keeping the kingston muslim community together...
TRANSCRIPT
THE BOND SEPTEMBER 2014 / ZULQIDH 1435 AH Volume 23, Issue 9 987686
I
ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF KINGSTON 1477 SYDENHAM ROAD Kingston, ON K7L 4V4
O you who have believed, whoever of you should revert from his religion - Allah will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him [who are] humble toward the believers, powerful against the disbelievers; they strive in the cause of Allah and do not fear the blame of a critic. That
is the favor of Allah; He bestows it upon whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.(Qur’an Al=Maida 54)
KEEPING THE KINGSTON MUSLIM COMMUNITY TOGETHER
Assalam-o-alaikum Brothers and Sisters in Islam,
Thus We have appointed you a middle nation, that ye may be witnesses
against mankind, and that the messenger may be a witness against
you……… (Al-Baqara, 2.143)
Explaining the "Middle Nation” ummat wasat " one of the Tafsir narrator
describes “this word is so comprehensive in meaning that no English word
can correctly convey its full sense. It is a righteous and noble community
which does not go beyond proper limits, but follows the middle course
and deals out justice evenly to the nations of the world as an impartial
judge, and bases all its relations with other nations on truth and justice.”
Being part of this Umma, it is our responsibly too to be a community with
a middle course so that wavering one way or the other does not shake the
delicate balance which most of us have tried to keep within our
community as well as within the larger Canadian community. Obviously
we do have our spiritual, socio-political, philosophical, and cultural views
leading to difference of opinions. Recently we have witnessed that on
Canadian national level our foreign policies has shifted toward one side
which might have satisfied a limited segment of society but created a lot
of resentment all over. First generation of immigrants physically live in
Canada, but many of us are snugged to at least some socio-politico
baggage from back home. It is perfectly understandable. However, one
must be cautious that we do not adversely affect our community by
taking the inherited positions and tilting the delicate middle course of our
community. We also need to recognize that practicing the difference of
opinion is a discourse of the Canadian way of life and need to be
respected. Ways to disagree amicably must be evolved to keep harmony.
Islamic Society of Kingston work load as well as the number of volunteers
who are working for the ISK have increased, but it remains to be seen if
the work load is proportional to the number of volunteer’s available. More
volunteers are needed at all the time and at all levels.
With the departure of the Imam, a special vacuum was created affecting
administration and operation of the afternoon and weekend school.
Alhamdulillah, an early attention and start to remove the slack is paying
off and we are expecting that the school programs, Insha’Allah, will be
executed per schedule and the needs of our children will be met. Equally,
we expect that parents and other volunteers can also pitch in to provide
needed support to school management and staff.
Imam hiring committee is trying its best to fill the Imam position. By the
end of August, this committee has interviewed about six candidates and
at least one more candidate is expected to be interviewed prior to the
recommendations of the committee. There has been good input from the
community in the hiring process, despite the fact that the attendance
have been low during the candidate’s talks.
The ICK extension project is moving ahead steadily. A core group from
executive, fund raising, building and finance committees has been
working with various stake holders to get input on school requirements
and body wash for funeral arrangements. Women requirements in the
extension project as well youth input will be sought this month.
Completing this process will lead to town hall meeting for further
discussion. We have a number of events lined up in the next few weeks,
and your participation in those event is strongly solicited.
May Allah SWT reward all those volunteers who work at various
capacities in ISK.
I N T H I S I S S SU E
President’s Message Page 1
Education Outlook Page 2-5
Community Corner Page 6-8
ISK Information Page 9
President’s Message by Dr. Mohammad Saleem
THE BOND SEPTEMBER 2014 / ZULQIDH | Issue 7 2
Education Outlook
THE BOND SEPTEMBER 2014 / ZULQIDH | Issue 7 3
MESSAGE FROM EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Dear Parents,
I’m thrilled to introduce to you to the 2014-2015 academic year at the Islamic Society of Kingston's Evening
and Weekend School!
Every parent wants their child to be successful. For most parents, the standard for success is based on high
marks, academic and extracurricular achievements and finally, a stable occupation in life that brings a high,
or at the very least, decent income.
As Muslims, our standard for success must be broader – one that factors in the relationship of our child with
Allah and their final outcome in the Hereafter. Academic and career success must be encouraged, but if
they come at the expense of a child’s relationship with Allah and their well-being in the Hereafter, then this
cannot be considered to be true success.
At the ISK Evening & Weekend School, our goal is not to just educate students in the areas of Qur’anic
recitation and Islamic studies, but also to develop a framework of Islamic thinking in the minds of students.
We hope and pray that once students graduate and move on to face new challenges in life, this framework
will help them make the choices that will be beneficial to them in both worlds and that will help build their
connection with Allah, Insha’Allah.
Please take a few minutes to read this complete package. As always, if there are any questions, please let
me know!
I look forward to seeing you and your child soon. On behalf of our team and members of the ISK Education
Committee, welcome! May Allah make this a beneficial year for students, parents and teachers alike.
Sincerely,
Mahammad Aloudat
ISK Education Coordinator
THE BOND SEPTEMBER 2014 / ZULQIDH | Issue 7 4
Schedule
The days your child attends classes at the ISK Evening and Weekend School will depend on his/her current grade level in school.
GROUP JK
� Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:40 pm
� Saturdays from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
GROUP SK
� Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:40 to 7:50 pm
� Saturdays from 3:30 to 5:00 pm
GROUP A (Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3)
� Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 - 6:40 pm or 6:40 - 7:50 pm (slot must be selected at sign-up)
� Saturdays from 2:00 to 3:30 pm
GROUP B (Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7)
� Wednesdays and Fridays from 5:30 - 6:40 pm or 6:40 - 7:50 pm (slot must be selected at sign-up)
� Saturday from 3:30 to 5:00 pm
Calendar & Holidays
For GROUP A, JK and SK students, school will begin on Tuesday, October 14th, 2014. For GROUP B students, the first day of classes
will be on Wednesday, October 15th, 2014.
The academic year will be divided into three semesters:
• Fall (October 14 to December 20) •winter (January 10 to April 4) • spring (April 11 to June 27)
Tests will be administered at the end of each semester.
There will be no classes on statutory holidays and no Saturday classes will be held on long weekends. There will be no classes during
March break.
Admissions & Registration
All students, regardless of whether they were registered in previous years, will need to register online for the 2014-2015 academic year.
Registration opens on Friday, September 5, 2014 at www.kingstonmuslims.ca/school.
Fee payment must be made online or on the first day of school. Please see the “Fees” and “Payment Options” section of this package
for further details.
New admissions will be accepted only at the beginning of a semester, space permitting.
THE BOND SEPTEMBER 2014 / ZULQIDH | Issue 7 5
Lego Robotic Summer Camp Recap Alhamdulillah the two weeks summer camp is done. It was a good opportunity for ISK to deal with other organizations and
have a bit of change compared to previous years. The kids learned how to build variety of robots and program them to do
different tasks such as going forward and backward, turning left and right to find their way through a maze, dancing when
listening to music, following a line with certain color, turning when something is blocking the way, etc..
THE BOND SEPTEMBER 2014 / ZULQIDH | Issue 7 6
VISIT from Seniors Association of Kingston
On Wednesday September 10th, 28 people from the Seniors Association of Kingston visited the
Islamic Centre of Kingston. They were received by Brothers Hafizur Rahman and Mohamed
Bayoumi, and Sisters, Nazma Rahman, Ulfat Jalaluddin and Raafia Monem. They were given a
short talk on the Centre, the community and Islam by Brother Bayoumi, followed by questions
and answers. The program ended with some food and drinks. Rosemay Kozak, coordinator of
the visit, sent us the following email:
“Hello again , Hafiz,
THANK YOU all again for a simply wonderful afternoon at the ISK. Everyone on the bus was talking
about how enriching and enjoyable the time was. I can’t thank the cooks enough, either; the food
was exceptional! The conversations, the presentation, the tour, your warm welcome- nothing could
have been better.Please give my warmest regards to Mohammed, Ulfat, Rafia, and Nazma. We are
all looking forward to the flyers about the bazaar.
I wish you a safe and satisfying trip to Mecca.
Shukran!!!
Rosemary
ISK Communication Committee
ISK executive committee has formed the following
Communication Committee.
• Br. Khalid Elgazzar Acting Coordinator
• Br. Hafizur Rahman Member
• Br. Umar Iqbal Member
• Sister Kiran Saleem Member
• Br. Atif Rahman Member
You may contact committee at
EID ANNOUNCEMENTS
Eid Date: Insha’Allah, To be announced shortly.
Eid Prayer Venue: Islamic Center Kingston
Prayer Timings:
First Prayer: 8:00 AM Takbeerat start at 7:30 AM
Second Prayer: 10:00 AM Takbeerat start at 9:30 AM
Hudaya /Qurbani Contact: Br. Salahuddin Jalaluddin
Tel: 613-531-8340 email: [email protected]
Eid Party: Saturday, October 11, Details will be
announced.
THE BOND SEPTEMBER 2014 / ZULQIDH | Issue 7 7
Advertise Your Business Free at ISK Display
Special Limited Time Offer
Only few slots are available for the advertisement and it will be on "first come first served" basis
Send your advertisement in Power
Point Format (single slide) to Islamic
Society of Kingston
Community News
Congratulations!
Marriages: Two sisters who grew up in
Kingston as a part of the community got
married this summer. Allah SWT bless their
marriages.
Nikkah and Engagement ceremony of Br.
Faizan Imtiaz and Sister Sahrish Arshad were
performed in Spain. Insha’Allah, Walima will
follow in Kingston.
Birth: Sister Zahraa and Br. Noor had their
first child, a girl named Ayah on the day of last
Eidul Fitr. Allah SWT give her health and piety.
____________________________________
Leaving for Hajj Mubarak from Kingston this
year:
• Br. Haris Javed and his younger sister.
• Br. Hafizur Rehman
• Sister Shammi and Br. Aftab Ahmed
• Br. Fareed Watto
May Allah SWT make it easy for all of them.
_______________________________________
Arrivals: Br. Omar Iqbal and his family are
back in Kingston, and we welcome them back.
Br. Saleem Najmi has joined a job at a
Kingston firm.
_______________________________________
Death: Inna Lillahi wa Inna ilyhe Ragioon.
Father of Br. Sabri Alryani (Moktar Abdalla
Alryani) past away in Libya at Age 76. Please
make dua for him.
_______________________________________
If you have any news which you would like to
share with the community please send it to
THE BOND SEPTEMBER 2014 / ZULQIDH | Issue 7 8
A Welcome to the FROSH
By Dr. Mona Rahman
The following “reading" was included at the Interfaith Service organized by
the Interfaith Council on Friday, September 11. The Interfaith Service
consists of readings and meditations from various faith groups and is an
annual event during Orientation Week. Please note that much of the
commentary of the "parable" is taken heavily from commentary given by
'Abdullah Yusuf 'Ali in his translation and commentary of the Qur'an.
Alhamdulillah rabbil 'alameen. Assalata wa salam 'ala Muhammad,
'abduhu wa rasuluhu.
(Praise be to God, Lord of the Words. May peace and blessings be upon
Muhammad, His servant and His Messenger)
I would like to begin first with a prayer uttered by Prophet Moses (pbuh)
when he was told to go to Pharoah as told to us in the Qur'an.
"Rabbish-rah-li-sadri Wayassir-li-amri. Wahlol 'oqdatam-mil-lisani-
yafqahoo-qawli"
(O my Lord! Expand me my breast; Ease my task for me; and remove the
impediment from my speech so they may understand what I say)
As university students, we are here with the common goal to
acquire knowledge. The way in which we perceive situations around us is
largely determined by our own experiences and knowledge of things.
Upon entering this environment, we have left one circle and entered a
larger one, one in which we are exposed to a broad range of subjects,
opinions, traditions, in hopes that we can increase our own knowledge of
the world and thereby gain a better understanding of life and world
around us and, as a result, be appreciative of and become closer to God.
I thought I would share a story related in the Qur'an about an
episode in the life of Prophet Moses (pbuh) when he was up against
mysteries he wished to explore. For brevity, I will only highlight certain
aspects of the parable as commented on by 'Abdallah Yusuf Ali in his
translation and commentary of the Qur'an, rather than relate the whole
story. Prophet Moses was to find a servant of God, whose name is not
mentioned in the Qur'an but Tradition gives it as Khidr (meaning Green).
Khidr had two special gifts from God: 1) Mercy from His own Presence,
and 2) Knowledge from His own presence. The first freed him from the
ordinary incidents of daily human life, and the second entitled him to
interpret the inner meaning and mystery of events. Prophet Moses
(pbuh) asked if he could follow him and learn from this special
knowledge. Khidr cautioned him, saying that there would be many things
which Moses would see with him which he would not completely
understand and which would make him impatient. Moses had faith in
God; he adopted the true attitude of the learner and promised to obey in
all things with the help of God. The story then goes to tell about three
events which seem paradoxical. After each instance, Moses becomes
impatient and questions the actions of his teacher. I will relate the final
one:
Then they proceeded: until, when they came to the inhabitants
of a town, they asked them for food, but they refused them
hospitality. They found there a wall on the point of falling down,
but he set it up straight. (Moses) said: "If though hadst wished,
surely thou couldst have exacted some recompense for it!" He
answered: "'This is the parting between me and thee: now will I
tell thee the interpretation of (those things) over which thou wast
unable to hold patience…..As for the wall, it belonged to two
youths, orphans in the Town; there was, beneath it, a buried
treasure, to which they were entitled: their father had been a
righteous man: so thy Lord desired that they should attain their
age of full strength and get out their treasure-a mercy (and
favour) from they Lord. I did it not of my own accord. Such is the
interpretation of (those things) over which thou wast unable to
hold patience."
(Al-Kahf (18): 77-78, 82)
Although they were refused hospitality, Khidr performs a kind
act and rebuilds a falling wall without asking for any compensation. If the
wall had fallen, the treasure buried beneath it would have been exposed
and probably stolen by this selfish community. It was expected that
these orphans would grow up and safely take possession of their heritage
and be righteous men like their father, using it for good works and in
advancing righteousness in this wicked community. Thus, it is justice that
through the wisdom given by God, Khidr was able to protect both public
and private interests.
There are several major points we can learn from this story.
Prophet Moses (pbuh) was given tremendous wisdom as well as divine
revelation yet his knowledge was incomplete. No matter how much
knowledge we acquire, no matter how much wisdom we achieve, it will
still be incomplete. Even if one person acquires all the knowledge of the
present day in sciences, arts, literature etc, this still does not include all
knowledge as Divine knowledge is unlimited as far as humanity is
concerned. We need to make a constant effort, just as Prophet Moses
(pbuh) has shown, to keep our knowledge current. In fact, Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) emphasized this by encouraging men and women to
acquire knowledge "even if one has to go to China". Most importantly,
what we learn from this story is that there are paradoxes in life; apparent
loss may be real gain, returning good for evil may be justice and not
generosity. God's wisdom transcends all human calculations.
In the university setting, we have the opportunity to be exposed
to many different subjects, perspectives, and schools of thought. My
advice to you as you enter university is to be aware of the paradoxes of
life. Open your eyes, open your mind and open your heart. Look beyond
the apparent, ask questions, be critical, remember that there is usually
more than one perspective to a situation and most importantly, be
patient and constant with faith, for with knowledge comes
understanding. The Signs of God are all around us yet it is only those who
have knowledge and understanding who may recognize them as such. As
'Abdallah Yusuf Ali states in his commentary of this story: "The highest
knowledge comes not except by divine gift, and a constant, patient
striving, with faith, to apprehend something of the purpose of the All-
Wise God".
Rabbi zidni 'ilman
(O my Lord! Advance me in knowledge)
Rabbi habli hukmaw wa'alhiqni bissaliheen
(O my Lord! Bestow wisdom on me and join me with the righteous)
Subhanaka Allahomma wa bihamdik. Ash-hado an la ilaha illah ant.
Astaghfiroka wa atoobo ilayk.
(Glory and Praise be to you O God. I declare that there is no deity but
You. I beg of You Your forgiveness and repent to You).
THE BOND SEPTEMBER 2014 / ZULQIDH | Issue 7 9
Dates Fajr Zuhr Asr Maghrib Isha
Sep 15-21 6:00 1:25 5:35
Su
nse
t +
5
8:45
Sep 22-28 6:10 1:25 5:20 8:35
Sep 29- Oct 5 6:20 1:25 5:10 8:20
Oct 6-12 6:25 1:25 5:00 8:05
Oct 13-19 6:40 1:25 4:50 7:55
Oct 20-26 6:40 1:25 4:40 7:45
Oct 27-Nov 1 6:40 1:25 4:30 7:40
Notes:
o Jum’a khutba starts at 1:25
o Times shown are for Iqamah, Adhan will be called 10 minutes
earlier.
o During community events, Asr may be prayed earlier
ISK EXECUTIVE CONTACT INFO
PRESIDENT MOHAMMAD SALEEM
Tel: 613-530-3655
Email: [email protected]
SECRETARY NOOR KHARRAT
Tel: 613-770-4124
Email: [email protected]
TREASURER SAMINA MAURICE
Tel: 613 -389-0390
Email: [email protected]
SOCIAL COORDINATOR HISHAM ELBATARNY
Tel: 613-547-3779
Email: [email protected]
WOMEN’S REPRESENTATIVE YOUSRA BENAZZOUZ
Tel: 613.549-5441
Email: [email protected]
ICK MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR MOHAMMED BABIKIR
Tel: 613-547-4551
Email: [email protected]
EDUCATION COORDINATOR MOHAMMAD ALOUDAT
Tel: 613-484-4114
Email: [email protected]
OTHER CONTACT INFO
IMAM OF ISK VACANT
Tel:
Email: [email protected]
Website:
DAWA COMMITTEE COORDINATOR MOHAMED BAYOUMI
Tel: 613-389-7613
Email: [email protected] LIBRARY COMMITTEE RAAFIA MONEM, HODA BAYOUMI,
MOHAMMAD SALEEM Email: [email protected]
MOMS & TOTS MONA RAHMAN
Tel: 613-634-0149
Email: [email protected]
NEW MUSLIM SUPPORT Email: [email protected]
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE BOND?
Next Submission Deadline: Friday, October 10th, 2014
The Bond will accept articles from individuals on any given topic if
the editors consider them useful information for the whole
community. Please consider submitting 1 or 2 column article for
consideration.
Submit To: [email protected]
Next Publication Date (Insha Allah): Friday, October 17th, 2014
Disclaimer
The views and/or assertions expressed in THE BOND are the sole
responsibility of their author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those
of the newsletter committee, nor of the Islamic Society of Kingston
and its officers.
ISK INFORMATION PRAYER TIMES AT THE ICK