Miracle 608- October 20, 2023

Volume 23- Issue 608- October 20, 2023- Jamadi ul I- 5 , 1445 H, $1

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THE

Why Is Allah “He”

BCMA’s Haq Masjid

03 Rather than “She”? P 2

09 Volunteers &Committee

07 clashes between Pl & Isr

09 SOGI123

Here is a timeline of the Oral health:

07 A global perspective

Parents Marched against

AICP Celebrates 14 Milad-un-Nabiyy, 2023

introduces legislation to 06 B.C. force Surrey police transition Mayor Sim Introduces New

06 Steps to Build Homes Faster Accused killer of London, Ont.,

10 Muslim family details attack, aftermath for jury

Israel’s deadly attacks on Gaza leave thousands dead

Article and News@ pages 5, 7,11

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Rabi ul I -5,1445 October 20, 2023

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Rabi ul I -5,1445 October 20, 2023

f a i t h

Jundub ibn Abdullah (ra), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:There was amongst those before you a man who had a wound. He was in [such] anguish that he took a knife and made with it a cut in his hand, and the blood did not cease to flow till he died. Allah the Almighty said: My servant has himself forestalled Me; I have forbidden him Paradise.al-Bukhari.

Why Is Allah “He” Rather than “She”? | Part 2

I

By: Linda Thayer , May 14, 2023 N PART 1 we looked at biological gender as associated with male vs. female, with ‘masculine’ vs. ‘feminine,’ and with ‘he’ vs. ‘she’—and how this intersects with our understanding of Allah.

Here we focus on gender as a feature of language and how this insight clears away the concerns of feminists regarding an inferred connection of biological gender in association with Allah.

Language And Linguistic Considerations

So, if it is true that there is no biological gender bias detectible on the part of Allah, then why would ‘Allah’ be referred to in the Quran as ‘He,’ ‘Him,’ ‘His,’ and ‘Himself’ –using masculine gender words and never using words denoting the feminine gender: ‘She,’ ‘Her,’ ‘Herself’?

Some would reason: Doesn’t that usage of the masculine pronoun ‘He’ (Arabic: huwa) PROVE that Allah is more male than female? Or that He leans more favorably to men than to women? Or that the primacy of men is intended in the family or in society because the man is more like Allah in His universal domain than are women? After all, Allah is quite flexible in the Quran, with self-references sometimes also employing the pronouns ‘I,’ ‘Me,’ ‘Mine,’ or the plural forms ‘We,’ ‘Us,’ ‘Our. ‘ Verily, I am Allah: There is no god but Me; so serve Me (only)…

[Sûrat Ṭâ Hâ, 20: 14] But this flexibility does not extend to using a feminine pronoun, ‘She’ (Arabic: hiya). In fact, the Quran is perfectly clear: None of us, men or women, are at all ‘like’ Allah in any sense: Say, ‘He, God, is One, God, the Eternally Sufficient unto Himself. He begets not; nor was He begotten. And none is like unto Him.’ [Sûrat Al- Ikhlâs 112: 1-4] So why the common use of ‘He’ and never the use of ‘She’?

Language As Cultural Heritage

If the Arabs who first heard the new revelation were no longer to give credence to their presumed gods and goddesses— male and female deities—how was the one God to be categorized if He is neither male nor female in the sense that each individual human being—biologically and socially—belongs to one category or the other? Well, for one thing, the Arabic noun ilâh, ‘god’/’goddess,’ has what looks like a grammatically ‘feminine’ noun ending {-ah}.

Perhaps the one true God, Allah, needed to be maximally differentiated from ilâh, a false god or idol, by which I mean that the NOUN Allah should be grammatically masculine rather than grammatically feminine. Was this a deliberate choice in order to reject, or to avoid confirming, the cultural favoritism to female-ness in deity? Even the name ‘Allah’ has what looks like a ‘feminine’ grammatical ending {-ah}, which one could presume to indicate female associations. How to disas-

sociate the name Allah from the Arabian goddesses (Al-Lât, Al–CUzzâ and Manât in Sûrat Al-Najm, 53:19-21 and Sûrat AlNisâ’, 4:117)? Perhaps by referring to Allah using the grammatically ‘masculine’ PRONOUNS, ‘He’, ‘His,’ ‘Him,’ ‘Himself.’

Could it be that the grammatically ‘masculine’ pronoun, ‘He,’ is a calculated choice (or possibly a purposeful displacement of “She”) in order to avoid some of the implications of female-ness in traditional Middle East religion? Not only was there the Mother Goddess (see Part 1), commonly found more widely throughout polytheistic religions around the world, but polytheistic forces were commonly associated with female persons (a prophetess, an oracle) and processes (an oracular delving into the unseen world – ‘divination‘)— to be addressed elsewhere.

Of course, the impetus for this avoidance in the Qur’anic scheme of things is merely my speculation—suggested by the fact that it was notably females who were employed as prophetic oracles and as the major deity in many pagan cultures. Maybe one of our readers can speak to this point more authoritatively in regard to ancient Arabian society.

Grammar: Special Use Of The Feminine Gender

We do know that Arabic has special categories of usage involving the feminine form—for example, in Arabic grammar: collectives of irrational living beings—and [those] from which nouns of unity ending in (Arabic: tâ marbûa) cannot be formed— are feminine [in grammatical ‘gender’] e.g., khailun,’horses ‘; ibilun, ‘camels. ‘ So, perhaps the masculine category, by default, would have to be the correct choice for anything not in the special [feminine] grammatical category, in the case of wanting to avoid negative associations with nouns belonging to the basic feminine grammatical gender. (I’m credentialed as a linguist, not as an Arabist, so I can only make a linguistically reasonable extrapolation…) This assignment of the name ‘Allah’ to the masculine grammatical gender would thus constitute a case of avoiding overuse of the special-use ‘feminine’ grammatical category. Again, I am hazarding an ‘educated guess.’

The ‘Royal We.’

him… [Sûrat Al-Hijr, 15:10-15] And God has said: ‘Do not take to worshipping two [or more] deities. He is the One and Only God: hence, of Me, of Me alone stand in awe!’ And His is all that is in the heavens and on earth, and to Him [alone] obedience is always due: will you, then, pay reverence to aught but Him? [Sûrat Al-Nahl, 16:51-52] Thus, indeed, have We given in this Quran many facets to every kind of lesson [designed] for [the benefit of] mankind.

[Sûrat Al-Kahf, 18:54] Verily, We create man in the best conformation… [Sûrat Al-Tîn, 95:4]

Bible:

Then God said, ‘and now we will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us. … He created them male and female…

[Genesis 1:26-27] ‘We’ is an alternative to using the singular ‘He’ or ‘I.’ The royal ‘We’ represents dignity and power, not ‘distribution’ of deity (as Trinitarian Christians sometimes argue out of grammatical ignorance).

For those who are put off by the use of huwa (‘He’) in Arabic because of what they assume to be God’s preference for his male creatures, perhaps this use of ‘We’ and ‘I’ can serve to reassure them –if still not convinced—that Allah is neither a biological ‘He’ nor a malefavoring ‘He.’

NOT ‘HE’ AND NOT ‘SHE’

In the light of the slack in grammatical gender categories, would it be appropriate in English to refer to God as ‘It,’ and thus to avoid the unwanted association with biological gender? Probably not, since we feel that the ‘neuter’ pronoun ‘it’ is appropriate generally for inanimate items; thus, using ‘It ‘ for the unique, Living and Life-Giving Creator would have the effect of lowering the regard given to a Being like Allah, Whom we experience as having the dignity much above and beyond that owed to a human ‘person.’

In any case, Arabic has no third gender category as an option for ‘Allah’; English does have a third grammatical gender category (‘It ‘), but considers it demeaning and inappropriate to use in reference to ‘God’/ ‘Allah.’ Modern feminists who refer to God as ‘She’ are likely implying that men have made a mess of the world and women would do a better job at fixing` it—and that therefore God is better honored with the ‘feminine’ pronoun to identify with their personal concerns. Even feminists are not likely to opt for ‘It’ as opposed to ‘He’ in reference to Deity.

HUWA

As for inventing a new pronoun for talking exclusively about Allah—so as to avoid cultural implications of biological gender, both male and female—how would we deal with the fact that the Quran has used the grammatically ‘masculine’ pronoun huwa—given that the Quranic Text is not open to change?!

So then, what about pursuing an Allahunique pronoun in other languages, to be used in translations of the Quran? It would be gratifying to find a ready-made Allahspecific pronoun, maybe in ancient ‘ProtoSemitic’ language forms, or in any other language. But until then we might just want to stick with the Arabic pattern or with whatever pattern each target-language of translation already has in place.

After all, is there any longer a problem here with huwa—now that we know that languages have word classes and that the noun class (grammatical ‘gender’) representing the biological male gender happens to overlap with the grammatical word class chosen for thousands of other words, including the name ‘Allah’ (when Allah, Himself, has no biological gender)?

The key information here is that the two functions—biological gender and grammatical gender— are neither identical nor co-extensive. We simply have a choice of two sets of pronouns—(a) ‘he – his – him – himself ’’ and (b) ‘she – her – herself ’— doing double-duty, meaning that they are used ambiguously— used both grammatically and biologically.

Can’t we live with that, now that we understand something of linguistic structure?

IN SUM: Grammatical Gender vs.

Biological Gender

So, now to summarize in answer to our main question, Why is Allah a ‘He’ and not a ‘She’? Allah is not—as we first presumed—to be identified as ‘a He.’ He is not a biologicallymale Being, nor is He closer to male human beings than He is to female persons.

‘He’ when applied to Allah is not about matching biological gender: For Allah begets not; nor was He begotten—and beyond that, ‘He’/ ‘Allah’ is unlike any being in ‘His’ creation (Sûrat Al-Ikhâs 112:3-4), whether male or female. The use of ‘He / His / Him’ is about the fact that the name ‘Allah’ in Arabic, as in many other human languages —by necessity— must belong to one particular noun/ pronoun class and not to another. In Arabic,

The Semitic languages (most prominently Coninued at Page 6 Arabic and Hebrew) have a grammatical category called the Royal We, or the Plural of Majesty. ‘We’ indicates a dignity that is deserved of the [singular] speaker by reaOctober 20 - Nov 3 , 2023 -Rabiul II, 5 -19, 1445H son of some unique characteristic. This grammatically plural form ‘We’ is used for Isl. Dt. Day Date Fajar Sunr Zawal Dhuhr Asar Maghrib Isha a restricted category of speakers speaking 5 Fri in reference, each to himself alone: per- 6 Sat sons in power, like kings, or in manage- 7 Sun ment positions. In the case of Allah, of 8 Mon course, He is maximally unique in every way when compared with His creation— 9 Tue something which we can never afford to 10 Wed minimize. This plural form is sometimes 11 Thus used in the Quran—as in the Bible—for 12 Fri Allah / God to refer to Himself. There is 13 Sat sometimes even a shift within the same 14 Sun verse or passage among forms of ‘He,’ ‘We,’ 15 Mon and ‘I.’

Prayer Schedule in Greater Vancouver

16 Tue 17 Wed And indeed, [O Prophet,] even before thy 18 Thus time did We send [Our apostles] unto communities of old — and never yet came 19 Fri Quran:

an apostle to them without their deriding For such Prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times: Quran ,n 4:103 Source: BCMA

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N a t & I n t . N e ws

High winds, heavy rain forecast for B.C. coast and islands bring potential for flooding Wind and rainfall warnings cover much of the British Columbia coast on Tuesday as a wave of stormy weather washes over western parts of the province this week.

Environment Canada says winds gusting up to 110 km/h are expected over Haida Gwaii, the Central Coast and northern Vancouver Island.

Heavy rain is also forecast for Kitimat on the North Coast, as well as most of Vancouver Island and the Howe Sound region north of Vancouver.

Rainfall accumulations of 70 millimetres in Kitimat and more than 200 millimetres on western Vancouver Island are likely before the storm eases early Thursday and the weather office says localized flooding is possible, along with potential washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.

Alyssa Charbonneau, meteorologist with Environment Canada, said the system is a narrow atmospheric river that will miss the Metro Vancouver area, where rainfall is ex-

pected to be heaviest on the North Shore, with levels diminishing eastward into the Fraser Valley.

“We do have a warning out for Howe Sound where we could see 50 to 70 millimetres of rainfall with this system. And parts of Metro Vancouver will likely see some good rainfall as well,” she said.

The River Forecast Centre has issued a high streamflow advisory for waterways on Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and Howe Sound, warning of flows seen every two to five years.

Source: cbc.ca

Palestinian people have ‘unequivocal’ diplomatic, moral and political support of Pakistan: COAS

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Tuesday said the Palestinian people have “unequivocal diplomatic, moral and political support of the Pakistani nation” and vowed to support the end to “unlawful occupation of their territories”.

The army chief ’s statement comes as Israel has imposed a “total siege” to stop food and fuel from reaching the enclave of 2.3 million people, many poor and dependent on aid, in response to a surprise Hamas offensive on Oct 7.

In retaliatory air and artillery strikes, Israeli

forces have flattened entire neighbourhoods, hospitals and schools in Gaza. Authorities say more than 2,800 people have been killed in the Israeli bombing, around a quarter of them children, and nearly 11,000 wounded are in hospitals desperately short of supplies.

A day earlier, the Foreign Office said Pakistan had decided to send humanitarian aid to Gaza on an urgent basis and was in contact with United Nations’ agencies in this regard.

According to a press release issued by the Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR), the Israel-Hamas conflict was discussed during the 260th Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) held at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi today.

“The forum viewed with concern the developments taking place in the Gaza-Israel war and the enormous human cost being imposed on the innocent civilians due to the disproportionate use of force by Israel,” it said.

Source: dawn.com

Canadian government ‘actively examining’ options to crack down on short-term rentals: Freeland

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the federal government is “actively” exploring options to help provinces return short-term rentals to the long-term rental market and increase housing stock across the county.

Freeland made the comment Tuesday at a joint press conference with Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Treasury Board President Anita Anand, after the B.C. government announced its own legislation to make changes to the shortterm rental market earlier this week.

“I also want to quickly address the B.C. government’s new legislation to regulate the short-term rental market,” Freeland said.

“This is a positive and important step in the right direction, in an area of provincial jurisdiction.”

“We know that short-term rentals through sites like Airbnb and Vrbo mean fewer homes for Canadians to rent and live in full time, especially in urban and populated areas of our country,” she added. “That is why our government is actively examining what options and tools exist at the federal level, to ensure more short-term rentals are made available as long term-rentals, as permanent homes, for Canadians to live in.”

B.C. Premier David Eby announced the Short-Term Accommodations Act with the province’s Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon on Monday. The act will triple the fines for hosts who break the rules, and implement other new requirements for operators, in an attempt to return existing short-term rentals to the long-term market.

According to the B.C. government, there are currently about 28,000 short-term rentals across the province, a significant percentage of which are run by for-profit operators as opposed to residents renting out their own homes or vacation properties.

Across the country, Freeland said, it is estimated that returning short-term rentals to the long-term market in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver alone could free up about 30,000 units.

Source:ctvnews.ca

Woman advertising ‘traditional midwife’ services in B.C. not qualified to practice as a midwife, college warns A public warning has been issued about a Vancouver Island woman advertising herself as a “traditional midwife” and offering her services at home births even though she’s not qualified to work as a midwife.

According to a public advisory from the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives, Karma Dawn of Victoria has been holding herself out to be a midwife, but has never held a licence for midwifery and is not authorized to practice.

Dawn’s website says she offers something called “traditional midwifery” services, including pre- and post-birth coaching sessions and attendance at home births.

“Traditional Midwives (TM) have been involved in delivering babies, and providing a broad range of other services to women, for hundreds of years. They are usually local women with little formal education,” her web-

site states.

CBC has reached out to Dawn for comment.

In B.C., midwives must complete a four-year university program and pass a national exam before they can be licensed or call themselves midwives.

Anyone interested in verifying that a midwife is licensed can search the college’s registry online.

Source: cbc.ca

Indictment of Imran, Qureshi in cipher case adjourned till next week

The special court on Tuesday adjourned the indictment of PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case till October 23.

The cipher case pertains to a diplomatic document that reportedly went missing from Imran’s possession. The PTI alleges that the document contained a threat from the United States to oust Imran from office.

The PTI chief was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison in the Toshakhana graft case on August 5, 2023. He was subsequently shifted to Attock jail, but the IHC later suspended his sentence. However, Imran remained in jail because he was on judicial remand in the cipher case.

On September 25, the IHC accepted Imran’s petition to be shifted to Adiala jail in Rawalpindi from Attock district jail.

On September 30, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) submitted a challan —a charge sheet — in the Special Court established un-

der the Official Secrets Act, naming the former prime minister and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi as the principal accused in the cipher case.

Imran has filed several petitions in the IHC, including two seeking to stay his jail trial and bail in the cipher case, another seeking to suspend the Toshakhana verdict, and one against his indictment in the cipher case.

Today, Special Court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain began the in-camera hearing of the cipher case at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.

State prosecutor Zulfikar Abbas Naqvi was present while the FIA’s team, along with the investigation officer, also appeared before the court.

Barrister Salman Safdar and Khalid Yousuf Chaudhry were present as Imran’s counsels.

Qureshi’s wife and daughter, Mehreen and Mehr Bano, respectively, also reached the court. However, it was not confirmed whether they were allowed to attend the hearing or not.

As per the court’s orders of October 9, both PTI leaders had been expected to be indicted in the case today.

However, the indictment could not take place today with the court only distributing the copies of the challan (charge sheet) among the suspects.

Both, Imran and Qureshi, accepted the copies of the challan today and signed them. Subsequently, the court decided to adjourn the hearing and the indictment till October 23.

Source: dawnnews.com

Surrey man who murdered pregnant wife in 2006 granted full parole

A former Surrey schoolteacher who strangled his pregnant wife 17 years ago, then disposed of and burned her body, has been granted full parole. ut Mukhtiar Panghali, who had been on day parole for just over a year, will continue to have strict conditions including not contacting his wife’s family or their daughter without permission.

He is to stay away from alcohol and drugs and to report any friendship or intimate relationship with a female to his parole supervisor. He is also to follow a treatment plan regarding domestic abuse and managing his emotions.

The Parole Board of Canada granted full parole earlier this month after a hearing by video conference. The panel decided Panghali does not “present an undue risk” and should be given the chance to reintegrate into society.

Panghali, now 51, killed Manjit Panghali in October 2006, took her body to Deltaport and lit it on fire, then reported her missing. He was arrested five months later and convicted of second-

degree murder and indignity to a body.

Manjit Panghali, who was also a teacher, was four months’ pregnant and the couple had a threeyear-old daughter.

Corrections officials told the parole board that Panghali participated in self-improvement programs while in prison and successfully completed several temporary absences. Panghali demonstrated that he had accepted responsibility for his actions and choices, including his initial struggle during incarceration, the board was told.

Source: vancouversun.com

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A clear example of just how much the world stands divided on the Israel-Palestine ‘issue’ would be the result of a Russian-drafted UNSC resolution that had called for a humanitarian ceasefire to the conflict.

Russia had proposed the resolution last Friday, and called for a ceasefire, release of hostages, humanitarian aid access, and the safe evacuation of civilians in need. As expected, three ‘big’ powers voted against the resolution, which had condemned violence against civilians and terrorism but – to the reservations of Western powers – had not named Hamas. Till now, 3,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7; Palestinian officials say one-third of those killed are children. A more stark statistic has also been offered; one Palestinian child killed every 15 minutes. As thousands of Palestinians battle water shortages, one wonders at how the

opi n io n

Western apathy

otherwise-lofty West can live with such violence unleashed on a traumatized people. The WHO had said a day back that Gaza only had 24 hours of water, electricity, and fuel left. Experts and health officials have also warned that people in Gaza could soon start dying without water.

The UNSC vote on the ceasefire resolution can be seen in light of how the US and Europe have reacted to the Palestine crisis. While China, the UAE, Mozambique and Gabon joined Russia in voting for the resolution, the US, UK, France and Japan voted against it. The other six countries abstained. In the words of former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, the failure of the resolution is “not just disappointing but deeply troubling”. It is also not as though the people of Gaza – now struggling to drink water and rationing the little water left for their children – have anywhere to

go. Humanitarian aid is stuck at the Rafah crossing in Egypt, and Egypt has said that Israel is not cooperating even about getting essential aid through to the Gazans.

All this comes as US President Biden is set to visit Israel today, apparently in a show of solidarity with Israel. From propping up fake news and disinformation to cracking down on proPalestine supporters, Western nations have exhibited unveiled racism and the cruellest apathy towards the people of Gaza.

While progressive legislators in the US have introduced a congressional resolution urging “an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine”, it is unlikely they will get anywhere with that. The mood in the West seems to be to let the people of Gaza die under the rubble as Israel strikes flatten their homes. Ironically, the US has asked China to use its ‘influence’ in curbing the

conflict. While China is sending its special envoy to the Middle East, we ask where all the talk about human rights and humanitarianism goes when the West is asked to play fair by the Palestinians? For years, the Global South has been lectured on ‘human rights’ by the US and European countries. That has all disappeared today, as speaking up for Palestine becomes a crime in these developed and ‘civilized’ nations. The Muslim world is also asking where the OIC figures in all this. Will today’s urgent meeting of the OIC stand unequivocally behind Palestine, forgetting whatever differences the countries have with each other? And how many more children are to die before the West concedes that only word can be used for what is happening to the Palestinians: Genocide.

Source: thenews.com.pk

Dear Sir,

A

s you may be aware, one of Pakistan’s well-known journalists, Mr. Sohail Waraich, is currently visiting North America for public speaking engagements.

During his recent engagements in

makes us registered voters in Pakistan. The constitution of Pakistan grants us the right to choose our preferred leadership in Pakistan, vote for our favored political parties, and engage in advocating for suitable leadership. Mr. Waraich’s comments have left the majority of overseas Pakistanis feeling anger and betrayal.

We, as overseas Pakistanis, work tirelessly to promote a positive image of Pakistan. Such remarks by

a home in an unincorporated area of Plainfield Township, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) southwest of Chicago, the Will County Sheriff ’s Office said in a statement on social media.

The boy was pronounced dead at a hospital. The woman had multiple stab wounds and was expected to survive, according to the statement. An autopsy on the child showed he had been stabbed dozens of times.

“Detectives were able to determine that both victims in this brutal attack were targeted by the suspect due to them being Muslim and the on-going Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and the Israelis,”

the sheriff ’s statement said.

According to the Will County sheriff ’s office, the woman had called 911 to report that her landlord had attacked her with a knife, adding she then ran into a bathroom and continued to fight him off.

The man suspected in the attack was found Saturday outside the home and “sitting upright outside on the ground near the driveway of the residence” with a cut on his forehead, authorities said.

Joseph M. Czuba, 71, of Plainfield was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two counts of hate crimes and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to the sher-

a responsible journalist leave a bitter taste. Therefore, myself and a significant number of overseas Pakistanis demand a public apology from Mr. Sohail Waraich.

I sincerely thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, From: BURHAN KHAN Overseas Pakistani holding dual nationality, Registered voter in Pakistan and Canada Cc: All major newspapers and TV channels

iff ’s office. WLS-TV reported that Czuba was scheduled for an initial hearing on Monday afternoon at the county courthouse in Joliet, according to the Will County State’s Attorney Office.

Attempts to reach Czuba or a family member were unsuccessful Sunday. His home phone number was unlisted.

Source: apnews.com

Xi Jinping welcomes ‘dear friend’ Vladimir Putin to Beijing

Vladimir Putin to Beijing, kicking off a multilateral summit overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war.

Beijing this week hosts representatives of 130 countries for a forum on Xi’s vast trade and infrastructure project, the belt and road initiative (BRI).

At the top of the guest list is the Russian president, who is on his The Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, first trip to a major global powhas welcomed his “dear friend” er since Moscow’s invasion of

Ukraine threw his regime into international isolation.

Analysts say the invitation of Putin to Xi’s flagship international summit underlines Beijing’s close relationship with Moscow, even at the cost of goodwill with the west.

The two leaders met on Tuesday evening at an event kicking off the forum. A video posted by Russia’s foreign ministry showed them shaking hands and exchanging

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Muslim boy killed and woman wounded in Illinois hate crime motivated by Israel-Hamas war, police say An Illinois landlord accused of fatally stabbing a 6-year-old Muslim boy and seriously wounding his mother was charged with a hate crime after police and relatives said he singled out the victims because of their faith and as a response to the war between Israel and Hamas.

In recent days, police in U.S. cities and federal authorities have been on high alert for violence driven by antisemitic or Islamophobic sentiments. FBI officials, along with Jewish and Muslim groups, have reported an increase of hateful and threatening rhetoric.

In the Chicago-area case, officers found the 32-year-old woman and boy late Saturday morning at

MIR A LE

M.A.L. Naumani,

Complaint Regarding Mr. Sohail Waraich’s Visit to North America and His Derogatory Comments Towards Overseas Pakistanis. the USA, he made highly insensitive remarks towards overseas Pakistanis, stating, “Overseas Pakistanis must not dictate politics, media, and other affairs of Pakistan; they were sent abroad by us merely to send money, that’s all.”

The majority of overseas Pakistanis hold dual citizenship, which

THE

pleasantries. They also took part in a group photo with other leaders attending the summit.

Russia has not officially signed up to the BRI, but Putin is a close ally of Xi’s.

At an official banquet, Xi delivered a toast in which he alluded to recent geopolitical conflicts but added that “the historical [trend] of peace” was “unstoppable”.

Source: theguardian.com

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BCNEWS

B.C. introduces legislation to force Surrey police transition

B.C.’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth introduced legislation Monday that, if approved, would force the City of Surrey to complete its transition from the RCMP to the Surrey Police Service (SPS).

Under the proposed Police Act amendments, municipalities would have to follow through on policing transition plans approved by the minister of public safety and solicitor general. Failing that, the legislation would allow the minister to determine a path forward. “[This legislation] makes it clear that the Surrey police transition will continue … that Surrey must go to a municipal police force,” Farnworth said.

In July, the province used its powers to order the city to continue the transition from the RCMP to the SPS. The order escalated existing tensions between the two levels of government by effectively forcing Surrey’s new council to reverse its decision to keep the RCMP. In response, the city announced it was filing a petition in the B.C. Supreme Court challenging the provincial order. “[The legislation] makes it clear that if you were to make a decision to change to another policing agency, you are not going back,” Farnworth said.

The update also gives the province the authority to cancel the RCMP contract it has with Surrey.

‘We’re not changing that position’

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke said the city is in the process of reviewing the legislation, but wants to be “clear” that her stance has not changed. The pledge to keep the RCMP was a major part of the campaign leading to her election last October.

“The City of Surrey has made a position, we’re not changing that position and so we’ll be reviewing the legislation and see what happens as we move forward,” she said.

The estimated cost of the transition is about $464 million Locke said, citing the high cost to taxpayers as the reason she’s determined to stop it.

The proposed amendments lay out a process that all municipalities must follow if they wish to change their police force. Farnworth said part of the legislation’s rationale is to provide “clarity” so no government has to go through a situation like Surrey, with changing plans, again.

We are not going to let our taxpayers down,” Locke said.

Previously, the City of Surrey said the municipality would face a shortfall of $314 million over a 10-year period if it was forced to complete the SPS transition. The province has offered $150 million toward the transition.

Court challenge Locke said she could not speculate on the city’s case as it’s before the courts.

Farnworth said any continued legal pro-

Today, Mayor Ken Sim outlined a motion he is bringing before Vancouver City Council.

This motion is a significant step forward in addressing the housing crisis in Vancouver, while eliminating barriers and streamlining regulations. The seven items outlined in Mayor Sim’s motion would give clear direction to city staff to prioritize the construction of new housing in Vancouver, while outlining clear policy objectives to cooperate with senior levels of government on, including enforcement of short-term rentals, or STRs. “Since being elected just over a year ago with

a significant majority on council, we have heard one thing over and over: people can’t afford to live here. As a dad, I know the uncertainty parents feel right now when they think about whether or not their kids will be able to live and thrive in this city,” said Ken Sim, Mayor of Vancouver. “That’s why we have been focused on making sure we’re tackling the housing crisis head on. We’ve already made the most significant changes to zoning in decades, we’ve streamlined regulations and permit approvals, and today, we are doubling down on our efforts to unleash a new wave of building in our city. With a vacancy rate below one per cent, we need all hands on deck to build more homes right across the city. If adopted by council, that’s exactly what this motion will do.”

The proposed motion would make changes across a number of fronts: Accelerating the implementation of the 26 Village Areas outlined in the Vancouver Plan to facilitate the construction of townhouses, multiplex buildings, and mixed-use

ceedings would be handled by the prov- He said the RCMP has 760 officers workince’s legal services branch. ing in Surrey and, according to numbers provided by the SPS to the city in Septem“The province always has the ability to ber, the municipal force has nowhere near govern and that’s what we’re doing. The that capacity yet. court process, that’s up to the City of Sur- “Somehow, SPS, if this were to continue, rey,” Farnworth said. would have to find another 500 officers,” The City of Surrey has retained lawyer Pe- said German. ter German, a former RCMP deputy com- German would not comment on the pomissioner, for the court challenge. tential impacts of the legislation, saying it German, speaking Tuesday on CBC’s The is currently being reviewed by legal adviEarly Edition, said the legislation intro- sors for the city. duced Monday was “heavy handed.”

The SPS said in a statement they will wait “It does appear to be a last-ditch attempt until the legislation is approved before on the part of the province to stop this commenting on it. transition, which is an absolutely costly, Source: cbc.ca tremendously costly, undertaking,” said German.

Mayor Sim Introduces New Steps to Build Homes Faster

Coninued from Page 3 the name ‘Allah’ belongs to the grammatical gender category labeled ‘masculine’—and not to the other, the one labeled ‘feminine.’

We have looked at possible grammatical reasons for the choice of the pronoun huwa (‘He’) over hiya ( ‘She’) to stand in for the noun ‘Allah’ in Arabic. We explored the special usages of the ‘feminine’ class and found that the special uses of the feminine noun class in Arabic did not include any language categories appropriate for the name Allah. Thus there was lack of reason to assign ‘Allah’ to the feminine class based on special usage. On the other hand, there were cultural reasons to avoid assignment to the regular feminine grammatical class in which pagan female religious figures have been associated — female humans in the role of ‘prophetess’ or ‘seer’ or ‘oracle’ (inshâ’Allah, to be addressed elsewhere)—as well as the associations of the ‘feminine’ grammatical

low-rise buildings between 3-6 storeys Exploring the steps and measures to harmonize and otherwise align the Vancouver Building By-law (CBO) with the BC Building Code (BCBC), which governs how new construction, building alterations, repairs and demolitions are completed, for a more rapid delivery of housing in the City of Vancouver, Reviewing the City’s Shadow Impact Criteria and Guidelines Explore opportunities to expand and improve the City’s Certified Professional (CP) program to more efficiently and effectively deliver a wide range of housing, Increasing the maximum allowable floor plate size for residential towers in order to allow for greater design flexibility to unlock additional housing units.

Exploring opportunities to increase housing density through the rezoning of lands in proximity to the city’s underdeveloped SkyTrain stations, such as Nanaimo Station, 29th Avenue Station, Renfrew Station, and Rupert Station Working with senior levels

of government to express the City’s support for increased Provincial Short Term Rental enforcement These important steps being introduced by Mayor Sim would help ensure the City of Vancouver is utilizing as many tools as possible to take the lead on housing, and getting the homes built that Vancouver needs.

From: Harrison Fleming, Office of the Mayor Direct or of Communications

Why Is Allah “He” Rather than “She”? | Part 2

class with a pagan [female] goddess. These factors may have counted in terms of pressure away from the assignment of the noun ‘Allah’ to the regular ‘feminine’ grammatical gender—even though the noun ‘Allah’ ends in {-ah} and thus looks like a feminine noun. Accordingly, the noun ‘Allah’ would be left, by default, to be assigned to the regular, ‘masculine’ noun grammatical class (= “masculine gender”).

Recall that in Arabian society, people thought of the alleged goddesses like Al-Lât, Al–CUzzâ and Manât, as ‘daughters’ of Allah (Sûrat Al-Naḥl, 16:51-57). With Al-Lât being the Arab equivalence of the Mother Goddess, one could imagine an urgency for distancing the concept of true Deity away from the awe-inspiring female reproductive force in nature. Allah creates—He does not beget (Sûrat Al-Ikhlâṣ, 112: 3); thus, He has neither ‘sons’ nor ‘daughters,’ contrary to

Arabian concerns.

It is not Allah who belongs to a ‘masculine’ gender—meaning association with a human biological gender. It is His name, the noun word ‘Allah,’ that belongs to the grammatical gender labeled ‘masculine’—rather than to the grammatical gender labeled ‘feminine.’

This grammatical gender of the name of Allah should not be a red flag for those self-identified ‘feminists’ among us, or for anyone else, once we understand how language works: The existence of noun grammatical categories (‘genders ‘) has forced choice from among a set of predetermined categories, which are often not as logically structured as the analytical descriptions we try to make for them—due to the ongoing development of language over the centuries and due to its uneven change.

It is unfortunate that the same term, “gender” is employed in both a biological sense

and a grammatical sense, thus suggesting that the two have some innate sameness or connection. It is true that male human beings are referred to as he – his – him -himself.’ And it is also true that maleness goes with masculinity, and that “Masculine” is the name of the grammatical category that normally includes biological males and excludes biological females. Here is what is not true: Not all grammatically masculine nouns refer to biologically masculine objects. This should become crystal clear in Part 3.

There could well be other, relevant historicallinguistic factors that Arabists and Qur’anic scholars could bring to bear on this subject, other than what I have come up with here.

There might also be interesting implications of huwa as applied to Allah that would be of interest to our community. Perhaps some of our readers would be willing to take up this challenge.Source:aljumuah.com/

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C u rr e n t a f f a irs / H e a l t h

A Historical Timeline of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

By Emma Bubola The relentless and deadly conflict has persisted for decades.

The scale and complexity of Saturday’s attacks by Hamas shocked leaders across the world. They came after decades of a relentless and deadly conflict that has killed thousands of people, forced entire generations to grow up under occupation, or created constant anxiety of impending rocket fire or bombings.

Here is a summary of the main events of the conflict, which spans two centuries.

On several occasions this year, hundreds of Israeli forces carried out military raids in the Palestinian city of Jenin. In January, a Palestinian man killed seven people outside a synagogue in East Jerusalem.

After a spate of terrorist attacks in Israeli cities in 2022, Israeli forces killed at least 166 Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

In May 2021, the Israeli police raided Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the third-holiest site in Islam, which set off an 11-day war be-

tween Israel and Hamas that killed more than 200 Palestinians and more than 10 Israelis.

In 2018, at least 170 Palestinians were killed as Israel responded to protests along the barrier fence that separates Gaza and Israel.

In 2014, Hamas kidnapped and killed three Israeli teenagers, prompting attacks from Israel, and rocket launches from Gaza, in a conflict that killed more than 1,881 Palestinians and more than 60 Israelis.

In November 2012, Israel killed Ahmed alJabari, Hamas’s military chief, setting off more than a week of an exchange of fire in which more than 150 Palestinians and at least six Israelis are killed.

In January 2009, Israel and Palestinian groups declared unilateral cease-fires, then Israel withdrew from Gaza, and redeployed to the strip’s perimeter.

In response to rocket fire from Gaza, Israel launched an attack on Hamas targets in December 2008 that killed 200 Palestinians.

Shortly after, they opened a ground war against Hamas. In total, 1,200 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed.

In January 2006, about a year after the death of the Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat, the cofounder of the paramilitary organization Fatah, Hamas won the Palestinian parliamentary election. One year later, Hamas seized control of Gaza, routing the Fatah forces.

In September 2005, Israeli troops pulled

out of Gaza, but Israel came under criticism for restricting the movement of Palestinians coming in and out of the strip.

In September 2000, a few months after negotiations between Israel and Palestine reached an impasse at Camp David, a Second Intifada began, with Palestinian youth throwing stones at the Israeli police. Support for Hamas continued to grow within Palestine because of its readiness to fight Israel.

In 1997, two suicide bomb attacks killed 27 people, and Israel’s prime minister, Shimon Peres, said he would wage an incessant war against Hamas.

In 1993, Mr. Arafat signed the Oslo accords with Israel, and committed to negotiating an end to the conflict based on a two-state solution. Hamas, which opposed the deal, launched a series of suicide bombings in Israel.

In December 1987, Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza started the First Intifada against Israel. Muslim Brotherhood members founded Hamas.

On March 26, 1979, Egypt and Israel signed a peace treaty at the White House which led to Israel’s complete withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula. The two countries agreed on the framework of an agreement to allow for self-rule for Palestinians living in occupied territories. Three years later, President Reagan expressed his support for their full autonomy with some Jordanian supervision, but Israel rejected the plan.

On Yom Kippur in October 1973, invading

due to dental diseases worldwide amounted to US$144 billion yearly, corresponding to economic losses within the range of the 10 most frequent global causes of death. The global economic impact of dental diseases amounted to US$442 billion in 2010. Overall improvements in oral health may imply substantial economic benefits, not only in

The economic impact of oral diseases

Oral health: A global perspective

What is oral health?

T

he World Health Organization (WHO) defines oral health as a state of being free from mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral infection and sores, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay, tooth loss and other diseases and disorders.

According to the FDI World Dental Federation, oral health is multi-faceted and includes the ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow and convey a range of emotions through facial expressions with confidence and without pain, discomfort and disease of the craniofacial complex.

Oral health disease worldwide

Worldwide, the most common oral diseases are dental caries (cavities, decay), periodontal (gum) disease, oral cancer, oral infectious diseases, trauma from injuries and hereditary lesions.

Around the globe, 60-90% of school-aged children and nearly 100% of adults have tooth decay.

In fact, dental caries (which includes all stages of tooth decay) is the most common, yet preventable, chronic disease on the planet and constitutes a major global public health challenge.

In Canada, an estimated 2.26 million schooldays are missed each year due to dental-related illness and tooth decay accounts for one-third of all day surgeries performed on children between the ages of 1 and 5.

In the United States, a child is five times more likely to seek emergency room treatment for dental problems than for asthma, often because they are unable to see a dentist, are uninsured or cannot afford routine dental care and half of all children enter kindergarten with tooth decay.

The economic impact of oral diseases

Across OECD countries, on average, 5% of total health expenditures originate from treatment of oral diseases. Direct treatment costs due to dental diseases worldwide have been estimated at US$298 billion yearly, corresponding to an average of 4.6% of global health expenditure. Indirect costs

What is oral health?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines oral health as a state of being free from mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral infection and sores, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay, tooth loss and other diseases and disorders.

According to the FDI World Dental Federation, oral health is multi-faceted and includes the ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow and convey a range of emotions through facial expressions with confidence and without pain, discomfort and disease of the craniofacial complex.

Oral health disease worldwide

Worldwide, the most common oral diseases are dental caries (cavities, decay), periodontal (gum) disease, oral cancer, oral infectious diseases, trauma from injuries and hereditary lesions.

Around the globe, 60-90% of school-aged children and nearly 100% of adults have tooth decay.

In fact, dental caries (which includes all stages of tooth decay) is the most common, yet preventable, chronic disease on the planet and constitutes a major global public health challenge.

In Canada, an estimated 2.26 million schooldays are missed each year due to dental-related illness and tooth decay accounts for one-third of all day surgeries performed on children between the ages of 1 and 5.

In the United States, a child is five times more likely to seek emergency room treatment for dental problems than for asthma, often because they are unable to see a dentist, are uninsured or cannot afford routine dental care and half of all children enter kindergarten with tooth decay.

forces from Egypt and Syria tried to persuade Israel to negotiate better terms for the Arab countries. Nearly 2,700 Israeli soldiers died in the 19-day war and thousands were injured out of a population of about three million at the time.

In June 1967, during the Six-Day War, Israel gained control of the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula.

In January 1957, Israel withdrew from Egyptian land, except from the Gaza Strip and the area of the Gulf of Aqaba, arguing that the Gaza Strip never belonged to Egypt.

In October 1956, a few months after the Egyptian president nationalized the Suez Canal waterway, cutting off Israel from shipping, Israel invaded the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip. In November that year, the United Nations called for Britain, France and Israel to withdraw their troops from Egypt.

In 1949, the newly created State of Israel signed a series of truces with Arab countries that had declared war on it. Under the 1949 agreements, the Gaza Strip was under Egypt’s control. Source: nytimes.com/

Across OECD countries, on average, 5% of total health expenditures originate from treatment of oral diseases. Direct treatment costs due to dental diseases worldwide have been estimated at US$298 billion yearly, corresponding to an average of 4.6% of global health expenditure. Indirect costs due to dental diseases worldwide amounted to US$144 billion yearly, corresponding to economic losses within the range of the 10 most frequent global causes of death. The global economic impact of dental diseases amounted to US$442 billion in 2010. Overall improvements in oral health may imply substantial economic benefits, not only in terms of reduced treatment costs, but also be- • Oral health improvement in the elderly through health promotion and older cause of decreased productivity losses in the adult-friendly primary health care, labour market. Recent findings suggest that Integration of oral health into national and oral diseases account for productivity losses community health programs, of over $1 billion per year in Canada alone.

Development of oral health systems and oriPriority areas for improving entation of services towards prevention and health promotion. oral health While oral health has been recognized as a A recent study found that oral health is a basic human right by numerous dental and major public health problem in Europe and public health organizations internationally, that oral diseases have considerable negative more than 70% of the world’s population impacts on the quality of life of populations. (mostly in low- and middle-income coun- The study indicated that, ‘vulnerable and tries) are in need of appropriate and afford- low-income groups as a whole receive oral able oral health care. Poor oral health results health care services less frequently than the from a number of factors, including a lack general population and more so for emerof resources, oral hygiene habits, oral health gency situations when in pain, rather than for preventive care’. education and accessible oral health care.

The WHO has identified priority areas for The conclusion of the review of dozens of countries to consider when initiating or public health programs across European countries was that in the case of oral health, strengthening oral health programs. investment in simple preventive programs is These include: • Effective use of fluorides for the preven- cost-effective and that ‘solving the problem of poor oral health in Europe does not retion of dental caries, • Oral health and prevention of oral dis- quire an entirely new policy in every case or a reinvention of the wheel’. ease through a healthy diet, • Control of tobacco-related oral disease There are many programs in place to address by involving oral health professionals in the oral health inequalities for vulnerable groups, with new models and approaches to tobacco cessation, care being introduced and explored on an • Oral health promotion in schools, ongoing basis. Source: cda-adc.ca

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A sales pitch for AI

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ew innovations have the potential to help virtual sellers interpret customers’ emotional reactions. But how close are these technologies to sealing the deal?

Salespeople are great at reading faces. They need to be. After all, most of them are familiar with the “7-38-55 Rule.”

This psychological theory holds that during a conversation, we ascribe most meaning (55%) to the other person’s expressions and actions and pay some attention to their voice (38%). The listener receives a mere 7% of the message from the speaker’s words, accord-

T e ch n o l o g y / H I S T O R Y ing to the theory. In other words, nonverbal cues and body language really do count. And that’s a challenge for today’s salespeople.

Since the pandemic began in early 2020, the industry has taken a hard turn into virtual selling. And it’s much harder to gauge the efficacy of your sales pitch when you’re addressing a collection of pixels on a computer screen.Mick Jackowski, Ed.D., Marketing professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver, has been studying how recent advances in sales technology such as artificial intelligence and biometrics might help salespeople read clients better during remote meetings. He’s also embracing these new technologies in his classes as a way to prepare students for an ever-evolving field.

“Research shows that remote meetings are only 80% as effective as in-person meetings,” Jackowski said. “So our challenge now is to discover ways to make up that lost 20% within a virtual setting.”

This year, Jackowski’s search for answers took him all the way to Helsinki.

After winning a Fulbright U.S. Scholar

Award, he spent six months at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, home to the world’s most advanced university-based sales laboratory. The lab incorporates AI and biometrics (the science of tracking and analyzing people’s unique biological characteristics) into its approach.

The highly sophisticated technology has helped the Helsinki lab’s research add scientific rigor to the truism: It’s often not what you say but how you express yourself while you’re saying it that counts.

Reliable readings

The Helsinki lab specializes in identifying such nonverbal cues and establishing whether a speaker’s words complement or contradict their thoughts and feelings.

How does it work? During interviews, the lab technicians use equipment, such as sensors and cameras, and software to track four physical characteristics: facial expressions, eye movement, galvanic skin response (sweating) and brain waves.

“By closely analyzing the subject’s physical responses during a conversation, assisted by

AI that uses computer vision technology, the technicians can then provide accurate feedback about the emotions the interviewee is experiencing,” Jackowski said.

That means if someone is anxious but says they’re having a great time, the readings will reliably point to “anxious.” Jackowski described the system as “incredibly perceptive.” But here’s the rub: To get such reliable readings, an entire laboratory must be set up, which costs around $20,000. And a full-time specialist is needed to attach the equipment and analyze the data.

That would not be practical for Jackowski’s specific area of interest: virtual meetings. In fact, the only biometric tool suited to monitoring remote meetings is facial expression analysis. So the professor tested whether that single tool might yield similar accuracy.

Sadly, it did not.

“I really hoped we could interpret what the person on the other end of a virtual call was feeling purely through their facial expressions,” he said. “But the technology just isn’t there yet.” Source: red.msudenver.edu

The History of Al Rashid Mosque in Edmonton, AL.(Canada’s First Mosque)

T

he Al Rashid Mosque is a mosaic of determination, resilience, cooperation, and collaboration of Muslims and non-Muslims in Edmonton. It’s a building not only made of mortar and bricks, but a symbol of peace for all people of all faiths to assemble and to pray. Today, it stands as a majestic reminder of what can be done when a group of like-minded individuals set a goal and work hard to achieve it in the name of Allah.

The first Muslims arrived in Canada in 1871 in hopes of living in a country that promised them peace and prosperity. They were transported by boats to Canada’s East coast; the Census of Canada registered 645 Muslim residents by 1931.

In the early 1930s, a group of Muslim women requested the Edmonton Mayor, John

Fry, provide them with a plot of land on which a mosque could be built to accommodate the growing Muslim community in the city. They reminded the Mayor that the other major faiths had their places of worship and therefore, the Muslims deserved their own site for communal prayers.

Mayor Fry supported the Muslim community in the purchase of land located next to Royal Alexandra Hospital at a cost of $5000.00. Mike Drewoth, a Ukrainian-Canadian, was hired as the contractor for what would become the first Mosque in Canada.

Al Rashid Mosque was officially opened on December 12, 1938. The ceremony was attended by prominent members of the community including Abdullah Yusuf Ali, whose English interpretation of the Holy Qur’an is renowned. The Mosque served as a religious and community center for the Muslim community and as a result, many

Muslim families were attracted to Edmonton. The Mosque provided the new Edmonton residents with the reassurance that they could maintain their cultural practices and religious beliefs while interacting with Canadians of all cultures and faiths.

Over the years the community flourished, and by the early 1980s, more than 16,000 Muslims resided in Edmonton. The Al Rashid Mosque could no longer accommodate the growing number of Muslims and therefore, a larger purpose-built Mosque was required to meet the needs of its growing membership. In August 1982 the new Al Rashid mosque opened its doors to serve over 20,000 Muslims in Edmonton.

The original Al Rashid Mosque (the land had been sold to the City) remained empty for ten years until the expansion of the Royal Alexandra Hospital jeopardized the future of this historical landmark. The Canadian

Council of Muslim Women lobbied to have the building saved from the wrecking ball and in 1992 the former Al Rashid Mosque was preserved as a historical building. It was moved to Fort Edmonton Park to be visited by all faiths and cultures. It opened doors at its new home to the public on May 28, 1992.

Tours of the first Mosque of Canada can now be arranged with the Fort Edmonton Park Administration.

Today the Edmonton Muslim community numbers over 90,000 and comprises of 62 cultures. Its members have contributed to shaping Edmonton’s dynamic character for over a century and are poised to contribute to the growth and prosperity of Edmonton, Alberta, and Canada in the future as proud Muslim Canadians and in good faith with all other Canadians.

Source:alrashidmosque.ca/our-story/

Afghan earthquake survivors sleep amid rubble as death toll nears 3,000

A

fghan earthquake survivors sleep amid rubble as death toll nears 3,000 People spend second night in ruined villages where desperate search for loved ones is continuing

Survivors of a series of powerful earthquakes that struck western Afghanistan on Saturday have spent a second night sleeping amid the rubble of demolished villages as they search for loved ones using shovels. The death toll is approaching 3,000, according to senior Taliban officials.

In the regional capital of Herat city people slept in public parks and streets, fearing further tremors. The United States Geological Survey reported quakes on Monday of magnitude 5.9, 4.9 and 4.7 in rural areas.

“We have concerns that there may be additional casualties in that area as well,” a Taliban official said. “Our teams are currently en route to provide assistance to those affected regions.” Saturday’s 6.3-magnitude quake – followed by eight strong aftershocks – jolted hard-to-reach areas near Herat, toppling rural homes and sending panicked city dwellers into the streets. Afghanistan is already in the grip of a humanitarian crisis, with the widespread withdrawal of foreign aid after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, which

has had a severe impact on its healthcare system. The group also has fractious relations with international aid organisations after banning women from working for the UN and NGOs. “These past few days have been incredibly distressing. We’ve spent the last two nights in the desert, and more aftershocks keep occurring,” said Shakib, a Herat resident. “My two-year-old son is unwell and there’s nowhere to take him for medical care.”

Rescuers said they had found a further 350 bodies late on Sunday after officials previously put the death toll at 2,445. Health workers said they were overwhelmed. “Vans filled with dead bodies are arriving here each minute,” said a medic at Herat hospital. “We are struggling with the very high number of injured people. I have not counted dead bodies. Our morgue is out of capacity.”

The Taliban official said some villages were being reached on Monday for the first time since the quake.

“The rescue operation is still in progress.

Forces from the defence ministry arrived in the area this morning and local residents are actively assisting with the operation. There are many people under the rubble and areas we have not reached yet,” he said. “At least 20

villages are completely flattened with people still under the rubble.”

Afghanistan is frequently hit by earthquakes, especially in the Hindu Kush mountain range, but the Taliban – who took over the country by force two years ago – lack experience in handling natural disasters.

Social media and state TV footage depict members of the Taliban’s rescue teams extracting bricks from a pile of rubble with guns slung over their shoulders and using bulldozers in devastated villages, potentially risking the lives of any survivors.

“I visited a severely affected village with some of our neighbours to assist the people in need. Taliban rescue teams were using

bulldozers to remove rubble and locate survivors, but their actions unintentionally put possible survivors at risk,” Fereydon, a Herat resident, said in a telephone interview.

The International Rescue Committee warned the lack of rescue equipment could push up the death toll in western Afghanistan because trapped survivors cannot be freed.

The United Nations migration agency dispatched four ambulances along with doctors and psychosocial support counsellors to the regional hospital. A minimum of three mobile health teams were en route to the Zenda Jan district, one of the hardest-hit areas...

Source: theguardian.com

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l O C A L E V EN T S

BCMA’s Haq Masjid Volunteers &Committee members Appreciation Awards on Oct, 8th

Parents Protest SOGI 123 has been Marched At King George Blvd, Surrey on Oct, 7th

Afghan earthquake survivors sleep amid rubble as death toll nears 3,000

Details at Pg 8

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Natio n a l & M E N e ws Black man wrongfully imprisoned for 16 Accused killer of London, Ont., Muslim years shot and killed by Georgia deputy family details attack, aftermath for jury

Nathaniel Veltman, who is charged with four counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, and associated terrorism counts, told the jury at his Superior Court trial that he is remorseful for his attack on the Afzaal family two years ago.

“I know it was horrible,” the 22-year-old said on his third day of testimony in his own defence in Windsor, Ont., court. He’s pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his defence lawyer has said he disputes his client’s intent was to kill the family.

The remorse began the day after the truck attack that killed three generations — four members — of the Afzaal family, and injured the family’s youngest member, a nine-year-old boy.

“As the hours went by, this depersonalized feeling that I wasn’t all there, it was starting to go away

A Black man who spent more than 16 years imprisoned in Florida on a wrongful conviction was fatally shot Monday by a sheriff ’s deputy in Georgia during a traffic stop, authorities said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which is reviewing the shooting, identified the man as Leonard Allen Cure, 53.

Cure had been represented in his exoneration case by the Innocence Project of Florand reality was setting in. I was more shutting ida. The group’s executive director, Seth down and in shock because I couldn’t process Miller, said he was devastated by news of the what I had done,” he said. death, which he heard from Cure’s family.

With every hour that passed, the accused said he “I can only imagine what it’s like to know became tormented with his actions. “It was tor- your son is innocent and watch him be senture. I was no longer the person I used to be. tenced to life in prison, to be exonerated and Source: cbc.ca ... then be told that once he’s been freed, he’s been shot dead,” Miller said.

Pulled over on highway The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said a Camden County deputy pulled over Cure as he drove along Interstate 95 near the Wednesday, had painted a “vivid picture of Georgia-Florida line. He got out of the car at the horrors” of the ongoing conflict. the deputy’s request and co-operated at first “I never really thought that I would see and but became violent after he was told he was have confirmed pictures of terrorists be- being arrested, a GBI news release said. heading children,” it quoted him as saying.

The agency said preliminary information However, two senior administration officials shows the deputy shocked Cure with a stun said today that Biden was “referring to re- gun when he failed to obey commands, and ports from Israel about beheaded children Cure began assaulting the deputy. The GBI and cited several media reports of behead- said the deputy again tried using the stun ings”. The allegation of “beheaded” babies, gun and a baton to subdue him, then drew which has been used to condemn Hamas’ his gun and shot Cure when he continued armed offensive against Israel, first came to to resist. light on Tuesday when the official govern- The agency didn’t say what prompted the ment @Israel account on X published a video deputy to pull over Cure’s vehicle. from i24NEWS reporter Nicole Zedek about It is customary for Georgia law enforcement the devastation at the Kfar Aza kibbutz. agencies to ask the GBI to investigate shootThe reporter said “40 babies murdered”. ings involving officers. The agency said it Subsequently, several websites, including CBS and the Times of India, featured stories alleging the beheadings of more than three dozen babies....Source: Dawn.com

White House issues clarification on Biden’s claim he saw ‘pictures’ of children ‘beheaded’ in Israel: report

The White House on Thursday issued a clarification on the US President’s statement regarding having seen pictures of “terrorists beheading children” in Israel — a claim that has not yet been verified — saying that Joe Biden was actually referring to “media reports”.The murder allegation, which started doing the rounds earlier this week, was run by several media outlets but it was never confirmed by Israeli authorities.

According to the NBC News, President Biden, in a meeting with Jewish leaders on

Canada tells citizens to leave Lebanon now while flights still available flights were still available, amid mounting instability in the Middle East.

“If you are in Lebanon, it is now time to leave while commercial flights are available,” Joly told reporters.

Canadians in Tel Aviv and the West Bank who wanted to leave should take advantage of military flights that Ottawa is operating to Athens, she said.

“We don’t know how long this operation will be able to continue as the situation is Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on very volatile,” Joly said.

Tuesday urged citizens in Lebanon that they Canada has evacuated 1,300 people so far. should leave the country while commercial Source: reuters.com

will submit its findings to the district attorney for the coastal Brunswick Judicial Circuit, which includes Camden County.

Miller couldn’t comment specifically on Cure but said he has represented dozens of people convicted of crimes who were later exonerated.

“Even when they’re free, they always struggled with the concern, the fear that they’ll be convicted and incarcerated again for something they didn’t do,” he said.

Cure was convicted of the 2003 armed robbery of a drug store in Florida’s Dania Beach. His conviction came from a second jury after the first one deadlocked. Cure was sentenced to life in prison because he had previous convictions for robbery and other crimes.

In 2020, the Broward State Attorney’s Office new conviction review unit asked a judge to release Cure from prison. Broward’s conviction review team said it found “troubling” revelations that Cure had solid alibis that were previously disregarded and no physical evidence or solid witnesses to put him at the scene.

Cure was released that April after his sentenced was modified. In December 2020, a judge vacated his conviction and sentence.

Source: cbc.ca

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‘Aggressive’ Chinese fighter jets spook Canadian plane on UN mission A Canadian general criticized the Chinese air force over an incident off the coast of the Asian nation that apparently saw a fighter jet cut off a patrol plane and drop flares in its path.

“They became very aggressive and to a degree we would deem it unsafe and unprofessional,” Major-General Iain Huddleston told the Canadian news outlet. Canada didn’t want to have “anything untoward happen that would result in loss of life,” he said.

Beijing filed a diplomatic complaint with Ottawa over the incident in the South China Sea, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Tuesday at a regular press briefing in Beijing, adding that in recent years Canadian planes have conducted reconnaissance “against China.”

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the doorstep of China,” she said. “Canada should respect facts and stop spreading false information.”

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Rabi ul I -5,1445 October 20, 2023

C urr e n t S ituatio n

Here’s how world leaders are reacting to the Israel-Gaza war

the situation as a result of the continued oc- Other countries, including Turkey cupation, the deprivation of the Palestinian and China, called for both sides to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also condemned Ha- people of their legitimate rights, and the rep- end violence. mas, likening the group’s tactics to those of etition of systematic provocations against its Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ofRussia, saying during a visit to NATO’s head- sanctities,” the statement read. fered to mediate between Israel and Hamas, quarters in Brussels on Wednesday that they Egypt and Jordan, Israel’s as his Foreign Ministry condemned the ci“seek to hold to free and democratic nations neighbors, urged restraint. vilian deaths but did not assign blame solely as hostages, and they want power over those In a statement shared with journalists, to either party. China called for protecting who seek freedom.” Zelensky also said he Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi said civilians and said the “way out of the conflict was recommending that allies support the Egypt was committed to a two-state solution lies in implementing the two-state solution Israeli people. and prioritized national security. and establishing an independent State of Citizens and foreign governments have Palestine.” pressured the country to allow more people “The international community needs to act to enter Egypt through the Rafah border, with greater urgency, step up input into the but Israel has repeatedly struck the crossing. Palestine question, facilitate the early reCairo, which maintains contacts with both sumption of peace talks between Palestine Israel and various Palestinian factions, has and Israel, and find a way to bring about enplayed a key role in brokering past cease- during peace,” a spokesperson for the Chifires between Israel and Hamas. nese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/ Pakistan adopts careful tone on Israel, experts read between lines Countries involved in the Abraham ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan has responded Accords voice mixed concern. to the Israel-Hamas war with an unusually The United Arab Emirates measured tone, standing out among Asia’s Muslim-majority countries and fueling and Bahrain, both of which normalized speculation about the chances of Islamabad relations with Israel through the Abraham someday normalizing ties with Israel.

Accords, have condemned the attacks.

The UAE, which in 2020 became the first Persian Gulf country to normalize relations with Israel in about three decades, said Sun- “Egypt is not abandoning its commitment to day that Hamas’s attacks were a “serious and Arab issues, especially the Palestinian issue,” grave escalation” and called for de-escala- Sisi said, calling for a “just and comprehention and civilian protections on both sides. sive peace” based on a two-state solution.

“The UAE reaffirmed that the international Jordanian leaders have been speaking frecommunity must remain resolute in the face quently with countries in the region and of these violent attempts to derail ongoing elsewhere, according to the Foreign Minregional efforts aimed at dialogue, coopera- istry’s statements. The ministry called for tion, and coexistence,” the statement said, de-escalation and protections for civilians as The Pakistani government is typically a “and must not allow nihilistic destruction to harsh critic of Israel, with which it has no overtake a region whose people have already diplomatic relations, and a defender of Palsuffered enough war and trauma.” estinian rights. But while countries such Bahrain’s initial statement Saturday made as Indonesia and Malaysia have pointedly no mention of Hamas and warned that “the blamed the conflict on Israeli policy, Pakicontinuation of violence will impede the efstan has so far taken a softer approach. forts aiming at achieving a just and lasting As news broke of Hamas militants storming peace in the Middle East.” But on Monday, Israel on Saturday, interim Pakistani Prime the Foreign Ministry joined the UAE in callMinister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar posted on X ing Hamas’s attacks an “escalation” and dethat he was “heartbroken” by the violence. the violence threatens the region’s security. “We urge restraint and protection of civilBoth Egypt and Jordan have had normalized ians. Enduring peace in the Middle East lies relations with Israel for decades. in a two-state solution with a viable, contigIran congratulated Hamas, while Qatar uous, sovereign State of Palestine.” said Israel was to blame for the violence.

This was noticeably milder than, for exam“You really made the Islamic Ummah happy ple, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrawith this innovative and victorious opera- him’s reaction tweet on Sunday, in which he tion,” Iran’s official Islamic Republic News wrote: “The confiscation of land and propAgency quoted President Ebrahim Raisi as erty belonging to the Palestinian people is saying, using the Arabic word for the wider done relentlessly by the Zionists. As a result Muslim community. of this injustice, hundreds of innocent lives nounced the “reported kidnappings.”

The Iranian mission to the United Nations were sacrificed.”

Morocco, which has also agreed to noron Monday denied that Tehran was involved Pakistan’s Foreign Office issued its own malize relations with Israel, was more muted in the initial coordinated Hamas attack, incautious statement, saying: “We are closely in its response. It expressed “deep concern” sisting that the “response” was “taken solely monitoring the unfolding situation in the while condemning attacks on civilians by Palestine itself. ” But it also said the attack Middle East and the eruption of hostilities “wherever they may be.” But one of Mowas “unwaveringly aligned with the legitibetween Israel and Palestinians. We are conrocco’s largest parties in Parliament called mate interests of the Palestinian people. ” cerned about the human cost of the escalatHamas’s actions “heroic” and a “legitimate Qatar, which has ties to Hamas, said ing situation.” Source: asia.nikkei.com/ reaction to daily violations.”

Sudan’s Foreign Ministry said in a state- through its Foreign Ministry that it holds Will India Draw Closer to Israel? ment published by the official Sudan News Israel solely responsible for the escalation of New Delhi’s long-standing balancing act Agency that the violence stemmed from a violence “due to its ongoing violations of the between Israel and the Palestinians faces its toughest test yet. Four days after horrific atdecline in international interest in the Pal- rights of the Palestinian people.”

Russia walked a fine line, stopping short of tacks by Hamas against Israel sparked a war estinian issue. Sudan signed the Abraham condemning Hamas. in the region, India’s response has come in Accords in 2021.

Russia, which is aligned with Hamas ally two tweets from Prime Minister Narendra “Sudan renews its support for the legitimate Iran, said it was “extremely concerned” Modi that condemned terrorism and exrights of the Palestinian people to have their this week but Moscow stopped short of pressed solidarity with Israel. New Delhi has independent state,” the statement read. condemning Hamas, calling the fighting a friendly ties with both Israel and the PalesSaudi Arabia, which has been in talks for “spiral of violence” while pointing fingers tinian side, so it must be cautious in its pubmonths with Israel about a potential normal- at the West. “The U.S. has neglected the lic messaging. But its relationship with Israel ization agreement but is not part of the Abra- mechanisms of settlement in the Middle has grown rapidly in recent years. The Israelham Accords, called for an immediate end to East,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said Hamas war, as suggested by Modi’s tweets, the violence. It did not explicitly denounce Wednesday. may draw the two countries even closer.

Hamas. “The Kingdom recalls its repeated Source: foreignpolicy.com/ warnings of the dangers of the explosion of engage Iran to pursue de-escalation.

Israel-Gaza war

I

srael has imposed a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip, massing troops near the border as it calls up hundreds of thousands of reservists ahead of a ground offensive against Hamas militants in the densely populated Palestinian territory.

Hostages: Video evidence suggests that Hamas took at least 64 captives into Gaza.

Among those abducted from their homes or seized from a music festival.

Americans killed: 27 American citizens have been killed, and 14 are unaccounted for, U.S. officials said Thursday. Here’s what we know about how the United States is getting involved in the Israel-Gaza war and how other foreign nationals were affected.

By Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff In the days since Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, leaders across the world have weighed in. Many have condemned Hamas, while some have laid the blame at Israel’s door. Others have walked a fine line..

Here’s what foreign governments have said about the war.

The U.S., E.U. and Britain

condemned the attacks while pledging support to Israel.

In a joint statement, the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Britain and the United States condemned Hamas’s attacks, calling them “acts of terrorism” that had “no justification.”

“Our countries will support Israel in its efforts to defend itself and its people against such atrocities,” said President Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The leaders went on to say that they recognize the “legitimate aspirations” of Palestinians but that Hamas “does not represent those aspirations.”

The European Union

also released a statement in support of Israel, adding Monday evening that it would launch a review of its support for the Palestinians but that it was not suspending payments at the moment. That walked back a statement from the E.U. commissioner saying the bloc would “immediately” suspend aid to the Pal-

estinians.

“The objective of this review is to ensure that no E.U. funding indirectly enables any terrorist organization to carry out attacks against Israel,” the statement said.

On Tuesday, it called for further restraint and “condemned all attacks against civilians.” The E.U.’s Joint Council also called for the release of all hostages and for Israel to allow access to food, water and medicine.

It reaffirmed its commitment to a two-state solution and asked countries in the region to

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Rabi ul I -5,1445 October 20, 2023

Loca l e v e n t

AICP Celebrates Milad-un-Nabiyy at Bell Performing Arts Center, Surrey

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ll praise is due to Alaah and may Allaah raise the rank of Prophet Muhammad, his virtuous and blessed kin and honored companions.

“Allaah’s status is the greatest, supremely glorified is Muhammad” – the slogan for this year’s annual Milad-un-Nabiyy celebration drew about 1,500 Muslims from across the Lower Mainland, Alberta, and Western Washington at the Bell Performing Arts Centre in Surrey, BC. National elites such as his Eminence, AICP Vancouver’s shaykh ^Abdur-Rahman Sulayman attended the celebration along with community leaders, business representatives, and diverse sponsors across the Lower Mainland.

Milad-un-Nabiyy is an ancient tradition that has been observed since the 12th century and continues to be a rewardable practice by Muslims

worldwide during Rabi^ul Awwal.

During the blessed celebration, we emulate the pious Muslims of the past and hasten to perform rewardable deeds such as Qur’an recitation, feeding the people, sharing stories of the birth of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and praising and thanking Allah.

The Association of Islamic Charitable Projects celebration began with a glorious Quranic recitation followed by the performance of the internationally recognized Islamic Chanting Group as they eloquently delivered several heart- warming performances in praise of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

Next, a sensational Arabic speech drew everyone’s attention by the renowned shaykh ^Abdur-Rahman Sulayman– the shaykh for AICP Vancouver. With his captivating and powerful words emphasizing the importance in celebrating the

birth of our Prophet, peace be upon him, he set the scene concisely and highlighted the theme of this year’s Mawlid celebration in the true Arabian style of speech. In his address, the shaykh affirmed that the Mawlid is a gathering of Muslims to perform various acts of worship to thank Allaah for guiding us to Islam and for sending the Prophet as our guide, which firmly agrees with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.He stressed the importance of following the true and authentic teachings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, as Muslims must adhere to clearing Allaah from resembling His creations, and loving our Grand Prophet as he deserves. This is the Authentic creed of Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jama^ah, which we are ordered to follow. The Al-Hidayah School performance was

immensely remarkable as well. Adorned with vibrant and colourful traditional attire and with smiles etched on their faces, the children knew exactly how to capture our hearts with their words of praise for the Prophet in English and Arabic.

It began with an impassioned speech from one of its well-respected graduating students, and continued with the beautiful melodies of the children, who proudly chanted their love and praise for our beloved Prophet, peace be upon him.

The Association of Islamic Charitable Projects extends their appreciation to all the guests,volunteers, and to all of whom contributed to the success of this Multicultural Milad-un-Nabiyy Celebration of 2023. We ask Allaah to grant us peace and prosperity in the return of this blessed occasion next year. :By Imad Nauri

Misbah Naseer of Voices of Muslim Women discusses the contributions of Canadian Muslim Women with CBC

On the occasion of Canadian Islamic History, Stephen Quinn of CBC’s Early edition spoke with Misbah Naseer, the Executive Director of Voices of Muslim Women Foundation to discuss the role of Muslims, particularly Muslim women in Canadian history.

The following excerpt is from the radio interview on CBC Radio and has been reproduced for the readers’ interest.

Steven Quinn (SQ): Why is it important for you to be shedding light on Islamic Heritage Month and on Muslim women and girls in particular?

Misbah Naseer (MN): Well, Islamic History Month is really near amd dear to my heart because just like all the other Canadians, Muslims have made a remarkable contribution to Canadian History and our history is rich of examples of exceptional women and Muslim women are part of those groups of trailblazers as well. I look back as far

as 1930’s, where it was a group of Muslim women led by Hilwie Hamdan who were the driving force behind the foundation of Canada’s first mosque, which was in Edmonton, Al- Rasheed. So October or any other month is a great time to bring forward these stories.

SQ: Tell me a little more about that Story in particular about how that all came to be.

MN: In the 1930’s, there were about a few hundreds of Arab Muslims Canadians who had immigrated to Edmonton and the vicinity and there was no mosque at the time.

Hilwie Hamdan, who belonged to the Muslim community, got together with a group of muslim women and met with the mayor of Edmonton at that time regarding a lot to be allotted for the mosque. The mayor agreed, as long as the construction was being fundraised by the community itself. Hilwie and her friends went door to door, across the neighborhoods, to the churches, to the synagogues in the area and it was really an interfaith effort to bring the community together and have this place of worship and now its still thriving well in Edmonton.

SQ: Wow that’s amazing. So these women were supported by other religious denominations and organizations MN: That’s what the history says. Yes, It was an interfaith effort I would say but it was led by a woman, a muslim woman and a group of other women supported by the community and allies, of course.

SQ: This was done in the 1930’s and I think there would be a very different outcome if Muslim women went looking for the same thing.

MN: Exactly, It’s 1938 when the mosque was put in place. This is very close to when women are just recognized in Canada, all women are recognized as a person/ I think if you put it in that context, the broader context of women’s history in Canada, this was nothing but truly remarkable.

SQ: Misbah, muslim representation in the arts we see it in politics, it’s come a long way but muslims still are the target of hate crimes. In fact, there was a federal study last year that showed hate crimes targeting muslims and jumped by 71% in 2021 in Canada.

Do you think that recognizing Islamic faith through something like Islamic history month can help push back on that?

MN: For sure. I think it helps us to have those conversations- sometimes even difficult conversations with our colleagues at work and with our friends. I know this year we saw the first Muslim woman who became Canada’s first special representative on combating Islamophobia, Dr. Amira Elghawaby and I think those are all great steps. Every time we have those discussions and we have been bringing forward such positive stories, local Canadian stories, and they are not always in the media but every time we have the opportunity to talk about them it changes the narrative and helps dismantle the stereotypes.

SQ: Do you think Non-Muslim Canadians fully understand just how long Muslims have been in this country.

MN: I am not sure if that has been highlighted. I will be super honest- It wasn’t until a few years ago, when I was watching

a documentary on Telus with my son that I realized the story of the first mosque and it has really intrigued me. As a Muslim myself, who has grown up here in Canada, this wasn’t well advertised but I think initiatives like Islamic history month has definitely brought forward many stories across the diverse muslim cultures in Canada and it helps both non- muslims Canadians and muslims Canadians alike.

SQ: What is something you would like NonMuslims Canadians to understand better about your community.

MN: … Like you said Steven, we have come a long way. What the community sees is that the Muslim community - we are no different then all the rest of us in Canada. I may have a hijab on my head but I am still passionate about things, I watch the same tv shows, my daughter still listens to Taylor Swift so we are not much different. OuR faith definitely makes us different from just like any other faith community but we all believe in the same Canadian rights and the values rest of the Canadians believe in. I think it’s not about bringing us into the mainstream, we are mainstream.

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PAKISTAN/SPORTS Politicians, legal eagles react to SC ruling on law curtailing CJP’s powers

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majority of the analysts approve of the top court’s ruling but some fear it could give “unconstitutional powers” the green light to intrude into judicial space. In a majority verdict, the Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday sustained the controversial SC (Practice & Procedure) Act, 2023 — a law that envisions the formation of a committee of three senior judges to form benches on cases involving constitutional matters of public importance — and declared it “constitutional”.

The top court also upheld a section of the law that envisages the right to appeal in future cases, while rejecting the right to appeal in cases already decided.

The verdict comes after all 15 judges of the SC conducted five hearings on petitions challenging the practice and procedure law, that were streamed live on television — another first.

Here’s what politicians and lawyers had to say about the apex court’s judgement.

‘Welcome step’

PML-N leader Shehbaz Sharif — during whose tenure the practice and procedure law was passed by the Parliament — called today’s decision a “welcome step”.

“It not only democratises the workings of the Supreme Court itself but also shows due respect to the Parliament, which represents the people of Pakistan.

“It is important to mention that, according to legal experts, the specific clause under discussion concerning appeals against past judgments does not affect Mian Nawaz Sharif,” he said in a post on X. PPP leader Sherry Rehman said today’s pro-

ceedings and verdict had enhanced “transparency and faded image of the superior court”. In a statement released by its Central Media Department, the PTI said today’s verdict had resulted in disappointment for a political party, apparently referring to the PML-N. “After the majority verdict of the SC, the possibilities of conspiracies against Sadiq and Amin Imran Khan have died,” it stated, adding that now “fake and false” cases against the PTI chairman could not impact the “certificate of his honesty”.

‘Verdict doesn’t prevent Nawaz from contesting elections’ Lawyer Usama Khawar called the decision “truly unprecedented and remarkable in many significant steps”.

“Firstly, the manner in which the proceedings were conducted was remarkable. It was for the first time that a public official promised transparency to the public and he delivered despite significant potential risks to his own authority and privileges.

Khawar highlighted that Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa risked “exposing his left flank by forming a full court so early in his career”, noting that “public defeat” i.e., becoming a minority in front of the camera would have severely undermined his authority. “Similarly, open questioning of the CJP’s authority to conduct the proceedings and the acrimony and bickering amongst judges in the full glare of camera would have also severely undermined his authority,” he said. “Thirdly, it is unprecedented that a person in power has gone to such a great length and taken such risks to divest his own powers and privileges. This is remarkably rare in

public affairs in the world arena and even rarer in Pakistan,” Khawar said, adding that the only remotely comparable example was then-President Asif Ali Zardari’s handing over of the presidency’s power to the parliament and prime minister through the 18th Amendment.

He further said that, in the short-run, today’s judgment does not immediately prevent PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif — who is expected to return to Pakistan in 10 days — and Jahangir Tareen from contesting elections because of the previous government’s amendment to Section 232 (Disqualification on account of offences) of the Election Act, 2017.

“Until then Nawaz is technically eligible to contest elections. The other option available to SC is to take up the petition of the Pakistan Bar Council challenging the lifetime disqualification of parliamentarians. This might not be as easy, legally and politically, as it might sound,” he added.

‘Hard to identify a winner’

lawyer Abdul Moiz Jaferii said.

“The CJP could have simply sat the full court on its administrative side and updated the Supreme Court rules, rendering these proceedings effectively moot. He could have put together ten judges and undone Justice Munib Akhtar’s order,” he said.

But instead, the lawyer highlighted, the CJP “let everyone see the proceedings — which for the most part he himself must have found disagreeable — and allowed every SC judge to have a vote”.

“This is all commendable,” Jaferii added.

Talking about the decision itself, he said it

was hard to identify a winner.

“Nawaz Sharif loses his ability to appeal his disqualification. The PTI lost most of its petitions. The court lost its ability to regulate its rules and procedures. The Parliament stands exposed by the minority as a malafide transgressor into the domain of the judiciary. Shehbaz Sharif is suddenly looking good in his suit. Shoes shined and all.”

“In the end, the house always wins,” he concluded. ‘Not a win for Parliament, nor for the judiciary’ “Pakistan is a parliamentary system, and its elected representatives have the full right to change whatever they like, including the procedure of the Supreme Court — subject, of course, to what the court decides,” said Barrister Asad Rahim Khan. “By dint of the vote, they get to decide what the law should be,” he added. “But it is in keeping with parliamentary sovereignty that a law claiming to promote the collective wisdom of the judicial branch should also have been brought about by the collective wisdom of the legislature.” For Asad, “It’s not a win for Parliament when the Constitution is amended by a rump assembly fearful of elections, instead of a two-thirds majority.

“Nor is it a win for judicial independence when a desperate law is passed to declaw the suo motu, right after the judges ordered polls be held in 90 days.” Source: dawn.com.

Nawaz’s decision to return not part of any deal: PM Kakar

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nterim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has dismissed the impression that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s decision to return to Pakistan was a part of any deal with the caretaker government.

Nawaz, who has been in self-imposed exile since 2019, left for London in the middle of his seven-year jail term on medical grounds.

In the four years that transpired, Nawaz was declared a proclaimed offender in the Al Azizia and Avenfield graft cases for his continuous absence from proceedings.

Last month, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif had confirmed that his elder brother

was returning to the country on October 21.

Subsequently, the PML-N had declared that Nawaz was ready to face “all kinds of circumstances” upon his return from London.

Last week, Nawaz’s legal team submitted his medical reports to the Lahore High Court, which said the PML-N supremo had “some residual anginal symptoms”. Separately, Shehbaz said the party’s legal team had cleared Nawaz’s arrival. Meanwhile, the elder Sharif marked his final day at Stanhope House, the party’s de facto London headquarters, on Oct 6. A day earlier, Nawaz left for Saudi Arabia, where he is expected to stay for a few days.

In an interview with World Echo News today, PM Kakar said: “The caretaker government has no soft corner for PML-N or any other political party … how can a caretaker government strike such a deal?”

He pointed out that Nawaz left the country as per the court’s decision “under the nose of Imran Khan’s government, and not the

caretaker setup”.

However, if Nawaz returns and takes part in politics, he will have to face some legal obstacles, the premier said. “The answers to these legal questions lie in legal remedies.”

PM Kakar said any leader, be it Imran Khan, Asif Ali Zardari, or Nawaz Sharif, everyone would have to seek legal remedy as per their case scenario. He went on to say that Pakistan was witnessing the formation of “regimental camps” and the country had been turned into a fighting ground for political position. Furthermore, he rejected the notion that the caretaker setup could be likened to the ’90s “Kakar formula” where the then-PM Nawaz and then-President Ghulam Ishaq Khan were forced to quit on the proposal of then-army chief General Waheed Kakar to make way for fresh polls. “This comparison is apples and oranges. It is out of context because in our case, the stint of the normal Parliament led to its retirement and we are part of the constitutional contin-

uation where leaders of the House and the Opposition agreed upon my name,” he said.

There has been no interference from any institution in our case, the PM asserted.

On general polls, Kakar said necessary security and administrative arrangements were in place. He added that the caretaker government, in collaboration with the Election Commission of Pakistan, was in the process of the finalisation of the required measures.

Talking about the expulsion of Afghan refugees, the prime minister said action was being taken only against unregistered foreign nationals. The government’s objective, he said, was to regulate the movement of unregistered foreign nationals through proper process. In response to a question on the possibility of recognising Israel, Kakar said: “There are no such deliberations going on.”

Pakistan considers Israel an “oppressor” and stands with the rights of Palestinians to their existence and return to their land, he added Source: dawn.com.

India retain top spot in ODI rankings after Pakistan thrashing

The much-anticipated match in Ahmedabad could have seen Pakistan not only register their first ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup win over India but also leapfrog their neighbours in the ODI rankings.

But a comfortable seven-wicket victory for India means that the tournament hosts remain ensconced at the summit as they go in search of their first men’s Cricket World Cup title since 2011.

Pakistan hold onto second place in the rankings despite their defeat, with in-form South Africa in third spot.

Australia are fourth and will be desperate to show that quality at the World Cup after slipping to back-to-back defeats at the start of their campaign.

New Zealand make up the world’s top five, with the defending World Cup champions England in sixth.

India will look to show that world No.1 class when they take on Bangladesh in their next match on Thursday, while Pakistan will be looking to bounce back from Saturday’s loss with the hope to progress to another meeting against their neighbours later in the competition.

Source: https://www.cricketworldcup.com/ news/3738147

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