INSIDE: HIPSTER SCUM • 5 // THE FACES OF IRAN • 8 // GETTING POSITIVELY SEXY • 10 // THE WORLD’S MOST OVERPLAYED SONGS • 14
the STRAND FRANK MCKINNEY
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY`S STUDENT NEWSPAPER vOL. 55 iSSUE 9 • Feb 4 2013 • WWW.THESTRAND.CA
THE FIGHT FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE SARAH CRAWLEY ART EDITOR On a freezing Feb 1 – another dramatic shift in the weather this past week – the University of Toronto Environmental Action (UTEA) led a rally of around 30 students and environmental activists for climate justice to Queen’s Park, starting February on an active note. The group marched from Convocation Hall to the Legislative Assembly to present an open letter to federal and provincial politicians, urging them to commit to concrete goals for reducing CO2 emis-
sions in Canada. UTEA was founded last year, with organizers citing the need for increased action after Canada pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol, an agreement adopted in 1997 between industrialized countries to reduce carbon emissions. Canada originally agreed to reduce average emissions by 5.2% between 20082012. While many countries agreed to a second round of commitments for 2013-2020 at a climate change talk last year, Canada withdrew from the agreement, being unable to meet the target. Environmental issues have been hidden in enormous federal omnibus bills,
largely ignored in most parliamentary discussions, and scaled back in terms of policy. Meanwhile, the continued rising of carbon emissions is still setting off and maintaining feedback cycles, where the release of emissions sets off processes that result in further carbon release, such as that of the thawing of permafrost. When permafrost (frozen organic matter) thaws, that organic matter, or old carbon, is exposed. This makes it possible for it to be released into the atmosphere. There are several other such processes that further continuing the release of carbon into our atmosphere.
But as UTEA’s communication director Tom McCarthy argues in UTEA’s open letter to government, inaction is what young people are not going to accept, as we cannot afford to ignore climate change issues of such dangerous prominence. For politicians to do so is a matter of “intergenerational climate justice,” as well as an injustice to those who will be affected by dramatic climate change the most: “our homeless, agricultural workers, the aboriginal and the working poor.” In this light, UTEA’s open letter demands a clear indication of concrete, committed action.
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An opportunity for interfaith dialogue Emmanuel College introduces new Muslim prayer space and program WENDELLE SO ASSOCIATE EDITOR Emmanuel College is now offering a new Muslim prayer room and ablutions facility, a full-time Muslim chaplaincy, and a new Master’s Program in Muslim Studies. The two facilities were launched on Jan 22 in EM 115, with a lecture by Dr. Ingrid Mattson, Chair of Islamic Studies in Huron College, on “Rooting A Canadian Muslim Identity.” UofT’s theological college is continuing its Muslim-focused initiatives in the hopes of enriching multi-faith dialogue both on and off campus. The prayer space and ablutions facility are located at EM 004 and EM 006 respectively, and are accessible to all. The $25,000 cost of the prayer space was covered by various Islamic organizations, including the Canadian Jaffari Muslim Foundation, the Islamic Foundation of Toronto, the Islamic Institute of Toronto, the Muslim Chaplaincy, and the Muslim Students Association of the University of Toronto. Meanwhile, the $75,000 cost of the ablutions facility was shared by Em-
manuel and Victoria College. Dr. Mark Toulouse, Principal of Emmanuel College, spoke of Victoria Colllege`s contributions to the project: “Victoria University has helped to provide funding to undergird the development of the program...[Although] this has been a project associated with the graduate theological college, Emmanuel Col-
“[Muslim students] need to have a place where the importance of prayer within their lives is recognized, welcomed, and affirmed“ lege, more than with Victoria College, President Paul Gooch has contributed to the program’s overall objectives and Bursar Ray D’Souza has supported the project with property funds to help us create the ablutions facility and the prayer space. David Prediger, Director of Physical Plant, has contributed significant time in helping us design both spaces.”
Reaction to the new prayer space has been positive, from both UofT community members and the attending public in general. “As the only prayer space on the east side of the campus, I think it’s really convenient for Muslim students, who would not have to walk all the way from the western side,” said Filzah Mohamad Hilmi, a third-year Egyptology and Russian Literature student. “In order for Muslims to have a good experience as students, they need to have a place where the importance of prayer within their lives is recognized, welcomed, and affirmed,” says Principal Toulouse of the motivation for the prayer space`s founding. “We wanted to help meet this need.” “Emmanuel has just launched a Muslim studies track as part of its Master of Pastoral Studies this year,” said Katherine Bullock, coordinator of a separate Certificate program offered by the college. “As a degree program, the courses are taught by Emmanuel faculty, and are for credit. There are also prerequisites.” “The program aims to prepare graduates for vocations in chaplaincy, in settings like hospitals, prisons, univer-
sities and colleges, and the military, as well as work for non-profit,” said Principal Toulouse. “Courses include topics on the Quran, the life of Muhammad, the history of Islamic thought, Islamic Law and Ethics, and spirituality in Islam.” The master’s program would also require participation in a work setting within the city. “For example, one of our Muslim students is working in a clinical pastoral education setting in a local hospital as part of her program at Emmanuel; another is working at the University of Toronto Multi-Faith Centre.” “A small number of undergraduate students can be enrolled for these courses,” said Dr. Toulouse. Interested undergraduates would have to ask the permission of their department or college registrar to count the course as a credit or breadth requirement and then communicate this permission to Wanda Chin, Emmanuel College registrar. The courses are listed at www.emmanuel.utoronto.ca/students/Courses.htm under the ‘Theological’ link.
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