Strengthening the Foundations of Our Identity – YTC 2013

Join us at the Islamic Foundation of Toronto for the 13^th annual Tarbiyah Conference as we tackle the theme of “Strengthening the Foundations of Our Identity.”

With the ongoing challenges and influences faced by each and every one of us in our day to day lives, we begin to question, who am I? Where am I heading? Who do I belong with? How do I address my issues? What is my role as a Canadian Muslim? What is my identity? What is the fine line that allows me to balance my religion and the material world of school, home and work?

Come be part of an experience where, you will be empowered with real answers to these pertinent questions, regarding your identity.

Know it.

We will define what “our identity” means in its pluralistic forms.

Love it.

We will examine why we should be proud of our identity.

Live it.

We will discuss how we can strengthen our identity. Practical examples will be taken from the lives of the Prophets and Companions, as well as from our contemporary life.

This is a conference you do not want to miss. The Islamic Foundation of Toronto invites you, to be a part of this exceptional event on:

Friday, Saturday and Sunday

September 20^th, 21^st and 22^nd

Everyone of all ages, religions and backgrounds are welcome to attend the Youth Tarbiyah Conference. The Admission is FREE.

List of Speakers:

Dr. Munir El Kasem

Sh. Sulaiman Moola
Dr. Ingrid Mattson

Sh. Abdul Nasir Jangda

Sh. Zahir Mahmood
Imam Tahir Anwar
Ustadh Abdel Rahman Murphy

Sh. Yusuf Badat

Also Featuring:

Special Sessions, Quran Recitals, Nasheed Performances, BBQ & Food Stalls, Bookstalls, Sisters’ Session, Children’s Program and much more!

Youth Tarbiyah Quest – Morning Workshops

Special morning Ilm intensive session, at the Youth Tarbiyah Quest with Imam Tahir Anwar and Sh. Zaheer Mahmood. Using the text of Ibn Kathir’s Qasasul Ambiya, we will study the theme of Identity from the life of the father of Prophets, Ibrahim (pbuh).

Watch our trailer!

For full details visit our website. www.YouthTarbiyah.com

The political discourse in Canada over the past few weeks has been dominated by Quebec government’s proposal for a secular ‘Charter of Values’, put forth by the ruling Parti Quebecois (PQ). The most controversial aspect of the proposal is the ban on civil servants wearing religious clothing to ensure ‘religious neutrality’ of the state. The debate reached its climax this past Tuesday with the unveiling of appalling pictograms outlining how public employees can dress.

The proposed legislation is supposed to ban public employees from wearing headscarves, face veils, turbans, skullcaps and large crosses (small ones are okay). Whether it is a doctor at a hospital wearing a turban, or a hijab donning worker at a daycare – they will have to decide between work and religion. This militant and deviant expression of secularism fell short of just banning beards- it’s hypocritical, racist and self-contradictory.

The PQ claims it is doing so to maintain ‘religious neutrality’. If that is the case then it should perhaps start by banning the provinces’ most overt religious symbol: its flag.

Also known as the Fleurdelisé, Quebec’s flag, with its four fleurs-de-lis and a cross, is a beautiful expression of Christian symbolism. Historically associated with French Roman Catholic monarchs, the white fleur-de-lis symbolizes religious purity and chastity. The three petals are widely considered to represent the Holy Trinity; the band on the bottom represents Mary. Images of the Virgin Mary carrying the flower in her right hand are standard portrayals in Christian art.

Hypocrisy of the proposed legislation becomes evident when the more obvious issues that theoretically impact ‘religious neutrality’ are left unquestioned. Examples of this include the gigantic cross in the National Assembly, taking an oath on the Bible or Christmas trees. Will the government stop funding Catholic schools to attain this neutrality? What about funding for chaplaincy services? It appears Ms. Marios’ government is unable to distinguish between the concepts of a secular state and the inevitable interaction of that state between itself and religious agencies.

But the Quebec government is obviously not that uneducated. And that’s where the racist element comes in. Banning civil servants from wearing religious symbols doesn’t amend any supposed shortcomings of Quebec’s secularism. One can hold strong religious views without displaying it on their sleeves. In fact, there have been instance of justices refusing to marry same sex couples because they were opposed to gay marriage – they weren’t wearing a niqab when they did so. Claiming to champion secularism is simply PQ’s way to brazenly discriminate against minority groups with hopes of gathering support through identity politics.

Furthermore, this proposed legislation is self-contradictory. It effectively creates two classes of citizens; one which is noble enough to become civil servants and the other one is deprived of this privilege. The province is thus not ‘neutral’ by any standards – it’s openly saying that religious people ‘need not apply’. Even voicing such outrageous views, let alone implementing them, creates an unhealthy segregated society. If religious minorities can’t participate in public life, how could they ever hope to blossom into our social fabric? What is even scarier is that the PQ is pushing this charter on the private sector as well – this is the textbook definition of systematic discrimination.

Parti Quebecois is well aware that their proposals are so blatantly unconstitutional that they will be shot down by the courts. But that doesn’t matter as the objective of this political exercise has already been achieved; even if it meant having to stoop to an all time low. The old game of identity politics has allowed the party to stir up enough support from its small nationalist constituency to survive the next election.

One of the ironic aspects of this repulsive ‘Charter of Quebec Values’ is that it has indirectly helped exemplify values that most Canadians share. Editorials of all major newspapers are filled with condemnations of the charter. Politicians from all facets have openly opposed it. From leader of the opposition, Thomas Mulcair, to Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau – even the notorious Minister Jason Kenney, released a picture of him wearing sikh headwear. The political leadership of Montreal, Quebec’s biggest city and economic hub, unanimously denounced the charter and thousands rallied against it. Even within the PQ there were dissenters; MP Maria Mourani was expelled from caucus for her opposition to this edict. In a rather innovative spirit to lure doctors, Ontario’s Lakeridge Hospital released a recruitment poster with a hijab wearing woman stating, “We don’t care what’s on your head; we care what’s in it.”

Despite the lunacy of this entire episode, it’s important to resist the temptation to stereotype Quebeckers as intolerant and narrow-minded. During my short time there, I found the Quebecois to be a warm-hearted and friendly people. Whether it was the affectionate ‘Bon Appétit’ from the lunch lady at Université Laval, the student protesters who gave me their iconic red square to wear, or my gracious French teacher who put up with my non-existent language skills; I have nothing but good memories. Let’s hope this debacle is forgotten as a cheap political gimmick which has unfortunately brought unprecedented shame to Quebec and the rest of Canada.

After Fajr & Maghrib Prayer:

Muslim Taimi (R.A.) narrates from Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) to recite the following seven times before speaking to anyone:

اللَّهُمَّ أَجِرْنِي مِنَ النَّارِ

“O Allah, save me from the fire (Jahannam).”

If a person recites the above dua and dies the same night, he will be saved from Jahannam and if he recites it seven times after Fajr Salaat before speaking to anyone and if he dies on that same day, he will be saved from Jahannam.
(Mishkat from Abu Dawood)

In another hadith Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) stated that if a person recites the following dua 10 times while sitting in the Tashahudd position, then for each time ten rewards are written for him and ten sins are removed from the Name-Amal and he will be saved from every evil thing and the accursed Satan and no other sin besides shirk will be able to destroy him. In relation to actions, he will be superior to all other people. If anyone recites more than the above, he will go further and that is a different matter.

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٍ

“Besides Allah there is no other worthy of worship. He is Alone and has no partner. His is the Kingdom and to Him is all praise, in His hands is good, He gives and takes life (gives death) and He has power overall things”.
(Mishkat)