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The Harper administration and the conservative Party of Canada have named Gerard Latulippe to be president of the federal organization responsible for promoting human rights and democracy around the world.

This is man that was rejected by all three opposition parties, Liberals, NDP and Bloc Québécois due to his hyper-partisan. But, the Harper government decided otherwise and named him late at night after the 11pm broadcast of the news.  

Gerard Latulippe wrote a report that warned the provincial government of Quebec in 2007 against Muslim immigrants. According to Latulippe assimilation with Muslim immigrants can’t occur and that allowing such immigrants increases the risk of domestic terrorism. 

“Geographic concentration of more and more immigrants from Muslim countries” undermined “the proper functioning of Quebec society.”

It seems as if being Islamophobic is plus for the Harper government to let one access taxpayer money, some of which comes from the Muslim immigrants.

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“I did have intimate relationships for a period that lasted throughout most of last year with women other than my partner.”    - Adam Giambrone, 32, Toronto Transit Commission Chair 

These were the words of confession of a seemingly emotional and apologetic former mayoral candidate after the widespread public news emergence of his multiple affairs. Although Giambrone denied the allegations at first, the countless text messages and phone conversations that his famous former paramour, Kirsten Lucas, a 20 year old university student, could provide, were things which could not be overlooked.  Seeing that his primary pretences were being proven false in front of his very eyes, Giambrone confessed many days later. His live-in partner of many years, Sarah McQuarrie, had no comment. 

The manner in which one deals with the issues which arise in their personal life, be it a politician or not, speaks measures about their personality. Cheating and deceitful ways, whether in a position of power in the bedroom, or the courtroom, are easily transferred from one aspect of the person’s life to another. A high profile authority figure’s tampered reputation, especially that of a politician, undoubtedly raises concerns and questions about the future of the governed region as a whole. “If he could have hid this, then what else could he be hiding?”. 

The question here isn’t about the fact that one of his mistresses was twelve years his junior, or about the fact that numerous City Hall secrets were disclosed to her… The question here is about whether it’s any of our business. 

If we as human beings, began to care less about the faults and aberrations of others, and began to focus on our own thinking and behaviour, we’d actively become conscious of how much it is, that we have yet to learn. Acknowledging where we have blundered, and pinpointing where we have tripped, will allow for us to pave the path upon which we travel on, in a smoother direction. Picking out another’s miscalculations, misapplications, and missteps, in a condescending manner, concerning the cohesiveness of their conduct with that of their religion is an act of blasphemy. So the child has stolen, the woman has lied, and the man has cheated… How can we assume ourselves the right, or the God-like quality, to judge another’s actions and the intentions behind those actions? The answer: we can’t. 

So Adam Giambrone, age 32, Chair of the Toronto Transit Commission, had multiple affairs with women other than his partner throughout the course of last year. So it is so. What have you done?

 

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So all that was left to be covered on Keeping it Halal was a Bollywood movie, right? Although many of you may think that when you see the title, I feel that the film was definitely worthy of a review. It stirred up controversy in some countries, and broke box office records in others. A movie which falls under the ‘Kajol & SRK’ brand (for all those non-Bollywood-ers; the most loved on-screen couple) attracts enough attention as it is, but I feel that the topic the movie is based on is what pulled in the most viewers.

Living in Post-9/11 North America, the topic of terrorism is one that has been sensationalized. The movie covers issues of racial abuse and draconian homeland security laws in the United States. The protagonist is a mid-aged man who suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome (a type of Autism), and he is set out to tell the U.S. President, and in turn the entire U.S. population, that he is Muslim and that he is not a terrorist. 

The theme may seem a little overdone, but I feel that the director did an excellent job in taking a heavy topic and presenting it through a very light and uplifting storyline. There are many controversies that the film stirred up in different countries; nonetheless it has been a global success. My Name is Khan was banned in India because it was said to favour Muslims and Islam too much, on the other hand, it was banned in parts of Pakistan because in the movie a Muslim man marries a woman who is not from Ahl-al Kitab (People of the Book). These are definitely points of concern and not examples that Muslim youth should adopt, but I feel that if we were to sit here and criticize every angle of the film, we would forget to take the overall message out of it. We should take the good and leave the bad.

The film teaches us that there are two types of people: good and bad, and that we should not generalize any group or hate on any sect, tribe or religion just because the majority is against them. It resurfaces the importance of the one thing that unites us all, humanity.

On a lighter note, My Name is Khan, like every Bollywood movie has an ongoing and developing love story throughout the film. It has a bit of romance, comedy and a lot of sentiment. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone because in my opinion it opens up different avenues of thought of a very complex issue in a very simple manner.

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Recently, I was going through some of my old Philosophy work and I happened to come across some work on atheism, the doctrine or belief that there is no God, and I came across this interesting exchange between student and teacher.

An atheist professor of philosophy speaks to his class on the problem science has with God, The Almighty. He asks one of his new students to stand and...

Prof: So you believe in God?
Student: Absolutely, sir.

Prof: Is God good?
Student: Sure.

Prof: Is God all-powerful?
Student: Yes.

Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God good then? Hmm? (Student is silent)

Prof: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fellow. Is God good?
Student: Yes.

Prof: Is Satan good?
Student: No.

Prof: Where does Satan come from?
Student: From God...

Prof: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student: Yes.

Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything. Correct?
Student: Yes.

Prof: So who created evil?
(Student does not answer)

Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?
Student: Yes, sir.

Prof: So, who created them?
Student has no answer.

Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son...Have you ever seen God?
Student: No, sir.

Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?
Student: No, sir.

Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.

Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student: Yes.

Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.

Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.

Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Prof: Yes.

Student: And is there such a thing as cold?
Prof: Yes.

Student: No sir. There isn't.
(The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events)

Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre)

Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?

Student: You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light....But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?
Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?

Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?

Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one.

To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir? (The Professor shakes his head)
Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavour, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher? (The class is in uproar)

Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain? (The class breaks out into laughter)
Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The room is silent)

Prof: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.

Student: That is it sir... The link between man & god is FAITH. That is all that keeps things moving and alive.

Nowadays, we have science proving everything to us, left and right. Many a times, we get lost in the wonders of the scientific findings and perhaps lost our faith just a little. We must remember that without faith, we have nothing. 

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Would you like to sit with me and sort cookies into different cookie jars?

If so, let me know, and we’ll sort them by colour, and nothing more.
The browns with the browns.
The whites with the whites.
That’s all there is to it.
Doesn’t it feel so right?

Tempers have been flaring, and minds have been sent reeling, ever since politicians in the York/ Toronto region have allowed for private subsidized housing complexes to limit their residencies to immigrants belonging to specific racial and ethnic groups. These racially categorized tenants receive monetary assistance from the government on a monthly basis to prevent the likelihood of failing to pay their rent on time. The financial aid provided is a direct withdrawal from public funds, or in other words, taxpayers’ money.

The sequestered residencies in question include Friulli Benevolent Corp.: a 113 unit apartment building in Vaughan set aside for those of Italian descent, Somayach Residential Centre: a 125 unit building in Thornhill set aside for renters of Jewish descent, Jubilee Garden: a 100 unit building in Richmond Hill aimed towards the Ismaili Muslim community, and Ja’Fari Islamic Housing: a 170 unit apartment/ townhouse complex in Richmond Hill reserved for Muslims.

Those in favour of the policy state that the creation of these safe-starter-mini-communities acts as a cushion to newly immigrated families by offering them a taste of something familiar, and in the process, allows for a much smoother transition from their old lives to their new ones. On account of the fact that some of these ‘cultural specific’ housing complexes have been the result of numerous hours of fundraising and volunteering, supporters understandably state that the policy serves as a token of recognition for all of the work that these minority groups have put into their communities.

But what about the 6,700 other families in the York region that have been waiting on the subsidized housing list for a span of 2-10 years? What about the fact that everybody’s money is “going into a facility that isn’t open to everyone” (John Taylor, Newmarket Regional Councillor)? What kind of a message is being sent?

The city of Toronto, and its inhabitants in general, have been known for their recognition, acceptance, and appreciation of cultures from all around the globe. In a region as diverse and accepting as the one in which we live, segregating housing according to race and culture would prove to be contradictory to our standards and a retrogression indeed. Although homespun sights, sounds and smells seem to be a source of comfort, venturing into the unknown, interacting with the new and different, and learning to accept and understand differences proves to be valuable life experience. New faces, new races, and a pair of new laces… and that’s when we’ll be going places.

We as human beings, and as a community as a whole, need to learn how to foster an accepting environment while managing to hold onto our mores, beliefs, and conducts. Separating ourselves into different clans with different territories is not the way in which we do this. We need to wish for our neighbour that which we wish for ourselves regardless of their race, religion, or colour, and live cohesively and in harmony, in a majority made heterogeneous homogeny.  

Very much like assorted cookies, all in one cookie jar.
 
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"O my people! Truly, this life of the world is nothing but a (quick passing) enjoyment, and verily, the Hereafter that is the home that will remain forever" (Quran, Surah Ghafir: 39)

One verse sums up the life of a Muslim. We are here for but a glimpse. Our home is elsewhere where it is eternal. The time we have right now will decide our home hereafter. So, take this verse and live this life remembering it. Is cheating, lying, and sinning worth the small dividends it may pay? Or is facing hardships, maintaining integrity, and remembering the oneness of Allah (God) and building up your house in paradise eternally what you wish?

The choice is yours. Make it now.
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The word modern, according to merriam-webster.com can mean something that is “involving recent techniques, methods, or ideas. However, this word in some circles and in the Western media has come to signify “non-Muslim” or non-Islam. 

You see them in the media all of the time, non-practicing Muslims (or even those people that have gone out of Islam) that are held up as representatives of Islam and as moderate and modern Muslims.  They’re definition of being Muslim is someone who conforms to the dominant trends and ideas/ method of living of the current society, even if they are against the teachings of Islam. 

But to them, their innovations or lack of practice of some aspects of the religion is alright because they are being “progressive” and living “moderately.” A prime example that is well known by Canadian Muslims is the MCC--a group that called for banning the niqab in late 2009. 

So what does this have to do with your life? This debate is a very important one for Muslims living in the West, young and otherwise. It is questioning our way of living and it is presenting to us a choice--are you Muslim and backwards or are you Western and modernized? 

It is obviously a false choice because the refined life of the Muslim (in religious practice, character etc.) are the exact opposite of barbarism. And secondly because there is no conflict in being “Western” and being Muslim if the definition of being Western is living in a certain geographical area and having certain values about freedom from oppression and promoting human rights. The Muslim is one that enjoins good and forbids evil, with anyone who does the same. Those two ideals are in no way contradictory to Islam, in fact it is Islam and Muslims that effectively implemented them in societal structures, as a result of Divine Guidance, long before the UNDHR in 1948.  An example would be rules of engagement in war that protected civilians. 

Any issues between being Western and being Muslim occur when the definition of Western is limited by those who consider themselves the ideal of the Westerner (ie. The WASP), who would like to eradicate ideas of belonging that do not fit his own. 

And that is what is occurring now. “Naturalized” Muslims that are born and/or raised in Western countries that are devoted to Islam are being challenged about their identity. Propaganda is unleashed against them in order to make them feel either inferior in religion, lifestyle and citizenship. It is not because of any inherent contradiction that exists but because of the knee-jerk  reaction of those in control of the status quo that do not want the ideological “purity” that they have held for so long to be challenged or changed in any significant way

You see them in the media all of the time, non-practicing Muslims (or even those people that have gone out of Islam) that are held up as representatives of Islam and as moderate and modern Muslims.  They’re definition of being Muslim is someone who conforms to the dominant trends and ideas/ method of living of the current society, even if they are against the teachings of Islam. 

But to them, their innovations or lack of practice of some aspects of the religion is alright because they are being “progressive” and living “moderately.” A prime example that is well known by Canadian Muslims is the MCC--a group that called for banning the niqab in late 2009. 

So what does this have to do with your life? This debate is a very important one for Muslims living in the West, young and otherwise. It is questioning our way of living and it is presenting to us a choice--are you Muslim and backwards or are you Western and modernized? 

It is obviously a false choice because the refined life of the Muslim (in religious practice, character etc.) are the exact opposite of barbarism. And secondly because there is no conflict in being “Western” and being Muslim if the definition of being Western is living in a certain geographical area and having certain values about freedom from oppression and promoting human rights. The Muslim is one that enjoins good and forbids evil, with anyone who does the same. Those two ideals are in no way contradictory to Islam, in fact it is Islam and Muslims that effectively implemented them in societal structures, as a result of Divine Guidance, long before the UNDHR in 1948.  An example would be rules of engagement in war that protected civilians. 

Any issues between being Western and being Muslim occur when the definition of Western is limited by those who consider themselves the ideal of the Westerner (ie. The WASP), who would like to eradicate ideas of belonging that do not fit his own. 

And that is what is occurring now. “Naturalized” Muslims that are born and/or raised in Western countries that are devoted to Islam are being challenged about their identity. Propaganda is unleashed against them in order to make them feel either inferior in religion, lifestyle and citizenship. It is not because of any inherent contradiction that exists but because of the knee-jerk  reaction of those in control of the status quo that do not want the ideological “purity” that they have held for so long to be challenged or changed in any significant way
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Check out Shanele Soares' Series
on the Inner Life of a Convert
Part 2 - This Week
 
 
If you follow politics you should sense that a federal election is around the corner. And if history has a story to tell then it’s going to be a contest between the Liberals and the Conservatives. The New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Green Party amongst other smaller parties and independents don’t usually stand a chance in most ridings.  And if you like their platforms and vote for them, then people will let you know you wasted your vote.

I like to talk elections with my friends and others. And living in Toronto I find a lot of Liberal voters. Some don’t need to know what the platforms are or who is running: they are going to vote Liberal regardless. The Liberals have the whole "moderation-in-the-centre" feel going for them, even when this isn’t always necessarily true. I like asking people what they think of the NDP platform. Some don’t know what it is, and others do but are hesitant to vote for them. Their reasoning is this: they are going to lose anyway. So why waste a vote?

It's a catch-22 situation: many don't vote for them because they are going to lose, and they are going to lose because many don't vote for them. Now, if we were to get rid of our hesitation and vote for who we feel would be best representing us then maybe they would stand a chance.  It’s a thought.

I’m not making an endorsement for the NDP. It is just my form of an example. These things are important and not just high school popularity contests for student council.  So, no matter what type of election it is, don’t just look at the banner the candidate is standing in front of but rather who they are and what they represent.  Give democracy a chance.
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Salah is one of the five greatest pillars of Islam. It is not only an act of worship and submission, but also an act that gives one inner peace and an ability to communicate with Allah (swt), the most Exalted and Supreme.  The main goal of salah is to build and maintain communication with Allah (swt), and it consists of many suras and phrases that allow the believer to thank Allah (swt), praise Him and ask Him for guidance. This paper will focus on the importance of the obligatory prayers, and the importance of having khushoo in one’s salah.
          
There are many important steps that lead to salah, and all of them must be fulfilled in order to receive the greatest level of achievement in your salah. These include wudu (ablution), intention and concentration. Unfortunately, it is true that many of the believers submit their bodies to Allah (swt) in prayer, but their minds are distracted by worldly thoughts.  It is important to realize that one must submit their bodies along with their hearts to get the greatest satisfaction from their salah. Muslims must engage in sacred combat, the greater jihad, and resist the distractions of this world when they are engaged in prayer.  Sura Al-Alaq 96:19 reads, “Remind yourself continually, that you are talking to the most important ‘Being’ in your life. Your Creator and Sustainer. He is in front of you, you are facing Him and you are involved in a dialogue with Him.”  This aya reveals the importance of focusing during your salah, and not just performing the prescribed actions of salah along with recitation from the tongue.

An important step towards gaining khushoo is to understand the meanings of the recitation being done in salah. The God-Praising and thanking is done five times a day in fard prayer, but it is important to realize that it is not just the tongue that is praising, it is also the heart and the soul.  The Opening, Sura Al-Fatiha 1:2-3 reads is praising Allah (swt), “Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.” Next, 1:6-7 reads, “Show us the straight way. The way of those on whom Thou has bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.”  These two ayas of Al-Fatiha are used to ask the Almighty for guidance to the straight path.  Without realizing it, we recite Sura Al-Fatiha at least seventeen times a day in fard prayer, and our tongues thank, praise and ask Allah (swt) for guidance. It is shameful that we as humans can recite these words but not say it from the heart.  When we merely use the tongue without submitting our hearts and minds to Allah (swt), we are greatly disrespecting our Lord and it is as if our minds and hearts are turned away from Him.

Allah (swt) has prescribed reward for those who pray, and those who submit to His will. In Sura tul-Maarij, Allah describes the believers as “the observers of prayer, those who are constant in their prayer” (70:22-23). These ayas are used in the context of describing those who are excluded from the punishment and humiliation of the Day of Judgment.  We, as Muslims, are so blessed that we have been given the gift of prayer as a chance of communicating with the Lord of the worlds. We are given many occasions to make dua and ask Allah (swt) for what we need and for forgiveness. Sahih Muslim has narrated a hadith which says “A servant is nearest to his Lord when he is in sajda, so increase your supplication when in sajda.”  This shows that Allah (swt) has given us humans so many chances to draw ourselves near to Him, and we should take advantage of these opportunities in order to increase our nearness with Allah (swt). Furthermore, it is imperative to complete the requirements of prayer in that the concern for worshipping the Lord absorbs one’s heart. One should stand for prayer imagining that Allah (swt) was physically present before them, and place their hearts in front of the Lord. This will help the distractions vanish, and increase khushoo and quality of prayer.

All in all, it is not difficult to gain khushoo in prayer when one realizes that this duniya and worldliness is a part of our test, and our true destination is to Allah (swt) in the hereafter. When one prepares for prayer, he should hold the goal of gaining closeness to Allah (swt) in mind, and remember death at all times. This will improve the salah as with every prayer, one may think that this is their last prayer, and last chance to gain the mercy of Allah (swt).

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