Volume 21 Issue 552 -Muharrum 18, 1443 H, August 27, 2021 $1
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05 What’s Missing in the
07 The Retirement Farewell
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Teaching of Islam? Where Canada’s party leaders stand? Where do Canada’s political parties stand...
of Qari Abdul Wahab Walk with Hussain (ra) 2021 held Vanc. Friends of Pakistan (FOP) arranges Flag
‘Ashamed and pained’ at Minar-i-Pakistan Vaccines not enough to stop fourth wave More than 10,000 waiting to be evacuated.
The stage for a snap 44th general electionon Monday, Sept. 20. Party leaders talk affordability in B.C., Ontario
and bigger yards, which expanded housing demand issues from mostly big cities to suburbs and TTAWA -- Canada’s main even many parts of rural Canada, political parties say they too. Inflation in July hit 3.7 per cent, are putting your pocket- the highest annual increase in book at the top of their agendas, more than a decade, driven in part with varying promises to help by hikes in the prices of gas and make everything from housing to food. Those costs are in part being food to mobile phone bills more driven by reopening of economies affordable. Affordability was al- driving up demand, and ongoing ready a concern for many Canadi- supply-chain constraints. ans before the pandemic hit, but But Statistics Canada’s housing COVID-19 lockdowns and supply- replacement cost index, which is chain constraints exacerbated tied to the cost of building a new many of the existing problems. home, was one of the biggest drivThat is particularly the case for a ers. It rose almost 14 per cent, the housing market made ever hotter highest increase since 1987. by a pandemic that drove more Canadians to want bigger homes To be Continued at page 4
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20-Year U.S. War Ending as It Began, With Taliban Ruling Afghanistan No extensions for US evacuations in Afghanistan, warn Taliban.
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Taliban spokesperson says the US must complete its evacuation of people from Afghanistan by the August 31 date the Biden administration set for the withdrawal of all American troops. Addressing a press conference, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said his group would accept no extensions to the deadline. He said life was returning to normal in the country but chaos at the airport remained a problem.
Many Afghans are desperate to flee the Taliban takeover of the country. The spokesperson said the United States should stop evacuating skilled Afghans, and warned Western forces against extending the Aug 31 deadline for airlifts out of the country. The group said Americans were taking “Afghan experts” such as engineers out of the country. “They have planes, they have the airport, they should get their citizens and contractors out of here,” To be Continued at page 4
In call with Putin, PM Imran stresses coordinated approaches to evolving Afghan situation
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rime Minister Imran Khan, in a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Wednesday stressed the importance of adopting coordinated approaches to address the evolving situation in Afghanistan, saying that Pakistan gave “high importance” to the role of the Troika Plus format. Pakistan and Russia, along with the United States and China, are known as the Extended Troika on Peaceful Settlement in Afghanistan and have held multiple meetings this year on the situation in the war-torn country.
Prime Minister Imran, who received a call from Putin today, exchanged views on the Afghan situation as well as bilateral relations with the Russian president, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. The prime minister emphasised that a stable, secure and peaceful Afghanistan was “vitally important” for Pakistan and regional stability. He also highlighted that an inclusive political settlement was the “best way forward” in Afghanistan, along with ensuring the safety, security
To be Continued at page 4
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c a n a d a / P A K I S T AN
Vaccines not enough to stop fourth wave ‘Ashamed and pained’ at Minar-iof COVID-19 in Canada, experts warn Pakistan assault incident: PM Imran
TORONTO -- Canadians need to use all public health tools available, including masking, physical distance and testing, to avoid lockdowns and protect the unvaccinated as a fourth wave of COVID-19 grips the country, infectious disease experts say. With more than 10 million Canadians unvaccinated against COVID-19, the chances of more widespread lockdowns are possible as some provinces’ hospital systems remain strained from earlier waves of the pandemic.“We can’t ignore that there are liter-
ally millions of people in Ontario, and in Canada, that are unvaccinated,” Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist and member of Ontario’s vaccine task force, told CTVNews.ca in a phone interview on Tuesday. Even if all eligible Canadians got their shots, there would still be nearly five million Canadians who are not eligible to be vaccinated who would be at heightened risk, especially as the more transmissible Delta variant takes hold. Source: ctvnews.ca
Special forces working outside of Kabul airport to escort Canadians, Afghans onto International flights toAirport Canada: official (HKIA), the decision was made “to disclose that Canada’s special operations forces have been and continue to work outside the confines of HKIA,” a government official said on background. “Members of Canada’s special operations forces are working relentlessly to bring as many Canadian citizens and eligible Afghan nationals and their families through the security gates to waiting aircrafts,” the official said during a briefing for journalists Monday. The disclosure that Canada’s special forces are operating outside the confines of the Kabul airport is significant because it marks a departure from the federal government’s policy of not divulging operational details of the special forces currently working in Afghanistan.........
Federal ministers say Canada will help with evacuation as long as security situation permits The federal government has confirmed for the first time that Canada’s special forces are operating outside the security cordon of the airport in Afghanistan’s capital, working to shepherd people from Kabul into the airport. In order to respond to questions about efforts by Canadian Armed Forces on the ground inside and outside Hamid Karzai Source: ctvnews.ca
Proof of vaccine to be required for some nonessential businesses in B.C., officials announce VANCOUVER -- Hoping to curb the fourth COVID-19 wave in B.C., proof of vaccination status will be required for some non-essential businesses, health officials announced Monday. Premier John Horgan, Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix made the announcement at a joint news conference. The vaccine certificates – known as the B.C. vaccine card – will be required at restaurants, fitness centres, casinos, organized indoor events like conferences and weddings, movie theatres and ticketed sporting events, indoor concerts, officials said. One dose of vaccine will be required to enter those businesses and events as of Sept. 13 and full vaccination will be required by Oct. 24. “Getting vaccinated is the way forward through the pandemic,” Horgan said during the news conference. “There is no reason why those who are anxious to participate in the social and economic life of our community can’t take that next step and get that safe, effective vaccine.” The measures introduced Monday are for people attending the events or business. Henry said it’s “up to each business “ to
determine whether employees must be vaccinated. The rules don’t apply to elementary and secondary schools or after-school programs. They will apply, as relevant, to postsecondary campuses and may include some student housing. More details on that plan will be released Tuesday. Henry said Monday vaccines have “changed the way” B.C. can deal with pandemic, but there are still waves of cases, particularly in those who are unvaccinated. B.C.’s seven-day average for new COVID-19 cases reached as low as 35 per day at the beginning of July, but has since climbed back up to 555. Hospitalizations have also been increasing steadily in recent weeks......... Source: bc.ctvnews.ca
TORONTO -- The Liberals and Conservatives are now running in a statistical dead heat, as Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole continues to gain momentum as a candidate among initially hesitant Canadians, according to nightly tracking conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News and the Globe and Mail. According to the latest nightly tracking ending Sunday and released Monday morning, ballot support for the Liberals sits at 32.5 per cent,
while the Conservatives are at 31.4 per cent support, leaving a 1.1 percentage-point difference that is well within the poll’s margin of error of ± 2.8 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. “You’ve got to be disappointed if you happen to be a supporter of the Liberals, because the Liberals have gone from majority territory to minority territory to a dead heat, at least on the ballot numbers,” Nik Nanos, founder and chief data scientist at Nanos Research, said on the latest episode of CTVNews.ca’s Trend Line podcast. “So now the race is on.” The result shows a continuing of Conservative gains in the early days of the campaign, which kicked off on Aug. 15. Liberal support stood at 33.4 per cent in an Aug. 12 poll, while the Conservatives lagged at that point at 28.4 per cent. Source: ctvnews.ca
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said he was “ashamed and pained” by the assault of a female TikToker by hundreds of men near Minar-i-Pakistan earlier this month, citing the lack of proper upbringing as a “very big reason for the destruction we are seeing in society”. In his first public remarks since the August 14 incident that sparked outrage across the country, the premier said the incidents of harassment and the sex crimes that were taking place now were “not a part of our culture or religion”. He made the comments while addressing the Punjab Education Convention 2021 in Lahore. “When I was growing up, nobody could have thought that acts like this would happen [in Pakistan]. I have been to the entire world; the respect for women I saw while growing up existed in Muslim countries but not in the West. A big reason for the destruction we’re seeing is that our children are not being brought up properly,” he noted. The prime min-
ister highlighted the need to train children properly and teach them Seerat-unNabi — biographies of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) — since he said children’s exposure to things was greater than ever before in human history because of mobile phones. “It is very necessary to train our children and there is only one way to do that — make them aware of the life of the Prophet [Muhammad],” he said, adding that children should be taught about the qualities that set the Prophet apart, including his honesty and righteousness. Source: dawn.com
Pakistan’s role for inclusive arrangement in Afghanistan being recognised world over: Qureshi
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday said Pakistan’s role in the push to create an “inclusive” political arrangement in Afghanistan following US withdrawal was being “recognised world over”. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the minister said that Pakistan, with the help of some regional players, was facilitating an arrangement in Afghanistan that would have “broad-based representation and wider acceptability”. “Every foreign minister who is engaged with me, their views are in sync with us,” Qureshi added. He said the countries in talks with Pakistan felt the latter was playing a “very vital and critical role” in the current challenging environment in Afghanistan. “A very few embassies… to be precise, only five are operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s is one of them,” he said. He said other countries in the region wanted
Pakistan to assist in the ongoing evacuation process of people stuck in Afghanistan. “They (regional players) want Pakistan to promote an inclusive arrangement, which Pakistan also believes in,” he said. Qureshi said Pakistan sees Afghanistan as a country with a number of ethnic groups — all of whom are important and need representation in the country’s political setup. He mentioned his plans of visiting a quartet of regional players, saying “I will be leaving for four countries [namely] Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran” to discuss the Afghan situation. ................................Source: dawn.com
From trucks stuffed with carpets, bedding, clothes and even goats, around 200 Afghan refugees look beyond the horizon toward Spin Boldak in their country’s south, waiting to return home from Pakistan. Dreading another period of harsh rule after the Taliban’s rapid takeover following the US troop withdrawal, thousands have been desperately trying to flee Afghanistan, with chaotic images emerging from the Kabul airport. But some families want to repatriate to their homeland, saying the Taliban will bring stability to the war-torn nation.“We emigrated from Afghanistan during bombing and hardships, when Muslims were in trouble, now, praise be to
Allah, the situation is normal, so we are returning to Afghanistan,” Molavi Shaib told AFP while waiting at the border. Divided by a 10-foot-deep trench filled with barbed wire, the mountainous boundary separating Spin Boldak from Chaman in Balochistan sees thousands crossing the trade route every day. As scores try to escape Taliban rule, Pakistan has ramped up security at the border, making the process more stringent.“People want to return but they are not allowed to cross, we request the Pakistani government to allow us to cross the border because there’s no war, and peace has been established,” Muhammad Nabi said...Source: dawn.com
ISLAMABAD: Religious scholars belonging to various schools of thought have condemned the rape of a girl in a seminary in Rawalpindi and demanded that perpetrators of such heinous crimes should be given punishment in public through speedy trial. In a joint declaration issued after attending a consultative meeting held under the aegis of the Pakistan Ulema Council on Sunday, they lamented rising incidents of child abuse and women harassment in Pakistan and said the prime minister and chief justice of Pakistan should take immediate action against the culprits and order their speedy trials. They urged the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and Ministry of Information to block porn websites and pornographic and nude content and advertisements on social media.
Special Representative to the PM on Interfaith Harmony Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi presided over the meeting. Call for blocking of porn websites The joint declaration said that all sections of society must play their role to save the morality of Pakistani society. The rules of Sharia are clear for both men and women. It is obligatory on both men and women to cover themselves properly and avoid obscenity and nudity. Source: dawn.com
‘Peace has been established’: As thousands flee Afghanistan, some refugees want to go back
Cp gain as O’Toole’s momentum grows, Nanos survey suggests Ulema want rapists punished publicly
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O P I N I O N
State of uncertainty in Afganistan
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wo week’s ago a dramatic developments in Afghanistan that stunned the world raise a host of critical questions about the future. What can be expected under a Taliban government? How is the international community responding to this extraordinary turn of events? And what does it mean for Pakistan? The situation in Afghanistan is in flux so any assessment is necessarily tentative. But first, the much-debated question as to why a 20-year Western project ended in chaos and a political and military collapse. Varying answers have been offered. A key explanation lies in the fact that no dispensation imposed by foreign military intervention outlasts the departure of its patron. This has long been a lesson of history. A 21st-century version of a colonial-style ‘civilising’ mission lay in ruins as the final act of a project plagued by strategic flaws and tactical misjudgements from the very start. What was imposed on Afghanistan by the US-led coalition was a war of retribution for 9/11 and not one defined by consistent or realistic objectives. The meltdown of Afghan national security forces represented a collapse of political will — a reminder that more than military training and sophisticated weaponry it is the motivation to fight that counts. An imposed government deeply mired in corruption hardly provided a reason to fight for demoralised and abandoned soldiers. Pakistan’s former army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani had presciently warned US officials over a decade ago that the Afghan army would eventually collapse. Not to be underestimated was the popular yearning for peace which may also explain the lack of armed resistance to
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the Taliban as that would have Taliban are making reassuring involved more bloodshed. statements in their desire for inMost consequential for Pa- ternational legitimacy and reckistan is whether the situa- ognition. The country’s fragile tion stabilises and peace is economic situation must weigh established in Afghanistan. significantly in their calculation What next for Afghanistan un- especially as dollar reserves are der the Taliban? Again, a much- dwindling while the IMF has susdiscussed question is whether pended funding. Without intertheir rule will be a throwback to national assistance and trade the their austere and repressive reign economy would simply collapse. of the 1990s or a break from The international consensus — that dark past. Answers will only as also reflected in the Aug 16 UN emerge with time. For now, the Security Council statement with Taliban are keen to dispel the the focus on an inclusive governimpression that the future will re- ment, respect for human rights semble the past, in recognition of and combating terrorism — has the reality that the international sent a common message. It has environment today is very differ- encouraged the Taliban to adopt ent from two decades ago. a conciliatory stance, in words In the first press conference after at least. This means two things. their takeover of Kabul, Taliban One, engagement is having a spokesmen claimed they would moderating effect and two, conbehave differently, having learnt sensus over key expectations is from experience. Pledging no eliciting assurances from the Taliretributory action against those ban. The converse may also hold who fought them they also sent true. If the international commua number of messages about nity divides over the recognition how they intend to govern. They issue or there are cracks on other vowed to establish an inclusive issues this could provide wriggle government, respect human room to the Taliban to back out of rights and women’s rights and promises. Thus, the need for the ensure Afghanistan’s soil will not multilateral community to enbe used against any country. gage the Taliban, hold out diploThis was aimed to reassure an matic inducements but also susanxious and sceptical interna- tain collective pressure to ensure tional community. Whether the promises translate into actions. Taliban live up to these promises To make good on their promises remains open to question espe- the Taliban will have to ensure cially as there are already some that local commanders abide by indications of relapse into their their leaders’ decisions. Moreover, old ways. Nevertheless, talks be- mollifying the international comtween the Taliban and former po- munity is one thing and living up litical foes are in progress to set to public expectations is another. up a broad-based government. It Governing a war-ravaged counis to be seen if a political settle- try will be the real test and an ment emerges. Many countries imposing challenge especially as are in a wait-and-watch mode the Taliban have been a warring and suspending judgement for force, not one adept at governnow. Clearly though, concerted ing. Consolidation of power will pressure by the global commu- depend on how well the country nity seems to be working. The is administered, accommodating
there has been less-than-adequate housing construction over the past five decades,” said Murtaza Haider, a professor of real estate management at Ryerson University in Toronto. All three main national parties have now pushed out promises to try to restrict foreign buyers from purchasing housing in Canada . the NDP plan a 20 per cent tax on housing purchases by non-Canadians or permanent residents,. S: ctvnews.ca
In call with Putin, PM Imran stresses coordinated approaches
and protection of rights of Afghans, according to the PMO handout. Furthermore, the premier stressed that the international community must stay “positively engaged in support of the people of Afghanistan to help address humanitarian needs and ensure economic sustenance”.Talking about Pakistan-Russia relations, Prime Minister Imran expressed satisfaction at their “upward trajectory”, noting
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By: Maleeha Lodhi
Party leaders talk affordability in B.C., Ontario The Canadian Real Estate Association said the average price of buying a house jumped almost 26 per cent between June 2020 and June 2021.“ There is a cost of living crisis in Canada right now,” Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole says in an ad he posted Tuesday to Twitter.Experts across Canada point to supply constraints as the main driver of housing costs, and it’s a problem that is years in the making. ”My take is that
News Cont from Pg 1
others as well as addressing the needs of a new generation who are more educated and connected to the outside world. Islamabad has long argued that other than Afghanistan, Pakistan has the most to gain from peace in its neighbouring country and the most to lose from more strife and instability. There is understandable relief among officials that bloodshed has been avoided so far. But as the situation is yet to settle Pakistan must move with caution and prudence. In this fluid period Islamabad must stay in lockstep with the international community and coordinate closely on the issue of formal recognition. There is no advantage in going it alone. Diplomatic engagement is in any case continuing and so is cross-border trade. Islamabad is also extending help in intra-Afghan talks aimed at a political settlement. But its involvement should not go beyond this in line with its stated policy that it should be an Afghanowned and Afghan-led process. Our security forces should also step up border surveillance as a fluid situation can encourage cross-border attacks from militant groups based in Afghanistan that Kabul has yet to act against and on which Islamabad should secure ironclad guarantees. Above all, the government should speak less on an evolving situation and with one voice. There is no reason to sound triumphal, be spokespersons for the Taliban or to keep obsessing about the past. It is the future that should concern us and what is most consequential for the country — whether peace will return to Afghanistan after decades of war, strife and foreign interventions.
that high-level exchanges were increasing and cooperation in various sectors was growing. He also affirmed Pakistan’s resolve to strengthen trade relations as well as bilateral collaboration in the energy sector, including the early realisation of the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline Project, the statement said. Imran and Putin agreed to “closely cooperate within the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Or-
ganisation) for promoting regional peace and security”, it added. The prime minister also invited the Russian leader to visit Pakistan. Last month, amid reports that Putin was going to visit Pakistan in July, the Foreign Office spokesperson had clarified that while “invitations for visits at the summit level have been extended by both sides”, no visit of the Russian president was scheduled.....S. dawn.com
‘US really messed it up’: PM Imran on Afghanistan situation
said Mujahid. The Taliban leader also said female Afghan government workers should stay home until security conditions in the country improved. US-led troops have ramped up operations to get thousands of people out of Kabul, after the Taliban warned they would not allow the US to extend the deadline for a complete withdrawal.President Biden has said he would stick to the schedule, but faced growing pressure to negotiate more time for the evacua-
tions. Germany said on Tuesday that Western allies simply could not fly every Afghan who needed protection out of Kabul before the cut-off date.“Even if [the evacuation] goes on until August 31 or even a few days longer, it will not be enough to allow those who we, or the United States, want to fly out,” Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told Bild TV. Earlier, France said it would have to end evacuations from Kabul’s airport on Thursday if the US stuck to the deadline, and Spain said it would
not be able to rescue all Afghans who served Spanish missions.Britain, meanwhile, has said it will lobby for an extension at a virtual G7 summit later on Tuesday. Source dawn.com
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Muharrum 18, 1442 August 27, 2021
On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Allah (glorified and exalted be He) said:I am so self-sufficient that I am in no need of having an associate. Thus he who does an action for someone else’s sake as well as Mine will have that action renounced by Me to him whom he associated with Me. It was related by Muslim (also by Ibn Majah).
What’s Missing in the Teaching of Islam?
BY: KISHWAR RIZVI
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f a it h
here has been much misinformation about Islam. Reports in Western media tend to perpetuate stereotypes that Islam is a violent religion and Muslim women are oppressed. Popular films like “American Sniper” reduce places like Iraq to dusty war zones, devoid of any culture or history. Fears and anxiety manifest themselves in Islamophobic actions such as burning mosques or even attacking people physically. At the heart of such fear is ignorance. A poll found that a majority of Americans (52 percent) do not understand Islam. In this same poll, 36 percent also said that they wanted to know more about the religion. Interestingly, those under 30 years were 46 percent more likely to have a favorable view of Islam. These statistics highlight an opportunity for educators. As a scholar of Islamic art and architecture, I am aware that for the past 20 years, educators have been trying to improve the teaching of Islam – both in high school and college history courses. The problem, however, is that the teaching of Islam has been limited to its religious practice. Its impact on the arts and culture, particularly in the United States, is seldom discussed.
What teaching of Islam misses
In high school history books, there is little mention of the intertwined histories of Europe, Asia and Africa in the middle ages and the Renaissance. There is even less mention of the flowering of art, literature and architecture during this time. In a world history textbook for New York public high schools, for example, the “Muslim World,” appears in the 10th chapter. In condensing a thousand years of history – from the seventh to the 17th century – it focuses only on “Arab armies” and the rise of early modern Muslim empires. Such narrow focus misses out on the cultural exchanges during this period. For example, in medieval Spain, the Troubadour poets borrowed their lyrical beauty from Arabic. Arabic was the courtly language of southern Spain until the 15th century. Similarly, the 12th-century Palatine Chapel in Sicily was painted and gilded in the imperial style of the Fatimids, the rulers of Egypt between the 10th and 12th centuries. Such exchanges were common, thanks to the mobility of people as well as ideas. The point is that the story of Islam cannot be told without a deeper understanding of its cultural history: Even for early Muslim rulers, it was the Byzantine empire, the Roman empire and the Sassanian empire (the pre-Islamic Persian empire) that provided models. Such overlaps continued over the centuries, resulting in heterodox and cosmopolitan societies. The term “Middle East” – coined in the 19th century – fails to describe the complex social and cultural mosaic or religions that have existed in the region most closely associated with Islam – and continue to do so today.
How the arts can explain important connections
So, what should educators do to improve this literacy? From my perspective, a fuller picture could
The Economic Aspect of Islam | Part1
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ealth is the vigour and basis upon which life is maintained. The Islamic Shari’ah aims through it to establish a balanced society, wherein social justice is upheld and one can live an honourable life. Allah (SWT) says: Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. [18:46] Since Islam considers money one of the indispensable necessities without which individual nor society can exist, it has ordained that Zakaah be taken (2.5%) from the capital of the rich, if the necessary amount from which it is taken is in that person’s possession for a full lunar year. This money is to be distributed amongst the poor. It is a due right of the poor, and it is forbidden to withhold it from them. This does not mean that Islam abolishes individual ownership and private business; rather it sanctions and respects them. There are many explicit texts which prohibit transgression against wealth and property of others. Allah (SWT)says: And eat up not one another’s property unjustly. [2:188] Islam has enacted laws and regulations the implementation of which guarantees the achievement of its goal… to provide an honourable life for each individual in the Islamic society. Some of the regulations are: Islam has forbidden interest, for it does not allow people to exploit others and devour their wealth wrongfully. Islam has made wealth and property inviolable. Due to the fact that interest leads people to forsake acts of kindness and leads to the accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few, Allah (SWT) says: O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah and give up what remains (due to you) from usury (from now onward), if you are (really) believers. And if you do not do it, then take a notice of war from Allah and His Messenger. But if you repent, you shall have your capital sums. Deal not unjustly (by asking more than your capital sums) and you shall not be dealt with unjustly (by receiving less than Your capital sums). [2:278-9] [2] The Religion of Islam encourages. people to give loans. it also encourages that one extend the period (of repayment) if one is having difficulty repaying a loan. One should not be harsh to that individual if he intends on repaying his
be painted if identities were not to be solely defined through religion. That is, educators could focus on the cross-cultural exchanges debt. As for those who have the means to that occurred across boundaries through pay the debt off, but choose not to, a differpoets and artists, musicians and architects. ent course of action should be taken. Allah Both in high school and university, the arts (SWT) says: And if the debtor is in a hard – visual, musical and literary – could illustime (has no money), then grant him time trate the important connections between Istill it is easy for him to repay.[2:280] lam and other world histories. The Prophet (SAW) said: For example, a class on the Renaissance “Whoever loans money to a person in difcould explain how the 15th-century Italian ficulty, he will receive the reward of charity painter Gentile Bellini gained famed at the for each day he gives them. And whoever court of Mehmet II, the conqueror of Istanextends the time period for the debtor who bul. Mehmet II commissioned Bellini to dehas difficulty returning a loan will receive sign an imperial portrait that was sent to rulers the reward of charity for each day he does throughout Europe. His art presents a wonderso.” [Ibn Maajah] [3] Islam encourages that ful example of the artistic exchanges that took the loan be pardoned altogether if it is diffiplace between early modern cities such as cult for the debtor to repay it. Allah (SWT) Delhi, Istanbul, Venice and Amsterdam. says: It might also help students to know that the And if the debtor is in a hard time (has no Dutch painter Rembrandt collected Mughal money), then grant him time till it is easy miniature paintings. Silks from the Safavid for him to repay, but if you remit it by way empire (the Iranian dynasty from the 16th of charity, that is better for you if you did to 18th century) were so popular that Polbut know.[2:280] ish kings had their coat of arms woven in The Prophet (SAW)said: Isfahan. “Whoever wishes that Allah save him from This exchange of art continued into the Age the difficulties of the Day of Requital let of Enlightenment, a time when ideas around him extend the time period to a debtor or politics, philosophy, science and commufree him of his loan.” [Muslim] nications were rapidly being reoriented in Hoarding and monopolizing of any type of Europe. A class on the Enlightenment may commodity is forbidden, because the trader highlight the fact that writers like Montestakes into his possession products which quieu turned to the Middle East to structure the people need without selling them una critique of their own religious institutions. til the supply decreases, and then he sells A poetry class could similarly show connecthem for whatever price he pleases. This tions between the German author Wolfgang incurs much harm, both to the individual von Goethe’s writings and Islam, as exemand the society, the rich and the poor. plified in his “West-Eastern Diwaan,” a colThe Prophet (SAW)said: lection of poems. This epitome of world lit“Whoever hoards [commodities] would erature was modeled after classical Persian sin…” [Muslim] poetry in its style, and inspired by Sufism, Abu Yusuf, the student of Imam Abu Haneefah, the mystical tradition in Islam. may Allah have mercy on him, said: Most students are open to seeing these connections, even if it might require overcomTo be Continued at Pg 5 ing their own preconceptions about Islam. For example, when I teach my class on medieval architecture, students are surprised to learn that the two oldest continuously run Aug 27- Sep 10, 2021, Muharrum 18 - Safaar 2,1443H universities in the world are in North Africa Shafi / Hanfi Isl. Dt. Day Date Fajar Sunr Dhur ZawalAsarDhuhr Asar Maghrib Isha (in Fez – a city in Morocco – and Cairo). Indeed, it is not easy to disentangle contem- 18 Fri porary politics from historical fact, to teach 19 Sat more fully the culture and diversity of a re- 20 Sun ligion that is almost 2,000 years old. 21 Mon Perhaps educators could learn from a recent 22 Tue exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of 23 Wed Art in New York titled “Jerusalem 10001400: Every People Under Heaven.” The 24 Thus show illustrates how Abrahamic religions 25 Fri – that is, Christianity, Judaism and Islam 26 Sat – borrowed freely from each other in the 27 Sun realm of art, music and literature. Jerusalem 28 Mon was home to diverse populations and the 29 Tue arts played an important role within its re- 30 Wed ligious and political life. *1 Thus Source: islamicity.org 2
Prayer Schedule in Greater Vancouver
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For such Prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times: Quran ,n 4:103 Source: BCMA
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Those waiting to escape Afghanistan for Canada grow more desperate as U.S. deadline approaches
TORONTO -- With the U.S. deadline for evacuation from Afghanistan fast approaching, the situation is becoming more urgent at Kabul airport for those hoping to come to Canada.“It’s not what the Canadians decided, it is what the U.S. has decided and what will be the impact on the rest of us, and all indications are this air-bridge is not going to stay open much longer,” retired MajorGeneral David Fraser, a former NATO commander, told CTV News. U.S. President Joe Biden was pressured in a G7 meeting Tuesday to seek an extension to the Aug. 31 deadline for exiting Afghanistan. But Taliban spokespeople stated on the same day that they would not allow an extension. If evacuation flights to Canada end within days, thousands could be left behind. Among them will be five children of a for-
More than 10,000 waiting to be evacuated at Kabul airport: US
mer interpreter with the Canadian forces, if they can’t get to the gate on time. “We don’t want to lose our children, we don’t want to lose our lives,” an Afghan at risk told CTV News. “If the Canadian government does not focus on that, if they don’t provide us a safe path, we are going to die, I am sure of that.” And Canadian troops on the ground may not have much leeway to help beyond their orders. In a video that appears to have been shot by Afghans waiting for aid, soldiers were seen sitting on a wall with their backs turned, just outside the Kabul airport gates.The man filming alleged that the soldiers were Canadian soldiers, and were not helping Afghans enter the airport.“Nobody is talking to us, we have documents, we have VISAs,” said the man filming. The crisis in Afghanistan has become a central question of the federal election campaign. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been accused of focusing on his campaign rather than this pressing refugee crisis.”Business of government continues, I get updates every single day on the situation in Afghanistan,” Trudeau said Tuesday. “Our officials are extraordinary heroic Canadian Forces service women, men … women and men are on the ground working incredibly hard to do everything we can to get people out alongside our allies.” Source:.ctvnews.ca
(WFP) seeks $200m in food aid. David Beasley, executive director of WFP, said 14 million people – one-third of the Afghan population – face food insecurity “because of several years of drought, conflict, [and] economic deterioration, compounded by COVID”. The World Bank has suspended aid to Afghanistan, freezing hundreds of millions of dollars in funding. It has provided $5.3bn since 2002 and has 27 projects there. Last week, the International Monetary Fund The United States says it evacuated 19,000 peo- blocked the delivery of payments. ple from Afghanistan in the past 24 hours as US President Joe Biden’s August 31 withdrawal US military unable to rescue stranded deadline looms. Americans outside Kabul: Pentagon United States Army Major General William The United States military does not have the Taylor, with the US military’s Joint Staff for capability to rescue stranded US citizens and Regional Operations, told a news briefing Afghans who want to leave the country but that more than 10,000 people were at Kabul are unable to get to Kabul, Pentagon spokesairport waiting to be evacuated from Af- man John Kirby said. “I don’t want to set the ghanistan.The Pentagon claimed it evacuat- expectation that we’re going to be able to fly ed some 19,000 people in the past 24 hours. all over the country to pick-up people,” Kirby More than 70,000 people, foreigners and Af- told reporters. ghans, have been evacuated since August 14, The Pentagon has confirmed the US military the day before the Taliban swept into Kabul. used helicopters to airlift people into the airMeanwhile, 10 million children in Afghani- port on three occasions and the US governstan are in desperate need of humanitarian ment is receiving calls for help from assistance, UNICEF Afghanistan warns as others.............. the United Nations’ World Food Programme Source: aljazeera.com
official has said that at least 20 people have died in and around the airport in the past week. An Afghan security guard has been killed in a firefight between unknown gunmen and Afghan forces at the north gate of Kabul airport, the German military said, as thousands thronged the airport, seeking to flee Taliban rule. Three more people were injured in the gun battle on Monday morning that has also involved German and US forces, the German military said on Twitter. Source: aljazeera.com
Egypt has closed its main border crossing point with the Gaza Strip amid tensions with the territory’s Hamas rulers, officials have said. It was the first time the Rafah crossing was shuttered during a workday since early this year. Egyptian authorities had kept it open during the 11-day war between Israel and Hamas in May. According to the Egyptian officials, the closure was connected to Cairo’s efforts to broker a long-term ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. It was not immediately clear how long the closure would last, the officials said. One of the officials said the move was meant to pressure Hamas because of the “differences” between Cairo and the group over lack of progress in both the Egyptian-led, indirect talks with Israel and also efforts to reconcile Palestinian factions. The officials spoke to The Associated Press news agency on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to reporters. The closure came hours after Egypt’s staterun news agency reported that the crossing
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closes Gaza border amid tensions with Hamas Taliban warns of ‘consequences’ Egypt Rafah closure linked to Cairo’s efforts to broker a long-term ceasefire between Israel and if US delays withdrawal Hamas, Egyptian officials say. Evacuations of citizens and vulnerable Afghans beyond the August 31 deadline would be ‘extending occupation’, the Taliban says. The Taliban will not agree to an extension of the evacuation mission from Afghanistan, and is “warning of consequences” if it is prolonged. The move would mean “extending occupation” and that is “a red line”, Suhail Shaheen, a member of the Taliban delegation in Doha, the capital of Qatar, said on Monday. United States President Joe Biden said on Sunday that the “hard and painful” airlift of Americans and tens of thousands of others from Afghanistan’s capital is accelerating, but he would not rule out extending it beyond the August 31 deadline he set before the Taliban’s swift takeover.The airport has been the scene of chaos since the Taliban seized the Afghan capital on August 15 as US and international forces try to evacuate citizens and vulnerable Afghans. A NATO
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajioun
Speaker Raj Chouhan being presented with PICS Society’s ‘Community Icon Award’. band of late Sr. Aziza Tanveer father of Br.
Kashif, Sr. Zeba and Sr. Sheba. Molana Sahadat has been a long serving volunteer Imam for BCMA and has provided many religious services to the general Muslim Community. He has served as the BCMA Vice President Board of Religious Services. He is the founding member of the BCMA Tuesday Daras Committe which has been conducting tafseer of the Holy Quran every Tuesday for over the past 40 years which still continues even till now. ugust 19th , One of our brothers, May Allah SWT reward him for all the Molana Sahadat Hussein Mohammed effort and dedication he gave to the whole (of Surrey, originally from Suva, Fiji hus- Muslim Community of BC)
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point was opened on Sunday after its weekly closing down for the Muslim weekend, Friday and Saturday. Iyad al-Bozum, a spokesman for the Hamas-run Interior Ministry, said Hamas had been notified of the closure. He said they were in contact with Egyptian authorities to reopen Rafah. “The closure of the crossing exacerbates the humanitarian crisis inside the Gaza Strip,” he told AP. “We hope the crossing will return to work as soon as possible.” Source: aljazeera.com
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Community honors retiring Imam and Community Leader Qari Abdul Wahab and Celebrates New Hufaadh at Ceremony
On Aug 15, The Surrey Jameh Masjid Committee under the leadership of Asad Gondal. hosted a well-organized program at the occasion of the retirement of Qari Abdul Wahab remarkable 41 years services in BCMA as head Imam and Khateeb.s A large number of community members along with MP, MLA, Community Associations Heads, CMMC, Media, and Religious Scholars have participated. Mr. Jumard Beg (92 years) was the special guest of the event. Mr. Gondal was the master of ceremony assisted by Akmal Gundhra and Hafiz Hassan Ahmad. The program was in three segments. At first, Talawat was recited by Hafiz Hamadullah and after that Mufti Mouad current Imam of Surrey Jameh Masjid conducted the program and called all four new Hufaaz, Yusaf Patel, Hassan Ahmad, Yahya Patel, and M. Al Khalil
graduated from Maktab program at the stage to receive the certificates by scholars. Mufti Mouad Aggoun and Molana M. Ibrahim Wadi were their Quran class teachers. In the second segment Mr. Jumard Beigh Mr. Sikandar Khan former BCMA President, Br. Altaf Sahib President, Mr. Malik Irfan Director paid the highest tribute to Qari Wahab for his tireless services in BCMA. Qari A. Wahab thanked all community members, all BCMA council members, and politicians for their cooperation with him. In his speech, he requested to all audience to forgive him for any misgivings and I forgave to all. He said that I remembered that I have had no problem with BCMA Committee in my 41 careers, he recalled his memory from day one of his arrival to this official departure from BCMA. I retired from BCMA but Inshallah will
continue my religious service in Surrey Masjid. He reminded his delivered message of respect each other, be united, and forgive others. In the last segment, the BCMA Council given Awards and certificates to the community members and volunteers in the male and female crowd who serve or help BCMA in any kind of service.In the end, Qari Sahib was awarded by BCMA for his 41 years of service, the Candian Muslim Media Club (CMMC) was included as the recipient of the Award and also presented a plaque to Qari Sahib for his services.
Bullay Shah Academy tributes to the Martyrs of the Karbala By: Tuaha Younas Bullay Shah Academy and Anjuman Khudam-e-Suffiya in keeping with the grand traditions of Auliya Allah paid rich tribute to the Martyrs of the Karbala in a program held on Ashura, August 19,. The program began with a beautiful recitation of Holy Quran and presentation of respectful salutations to the Imam Hussain A.S. and the Household of the Holy Prophet PBUH (Ahl-e-Bayat) which were widely appreciated by the many attendants of the program. The multifaith program was attended by people of multiple religio-ethnic backgrounds, united in their respect for Imam Hussain A.S. and indebtedness for His message.
The Program started with the recitation of Talwat by Ryan Ahmed, Qari Anwar Naqasbandi, Mr. Muzamil Ahmed, Chaudhary Ijaz and Mr. Naseer Pirzada recited beautiful Naats and Nasheeds. Main speaker Pir Afzal Ahmed Naqshbandi, who presided over the gathering, expounded, with great conviction, that the salvation in this world and Hereafter is only possible by following the path of Ahl-e-Bayat – a feat only possible with fermentation of their love in one’s heart. He said that Allah does not reject any supplication made by any true lover of Ahl-e-Bayat in their Holy name. Pir Sahib also expatiated on the sacrifice of Imam Hussain and Ahl-e-Bayat, their bravery,
fortitude and grace in the face of the horrors and savagery visited upon them by the bestial horde besieging them. No other group amongst the children of Adam have been tested by Allah the way Ahl-e-Bayat have been tested. Yet, all Imam Hussain requested in return for His great sacrifice was the forgiveness for the Muslim Ummah. Pir Sahib ended his poignant address by urging everyone to love Ahl-e-Bayat for just as Allah
has purified them (Quran 33:33), they, too, purify anyone who comes to their door with faith in his heart. The program ended, as it had begun, with salutations on Holy Prophet and His Ahl-e-Bayat. Pir Sahib made a special dua for the stability and prosperity of Muslim Ummah in general and for the salvation from COVID pandemic. In the end Duaa made by Shaykh Malik.
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Where Canada’s party leaders stand?
JUSTIN TRUDEAU, LIBERALS
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wo years ago, Justin Trudeau’s Liberals were reduced to a minority just months before a COVID-19 pandemic that spurred billions of dollars in emergency relief, unprecedented limits on travel and radical changes in how Parliament operated. Public-opinion polls have generally shown majority support for Mr. Trudeau’s handling of the crisis, and with the other parties’ approval ratings trailing behind, it is an advantageous time for Mr. Trudeau to call an election, and every party has known that for some time. If Mr. Trudeau can get the Liberals back to majority, they will not depend as much on opposition support for the next phases of postpandemic recovery.
ERIN O’TOOLE, CONSERVATIVES
The 2019 election was a moment of reckoning for the Conservatives, who had hoped to unseat the Liberals but didn’t break through in Quebec as they had hoped. Erin O’Toole, who won the leadership last Au-
last year’s budget (which introduced NDP- winning her a seat (she currently doesn’t friendly programs such as universal child- have one) and pressing for climate action care funding and extended pandemic re- on the campaign trail. lief). Leader Jagmeet Singh stressed that the YVES-FRANÇOIS BLANCHET, New Democrats wouldn’t trigger an elecBLOC QUÉBÉCOIS tion while the main focus was on fighting the pandemic. Now that an election is here, Mr. Singh’s task is to retake lost ridings in B.C., gain ground in Ontario and Quebec gust, is looking to succeed where his prede- and build a critical mass of support among cessor, Andrew Scheer, did not. His party’s young people. riding associations are, on average, well- ANNAMIE PAUL, GREENS positioned to outspend their Liberal counterparts. But Mr. O’Toole’s real challenge is to promote policies and messages that expand the Tory base, such as embracing a The Bloc more than tripled its seat count form of carbon pricing and playing down in 2019, hobbling the New Democrats and the party’s social-conservative elements. shutting out the Tories in Quebec. Since JAGMEET SINGH, NDP then, the party has repeatedly voted nonconfidence in the government, which could have triggered an election if not for Mr. Singh’s support for the Liberals. But the Bloc Civil war within the Green Party has left also warned Mr. Trudeau to avoid a panit more disorganized, and with fewer MPs in the House, than after the past election. demic election at all costs; this year, they Leader Annamie Paul has been trying to tabled a motion to hold the government to quell an internal conflict over Middle East that, and while all parties supported it, the policy that prompted a Green MP from motion didn’t clearly define when the panFor two years, the NDP-Liberal alliance has New Brunswick, Jenica Atwin, to cross over demic could be considered “over.” So the kept the minority government functioning to the Liberals this summer. For now, Ms. election came anyway, and now the Bloc’s despite Conservative and Bloc Québécois Paul and her supporters have successfully challenge will be to hold its ground in opposition on confidence motions, such as averted a non-confidence motion in her Quebec. Source: theglobeandmail.com leadership, leaving them free to focus on
Wait, Why Are We Having A Federal Election Again?
By: KATHERINE SINGH
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ast weekend, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited new Governor General (and the first Inuk GG in history!) Mary Simon, formally requesting to dissolve Parliament and announcing a federal election. It’s a move that many Canadians have been expecting for some time now, in part because Trudeau is gunning for a majority government, and banking on the boost in popularity his party experienced during the pandemic to get there (more on that later). And Canadians have some feelings — and not all of them are super positive. Regardless of whether or not eligible Canadians want to vote during a global pandemic, we’ll be heading to the polls next month. Here, everything you need to know about voting in the upcoming federal election, including what voting will look like thanks to COVID.
So, when is the 2021 federal election?
Sooner than you think. Unlike the politicians in our neighbours to the south — who run year-long campaigns — election periods in Canada are typically only a few months long. In this snap election, Canadians will be voting on September 20, with the campaign coming in at just 36 days, the shortest election period possible under federal law. Which is actually pretty strategic. Not just because Trudeau is currently topping early polling (less time for people to change their minds, he hopes) and also because campaigns are pretty pricey. “The longer the campaign, the more expensive it’s going to be,” says Allan Tupper, a political science professor at the University of British Columbia. Between travel, campaign ads (like the random Willy Wonka ad put out by the Conservatives), and the cost of candidates marketing themselves, “these are expensive undertakings,” Tupper says. Campaigns are covered by individual candidates and parties, of course, but elections themselves cost taxpayers money. And this one, because of COVID restrictions, including pandemic safety measures and the number of mail-in ballots anticipated, is expected to cost $610 million, which is $100 million more than the 2019 election. (So, no chump change). This cost is one of the initial criticisms of the upcoming election; along with the cri-
tique that amidst a global pandemic and everything going else going on in the world — it was not lost on people that Trudeau announced the election while the Taliban took Kabul and the Canadian embassy was closing — there are bigger concerns and other things we should be focusing on or spending money on besides an election.
concerns for voters), has actually been beneficial according to pundits, especially in part thanks to Conservative party leader Erin O’Toole, who faced criticism after the election was announced for failing to commit to having all Conservative candidates vaccinated.
rently have a minority government (this means that the party won less than 170 of the 338 seats in the House of Commons, and must work with and needs the support of other parties to pass legislation), think this is their best chance to win a majority government “Generally, when the numbers come in and suggest that [a party’s] in a position to move from a minority to a majority government like Trudeau is, you’ll call an election,” Tupper says. And it works both ways. If, for instance, the NDP or Conservative parties felt that polling and public favour showed they could move their numbers towards more seats in the House, they could also press the current government to call an election. Another reason Trudeau could be calling an election now, says Tupper, has a lot to do with the pandemic — how the Liberal government has handled it thus far, and checking in with Canadians about whether or not they are on board with the party’s vision. He may be hoping that the Liberal government’s steadfastness when it comes to COVID will appeal to voters, especially in light of the *perfectly timed* recent announcements requiring federal employees and travellers in and across the country be vaccinated. “It’s clear that there’s many more people who want vaccinations, who are double vaccinated, and who are very dismissive and in some cases angry with people who aren’t vaccinated because they see that as the continuing transmission,” says Tupper. During a period of time when COVID vaccination is a divisive topic — and with more than half of Canadians supporting mandatory vaccines — what could have turned out as a PR nightmare for the Liberal party (holding an election during a global pandemic, and seemingly eschewing safety
Election results will probably be pretty close — something the Liberal government is most likely aware of. Early Ipsos polling already has the Liberals ahead, finding that if the election were held immediately, Liberals would get 36% of the vote, Conservatives 31%, and the Jagmeet Singh-led NDP would get 20% of the vote. But as it stands, it doesn’t look promising for a Liberal majority government. According to the same poll, just over 40% of those surveyed said the Trudeau government had done a good job thus far and deserved re-election, while 57% posited that it’s time for another party to take over. Of course, polls don’t always predict elections. “It’s always a very human process, and I think you can get pretentious when you begin to think you know exactly what’s going to happen. The political parties know this; they’re always gambling,” says Tupper. “It’s quite clear it’s going to be an election of inches, not yards — it’s going to be tightly fought.”
Why would Trudeau even call an this post as the campaign continues.) What are Trudeau’s chances of win- What will it be like voting during COVID? election now? That’s an easy one. The Liberals, who cur- ning a majority? Let’s just say there’ll be lots of hand sanitizer
What are the big issues?
That’s a whopper of a question; because tbqh there are so many issues of importance to consider, with climate change (because you know, the world is literally burning at the moment), affordable housing, cost of living, the economy, and healthcare top-of-mind issues for Canadians, according to a recent Ipsos poll. And candidates know that it’s time to put the pedal to the metal. Just one day after announcing the election, Trudeau unveiled a new economic recovery plan in light of the COVID pandemic, while O’Toole released his platform, which includes phasing out COVID-19 support plans and ramping up tourism as well as support for small businesses. Check out all the candidates platforms here. (Refinery29 will be updating
involved. For now, Elections Canada is optimistic that it’ll be business as usual — with a few extra precautions of course. While people can choose to vote by special ballot and mail in their vote (make sure you apply as soon as possible, and plan ahead to allow enough time for your special ballot voting kit to arrive, be completed and returned via mail by election day) most of us will be voting in-person. For the rest of us voting either at polls or Elections Canada offices, you can expect the same protocols we’ve come to know from going to the grocery store or popping into Aritzia...but with a slight twist. Along with sanitizing stations at all entrances and exits, as well as the implementation of physical distancing for voters and poll workers (everyone will be wearing masks too, of course), media relations for Elections Canada says Canadians can expect to use single-use pencils (meaning you’ll be the only person touching your pencil when it’s time to cast your vote). Matt McKenna, media relations for Elections Canada, told Refinery29 via email that one hurdle to in-person voting will be identifying polling locations that’ll be open and available to use with proper social-distancing protocols, during a pandemic. “This means that polling places may be in unusual locations or slightly further from electors’ homes.” Meaning that the location you cast your ballot in the 2019 election may not be the same place you’d go to vote in this election; so make sure to research before September 20. “We know that things take a bit longer during the pandemic, so we encourage all voters to plan early, no matter how they decide to vote,” McKenna says Source: refinery29.com
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Walk with Hussain (RA) 2021 held at Downtown Vancouver
Aza-e-Hussain Association of BC ( Surrey ), organized its Annual Muharram Procession on Sunday On Aug 15, to commemorate the great sacrifice of Imam Hussain (R.A) and his companions. Following social distancing rules for COVID-19, the Ashura Jaloos started at the Vancouver Library and ended at Robson square Vancouver Art Gallery with great discipline and respect of Hussain(R.A). This
year there was a tremendous turnout. The crowd walked in Downtown Vancouver streets and was seated in front of Art Gallery to listen to many local Noha Khawns who recited the Nasheeds. Bayan/speeches about the martyrs of Karbala and their sacrifices were delivered for Islam local speakers including special guest speaker Molana Iftikhar Abid Naqvi. The purpose of the march was to spread the message of
Imam Hussain to the local communities. Imam Hussain (R.A) is an example for us to speak truth in front of cruel ruler, voice our support for oppressed and never get afraid of taking action against injustice and corruption. We should remember Imam’s golden words “Those who are silent when others are oppressed are guilty of oppression themselves”. Photos Courtesy by: Mohammad Akbar
IMAC Hosts Shuhda-e-Karbala Conference @ Fiji Islamic Centre Surrey On Aug 20, the International Muslim Academy of Canada (IMAC) Shuda-e-Karbala Conference held at Fiji Islamic Centre Surrey to remember the great sacrifice of Hazrat Imam-e- Hussain (RA) and his companions in Karbala. The program was well attended by the Muslim community. Mr. Ameen Khan was the MC. The program started with Tilawat-e-Quran-Pak by Saad Abdul Salis. Local Naat Khawans Br Adul Salis Rasool, and Mohammad Muzammil recited beautiful Naats and Nasheeds. Brother Abid Attari was the speaker from Dawat e Islami Centre Surrey, and he delivered a speech on Imam-eHussain and his companions and the importance of remembering all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for Deen-e-Islam. After that Mr. Khan invited Imam and Khateeb of Fiji Centre Alhaj Maulana Abdul L. Naumani. He started with a few Quranic verses and Hadiths, he spoke about “Ahel Bayt and Respect and Status and sacrifices
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“Anything that is hoarded and proves harmful to the public, it is considered of the prohibited type of monopoly, even if (the thing hoarded is) gold or silver. Whoever hoards (something the public is in need of) would have certainly misused what he owns. The reason monopoly is prohibited is to safeguard people from harm, for indeed, people have many different needs, and monopolizing therein would incur hardship upon people.” A ruler may force one who hoards a commodity to sell it at a reasonable profit which is neither detrimental to the seller or buyer. If the monopolist refuses to sell at that profit, the ruler may take possession of the hoarded commodity and sell it at a rea-
of Shuhda-e-Karbala”. He spoke about the importance of love and the status of Ahlul Bayt in our lives all the time not only for such a certain period or in a certain month. He said in Darood e Ibrahimi when we recite “Aal-e- Mohammad(saw)” it’s meaning and reference to the family of Prophet (SAW) is clear to everyone regardless of what sect you belong to. He added that the respect and importance of other 3 Khulafa e Rashideen and all other Sahabas (Prophet Mohammad (saw)’s companions) remains in its place.Maulana Naumani described the life of Hazrat Imam-e-Hussain and then the incident Karbala up to the 10th of Muharram. In the end, Maulana Naumani offered Dua for Hzt. Imam-e-Hussain (RA) and his companions and the importance of remembering all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for Deene-Islam and all Muslim Ummah.
The Economic Aspect of Islam | Part1 sonable price in order to prevent those who may be thinking of exploiting the people by monopolising goods they are in need of. It has prohibited taxes that are taken from a trader to allow them to sell their goods or to import them into the country. The Prophet (SWT) said: “One who collects the tax imposed on traders, will not enter Paradise.” [Ahmad Abu Dawood] This tax is considered taking money unlawfully and giving it to those who are not entitled to it. All those who contribute to this tax, including tax collectors, clerks, witnesses and receivers come under the Prophet’s saying: “No flesh that grows from unlawful things
shall be admitted into Paradise; Hellfire shall have the best claim to them.” [atTirmidhi] Islam has forbidden hoarding wealth, and not expending from it the due right that belongs to Allah; both the individual as well as society would stand to benefit from this. Wealth should be circulated in society to stimulate the economy, and with this all individuals within society would stand to benefit. Allah (SWT) says: And those who hoard up gold and silver and spend it not in the Way of Allah, announce unto them a painful torment. [9:34] As Islam respects individual ownership, it imposes rights and duties therein. Among these are obligations which concern and re-
late to the owner himself, such that he must take care of himself and his dependants; relatives and those who he must upkeep. There are other rights which concern the individuals in society, such that they must pay Zakaah, and give out charity, and help others. Other obligations concern the society at large, such that they must expend to build schools, hospitals, orphanages, mosques, and other facilities which would benefit society. What is sought by this is that resources are not amassed in the hands of a few within society. Source: aljumuah.comSource: aljumuah.com
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Muharrum 18, 1442 August 27, 2021
a f g h a n c risis / e L EC
Taliban sweep into Afghan capital after government collapses By: Ahmad Seir, Rahim Faiez, Tameem Akhgar and Jon Gambrell -The AP Staff ABUL, AFGHANISTAN -- The Taliban swept into Afghanistan’s capital Sunday after the government collapsed and the embattled president joined an exodus of his fellow citizens and foreigners, signalling the end of a costly two-decade U.S. campaign to remake the country. Heavily armed Taliban fighters fanned out across the capital, and several entered Kabul’s abandoned presidential palace. Suhail Shaheen, a Taliban spokesman and negotiator, told The Associated Press that the militants would hold talks in the coming days aimed at forming an “open, inclusive Islamic government.” Earlier, a Taliban official said the group would announce from the palace the restoration of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the formal name of the country under Taliban rule before the militants were ousted by U.S.-led forces in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, which were orchestrated by al-Qaida while it was being sheltered by the Taliban. But that plan appeared to be on hold. Kabul was gripped by panic. Helicopters raced overhead throughout the day to evacuate personnel from the U.S. Embassy. Smoke rose near the compound as staff destroyed important documents, and the American flag was lowered. Several other Western missions also prepared to pull their people out. Fearful that the Taliban could reimpose the kind of brutal rule that all but eliminated women’s rights, Afghans rushed to leave the country, lining up at cash machines to withdraw their life savings. The desperately poor -- who had left homes in the countryside for the presumed safety of the capital -- remained in parks and open spaces throughout the city. Though the Taliban had promised a peaceful transition, the U.S. Embassy suspended operations and warned Americans late in the day to shelter in place and not try to get to the airport. Commercial flights were suspended after sporadic gunfire erupted at the Kabul airport, according to two senior U.S.
K
military officials. Evacuations continued on military flights, but the halt to commercial traffic closed off one of the last routes available for fleeing Afghans. Many people watched in disbelief as helicopters landed in the U.S. Embassy compound to take diplomats to a new outpost at the airport. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken rejected comparisons to the U.S. pullout from Vietnam. “This is manifestly not Saigon,” he said on ABC’s “This Week.” The American ambassador was among those evacuated, officials said. He was asking to return to the embassy, but it was not clear if he would be allowed to. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing operations. As the insurgents closed in, President Ashraf Ghani flew out of the country. “The former president of Afghanistan left Afghanistan, leaving the country in this difficult situation,” said Abdullah Abdullah, the head of the Afghan National Reconciliation Council and a longtime rival of Ghani. “God should hold him accountable.” Ghani later posted on Facebook that he left to avert bloodshed in the capital, without saying where he had gone. As night fell, Taliban fighters deployed across Kabul, taking over abandoned police posts and pledging to maintain law and order during the transition. Residents reported looting in parts of the city, including in the upscale diplomatic district, and messages circulating on social media advised people to stay inside and lock their gates. In a stunning rout, the Taliban seized nearly all of Afghanistan in just over a week, despite the billions of dollars spent by the U.S. and NATO over nearly 20 years to build up Afghan security forces. Just days earlier, an American military assessment estimated that the capital would not come under insurgent pressure for a month. The fall of Kabul marks the final chapter of America’s longest war, which began after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. A U.S.-led invasion dislodged the Taliban and beat them
back, but America lost focus on the conflict in the chaos of the Iraq war. For years, the U.S. sought an exit from Afghanistan. Then-President Donald Trump signed a deal with the Taliban in February 2020 that limited direct military action against the insurgents. That allowed the fighters to gather strength and move quickly to seize key areas when President Joe Biden announced his plans to withdraw all American forces by the end of this month. After the insurgents entered Kabul, Taliban negotiators discussed a transfer of power, said an Afghan official. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details of the closed-door negotiations, described them as “tense.” It remained unclear when that transfer would take place and who among the Taliban was negotiating. The negotiators on the government side included former President Hamid Karzai, leader of Hizb-e-Islami political and paramilitary group Gulbudin Hekmatyar, and Abdullah, who has been a vocal critic of Ghani. Karzai himself appeared in a video posted online, his three young daughters around him, saying he remained in Kabul. “We are trying to solve the issue of Afghanistan with the Taliban leadership peacefully,” he said. Afghanistan’s acting defense minister, Bismillah Khan Mohammadi, did not hold back his criticism of the fleeing president. “They tied our hands from behind and sold the country,” he wrote on Twitter. “Curse Ghani and his gang.” The Taliban earlier insisted that their fighters would not enter people’s homes or inter-
fere with businesses and said they would offer “amnesty” to those who worked with the Afghan government or foreign forces. But there have been reports of revenge killings and other brutal tactics in areas of the country the Taliban have seized in recent days. Reports of gunfire at the airport raised the specter of more violence. One female journalist, weeping, sent voice messages to colleagues after armed men entered her apartment building and banged on her door. “What should I do? Should I call the police or Taliban?” Getee Azami cried. It wasn’t clear what happened to her after that. An Afghan university student described feeling betrayed as she watched the evacuation of the U.S. Embassy. “You failed the younger generation of Afghanistan,” said Aisha Khurram, 22, who is now unsure of whether she will be able to graduate in two months. She said her generation was “hoping to build the country with their own hands. They put blood, efforts and sweat into whatever we had right now.” Sunday began with the Taliban seizing Jalalabad, the last major city besides the capital not in their hands. Afghan officials said the militants also took the capitals of Maidan Wardak, Khost, Kapisa and Parwan provinces, as well as the country’s last governmentheld border post. Later, Afghan forces at Bagram Air Base, home to a prison housing 5,000 inmates, surrendered to the Taliban, according to Bagram district chief Darwaish Raufi. The prison at the former U.S. base held both Taliban and Islamic State group fighters. Source:.ctvnews.ca
Ottawa, ON – Today, Michelle Rempel Garner, Conservative Candidate for Calgary Nose Hill, released the following statement on Justin Trudeau opening the door on recognizing the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan: “Following the G7 meeting on the situation in Afghanistan, Justin Trudeau opened the door on recognizing the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan, when he said the
international community has a list of expectations and demands of the Taliban if they want to be engaged with. “This is a major change of position for Justin Trudeau who said a week ago that he had “no plans” to recognize the Taliban as the government in Afghanistan. “An Erin O’Toole Conservative government will never recognize the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan. We call upon Justin
Trudeau to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the middle of his needless election. “Canada can’t afford more weak leadership from Justin Trudeau. If you don’t care about standing up for Canadian values on the world stage – you have three parties to choose from. If you do, you only have one – Canada’s Conservatives.” Source: Conservative Party Communications
Trudeau opens door on recognizing Taliban as Afghanistan government
Pandemic federal election estimated to cost $610M, most expensive in Canadian history
O
TTAWA – If the prime minister calls an early election amid a looming fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Elections Canada says it could end up being the most expensive in the country’s history. The elections regulator estimates the price tag for the next election could be in the range of $610 million. That’s $100 million more than the 2019 election. A lot of the cost is due to pandemic safety measures and the expected flood of mail-in
S
ballots.Despite any attempts by the ruling Liberal party to justify the cost, it will be criticized by opposition parties, according to Mount Royal University political scientist Keith Brownsey.“That this election is unnecessary and it’s very expensive, and do we do we need to do that right now? Spend $600 million in the middle of this pandemic? Couldn’t that money, shouldn’t that money be used for other purposes?” Brownsey said. “The cost of the election will surprise a lot of people, but it will also make it clear that this
election may not be necessary.” What remains up in the air is whether those criticisms will resonate with voters and whether, come voting day, Canadians will punish the incumbents or reward them like they have done in provincial pandemic elections. Elections in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador had similar results, with incumbents being reelected, some with majorities. Source: toronto.citynews.ca
How will Canada’s first pandemic federal election work?
ince the COVID-19 pandemic began, five out of 10 provinces plus Yukon have held elections. Those races, as well as national votes in other countries, have given Elections Canada plenty of ideas about how to make their polls COVID19-safe. The agency has had months to prepare because an election call was long
expected (more on that later).
What To Expect At The Polls
Physical distancing: About 18,000 polling places are normally needed for a federal race, and Elections Canada has been working to find enough buildings where voters and volunteers will have room to spread out. That could send Canadians to unfamil-
iar or far-off locations if the usual venues, such as schools, aren’t available. PPE: Elections Canada has stocked up on hand sanitizer, face masks, plastic partitions and single-use pencils to minimize the risk of infection. Later results: Normally, federal votes are decisive enough to be called on election
night or the morning after, but it could take two to five days to sort out this one, chief electoral officer Stéphane Perrault says. Mail-in ballots (more on that below) won’t be counted until the day after the election; that way, all envelopes that arrive before polls close can be counted and checked against the list of in-person votes.
11
Muharrum 18, 1442 August 27, 2021
Adeeb
Ayyaz
(Realtor)
PREC
(Realtor)
604 - A2Z 604 518 - 3782 Team 839 - 7863
adeeb.shums@century21.ca ayyazrealtor@gmail.com
New Listing
R2608062
2021
24-16127 87 Avenue Surrey BC V4N6R3
$849,000
ACADEMY Townhomes - well-designed space! Bright and Beautiful Corner Unit. This 3 bedroom 3 bathroom townhome is in a family-friendly neighborhood in Fleetwood. Offers an open-layout concept. Quality construction and backed by the balance of the 2-5-10 year home warranty. Centrally located in Fleetwood; Excellent location with easy and quick access to HWY 1, Fraser Hwy, Frost Road Elementary, Holy Cross Secondary, shops and restaurants. Only a 10 minute walk from the proposed Surrey Langley Skytrain station at 160th & Fraser Hwy.
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604-839-7853 ~ asmashums@gmail.com ~ www.a2zmortgage.ca
12
Muharrum 18, 1442 August 27, 2021
Ayyaz
Adeeb
(Realtor)
PREC
604 518 - 3782
604 - (Realtor) 839 - 7863
adeeb.shums@century21.ca ayyazrealtor@gmail.com
UPDATED SOLD Properties 2021 SOLD $940,000 R2546594 31982 HILLCREST AVE MISSION BC V2V 1K9
SOLD $560,000 R2543995
27-11464 FISHER STREET MAPLERIDGE, BC V2X 0H8
SOLD $929,000
R2546739
12471 227 STRRET MAPLE RIDGE BC V2X 6K4
SOLD $550,000 R2569290
8-13670 84 AVENUE SURREY, BC V3W 0T6
SOLD $920,000 R2549835
20979 WICKLUND AVE MAPLE RIDGE V2X 8E8
SOLD $564,000 R2541787
32-20890 57 AVE LANGLEY BC V3A 8M7
SOLD $1,417,000 R2555598
6537 125A STREET SURREY, BCV3W 6S9
SOLD $950,000 R2555648
8985 VINES STREET CHILLIWACK BC V2P 3X5
SOLD $975,000
R2539866
11927 96A AVENUE SURREY BC V3V 2A5
SOLD $725,000
R2550873
31-7848 170 STREET SURREY BC V4N 6M4
SOLD $770,000 R2560163
SOLD $596,305
(Pre Sold)
43-6388 King George Blvd SURREY BC V3X 3J8
SOLD $596,305
(Pre Sold)
46-6388 King George Blvd SURREY BC V3X 3J8
SOLD $577,500
R2570801
167 SPRINGFIELD DRIVE LANGLEY BC V4W 3K8
1109-5811 N0. 3 Road Richmond BC V6X4L7
SOLD $727,300
SOLD $500,000
R2482366
44477 FRESHWATER DR CHILLIWACK, BC V2R 6A3
R2596550
301-15388 101 Avenue Surrey BC V3R 4H1
SOLD $575,005
SOLD $415,000 R2517425
206-12125 75A AVE SURREY BCV3W 1B9
R2580575
#402 5638 201A ST, LANGLEY BC V3A 1T1
SOLD $500,000 R2558602
207-6930 BALMORAL STREET BURNABY BC V7E1J5
SOLD $649,000
Exclusive Listing
R2570801
1003-6611 Cooney Road Richmond BC V6Y 4C5
SOLD $435,000
SOLD $359,000 R2554305
309-14885 105 AVE 211-2356 Welcher Av Port Coquitlam BC V3C 1X5 SURREY BC V3R 2V6
SOLD $577,500
SOLD $550,000 R2536822
SOLD $635,000 R2574425
1109-5811 NO. 3 ROAD 46383 CORA AVENUE RICHMOND BC V6X 4L7 CHILLIWACK BC V2P 7K9
SOLD $899,999 R2587180
32070 Holiday Avenue Mission BC V2V 2N1
SOLD $1,270,000 EXCLUSIVE
10336 129A STREET SURREY BC V3T 5P2
R2583365
202-7161 121 Street Surrey BC V3W 1G8
SOLD $860,000 R2596766
10-15168 66A AVENUE SURREY BC V3S 1X2
13
Muharrum 18, 1442 August 27, 2021
Ayyaz
Adeeb
(Realtor)
PREC
604 518 - 3782
604 - (Realtor) 839 - 7863
adeeb.shums@century21.ca ayyazrealtor@gmail.com
UPDATED SOLD Properties 2021 SOLD $940,000 R2546594 31982 HILLCREST AVE MISSION BC V2V 1K9
SOLD $560,000 R2543995
27-11464 FISHER STREET MAPLERIDGE, BC V2X 0H8
SOLD $929,000 R2546739
12471 227 STRRET MAPLE RIDGE BC V2X 6K4
SOLD $550,000 R2569290
8-13670 84 AVENUE SURREY, BC V3W 0T6
SOLD $920,000 R2549835
20979 WICKLUND AVE MAPLE RIDGE V2X 8E8
SOLD $564,000 R2541787
32-20890 57 AVE LANGLEY BC V3A 8M7
SOLD $1,417,000 R2555598
6537 125A STREET SURREY, BCV3W 6S9
SOLD $950,000 R2555648
8985 VINES STREET CHILLIWACK BC V2P 3X5
SOLD $975,000
R2539866
11927 96A AVENUE SURREY BC V3V 2A5
SOLD $725,000
R2550873
31-7848 170 STREET SURREY BC V4N 6M4
SOLD $770,000 R2560163
SOLD $596,305
(Pre Sold)
43-6388 King George Blvd SURREY BC V3X 3J8
SOLD $596,305
(Pre Sold)
46-6388 King George Blvd SURREY BC V3X 3J8
SOLD $577,500
R2570801
167 SPRINGFIELD DRIVE LANGLEY BC V4W 3K8
1109-5811 N0. 3 Road Richmond BC V6X4L7
SOLD $727,300
SOLD $500,000
R2482366
44477 FRESHWATER DR CHILLIWACK, BC V2R 6A3
R2596550
301-15388 101 Avenue Surrey BC V3R 4H1
SOLD $575,005
SOLD $415,000 R2517425
206-12125 75A AVE SURREY BCV3W 1B9
R2580575
#402 5638 201A ST, LANGLEY BC V3A 1T1
SOLD $500,000 R2558602
207-6930 BALMORAL STREET BURNABY BC V7E1J5
SOLD $649,000
Exclusive Listing
R2570801
1109-5811 NO. 3 ROAD RICHMOND BC V6X 4L7
1003-6611 Cooney Road Richmond BC V6Y 4C5
SOLD $435,000
SOLD $359,000 R2554305
309-14885 105 AVE 211-2356 Welcher Av Port Coquitlam BC V3C 1X5 SURREY BC V3R 2V6
SOLD $577,500
SOLD $550,000 R2536822
SOLD $635,000 R2574425
46383 CORA AVENUE CHILLIWACK BC V2P 7K9
SOLD $899,999 R2587180
32070 Holiday Avenue Mission BC V2V 2N1
SOLD $1,270,000 EXCLUSIVE
10336 129A STREET SURREY BC V3T 5P2
R2583365
202-7161 121 Street Surrey BC V3W 1G8
SOLD $860,000
R2596766
10-15168 66A AVENUE SURREY BC V3S 1X2
14
Muharrum 18, 1442 August 27, 2021
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15
Muharrum 18, 1442
lo c a l
August 27, 2021
Friends of Pakistan(FOP) arranges Flag hoisting ceremony on Pakistan Independence Day
On August 14, Friends of Pakistan (FOP) celebrated the 75th Independence Day of Pakistan at the resident of the association’s President, Mr. Abdul Rauf. Guests were specially invited from all Pakistani community Associations but also from other ethnic communities. Mr. Amir Bajwa began the program and invited Saad Abul Salis for the recitation of the Quran. Mr. Abdul Salis then presented a Nasheed. President FOB Mr. Abdul Rauf Khan congratulated everyone on the 75th Independence Day of Pakistan and briefed about
the importance of the Aug 14th. At the end, he acknowledged the presence of all heads of associations included Seniors Pakistani community members, PTI, PCA, PCCA, PCWS, PCCA BC, and Print Media. Keeping in mind that the month of Muharram was underway , Molana A.Latif Naumani delivered a Bayyan on Muharrum, and then reminded everyone about the sacrifices of all Muslim leaders who struggled in the formation of Independence of Pakistan before and after 1947. Another speech was from chief guest Lt.
General (retired) Umar Farooq Durrani who introduced himself as a newcomer after his retirement from service. He joins his family here who has been in Canada for many years. He highlighted the importance of this Day in the history of Pakistan, and what is the current role of Pakistan in that region and what overseas Pakistanis can do for their country. He acknowledged FOP team’s efforts towards the betterment of the Pakistani Community. FOP guests along with Molana Naumani and Mr. Durrani raised a Pakistani Flag in front of Mr. Rauf ’s residence and Molana sahib made Duaa. In the end, a delicious lunch has been served at A. Rauf ’s residence.
Jashan-e-Azadi Pakistan Car rally held in Surrey
On August 14, on the occasion of 75th Pakistan Independence Day, many Pakistani Canadians in Lower Mainland got together and organized a Car Rally from Holland Park-Surrey Central to the Strawberry Hills on a short notice. The community gathered at Holland Park at 6 pm with flags on their cars with National songs playing. The Caravan of cars started with honks and songs played from King George Blvd to 72nd Ave and then from there to Scott Road. Families, kids and touth showed their enthusiasm, patriotism with Pakistan. Mr. Tarik Kiyani, Mr. Rahat Rao, and Mr. Sajid Hameed thanked all the participants at the end of Car Rally at the Strawberry Hills parking lot.
Indepence Day Cake cutting ceremony at the Ameen Khan’s residence On August 14, Mohammad Ameen Khan invited the Pakistanis community to his residence in Many kids, youth and the Media were also participating in the Cake cutting ceremony to Hon. Ameer Khurram Rathore Surrey. celebrate 75th Jashan Azadi Pakistan. appointed new High Commisoner of Pakistan in Canada.
P
akistan’s High Commissioner-designate to Canada Amir Khurram Rathore meets Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi at the Foreign
Ministry. The Foreign Minister appreciated the services of Amir Khurram Rathore as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Welfare of Pakistanis abroad and solution of their problems on priority basis is one of our top priorities: Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi I hope that the appointment of a seasoned diplomat like you as High Commissioner to Canada will help strengthen bilateral relations, Makh-
doom Shah Mehmood Qureshi The High Commissioner-designate of Canada, Amir Khurram Rathore, thanked the Foreign Minister for his instructions and assured him of using his best potential to strengthen bilateral relations. Sent by: Press Section, Pakistan Mission, Ottawa
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Muharrum 18, 1442 August 27, 2021
T
wom e n / h e a lt h
How to manage family during the pandemic!
By: Asma Shums, here are many reasons why a family who is close at heart can become separated by distance. It may be due to the military, education, work, a break up or something that’s completely out of your control such as the pandemic we are in currently Whatever the situation, it can make life difficult and it is all too easy to let that distance impact your ability to stay in touch. Whether it’s grandparents being away from their grandchildren or even parents with kids going away to college. We know all too well how it can be a struggle to keep as close as you once were. 1) Stay connected on the phone. We are thankful to live in a time where older generations are becoming increasingly accepting of technology, especially smartphones. This acceptance has created a world where children, parents and grandparents can be a part of each other’s lives, no matter where they are. While some people may have reservations
about using social media, for a long distance family, we feel the benefits far outweigh any drawbacks. You can use services such as whatsap, Facebook and Instagram for the same. 2) schedule timely calls! Saying you’re going to call is great, but without a little structure in place, it can easily slip your mind. Take a moment to check your schedules and find a specific time of the week you’re all available. You can also set up a second or backup time just in case! One way we’ve found time for quick calls is our daily commute. If you drive to work or use public transport, why not take advantage of that spare time. 3) don’t be afraid to share! While some of us
may find it difficult to share our highs and lows, it is one of the best ways to keep those important to us, involved in our lives. Even if you don’t think it is significant, your family will want to be their to support you. It’s no secret that strong families have good communication. That’s why it is important to create an environment that, even over distance, allows and promotes family members to talk about their thoughts and feelings. This will also set a great example for younger family members. 4) meet whenever you can! It can be tempting to use vacation days to ‘get away from it all’ and take a relaxing break away from civilization. For long distance families, we hope you instead use this time to see each other. Many of us don’t realise how much time we actually have with our loved ones. Or more importantly, how many times we will see them before they pass. 5) build upon shared interest! Have a shared interest with a family member? Well, make sure you do your best to keep sharing it. Having a shared interest can give you a constant source of conversation topics that will keep the communication flowing when you’re apart.
An example could be an activity such as running. There are apps out there where you’ll be able to share your achievements. If you both love the same sport, make sure to message each other after a game. There are a million and one different family hobbies that you could do together but if you’re not sure what a family member loves, just ask! Being able to play chess against each other online or show each other what recipes you’ve created can be a wonderfu experience. When you’re back together, you can strengthen this shared interest by doing it with each other. Email info at: asmashums@gmail.com
What did the left eye say to the right eye? Between us, something smells!
What is brown, hairy and wears sunglasses?
A coconut on vacation.
Why the delta variant is hitting kids hard in the U.S. and how we can prevent that in Canada?
C
anada isn’t seeing the same rising levels of pediatric hospitalizations as the U.S., experts say. As back-toschool season approaches, many Canadian parents are alarmed by reports of unprecedented cases of COVID-19 among children and teens — as well as increased hospitalizations — in parts of the U.S.According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the majority of these illnesses are driven by the delta variant, which it has called “hyper infectious.” Although the delta variant is on the rise in Canada too, pediatric infectious disease specialists and public health experts say we’re not in the same boat as U.S. hotspots — and that there are measures we can take to avoid getting there.
What’s happening in the U.S.?
“Right now, things are really bad in the southern and southeastern parts of the United States,” said Dr. David Kimberlin, with the Children’s Hospital of Alabama and a professor of pediatrics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “We have more pediatric cases, more pediatric hospitalizations, more pediatric severe disease cases than we’ve ever had throughout this pandemic,” he said. “What we’re experiencing is much worse than it was even in the dark days of January and February … during the wintertime surge.” One reason for that is the dominance of the delta variant, which Kimberlin estimates is about 90 per cent of the COVID-19 cases he’s seeing now. The other big reason, he said, is “abysmal vaccination rates” in COVID hotspots. “You put a highly, even much more infectious — hyper-infectious, hyper-transmissible — virus that this delta variant represents into a population that’s … a third vaccinated, you got a recipe for disaster,” said Kimberlin. “We’re living that disaster right now.” Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show a 27.3 per cent rise in the seven-day average for U.S. COVID-19 hospital admissions among children from 0 to 17 years old between the week of July 28 to Aug. 3 and the week of Aug. 4 to Aug. 10. According to additional CDC data, the highest COVID-19 case rates per 100,000 people are in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida.
What’s happening with kids and COVID-19 in Canada?
Right now, experts say Canada isn’t seeing the surge of pediatric cases and hospitalizations that the southern U.S. is experiencing. That includes at one of the country’s largest children’s hospitals. “SickKids has not seen any increases in COVID-19 hospitalizations or disease severity due to the delta variant,” a spokesperson for the Toronto hospital said in an email to CBC News. “Throughout the pandemic, we have monitored COVID-19 trends in other jurisdictions and we continue to do so closely.” One of the reasons it hasn’t happened, experts say, is Canada’s much higher vaccination rate. According to CBC’s vaccine tracker, 71 per cent of the eligible population — currently anyone 12 years and older — has been fully vaccinated in Canada. “Vaccination in Canada seems to be less of a political issue and more of a health-related issue — and we are lucky for that,” said Dr. Jeff Pernica, an infectious disease specialist at McMaster University in Hamilton. “We know that two doses of the available mRNA vaccines provides very good protection even against delta,” he said. “And so I do not necessarily think that what’s happening in the United States is going to happen here.”
Does the delta variant make people sicker than other forms of the virus?
we can do to protect them. The current fourth wave of COVID-19, including the delta variant, is largely infecting people who are unvaccinated, said Dr. Anna Banerji, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health. “Our main unvaccinated population right now in Canada is mostly the kids [who are] less than 12. So that’s a big concern to me,” she said. Both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are currently doing clinical trials to determine whether their vaccines are safe and effective for children under 12. Banerji is hoping results will be available in the coming months. In the meantime, experts say one of the most important things people can do to protect kids from the delta variant is to get vaccinated themselves. “Having the adults around them protected by vaccination will help protect kids who are too young to be vaccinated,” said Sauvé. “That includes … kids over 12 — so high school students, middle school students. But also parents and teachers, and other healthcare workers and other education workers.” In addition, Sauvé said, it’s critical to keep up other public health measures, such as wearing masks indoors, especially where community transmission is high. Many people dropped those public health measures in the areas of the U.S. now being hard-hit, said Kimberlin. “[We’ve] ... got to go back to the same kinds of things we don’t like — and that’s wearing masks and trying to distance from one another and doing the kinds of things that we were so familiar with in the wintertime and last year,” he said.
The short answer is that experts don’t yet know for sure. “We know that everybody is more susceptible to the delta variant,” said Dr. Laura Sauvé, chair of the Canadian Paediatric Society’s infectious diseases committee and an infectious disease specialist at B.C. Children’s Hospital. “It’s just much more transmissible than previous strains of COVID-19.” But the question of delta’s “virulence” — meaning whether the illness it causes is more severe — is still not clear. Several infectious disease specialists say that although there are more pediatric hospitalizations than before in the U.S., that could be due to the fact that delta causes more infections overall. So the same percentage of patients as before could be suffering from Is it still true that kids usually don’t serious illness, but there’s a larger total pool get as sick if they get COVID? Yes, infectious disease specialists say. There’s of infected children and teens. Aren’t kids under 12 at particular nothing to suggest the delta variant has changed that.“Of all kids who get COVID, risk since they can’t get vaccinated? probably the majority will have no sympYes, experts say — but there are still things
toms at all,” said Sauvé. “Another significant proportion will have, kind of, mild flu-like symptoms. Like they might feel crummy for a few days, they might have some fever, they might have some cough, and in most cases, that goes away fairly quickly. “A very, very small proportion of kids with COVID do get sick enough with COVID to be admitted to hospital. But that’s a very tiny proportion.”
Should Canadian kids return to school this fall?
All of the Canadian infectious disease and public health experts CBC News interviewed gave a resounding “yes.” “It’s really important that we do everything we can to get kids back in school in person,” said Sauvé. “The mental health and developmental effects of COVID have been the most profound effects of COVID on children, and we’re seeing significant increases in mental health hospitalizations,” she said. Dr. Lawrence Loh, the medical officer of health for Ontario’s Peel region, agreed that a return to school is vital for kids — with COVID-19 safety precautions in place. “In general, schools reflect the community transmission that’s occurring,” Loh said. “And we know that one of the best ways to address community transmission is to make sure that everyone is getting vaccinated as much as possible. “The additional measures that are in place in schools — cohorting, screening, dismissals, masking — those are all going to still be critical.” Source: cbc.ca/news
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p a kist a n / sports
6th September Pakistan Defence Day – The Pride Of Our Nation
By ZeeShan Kahloon
E
very year, Defence Day is celebrated in memory of the sacrifices the Pakistani armed forces made in the war of 1965. 6 September (Defence Day) is one of the most significant events in the history of Pakistan. On 6 September 1965, without a formal declaration of war, the Indian army crossed Pakistan’s international frontiers. It was a time when not only our brave soldiers but the entire nation was thrown into the mold of a cohesive unit to defend our homeland, defeating the Indian Army and pulling them back on every front.
Under the auspices of the United Nations, the main diplomatic attempt to stop the fighting was carried out and a truce came into effect on 23 September 1965.
The Inevitable Defence By Our Military
Our military managed to protect not only the areas targeted but also the lives 6th September Defence Day - The Pride Of Our Nationof thousands of civilians and their homes. As such, we owe an obligation to honor and support all of our country’s military personnel who sacrificed their lives so that we, our families, and our fellow countrymen may live in peace. It should also exThe Detailed Background Behind tend this appreciation and gratitude to all those military personnel who helped our 6th September On September 6, 1965, the enemy invaded martyrs, sacrificed their lives, and lived to our borders with a view to breaching the tell the story. assaulted areas. It’s been a response to stop- Martyrs Of The Defence Day ping Pakistani military advance in India Oc- Many of our national martyred heroes won cupied Kashmir. They were mostly targeting decorations for their gallantry and courthe Lahore, Sialkot, and Sindh desert areas. age. Major Raja Aziz Bhatti was awarded The war continued until 22 September 1965, the highest Nishan-i-Haider military award when both sides agreed ceasefire supervised for his extraordinary role in defending the by the United Nations. Lahore Bedian region in 1965. He is among a handful of other gallant and courageous The War in Kashmir Events in Kashmir came to a climax, too. military personnel who have been martyred Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and in other battles and wars given the same added more fuel to the fire by taking meas- honour. In Pakistan’s defence they gave the ures to further integrate Kashmir into India’s greatest sacrifice of their lives. political body and claiming that the Kashmir Defence Day—A Pledge Of Strong question occupied a secondary position in And Proud Nation effective India-Pakistan relations. Defence Day is also a day to renew our pledge The application to the Kashmir State of Ar- that we are a powerful, proud country, and ticles 356 and 357 of the Indian Constitu- that no foreign power, no matter how strong tion, which allowed the President of India it is, can bully us. Our troops are a sign of to create and legislate the Presidential Rule all that and much more. It represents the Pain Kashmir, made an attempt to amalgamate kistani great nation’s fighting spirit, courage, Kashmir into the Indian Union altogether. and tactical acumen. And Defence Day is the
The Lahore Offensive
At 3:00 AM on September 6, 1965, Indians crossed the international frontier of West Pakistan without a formal declaration of war and launched a three-pronged offensive against Lahore, Sialkot, and Rajasthan. On the Punjab plains, there has been a fierce tank battle. The Indo-Pak dispute at home turned into an international war and raised questions about Super Strength.
day for celebrating and remembering all that so we can be strong and send the right message to the country’s youth and children.
How Defence Day Is Celebrated Today
Throughout the nation, a number of military parades and activities are arranged on Defence Day. The latest innovations and advancements in modern tactics are seen in military parades as well. Often on this day,
test launches of newly designed weapons occur as well. The obvious purpose of these activities is to celebrate our veterans and to highlight our military strength. Our TV channels and social media are also playing their part in that goal.
Parades
Pakistan’s Army shows its latest missiles, tanks, guns, army aircraft helicopters, and equipment used by Engineers, Electrical and Mechanical Corps, Army Air Defence, Signals, Army Service Corps, and Medical Corps of the Army. By going to specific places everybody is able to watch such functions live. These shows are seen on national television channels too. National songs, special documentaries about 6 September 1965, and the stories of those who were martyred that day are seen on television. The details are told about how people sacrificed their lives for the country’s safety and what the burden lies with the younger generation, the children who are Pakistan’s future The change of guard ceremony takes place at Mazar-e-Quaid, Karachi, where Pakistan Air Force Academy cadets present and take command of the Guard of Honor.
The Role Of Military In Our Country
We should all be proud of our powerful armed forces and their constitutional role in protecting our country’s physical frontiers and defence. We may face economic challenges but we are secured from external threats by what many around the world consider to be one of Asia’s strongest military powers. We pay homage to their sacrifices, as we honor our former war heroes. But our military not only engages in warfare but also contributes in peacetime to the country. In disaster-hit countries, the powers most frequently carry out humanitarian operations and provide national relief services in situations such as floods, earthquakes, etc. Many of the institutions of the armed forces, such as their schools, universities, hospitals, etc., which operate under military control, often provide vital services to civilians.
Pakistan Emerged As A More Powerful Nation After The War Of 1965
As of the September 1965 war with India, Pakistan emerged as a powerful and self-confident country, proud of itself and its military forces. It was a nation united in the face of India’s threat. For war success, national unity and complete support for the armed forces in the field are necessary. With the help of the government, Pakistan’s Armed Forces repelled India’s naked aggression across the international border and making it pay a price by taking four times more territory than India and forcing it to accept a truce, return to the negotiating table and vacate each other’s territory. It was definitely their finest hour of glory, and a day for future generations to recall the soldiers and civilians of that time. Each and every Pakistani has this spirit of brotherhood in their hearts, if you dare to hurt one of us, we will all stand together as one country, for we have no predicament of caste, no color of faith among us, we are brothers and sisters standing together as one, under one flag, and when we stand together we can teach you a lesson that you will surely never forget.
How We Can Make The Events Of 1965 Memorable
Honoring and saluting our national heroes is never tardy. At any time, any school or community event can be arranged to recognize all those uniformed men and women who have served to protect our country. We, too, should raise awareness of their significance and activities on social media. Our discussions and talks with family and friends may also include the subject of the military’s significance and constitutional position. Source: globeestatebuilders.com
Shaheen Shah Afridi leads Pakistan to 109-run win over West Indies in second Test
S
haheen Shah Afridi completed a tenwicket match haul to bowl Pakistan to a serieslevelling 109-run victory over the West Indies in the final session of the second and final Test at Sabina Park on Tuesday. Source: dawn.com
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