Muslim | Common Cents Mom

Tag Archive for Muslim

Wordless Wednesday: Toronto Ramadan

August 15, 2012 / Common Cents Mom / 5 comments

Muslim around the world are in the final week of Ramadan. In the United States, as much as it has been a time of faith, and prayers, many are in fear too, as in the last 12 days, there have been 8 attacks on Muslim houses of worship( Mosques or Masjids).

But what about closer to home, here in Toronto. I wanted to share with you what Ramadan in Toronto looks like. These photos were all taken by my friend Himy Syed, who is riding his bike around the city to visit 30 different masjids.

So Through the eyes of Himy:

Wudu or cleaning happens before the act of worship. Wudu facilities are available in every masjid.

This photo comes from my masjid this act of worship is not only done during Ramadan but ever Saturday night in this city. It is called a dhiker circle, we call on Allah using some of his 99 names.

Prayer timings are so important to a Muslim, on this wall are a number of clocks as well as a prayer calendar showing the prayer times for that day.Muslims here in Toronto and around the world look at these times to guide us in worship.

Prayer is the most important element to a Muslims life, completing the prayers 5 times a day is a must.

Many during this holy month will spend extra time reading the Quran.

Dates are the common way to break the fast, which was begun just before sunrise.

Iftar is the meal that follows the Magrib prayer (sunset), many do this in community during this holy month.

After Isha (the night prayer) comes Taraweeh prayers (either 8 rakats or 20 rakats)..and with that a day of Ramadan comes to the end.

You can read more about Himy’s journey around Toronto here.

Category: Family, Uncategorized / Tags: 30 days, Islam, Muslim, Ramadan, ramadan 2012, Toronto

What Does the New Citizenship Policy Mean for Canada and Muslim Women?

December 14, 2011 / Common Cents Mom / 4 comments

Niqab © by sittiealiah

This week the Canadian government announced a new policy. No longer will the citizenship pledge taken by thousands here in Canada each and every year be administered to women who wear a face covering.

This means for women who are Muslim and wear the niqab or burqa they must choose to unveil or lose their chance at Canadian citizenship. What does this mean if they don’t unveil? It means they can NEVER become a Canadian citizen. They will not have the right to vote, to have a say in this democracy, they will not be able to hold some jobs. So because they choose their faith and the veil they will be relegated to second class status in this great land of ours.

As a woman I am outraged. As a Canadian woman even more so. Why?

Because our forefathers wanted a land that was welcoming, that could include all, that all points of view could be heard and seen. We established even a charter of rights and freedoms. It is my right as a woman to wear what I want as long as I am not indecent. I could swear citizenship in a bikini if I wanted too, but I can not dressed modestly and covered. I have the right as a Canadian to express my point of view, but these women will be forever denied that if they choose to cover. They will not have a say in our society, and it is NOT a male relative taking it away but our government.

Around the world there are many niqabi (women who cover and wear and veil) who hold great jobs and are great members of society. If you attend any mosque here in Toronto and are in the sisters area you can meet and talk with women who choose the veil. You would be surprised to find out some are born right here in Canada and see it as a deeper commitment to God. They don’t do it because they have too, or are forced here. Yes, in some parts of the world it is law but here they know they can choose it or lie it down. The veil is worn by these women because they are strong in faith and want to wear it, just like someone may say I am going to wear a habit because it is a symbol of my faith.

For those that say it is an identity issue I say Hogwash! A woman’s identity can be verified simply before taking the oath in a private room, where any woman I know would be glad to show her face to a female court officer. To say how can we know it is her is a moot point as many countries can tell who is who even covered.

By the way I can walk into a mall, and see a niqabi wearing friend of mine and know it is her. I can identity her in a crowd even of other sisters all wearing niqab. It is easy enough to do. identity is not the issue here.

What does that mean for Canada? What does this new policy really mean? If you are not like previous generations of Canadians you are not welcome here. Do as we do, say what we say, be like us, your ways are wrong, we want to empower you but you must do it this way to be empowered you can’t choose your way, you don’t have that expressive right. We are saying to these women because you are not already Canadian you have no charter rights, we do not have to give you them, and we can relegate you to second class member of society if you wish to wear that covering.

The policy is a huge step backwards in this land that is supposed to offer freedom and charter rights. We can no longer say ALL are welcome because as of Monday that is not the case. It is now you are welcome if you do what we say, and are just like us.

What can you do if you are like me and are thinking this policy is wrong? Write your MP. Call him or her and let them know your thoughts. Let me know your thoughts too, and yes I do care.

Category: Opinion, Uncategorized / Tags: canada, Citizenship, Muslim, veil

A Reply – TDSB and Muslim Prayer Service- A Muslim Perspective

June 30, 2011 / Common Cents Mom / 33 comments

I was just on Twitter and it buzzing about the Toronto District School Board not only allowing a prayer service in the cafeteria after lunch on Friday’s but using a “halal” menu for snacks. As I read the comments on Jihad Watch and Blazing Cat Fur I couldn’t help but need to respond and in more then just a comment.

You see I am a Muslim Mom. I am also a Canadian Muslim Mom. I am a 10th generation Canadian, who’s family settled in Ontario when Canada was a dream. My grandfather was one of our POW’s in WW2. So I am not some immigrant choosing to bring and force something on somebody. My grandfather and most likely many of my readers grandfathers fought for one thing: For Freedom to choose.

Choice is one of the reason many come to Canada, because they have choices given here. WE ALL have the rights of worship, we all have the right to eat food that is good for us and I thank God whom I choose to address as Allah.The fact though is some do not think that these choices should be given in a public school setting.

So if Muslim children can not have jummah( the Friday Prayer service that lasts about 30 minutes) in the school are we then ready to take every Christan, Jewish and other religious clubs that now meet in schools at lunch time, before school, after school out as well? These organizations have existed and used the buildings to see that all children who want to fellowship and worship together can.

As for a “halal” menu. I would think you would thank the parents for asking for it. “Halal” simply means not harmful and there are very strict guidelines. Any parent who has volunteered at elementary level with the snack program knows it isn’t farmed out. Most snacks are prepared right there in the cafeteria by parent volunteers. Most snacks in the TDSB have to include at least 2 food groups. There are strict guidelines and safety standards that are met by parents who volunteer time for this job. Most snack programs at are managed by parents in the case of this school most of these parents ARE Muslim.

Some interesting facts:

The area is densely populated with Muslim families who attend the local mosque.
Before the prayer services were begun Muslim boys especially were pulled from school for the entire Friday afternoon, as in Islam if a Muslim man misses 3 Friday prayers he is considered to of lost his faith.
Girls, women are welcome at jummah as well, and yes we do sit either at the back of the room,or behind a barrier( I have even seen a table with a rug thrown over it made into a makeshift one), or in another room.
Girls in Islam are not mandated to attend jummah prayer for them it is optional.
At that specific school I would guess you are looking at a 50% Muslim student population at least.
Another fact many TDSB schools also meet “kosher” standards would we get rid of that option as well?

By letting the school community dictate what is best for there individual school we give freedom, something I am sure we all enjoy having here in Ontario. Really some of the comments on Jihad Watch and the Blazing Cat Fur scared me as a Canadian.

Another quick two facts it does not cost anything to have that we bit of prayer time on a friday, nor is it hurting any other child in the school. Facts are in many schools in the TDSB we have students gathering to pray and worship. If one goes they ALL must go. I think prayer is a good thing. I think it should be in the schools any way we can get it in and if you don’t believe in God you simply don’t have to join a prayer group.

Fact two is that much of the money used to by food for the snack program does not come from the TDSB it comes from the Foundation for Student Success who gets its money not only from the province but many corporate givers and charitable foundations including Mazon Canada who are the Jewish charitable arm in Canada that fights hunger. So is it is okay to TAKE money from a religious organization? and not allow religious dietary concerns to be looked at? What do you think? Really this muslim mom who used to help organize snacks wants to know?

Does prayer have a place in the TDSB in any form?

Should dietary laws come into play in any form?

And if you are not a follower of God in any form why do you get to dictate for those of us who do believe?

Category: Opinion / Tags: food safety, halal, Muslim, Prayer, school prayer, TDSB

The Issue of the Niqab

April 13, 2011 / Common Cents Mom / 9 comments

Right now because of what is happening in France with their Niqab law( a law that is squarely addressed only toward Muslim women) there is alot of debate and discussion going on. President Sarkozy would have one believe that he is trying to liberate the Muslim woman who is forced to wear the veil. Well how is what he doing liberating? By taking away choice, he demeans the Muslim woman. How so? He is forcing his beliefs onto them. How is that freeing? It isn’t.

I am a muslim woman. I am a convert to Islam. I do not wear the hijab or headscarf in English fulltime. I do have a great respect for those who do chose to cover especially here in the west. Why? Because here in the west we have many misconceptions still that are both voiced and unvoiced on a regular basis.

I have personally seen a woman wearing a hijab insulted at a bank here in Toronto by a bank manager. I just happen to be that Muslim woman. When wearing the hijab I a 10th generation Canadian have also been told to go home. I have had the looks, the comments, and yes even had the hijab ripped off me.

Women who wear niqab or hijab for that matter are simply practicing their faith as they best understand it. In a democracy we should have that right. When it comes to matters of faith there needs to be a separation of church and state. Most who choose niqab in the west are like me converts who as they try and walk closer to God find themselves taking up the niqab much like a nun might choose to wear the habit. Did you know Britain banned nuns for many years? Muslim women are not the first to take up the right to worship as they want. When a nun in habit first appeared back in Britian she was seen as a barbarian. Sound familiar?

Did you know historically until the 19th century the veil was NOT part of the average of the average Muslim woman’s life? Not even in the middle east. It was done historically by the upper class. Till the British occupation many in Egypt were giving up the veil and moving freely amongst society. In fact it wasn’t until the British occupied Egypt that the veil came back into play. As well in the Quran and sunnah( the rules that Muslims follow) woman’s rights are very protected.

Why would a woman cover? Why do some chose it these days? Because they want to draw closer to God. They are not doing it the majority of cases out of force. Most women in the west who are niqabis chose it for themselves, and shouldn’t they have that right?

I am thankful for the constitution here in Canada that states we are free to worship as we see fit. This means if I ever wanted to wear a niqab I could. How I would be seen on the streets is a whole other question.

Category: Opinion, Uncategorized / Tags: covering, Muslim, niqab, veil

Eid Murbarek

September 20, 2009 / Common Cents Mom / 2 comments

Happy Eid! Today was and is my first Eid!

Yesterday we decorated and cleaned the house.

This morning got up early..opened gifts and it was off to prayer.

Some random thoughts about today and the end of Ramadan:

1. It was so good to see so many nationalities and cultures bowing together to worship one God. That was cool.

2. It was also good to Praise God in unison.

3. My 11 year old daughter Roo loves Eid so far. She says it is better then Christmas.

4. The food over Ramadan and today has been a yummy delight. We have tried many new foods.

5. Prayer is more then just mere actions 5 times a day. God should be ever part of every moment and intention.

6. The Women’s section of Eid prayer is the worse place to be. You can not hear the lesson or speaker. Where I was it was all noise and the the noise was not from children but from women talking. I think a lesson in respect is needed by many. Really it was the one time today I felt like crying because I was trying so hard to hear and couldn’t. This was the only thing that put a damper on my day.

7. The kindness and welcoming arms of sisters. I arrived at a new Masjid right after start of Ramadan and have been able to meet some great sisters, I pray our friendships grow.

Overall my first Ramadan and Eid were filled with learning and happiness and for that Iam thankful. I pray you all are enjoying your day.

This post will be crossposted on my other blog Simply Hollie.

Category: PERSONAL / Tags: Eid, Muslim, religion