffic goes through the Suez?

On average, 50 vessels pass through the Suez Canal every day.

According to the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), nearly 19,000 ships, with a net tonnage of 1.17 billion tonnes passed through the canal during 2020 in “the second-highest load in the history of the canal”.

Fastest route for oil transport

The majority of oil transported by sea passes through the Suez Canal, which is the fastest crossing between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean but demands hefty passage tolls. The journey between ports in the Gulf and London, for example, is roughly halved by going through the Suez – compared with the alternate route around the southern tip of Africa.

Most of the cargo travelling from the Gulf to Western Europe is oil. Manufactured goods and grain also pass through the canal often between Europe and North America and the Far East and Asia.

What happened in the Suez canal?

On Tuesday, a large 200,000-tonne container ship heading to Rotterdam ran aground in the Canal.

The 400-metre long container ship Ever

Given’s hull became wedged length-ways across the canal lane, causing a gridlock of at least 100 vessels.

The container ship has been partially refloated and traffic is expected to resume soon, port agent GAC said, citing the Suez Canal Authority.

What will the blocking of the Suez mean for maritime trade?

The blocking of all traffic in the Suez by Ever Given could have a major knock-on effect for global shipping moving between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Ten tankers carrying 13 million barrels of crude could be affected by the grounding, according to oil analytics firm Vortexa. Reroutings will add 15 days to a Middle East to Europe voyage, the firm added.

Source:arabnews.com

Saudi official reportedly made the threat against Agnes Callamard during a meeting with UN officials in Geneva.

The UN human rights office confirmed on Wednesday the accuracy of published remarks by the independent expert who led an investigation into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi alleging that a senior Saudi official had made a threat against her.

The Guardian newspaper on Tuesday quoted Agnes Callamard, the UN expert on summary killings, as saying a Saudi official had threatened she would be “taken care of ” if she was not reined in following her investigation into the journalist’s murder.

Saudi officials did not respond to a request for comment. Callamard did not respond

when contacted by the Reuters news agency.

“We confirm that the details in the Guardian story about the threat aimed at Agnes Callamard are accurate,” UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville said in an email reply to Reuters.

The UN human rights office had informed Callamard about the threat in addition to briefing UN security and authorities, he added.Callamard told the Guardian the threat was conveyed in a January 2020 meeting between Saudi and UN officials in Geneva. She said she was told of the incident by a UN colleague, the newspaper reported.

Callamard led a UN investigation into the October 2018 killing of Khashoggi by Saudi agents at the kingdom’s Istanbul consulate.

‘A death threat’

Five things to know about the Suez Canal gridlock

UN confirms report on Saudi threat against Khashoggi investigator She issued a report in 2019 concluding there was “credible evidence” that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and senior Saudi officials were responsible for killing the Washington Post newspaper journalist and US resident.

She subsequently called for sanctions against the assets of the prince, also known as MBS, and a limit to his international engagement.

The prince denies any involvement in the killing but has said he bears ultimate responsibility because it happened under his watch.

The alleged threat was made during a meeting between Geneva-based Saudi diplomats, a visiting Saudi delegation and UN officials, the Guardian reported.

After the Saudi side criticised Callamard’s work in the case, the newspaper reported, one senior Saudi official said he had spoken to people prepared to “take care of her.”

Source:arabnews.com

11

Shaban 13, 1442 March 26, 2021

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Shaban 13, 1442 March 26, 2021

LOCAL

81st Pakistan Day Virtually Celebrated at Consul General’s Residence in West Vancouver

The Consul General of Pakistan, Mr. Janbaz Khan, celebrated republic Day of Pakistan on 23rd March in a simple and limited gathering in the presence of Pakistan ‘s Vancouver Consulate Office Staff Members and local Pakistani Media including representatives from Canadian Muslim Media Club, Mr. Naveed Waraich(President), Mr. Tarik Kiani(Gen. Secretary)Mr. Naseer Pirzada (Vice President) as well as Mr. Intikhab Ahmed (Dil Apna Pakistan), and Ms. Shahana Haqi(Urdu Journal).

The graceful ceremony was held at the residence of the Consul General of Pakistan in West Vancouver and was telecasted live through Media Groups via social media. Ms. Areeba Rauf, secretary of Consul General was the master of ceremony.

The ceremony started with the recitation of Quran by Mr. Abdul Malik.

Ms. Areeba welcomed everyone who joined to commemorate at the 81st Anniversary of Lahore Resolution(Qarardad-e-Pakistan), which was presented by A. K. Fazlul Huq

this Day and accepted by all India Muslim League Committee next day. After briefly describing Pakistan’s history, she requested the Consul General to hoist Pakistan’s flag .As Pakistan’s national anthem played in the background, Mr. Janbaz Khan raised the flag with beautiful West Vancouver in the background. After the ceremony, Mr. Khan welcomed Media and then read messages from Mr. Arif Alvi, President of Pakistan, Mr. Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan. After their messages , he said that “I would like to thank you all for being a wonderful Ambassadors of Pakistan and for protecting and safeguarding its interests in Canada. Your love and attachment for your country of origin is exemplary. Let us make a resolve today that while being a law-abiding and loyal citizen of Canada, you will continue to care for Pakistan and work for its better image and its promotion in your respective areas.”

After ceremony a short discussions held between Consul General and Media.

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‫مجھے کیسے پتہ چلے‬ ‫گا کہ‬ ‫کی ویکسینیں محفوظ ہیں؟‬ ‫ہیلتھ کینیڈا صرف محفوظ‪ ،‬موثر اور ٰ‬ ‫اعلی ترین معیار کی حامل ویکسینوں‬ ‫کے استعمال کی اجازت دیتا ہے۔ کینیڈا کو اپنے ٰ‬ ‫اعلی معیارات اور سخت گیر‬ ‫ویکسین کے جائزہ کے عمل کی بدولت دنیا بھرمیں مانا جاتا ہے۔‬ ‫‪COVID-19‬‬

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Shaban 13, 1442 March 26, 2021

women / Hea l t h / y o u t h

W

By: Asma Shums, hat is selfcare?

Self-care is a general term that describes everything you do deliberately for your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. As simple as it sounds, many of us pay little attention to self-care.

This is why ‘deliberately’ is one of the most important words in the definition. You need to be conscious of your well-being before you can achieve true self-care. It starts from the simple acts like not checking emails at night when you know it affects your sleep and extends to more important decisions like going for a vacation or booking a massage when you feel you need one.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? Why is it important? Self-care encourages you to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself so that you can transmit the good feelings to others. You cannot give to others what you don’t have yourself. While some may misconstrue self-care as selfish, it’s far from that. When you pay adequate attention to your well-being, you’re not considering your needs alone. You’re reinvigorating yourself so that you can be the best version of yourself for the people around you. Everyone around you also benefits from the re-

By: Asma Shums,

WHAT IS SELF CARE?

newed energy and joy you exhibit.

Here Are Some Tips For Self-Care Tips To Improve Your Well-Being 1. Pay attention to your physical health Physical health is a core part of self-care.

The body and the mind have a unique connection, and it’s difficult to be in high spirits when you are not feeling good about your body. Research has shown that regular exercise increases the level of serotonin in our body significantly improving mood and energy. When exercising for self-care, you should choose an activity you love. It could be a regular run, brisk walking, swimming, or just about any other thing that makes you feel alive. You derive extra fulfillment from doing what you love, and it is the love that encourages persistence even when it seems you do not have time for it.

2. Get enough sleep Too many people are sleep deprived, and it takes a toll on our physical and mental health. We seem to have made the maxim ‘hard work pays’ too seriously. We now spend so much time working and very little time sleeping. Sleep scientists recommend that adults need at least 6-8 hours of sleep every night. Your body needs time to rest and renew. Daytime naps are also excellent for refreshing our body and improving concentration levels.

3. Be a healthy eater

1.

Why did the chicken cross the road? Because the chicken behind it didn’t know how to socially distance properly.

E

mpowering Au t i s m and Other Disabilities # 3

“By holding the highest vision for your child when they cannot see it for themselves, you are lifting them up, elevating them and helping them to soar.” – Megan Koufos Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that involves persistent challenges in social interaction, speech and nonverbal communication, and restricted/repetitive behaviors. The effects of ASD and the severity of symptoms are different in each person.

What Causes Autism Spectrum Disorder?

There is no singular cause but, it has been accepted that it’s caused by a broad range of factors, including abnormalities in the brain structure or function, through genetics,

Your diet is a major part of self-care, and it’s an aspect you should be wary about. When you ask people about foods that make them feel good, you get answers like a juicy steak, mounds of lasagna, or extremely delicious cupcakes. However, consistently indulging in these delicacies is NOT self-care. Healthy, nutritious foods are one of nature’s best gifts to us. Make a habit out of consuming good foods that build your body.

4.) Identify the things that matter to you This may seem easy, but it can be challenging to practice. You need to ask yourself the tough questions to identify the things that matter to you the most.

When the chips are down who do you want to be with?

How do you want to be remembered when you’re gone?

How do you want to make a difference in the world?

Is the pursuit of material wealth worth the strained relationships that are left on the path?

Your answers to these questions should determine your approach to living. Spend more time with those you would love to be with and deliberately live your life the way you want to be remembered. Keeping an eye on your priorities will help you make decisions about how you spend your time.

5. Change your mindset / Gratitude Too often, we focus on the negatives while

showing little appreciation for the beauty that’s all around us. It’s what happens when you have a bad breakup, and all you can remember is how badly the person hurt you.

We tend to forget all the amazing things that the relationship brought us. Cherish the good memories and hold them dear even if the unpleasant ones attempt to consume you. Show gratitude and appreciation for the little gifts in life. Take take time to be still and meditate more. If you can adopt a gratitude mindset, you are on your way to achieving the highest level of self-care.

6. Learn to say No Too many times, you say yes to every request in order to not hurt the feelings of another party. When you do this at the expense of your own peace or health, you are going against the principles of self-care. It’s good to realize you’re only human and you can’t possibly make everyone happy. Saying yes to everything predisposes you to burnouts, and it’s bad for your physical and emotional health.

Email info at: asmashums@gmail.com

2.

Who’s idea was it to sing “Happy Birthday” while washing your hands? Now every time I go to the bathroom, my kids expect me to walk out with a cake

Autism Spectrum Disorder

along with environmental factors that can trigger ASD in developing.

Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder People can experience a wide range of symptoms and of varying severities. For example, a person with autism who is towards the high functioning range of the spectrum will have a good grasp of language, but a person towards the low functioning range of the spectrum may not speak at all.

As such, it is important to note that a person with autism spectrum disorder will not display all symptoms and symptoms will vary in severity. However, a person with ASD will display several of these behaviors and signs.

“If you’ve met one individual with autism, you’ve met one individual with autism”.

Stephen Shore Common signs of autism Some of the more common signs that may indicate a person has autism include: • Avoiding eye contact • Delayed speech and communication skills • Reliance on rules and routines

• Being upset by relatively minor changes • Unexpected reactions to sounds, tastes, sights, touch and smells.

• Difficulty understanding other people’s emotions.

• Focusing on or becoming obsessed by a narrow range of interests or objects • Engaging in repetitive behavior such as flapping hands or rocking • Children not responding to their name by 12 months.

• Children not pointing at distant objects by 14 months.

Signs of autism in adults Autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong condition and some people with autism spectrum disorder are not diagnosed until they are adults. This could be because they fall into the higher functioning range of the autism spectrum and their symptoms are less severe, or because they were misdiagnosed with a condition such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder.

and sellers are often making offers. Now once a price is agreed on, it becomes common knowledge that that share is worth that price. But there’s more. Buyers and sellers get to decide on whatever prices they want and that becomes tricky when there are thousands of electronic trades happening all the time. Next question, what’s Reddit? Reddit is an app used for social news and discussion. Members of the app submit content such as images, textposts, links you name it.

This app is where things went down. Another term you’ll come across is hedge funds.

Hedge funds are an alternative investment that maximize profits and minimize risk.

Now what are we focusing in on? In this case, GameStop (a company), r/wallstreetbets (a channel on Reddit), Reddit’s rookie buyers and hedge funds. Now some investors love GameStop whereas others want to see the stock fall. So when GameStop ap-

pointed Ryah Cowen (an e-commerce veteran) to its board on January 11th, many hedge funds and Wall Street investors kept betting on company stocks to fall by “shorting it”. That’s when investors borrow a share then sell it and later if the price hits an expected value they buy the stock at a lower price and keep the difference. Now the game changer was when Reddit’s rookie buyers decided to side with GameStop, which was currently struggling. Why? Reddit’s discussion board claims that buying GameStop stock was about teaching short sellers, hedge funds

Although treatment can improve some outward symptoms, people with autism will always process sensations such as sound, sight, touch and smell in different ways.

If a parent feels that his/her child is showing some of the above signs, then what to do, or what would the next step be.

There are some steps to follow to get through the diagnosis process easily. We will be discussing all about it in our next issue.

Huma Shoaib

Behavioural Therapist Founder of Empowering Autism Humas6@hotmail.com

Reddit, Wall Street and the Stock Market. What’s Going On? By:Khadija

Nadeem Gr 9

I

am sure that by now, everyone’s heard at least a little about Reddit’s manipulation of the stock market.

When I came up on it, I was a little confused so after a little research, I’m going to explain it to you. First, let’s talk definitions. What is a stock? Well a stock refers to a share of ownership in a particular company. If you invest in a stock, you own that small fraction of that particular company. If a company is large enough, even that small fraction (often called a share) can be profitable. How does the stock market work?

Shares can be traded, which means buyers

and big financial firms a lesson. It was described as balancing out the influence with the financial elites. These same rookie buyers explain that they’re now looking for the next GameStop, the next company being taken advantage of by financial elites. Who do you think is next?

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