For our non-Muslim readers, have you ever wondered what specific actions a Muslim must commit to? Well, at the core of a Muslim’s beliefs are five essential pillars; actions that must be done. These are essentially the barebones of Islam.  So, what are they?

And there you have it, the very basics of the actions Islam demands.  

Mayor Rob Ford happily mails out rebate cheques last week for the licence renewal tax that was scrapped by his government. This while he cut and slashed budgets of practically everything calling it wasteful spending.  Sure, some of it might have been classified as “wasteful”, but decreasing office staff just decreases quality and efficiency of the office.

The proposal to scrap the tax passed even when the TTC was attempting to raise fares. This being a big slap in the face for commuters who are obviously considered second class compared to drivers. Sure, no one likes taxes, but the only way to move this city is by pushing public transportation and trying to reduce drivers. And the license renewal tax was one way to generate that revenue. His idea of private sector funding for subway expansions could cost the city in the long run by completely changing the look of the city especially if it offers zoning change privileges.

Mr. Rob Ford it is not always about the money. 

This was the very first blog post on KIH when it was just a personal blog. I still believe the message stands. I'm surprised I started with such a long post; who would have guessed?

Assalamulikum friends, 

Originally I was going to dive right into making you all laugh. But, I decided that since this is the first blog that I should make it a little bit more meaningful. To find out more about who we are click the about us tabs. 

My first blog will be about... Duff roll... about volunteering. As I believe this is what has shaped me the most and the reason why this blog is up and running. 

The most common question I get from high schoolers when asking them to help a good cause is will it help my university application? So, I'm going to take a blast from the past and reflect on my experience with volunteering. It all started with the mandatory 40 hours required for a high school diploma. As someone who was scared into thinking 40 hours would take a decade to complete I volunteered in my first year of high school, grade 9. My first endeavour was with First Night Toronto, where I helped with ushering. My hours for that event were never accepted as I never got the volunteer form signed and only received a cover letter. Note to high school kids, carry the high school volunteer form with you! Anyway, during my second year, I was with the Islamic Society of Toronto, where I helped out with iftars during Ramdaan. I also, joined Junior Achievement for a brief stint. Then, I moved on to helping out the Flemingdon Health Centre and their peace garden initiative. Like most high schoolers, I was peer pressured into doing some of this for the food provided, especially for the last two. Which was grotesquely healthy at the Health Centre, I guess that's no surprise. But, slowly, I felt a change happen and seemed more concerned about what I did. Grade 11, I joined to help out with Reviving the Islamic Spirit and have been with them ever since. In grade 11, I also did cooperative education at Toronto East General Hospital and later volunteered with them in the summer.  In Grade 12, through inspiration of Reviving the Islamic Spirit, I started the Muslim Students' Association in my school. It was quite unbelievable that my high school, Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute, had 2000+ Muslims, but, no MSA. It was a good year we raised money for the International Relief Fund for the Afflicted and Needy and joined the Muslim Interscholastic Tournament. Finally to top it all off, I also volunteered with Path to Piety. In my final year I was a part of 14 after school club initiatives and was able to maintain good academic merit. 

And here I am, in the University of Toronto studying Physical Health and Education. This year I helped coordinate ushering at the Muslim Interscholastic Tournament. I have also, been elected to the University of Toronto Student Union. 

What I wish to get at is I started with volunteering being mandatory to doing extra hours on my own to falling in love with helping the community. I was introverted and shy with new people and the thought of sharing thoughts gave me the shivers and now here you see this blog which is all about sharing thoughts. Volunteering showed me there are people who care and wish to make a difference and motivated me to join that movement. But, had you asked me to volunteer in grade 9, I would have laughed and said, "No pay, no way". In total, I have 600 hours logged, but, this is not something I showcase on my resume. My reward lies in the smiles of the people I help and with Allah.  

Give a hand, pitch in, and always smile. You never know where it will take you. And I promise you, you will grow to love it. We all can always do more and never think anything is too small or too hard to do.

I promise I am a funny guy. Or maybe my friends are just too nice and laugh at what I say? But, the next blog to come will have a more humorous twist. 

Till then stay strong, browse around and bookmark us or add us to your RSS feed!

WalikumSalaam.

His mother wept, cried, begged him not to go outside. He was too young to die. But, he insisted, saying, he had to do this for his children even if it meant he may never see that day. Enough was enough. There were mass protests outside all calling for freedom. 

No longer will you put your foot on my throat without me screaming. This land is mine more than it is yours. And he walked into the sunlight as his mom fell to the ground. 

They both knew he might not ever come back. And to him dying would be a lighter pain then the grief he just caused his mom. But, he had to do this, for his mom and for his future children even if that day would never come. 

Sorry, mom.

Viva viva intifada!

[The following article is not directly linked to the ISNA finance controversy reported by The Toronto Star. It is only inspired by the article.]

Where there is a hierarchy, there is politics. Masjids are no exception to this. And it’s quite visible by looking at who has been president for longer than Arab dictators have been in power or who makes the most announcements during every salaat or whose idea trumps all others. This tight reign of power breeds a secret society-like organization.

“With great power, comes great responsibility”. –  Uncle Dan (Spiderman’s Uncle)

“Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely”. – Lord Acton

Places of worship are divine, but that doesn’t mean the people within them are as well. We have to be more active in our research and demand public and transparent paperwork. Being apathetic and throwing all responsibilities to certain individuals yields behind the scene powers. Then who are we to throw taunts and judge these people when they are exposed? Was it not us that blindly trusted them? Have we not been burned before?

So, next time you see a charity asking for your money, kindly request their financial records. If you have the time and skill set, run for positions within an organization. Fresh new ideas and faces are welcoming.

*The issue concerning misuse of zakat is commonly seen through misinterpretation of verses that state in direct translation from Arabic that zakat can be used by those who collect it and those in the path of Allah. However, this is not how the ruling works on zakat; it is meant for the poor.

Schemas, heuristics, categorization, stereotypes all are shortcuts of defining a person. They can break one down into so many little things and can be based on almost anything. Religion is one categorization, but within religion there are sub-sects and within those there are other sub-sects. And from herein comes a superiority complex of who is right and who is wrong.

This complex exists within Muslims regarding their own religion. A constant state of how I practise is correct and everything else is just wrong. And yes, sometimes some methods of practising can be wrong and have no religious basis. But, most times there are some grounds to a practise even though it may not be followed by you.  Learn and respect these differences. And above all don’t ever call a believer a disbeliever; that is for their lord to decide.

Abu Dharr is reported as saying that he heard the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, "If a man accuses another man of deviance or accuses him of disbelief, that accusation will come back on him if his companion is not as he said."
[Al-Adab-Al-Mufrid - Imam Bukhari]

Junaid Jamshed was a Pakistani pop-singer who had achieved great fame in his profession. In 2004, he denounced music and devoted himself to singing naats (nasheeds in Urdu). He has since become immensely popular in naats almost as much as he was as a pop artist. A great reason behind this is his beautiful voice which presents the lyrics in a melodious tune.  

Honestly, from the albums I have heard which consist of all except for Haadi-ul-Anaam there are several tracks that I like from each album. I would recommend any of his albums to any Urdu comprehending individual. They consist of no musical instruments relying solely on vocals. They are an amazing alternative to music. He has a few Punjabi naats and English nasheeds as well, but they are few and his Urdu nasheeds are much better.

The following are his albums:
·         2005 - Jalwa-e-Janan (English: The Sight of the Beloved) 
·         2006 - Mehboob-e-Yazdaan (English: The Beloved of God)
·         2007 - Badr-ud-Duja (English: The Night's Full Moon)
·         2008 - Yaad-e-Haram (English: Remembrance of Haram)
·         2009 - Badee-uz-Zaman (English: The Wonder of the Age)
·         2010 - Rahmatul-lil-Alameen (English: The Mercy to the Universe)
·         2010 - Haadi-ul-Anaam

 

Toronto City Hall along with Vancouver City and Victoria has voted in favour of demanding an apology from Maclean’s for publishing the ‘Too Asian’ article. The article talks about increasing competition at major universities created by Asian students who party less and study more. These students are aforementioned to stick to their own Asian groups and not mingle with other students on campus. Other “white” students believe that they take away from the undergrad university experience and therefore avoid these schools. The apparent solution is limiting Asian enrolment in top academia schools. Such proposed racial discrimination at an institution that is above all to serve the purpose of higher education is what many people are appalled about.

Maclean’s ‘Too Asian’ article: http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/11/10/too-asian/

Where you from?

I am Canadian.

But, what are you?

Canadian.

Yes, but where did you come from.

I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada.

But, where are your parents from?

India.

So, you’re Indian!

Thanks stranger for telling me what I am. I have never been to India in all my life. I am Canadian and want to be Canadian and am proud of it. But, you keep making me something else. Because I’m not Caucasian you’ll never accept the fact that I am Canadian and represent what Canada stands for, peace, love and harmony. Not only do residents question my nationality, but so do foreigners.

And then you ask immigrants, why don’ they think they’re Canadian? Maybe, just maybe it’s because you don’t let them for a second think they are.

What does it mean to be Canadian? To me, it’s being you and me. And being accepting of others differences; accepting is a keyword here, not tolerating.

So, remember just because I have a beard or wear a hijab or turban or am not white doesn’t mean I am not Canadian. I am just as proud a Canadian as you are and every day I work to make this nation a better place. 

Writing letters has become obsolete in our time because texting, emailing and calling is so much more convenient.  Nonetheless, writing formal letters is one of the most respected mediums of communication. It shows that you care enough to spend the time to formally address an issue. Next time your up in arms or are delighted by an article in a newspaper or site, write a letter to the editor and it may get published. 

Here is my letter to The Varsity, a campus newsletter. 

The letter was in response to http://thevarsity.ca/articles/36599.

The published letter can be found on page 7 on http://hotink.theorem.ca/system/varsity/issues/000/004/873/VARSITY-pp01-20-NOV29-ONLINE_screen_quality.pdf?1291056051