Lors d’un cours de langue japonaise, j’ai découvert que la compréhension de la langue japonaise est primordiale pour comprendre la culture japonaise. La culture traditionnelle et la culture moderne japonaises reposent toutes les deux sur la langue écrite et le langage parlé.

Il faut savoir que l'écriture japonaise est réputée pour être l'une des plus difficiles au monde, même pour le japonais, il faut distinguer différents types d'écriture: les kanji, les kana et les romanji.

Le Japon a une longue tradition culturelle et artistique forgée par son histoire, c’est pour cette  raison que les japonais agissent dans le cadre d'un groupe dont les éléments essentiels des relations sont l'ancienneté, l'éducation générale, les relations de qualité de communiquer et d'établir un climat de soutien mutuel.

Les valeurs japonaises sont essentiellement basées sur le consensus, l'implication et la transparence. En effet, en partant de l'éthique japonaise qui repose sur l'ordre social, le devoir et la morale, les valeurs japonaises voient dans les difficultés une chose simple à laquelle ils vont apporter une solution. Ils sont conscients de la nécessité de travailler en collectivité pour aboutir à un certain consensus et ils partagent l'information. La société japonaise est donc créatrice de la valeur institutionnelle.

Cette culture fut établie au fil des millénaires : même de nos jours, des rites ancestraux sont toujours ancrés dans les esprits. Le Japon n'a jamais rejeté sa culture d'origine. La transition d'un pays médiéval avec ses samouraïs à un pays qui est une des premières puissances du monde a été faite en une dizaine d'années. De nos jours, dans le métro aux allures futuristes, on trouve encore des femmes et des hommes vêtus du kimono traditionnel.  C'est cette culture ancestrale, qui se marie si bien avec la modernité.

The Book of Negros is one of the most interesting, insightful, intriguing and brilliant books you will ever read! It came out in 2007 and was written by the Canadian author Lawrence Hill. The book deals with and confronts aspects of Canadian history which we tend to forget: slavery. The Book of Negros marks the journey of Aminato Diallo who is kidnapped from a village in West Africa where she once enjoyed a wonderful life to her horrific ordeal of becoming a slave in South Carolina where she works at a plantation. Aminato is forced to learn skills when she becomes a slave because learning skills makes her useful and ensures survival. Thus, she learns to read, write and becomes a midwife. Aminato wants to learn all she can and this self-education keeps her alive in dreadful times because it gives her hope. It is through learning that Aminato embraces life and steps out of her victimhood.

The novel is a juxtaposition of well researched history and fiction in terms of Aminato’s journey and deals with her subtle happy, sad, tragic and inspiring moments in her life. This novel gives the readers a new perspective into history. Though it is a long read it presents us with a detailed look on the horrific history of slavery and shows us the blackest periods. Hill describes this book as “a journey into the heart of slavery”. The name Book of Negros was a taken from an actual military document which recorded the names of around 3000 African American slaves that were promised freedom. This was during the time of the American Revolution when the British tried to get assistance from the black slaves by asking them to flee their plantations and join the British army. In return for their service they were promised freedom, many risked their lives and the book which still exists in  the National Archives in Nova Scotia lists the names of the people who wanted to leave.

I know you want me to tell you what happens at the end of the novel, BUT I won’t because you will just have to read this awesome novel once you’re finished your essays and exams etc. of course.

Happy Reading!

The modern world today is filled with tests of self-worth and acceptance. No matter where you reside, there will always be trials of pressure and scrutiny over every aspect of life. The social system sets up people to fight for academic prestige and successful careers. We must belong to popular social circles and conform to contemporary ways of life. To complete the perfect picture, don’t forget to find that ‘trophy’ spouse to showcase to the world and say, “I made it”. But between the excitement of pursuing our individual lives, we are rarely reminded that the path to happiness is filled with obstacles. Life shows us how to run after our dreams, but it fails to teach us what do to when those dreams don’t come true.

Most of us do not possess the correct knowledge in dealing with difficulty, even though we are faced with it more often than ease. We instinctively drown our sorrows by confiding in more of what life has to offer. Internal challenges of the heart, soul, and mind are often neglected and suppressed with superficial remedies. Peace and relief can be provided through things like entertainment and the company of close friends. However, it is important to remember that these things do not last forever, nor can they bring a lasting consolation. This is when we are most likely to fall victim to life’s challenges. When the comfort of music and friendship fail to make us happy, we are left to deal with difficult issues in negative and often destructive ways.

Several of us fail to realize the lasting nature of God, and the peace that can be attained from seeking Him. But in the depth of life’s despair, people may not be willing to turn to God. This is because we are thankful to Him during the peak-times of life, while turning away from His presence during tougher times.

We validate our existence to those around us by fulfilling life’s expectations and conforming to the majority. But what if these sources cannot offer us what we are looking for? At one point, we must stop seeking reassurance from the things that do not provide it. Instead, submit yourself to God, who provides acceptance not based on the superficiality of life, but based on our true intention and state of heart.

Umar Ibn al-Khattaab, companion to the Prophet peace be upon him, heard him say:
“Deeds are judged according to their intentions and every person will get whatever he intends. So, whoever’s migration was for worldly gain or for marriage, his migration [will be
rewarded] according to what he migrated for.”  Sources: Bukhari and Muslim

Have faith in God, and do not lose your trust in him during times of difficulty and dismay. The human soul thrives on spiritual closeness with our Creator. Some of us practice a lifestyle that allows for this closeness to God, while others live to forget that He is there. But interestingly, all people will ultimately look for Him at one point of life. Therefore, in order to be better prepared for the ups and downs of life, turn to Him every chance you are given.

Our hearts require rest and tranquility more often than we expect, so return your heart to God, for verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest (13:28).

Voilà un peu près plus d’un an que le Maroc a connu une révolution silencieuse qui  a été organisée par les jeunes du 20 février réclamants des changements pour des conditions de  vie meilleure. Cependant, après un long moment d’attente on peut dire que leurs efforts n’étaient pas en vain. Le Royaume du Maroc a franchi plusieurs étapes et réussi les challenges, ce qui nous laisse dire avec toute fierté qu’il est  un bon exemple et un modèle a suivre de tous les pays arabes au niveau de la démocratie et la justice. Jusqu’à maintenant, le pays a connu de grands progrès qui ont; par conséquent, suscité l’admiration du peuple qui considère tourner la page des actes de violation et d’injustice commis par la passé à la faveur d’une réconciliation bénéfique. La scène politique du Maroc connait de nouveau un regain de dynamisme avait déclaré un journaliste. Un grand espoir que nous gardant pour les autres pays arabes qui ont traversé et qui traversent toujours des moments difficiles au péril de leurs pays. Qu’Allah tout puissant leur vient en aide.

_ La fête des mamans est célébrée dans le monde entier chaque année, la date de cette fête varie d'un pays à l'autre, mais en Islam la valeur de la mère n’est pas réduite en une journée, elle est toujours honorée elle ne perdra jamais sa dignité et son honneur.

La mère est en position de force, puisque L’Islam lui a consacré une place honorable en lui assignant le rôle d’éducatrice des générations. Il a relié la prospérité de la société à sa prospérité, et sa corruption à la sienne, car elle joue un rôle primordial dans la société.

Plusieurs versets du saint Coran et Hadiths font l'éloge de la mère :

- D’après Abou Horaira, un homme vint auprès du Prophète Mohamed (que la paix et la bénédiction soient sur lui) et lui demanda :"Qui a le plus droit à ma bonne compagnie ?", Le Prophète Mohamed (que la paix et la bénédiction soient sur lui) répondit : "Ta mère, puis ta mère et encore ta mère, ensuite ton père."

Le prophète a recommandé à l’homme sa mère trois fois de suite, ce qui reflète le privilège de la mère et la place honorable de la femme musulmane.

- "Votre seigneur a décrété que vous n'adoriez que lui et que vous témoigniez de la bonté envers votre père et votre mère (...)" (Sourate 17 / Verset 23)

Ce verset parle du devoir de bonté envers la mère immédiatement après avoir fait allusion à l'adoration d'Allah seul. La proximité entre ces deux obligations dans le texte coranique n'étant pas dû au hasard, elle montre bien l'importance qu'Allah accorde à ce devoir de bonté et de respect.

Et finalement, Il faut souligner que le rôle de la mère revêt une importance cruciale du fait de sa relation intime avec son enfant, dont elle est l'intermédiaire principal avec le monde extérieur, donc L'Islam a reconnu à la femme en général et à la mère en particulier des droits très importants comme la soumission qui devrait unir enfants et parents en termes d’obéissance et dévouement, et les interdictions qui font de la désobéissance parentale, un péché voire une effraction à la Loi divine.

Nos mamans ont beaucoup souffert dès notre naissance , que dieu les Protège et leur donne une longue vie AMINE !

_             On Mach 1, 2012, two hundred grade 8 girls from 5 different downtown schools attended a Sister 2 Sister Leadership conference in Toronto. The conference was made up of workshops that dealt with issues and challenges teenage girls face such as peer pressure, bullying, body image and the need for self-defense. One very interesting workshop was titled “I don’t need a Prince to save me” and it centered on the importance for girls to become aware of the issues society is facing (such as sexual assaults) and being able to equip themselves with the necessary skills which will protect and empower them. The workshop also encouraged girls to become independent by learning to protect themselves rather than relying on the stereotypical notion that girls and women need to be saved by men. The workshop explored the need for girls to become vigilant, strong and powerful. All of the workshops in the conference had a similar underlining theme which was for girls to understand and believe that they indeed do have the ability to partake in changing the world for the better.  Overall, the conference was to “reinforce the idea that there are no limits to what they can achieve”.

            I believe that this conference was a good opportunity for girls in Toronto schools to learn about their own role in making the world a better place by firstly empowering themselves as they learn about their own abilities. I hope that this program will soon become bigger and be open to more schools which will allow more girls from all over to become involved and have the chance to gain this experience. This conference is like a corner stone in terms of what needs to be done to promote and establish gender equality in our schools and society. However, more initiatives need to be undertaken in schools which will ensure that this is something that is ongoing and not just a one day event. Also if initiatives are taken in schools then the other students (males) will also become involved in this process of gender equality.

_ Contract. Mutual benefit. Residential status. Citizenship. Green card. Education. All of these terms may seem very vaguely related, if at all. But they somehow always seem to find themselves under one common umbrella: marriage.

As our practicality, driven by an increase of material needs, grows to inhibit a place larger than love in our hearts, we begin to see the union of two souls and beings as a tool to achieve any of the benefits mentioned above. We’ve become too intellectual and knowledgeable. We need profits and returns from out investments, and we fail to spare marriage in the process.

Don’t get me wrong. I, in no way, would like to argue a negative image of individuals who have truly found the ideal person they wish to spend the rest of their lives with. However, when we begin to view an individual as primarily a citizen ,with all of our required benefits and just happens to be a person of the opposite gender, that’s when we need to reconsider our intentions.

When a relationship as pure as marriage becomes a practical contract that serves as nothing more than a one way ticket to a Canadian citizenship or anything else of the like, I think it’s due time that we begin to re-evaluate the importance of emotions. Something that has no physical weight, no financial return, and no practical means of tangible measurement; yet it drives the world round. The things people do to attain a peace of mind, happiness, and satisfaction, from vacations to medications, it would exceed any list I could provide.

Marriage for citizenship and green cards is an extremely sensitive and growing issue, especially within the Muslim community. It needs to be addressed. Yes, many people do it to achieve happiness, but it completely dehumanizes the existence of the second being in the relationship. Promises, vows, expressions of everlasting love become a mockery of such a pure emotion. All of this to only, one day, break the dreams and hopes that had been building within the person from the time they began sketching ideas of such a sacred relationship within the depths of their hearts. Shattered. Broken… in every meaning of the word. But that isn’t tangible. Disappointment, and grief all become a personal choice. The scar and hurt of being nothing more than a tool, having no human value, all comes down to the personal choice of being happy. No prerequisites.

Really? Have we as humans become so shallow? Our intellects, calculations, and profit maximizing strategies are ideal for business investments, but to commodify marriage isn’t sensibility: it’s gluttonous; it’s hurtful; completely inhuman and it most certainly leaves scars.

Ses paroles étaient souvent du genre : « Non, ne fais pas ca !», « Allez, du courage! », « Es-tu sure que c’est la bonne décision ?! » ; ces paroles me hantaient, raisonnants sans cesse dans ma tête a chaque petite initiative dans ma vie. Une voix qui m’est tout a fait familière. Ce murmure, je l’ai toujours connu, depuis mon jeune âge. Certes, je n’y ajoutais pas tellement foi étant petite; pourtant ce dont j’en étais sure c’est que, toujours présente, cette voix persistante m’avait souvent avertie souvent et guider vers un chemin meilleur. Vingt années ont passé maintenant, et c’est tellement frustrant de voir a tel point je suis perdue sans l’orientation de cette voix. Non ce n’était ni mon subconscient ni ma voix intérieure. Si on me demandait de la décrire, je commencerai par dire qu’elle est toujours la quand j’en ai besoin comme une lumière qui reste tout le temps allumée. Lors de mes interrogations, un soupire me suffit de sa part. Je suivrai, les yeux fermés, toutes directions indiquées de sa part car je sais qu’elle me trompera jamais pour simple raison qu’elle est mon essence intérieure. Ma relation avec elle est directe, il n’y a pas d’intermédiaire. Une décharge électrique, que j’ai ressentie un 12 janvier soir en écoutant cette douce voix rythmée par des battements de cœur, m’a fait comprendre que je pouvais compter sur elle. Je l’ai suivi sans aucune hésitation et je dois dire que je ne regrette rien de cela, c’est ce que j’espérais. Je lui ai fait confiance et j’ai eu raison. Elle est cette petite étincelle qui me redonne la force d’aller au fond de moi. Elle est cette étoile qui brille dans le ciel sans nuage guidant et éclairant mon chemin. Oh Seigneur qu’elle est pleine de sagesse ! Si chacun pouvait être à son écoute, je pense que l’amour serait partout. Il n’y a pas un jour qui passe sans que je pense à elle. Elle est loin de moi tout en étant près de moi. Elle est ma clé pour le paradis…Elle est le cœur qui parle…Elle est l’Amour tout simplement…Elle est ma Nadia…Elle est ma maman.

Je t’aime MAMA !

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was truly an amazing man and his legacy continues to inspire and guide many people of the world. He was sent as a role model to show the people of the world how to live in the best manner. This article will show how he was truly a ‘mercy for mankind.’

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had the best of manners. He was gentle, kind hearted, compassionate and always polite. He was a very important person yet he was never egotistic nor boastful rather he was humble and down to earth in all of his dealings. He always over looked the faults of others and tried to address them in a way that would not embarrass them. He was always loving, patient and understanding towards the young and very respectful toward the old. He said “to honor an old man is to show respect to Allah” and from such a saying one can clearly see the mercy in his heart. It is important to remember that it was the Prophets’ manners that won the love, respect and affection of so many people because he embodied the fundamental core values of Islam.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a firm believer in justice and he made sure to treat every situation in a just manner. When he was administering justice he would never make any distinctions between people nor did he show favoritism and so everyone was held to the same accountability, whether they were believers, non-believers, men, women, friends or enemies. He strongly opposed injustice by speaking out against it and was truly a living example of the verse from the Quran: “O you who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.” (Al-Ma'idah 5:8). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) modelled a perfect society where justice prevailed and injustice was not tolerated.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) honored and respected women. He was a feminist and stood up for women’s rights and voices. He never belittled the women in his life nor did he mistreat them rather he upheld their wishes and elevated their status. He was compassionate and consulted the women in his life when he needed to make a decision.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was an amazing man and we should always strive to follow his example because he was truly a ‘mercy for mankind’. 

“Keep your bags low and out of sight, make sure they aren’t visible from the windows, it’ll cause nothing but trouble” our driver warned us as soon as we stepped inside the cab from the airport.

As we drove through the heart of Lahore city, at that odd hour of the morning, we could see empty, deserted roads, vacant gas stations highly lit up, and sporadically, spotted along the side lines of the road standing in the dark, men. Men who were fully armed, with huge rifles across their chest,

“Look, Hirra over there!” “ Why are they armed like that in the city?” I heard my brother exclaim.

“There’s been way too many suicide bombers these past few years”, responded the driver nonchalantly;

We drove by locations that had been bombed, burnt and destroyed. I had only seen such sights in pictures and television broadcasts. Looking at the remains made me believe it had actually happened. It was real. For the first time I felt like I may have slightly understood the feeling of living in constant fear. Knowing that the horrifying blasts had happened where I was now, it made it easier to believe they could happen again. I was fearful for my own safety; what if I were to find myself in that situation on my trip? Then the thought occurred to me, I’d probably just drive by these supposed “high risk zones” into the smaller city, living a ‘foreigner privileged’ two weeks and then head back to Toronto, after which I’d probably never have to think about being in such an environment ever again.

What of the people that lived their entire lives here, or other countries, which were in even worse conditions? Through no fault of their own, these people had simply fell victim to the life they led. It’s just how it worked. I can’t speak to what went through their minds as they went about their daily lives, but I can say this much: the very slight thought of being in potential danger took you down, took the entire excitement of a vacation out of the picture.

What had caused such violence? What would drive anyone to blast themselves into pieces, taking along hundreds with them? These people weren’t aliens who had completely different emotions; they were just as human as we are. Watching the news of political turmoil in other nations, mass killings and bombings, all seemed like distant tales of distant lands that were unknown to me. Sitting in a lecture hall at University College taking a course on the history of the Middle East, I had reflected on all of the information that had almost seemingly jumped at me throughout the semester. Despite becoming aware of the existence of such vital facts and questions to gain a greater understanding of the environment of the Middle East, I was still stuck in the numbers, the facts, and the quantifiable statistics. As a Torontonian in my first year of university, I found it difficult to picture a world that existed outside the university campus and the bloor-danforth subway line, let alone awareness of the Middle East, with all of its nations, rich and skewed history, the current political situation, and frequent public uprisings. What was really going on?  The answer isn’t quite simple, and it probably isn’t possible to understand all of the reasons behind all of the historical and current situations in the region. What my travels to Pakistan taught me was the reality of it all beyond the television screen and gory photographs the media presents us with.

Following the return from me trip, I enrolled myself in an in-depth course on the Middle East to gain an understanding of how it all began I can’t say I found all of my answers; it would be unrealistic to believe that I did. In particular, I questioned why the Middle East is under such crucial attention today, with frequent foreign involvement. I went into the course with certain assumptions such as the need for oil in a world that has limited resources.

Prior to WWII, and the following years, the entire region of the Middle East was quite evidently of little interest to foreign powers. There was the exception of Great Britain, which had secured treaty relations to safe guard its route to India for colonial and trade purposes. There were, at the time, a few western companies exploring for oil, however nothing extracting significant foreign attention. Surprisingly, within the span of roughly three decades the region housed states that achieved the highest per capita incomes. Middle Eastern oil-producing states were now becoming crucial participants in the global economy. Neighboring states, less fortunate in their resources were compensated and kept from rivalry by providing them with financial aid, as a way to make up for the lack of military strength of the oil rich nations. Notably the Saudi monarchy felt threatened, seeking aid from the United States in time of unexpected need of military support.

In the year 1933, Saudi Arabia made its first oil concession to the Standard Oil Company of California, which later came to be known as the Arabian American Oil Company or ARAMCO. The concession gave ARAMCO the right to extract and transport whatever petroleum was found in exchange for the construction of a refinery and providing payment to royalties. The terms of concession were highly in favour of ARAMCO. ARAMCO became a giant multinational corporation that had control over refining, exploration, marketing, extraction, and pricing of Saudi Oil. In an attempt to gain control of the oil pricing, Arab oil exporters formed the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC). Oil resource was abundant and hence the OAPEC nations, including Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, failed in persuading western oil companies to increase oil prices.

Bounteous and inexpensive supply of oil was what, in essence, fueled the postwar recovery of Europe and Japan so quickly and ensured the economic supremacy of the United States. These nations that were being supplied with abundant low cost oil began shifting from using coal as their primary energy source to oil, in the deceived belief that oil would always be so readily available to them at the price they desired. During this time we see the world powers quickly becoming dependent on oil extracted from Saudi Arabia in particular, provided by the United States. Can you imagine the revenue and power the United States quickly attained, simply by taking ownership of this resource that had rapidly become the lifeline of rich and industrialized nations, located literally thousands of kilometers away? Could it be that the incentive of maintenance of such revenue and power through autonomous control of the petroleum resources of the oil-producing states may just be enough to cause unrest and militant aggression? From what I understand imperialism can very readily be the incentive for battles and wars such as the Gulf war of 1991. I mean, it’s more than just a coincidence that notably when Iran had a changing political environment, rapidly rising, and growing out of its self enforced isolation, enthusiastically in search of foreign investment, the United States claimed that the nation would accrue weapons of mass destruction justifying the placement of sanctions. Further, any foreign companies investing more than $20 million in Iran would also have sanctions authorized against them by Washington. To many, that just seems like the perfect strategy to maintain power over oil pricing, distribution and revenues by terminating any potential competition.

Post 9/11, by 2002, we see the occupation of Iraq justified by the alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction and the required change of regime in the nation for the good of its own people. However UN inspection teams failed to uncover the existence of any such programs. Despite the lack of evidence, the United States continued with its plan to take military action against Iraq. Coincidentally, Iraq just happens to be a nation with possession of one of the world’s largest oil reserves that may not be too happy with giving concessions to the United States. This could have risked the US control over the oil market, as the consumers could potentially have an alternate supplier, setting its own prices. Hence we see United States’ occupation of Iraq in an attempt to create another oil price swing state. I would not argue that the nation could benefit greatly from a change of governmental regime, but through what means, and at what cost?

In March of 2011, I had the chance of stepping out of a closed box, from which, I was viewing the world from a restricted quantified lens. The question for me isn’t if imperialism or economic growth are concepts that are good or evil; it’s a question more of, to what extent, and to what costs is it that they are worth pursuing. The costs being lives of people who just want to be able to provide a substantial meal for their families; communities that are just as human as we are, despite the differences in language, etiquettes, culture or colour. It’s a question we’ve asked for centuries again and again; in times of slavery, colonialism, and indentured labour. Was the price of innocent lives really worth the benefit attained through the injustices? It isn’t the result I question; it’s the means through which we pursue it.