Event: Demystifying Islam - Holy Quran Exhibition and #JeSuisHijabi

Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association Mississauga is hosting the annual Holy Qur’an exhibition, at the South Common Community Center and Library. This exhibition is unique and authentic as the Holy Qur'an is printed in various languages, which makes it is easy for the reader to understand and learn the Qur'an. The public is invited to come and get hands on experience for themselves. 

The purpose of the exhibition is two-fold. First, to dispel myths and misconceptions about Islam and the Qur’an, and secondly, to allow the public to “see for themselves” what is written in the Qur’an. Visitors will also have an opportunity to learn more about Hijab and the spiritual purpose it serves as well as a chance to "try it on for themselves".

 With terrorist groups such as ISIS and Boko Haram citing Islamic tradition as the basis for their vicious crimes against humanity; peaceful and moderate Muslims are trying to counter their narrative by presenting the true Islamic perspective, through such exhibitions, inter-faith dialogues, peace conferences and outreach activities.

The exhibition will run on the 14th of May, 2016 from 2:30-5:30PM. It is an open house and all are welcome. Come and join us for a breathtaking experience of the Holy Quran.

Love for All Hatred for None

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Protecting Women's Rights; including Muslim Women

By: Saadia Malik 

Letter to Editor written to @TorontoStar (Unpublished)

I never truly appreciated how much power lay in the words of a political figure, until recently; I see time and again how people are influenced by Donald Trump’s outbursts of hate and bigotry. All it takes is one ignorant comment by one ignorant person, to set a wave in motion; a wave of hatred, intolerance and fear. 

Recently, Laurence Rossignol, France’s Minister of Families, Children and Women’s Rights, stated ignorantly that Muslim women who veil can be likened to “slaves”. Whether these comments were made to progress her political platform or whether she truly believe that a woman who chooses to cover herself is a “slave”, there is no room for such ignorance in a world that is already fighting a brutal battle against bigotry. If anyone were to ask me, or the thousands of Muslim women who choose to veil, refusing to fall victim to a society who time and again reaffirms that a woman’s value is based on her sexuality and physical appearance, is truly the personification of strength. It takes great courage to cover yourself in a society where uncovering yourself is applauded. It takes unparalleled bravery to veil in a world full of hate and intolerance towards Muslims. Muslim women who veil, are more empowered and liberated from society’s grasp, than many people know. We are not “slaves”; we are brave, courageous women who want nothing more than to be respected, dynamic and contributing members of society without having to compromise our ideals.

In a world where women are constantly objectified and made to feel that their worth is based on how they look, Laurence Rossignol, who should be defending women's rights, should not, of all people, be telling women what or what not to wear.

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Biased Media reporting promotes Islamophobia

By: Saadia Malikk

Letter written in Response to: +National Post @VictorFerreira  "San Bernardino suspects’ home opened for reporters who dig through personal items"

Allowing reporters and civilians to scamper through the apartment of the San Bernardo suspects and publicly expose the photographs has numerous unavoidable and inadvertent implications. Firstly, what should have remained a functional crime scene under surveillance of the FBI and other investigative authorities has now become an idealized public “expedition” of the weapons and other possessions of the malicious San Bernardo murderers. Likewise, the images of the Quran, the poster on the wall with “Allah” written on it and various other Islamic books found in the apartment, will further increase the sentiment of Islamophobia among the general public.  For people who are already falling victim to Islamophobia and the unwarranted fear of Islam, they now have another excuse to associate these images with terrorism. Instead, we should focus our attention on the innocent victims, voicing our disapproval of American gun laws and the NRA, as well as remaining unified and informed during this truly difficult time. It is crucial for us to remain informed, impartial and cognizant as we are inundated daily with images, stories, and reports of this ongoing investigation. 

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