Comments Off on Day 16 – Meet Pervez Nasim – Canada’s Elder Statesman of Islamic Finance – Mentor & Role Model for Muslim Community Economic Development
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Comments Off on Day 16 – JUMAH – Third Friday of Ramadan 2023/1444 – “The Real Good Friday” – Shaikh Abdullah Hakim Quick – IIT – Islamic Institute of Toronto
The Real Good Friday | Sh. Abdullah Hakim Quick | Jumuah Kuthbah https://t.co/ZLCwjsq14q
— IIT (@IIT1630) April 7, 2023
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Comments Off on Day 14 – LIVESTREAM – The Resilient Hour – Dr. Tesneem Alkiek – Shaikh Abdool Hamid – IIT – Islamic Institute of Toronto
Our upcoming Resilient Hour will be featuring Dr. Tasneem Alkiek. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Early Christianity and Islamic Studies from the University of Michigan. She went on to complete her Ph.D. in Islamic Studies at Georgetown University with a focus on Isl… pic.twitter.com/InwPtt7B4E
— IIT (@IIT1630) April 3, 2023
Resilient Hour | Dr. Tasneem Alkiek | Ramadan 1444 https://t.co/6UCeup6sw0
— IIT (@IIT1630) April 5, 2023
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Comments Off on Day 13 – Outside & Inside – Towfiq Islamic Centre – 7 Oak Street – York – Toronto
Towfiq Islamic Centre at 7 Oak Street… in Toronto?
This masjid is located in the Old Town of Weston, which is located inside the former City of York, that was then amalgamated into the new “Mega City” of Toronto in 1998, which ultimately was re-divided into four districts, where the former City of York and the former City of Etobicoke now make up the Western District in Toronto officially designated Etobicoke-York.
Locals still call it York.
7 Oak Street is in York.
Sometime during the few hours between Witr and Fajr on Night 8 of Ramadan 2023, two individuals were seen leaving the front area of the Towfiq Islamic Centre.
They forgot some of their spray paint.
It was left outside, in the form of hateful messages, upon the front wall of the Masjid.
More than the ugliness, there was an urgency in painting over the wording of one of the two messages, as it made false claim against The Creator.
As a House of Worship, that was unacceptable.
Urgency meant readily available white paint was used to cover over the hateful messages.
Initial coats of white paint were quickly done on Thursday, Day 8 of Ramadan.
It’s since been painted over again using a colour to closer match the outside wall’s previous colour.
Yet still not close enough.
The unmistakable colour mismatch reminds arriving worshippers and passers-by who have already seen the hateful messages that, oh that’s right, there were hateful messages spray painted here earlier.
Let’s go inside, Bismillah…
Tall wall of shoe shelves, bulletin board posted with Ramadan related and Masjid information flyers, plus two undoored entrances into Towfiq’s Main Prayer Hall welcomes the regulars, as well as this visitor on Day 13 of Ramadan 2023.
I step into the prayer hall through the left side doorless entrance.
Lime and blue and green squares of tarp are spread, more or less evenly spaced apart, throughout the carpeted prayer hall.
Paper plates with random numbers of sticky dates, sticky because of they’re dipped in honey, but I won’t be able to confirm it’s honey until after Sunset… haha.
Haven’t had Sticky Dates to break fast inside a masjid since…
Wait, was it Day 1 of Ramadan . . . 2017 ?
At MAC Islamic Centre ?
In Vancouver ?
Plastic water bottles suggest Iftar seating of between 8 to 12 per tarp.
Having yet to pray Asr, my late afternoon prayer, time is short until Sunset.
So that’s my priority having entered the prayer hall.
Asr.
And before Asr, Wudu, the pre-prayer ablution, the physical washing to become ready for prayer is my priority before the priority.
I briefly look around the two defined areas of the prayer hall but do not spot any signage pointing towards a place for wudu.
Beside the elders sitting at the table, much Iftar related activity is taking place.
A number of Somali women and men are hurrying about in a small kitchen area with meal preparations.
A tall slender younger brother is helping.
Approaching him, I ask where can I do wudu?
Because of the bustle in the kitchen, he mishears me and asks if I want him to show me how to do wudu?
I almost have to laugh, no no, I assure him, I’m Muslim and already know how to do wudu, I’m only asking where?
Ah, okay.
The young brother, Casey, leads me past the kitchen, down the stairs, points out the brothers’ washrooms and then two standard wudu spots: tiled single benches opposite water faucets.
After praying Asr by myself in a mostly empty front row,
I turn around and find young Brother Casey at the foot of an elder sitting atop a chair in quiet conversation with a third brother.
I show them my 30 Masjids photo card, and simply say I’m visiting 30 Masjids in 30 Days of Ramadan, and because of what happened on Thursday, I decided their masjid would be my stop for Day 13.
I’d like to formally speak to leaders of the masjid to learn about the congregation from them.
The elder looks over my card and smiles in a friendly way.
Casey tells me the person I should talk with is arriving shortly, and he’ll ask when he gets here.
I tell Casey there’s no rush, a few minutes after Iftar and Maghrib and before Isha starts is likely the best time.
I leave the 30 Masjids photo card with Casey.
I choose an Iftar Spot in the corner of the most centrally located Iftar Tarp.
Hmmm, can we call them Iftarps™ ?
Park my butt in front of the water bottle and plate of sticky dates, then patiently await Adhan Al Maghrib.
Iftar gatherings inside Masjids often do something extra in the minutes before the Call to Prayer after Sunset and time to break the fast.
From beside the Mimbar, we hear some reminders spoken in the Somali Lanugage.
As the Khateeb began speaking, the din echoing from everyone’s pleasant sounding pre-Iftar chatting, dies down, and most everyone is now listening or being attentive.
I can recognize a few Islamic words, because they are Arabic, and a brief closing dua.
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Comments Off on 30 MORE | Night 13 – Twitter Thread : “I am frustrated. This is the Towfiq Islamic Centre, here in the GTA. Their masjid was recently vandalized, alongside a scribbled death threat, in Ramadan.” — By Mustafa Farooq
“I have been pretty quiet on social media as of late.
But today I am back, because I am frustrated.
This is the Towfiq Islamic Centre, here in the GTA.
Their masjid was recently vandalized, alongside a scribbled death threat, in Ramadan.
You can see above where it is painted over.
But we can’t keep painting over the problem.
Canada has a problem with hate.
And Canadians can’t keep going to mosques, synagogues, churches and have to deal with this.
Enough is enough.
I’m asking all of you to take some time out of your day to figure out a way that you can stand against hate.
Donate to organizations that are doing good work.
Read more and learn about what best practices are.
Talk to your neighbours.
We have to do more.”
— Mustafa Farooq, Lawyer, Previously CEO of the National Council of Canadian Muslims
I have been pretty quiet on social media as of late.
But today I am back, because I am frustrated.
This is the Towfiq Islamic Centre, here in the GTA.
Their masjid was recently vandalized, alongside a scribbled death threat, in Ramadan. pic.twitter.com/W8FICmveC1
— Mustafa Farooq (@mfarooq45) April 4, 2023
I’m asking all of you to take some time out of your day to figure out a way that you can stand against hate.
Donate to organizations that are doing good work.
Read more and learn about what best practices are.
Talk to your neighbours.
We have to do more.
— Mustafa Farooq (@mfarooq45) April 4, 2023
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Comments Off on 30 MORE | Day 12 – Fajr – Mahamed Elmi of Istar Restaurant at 235 Dixon Road in North Etobicoke – Speaking with David Common on Metro Morning – 99.1 FM – CBC Toronto
After praying Fajr this morning, I turned on the IPTV and channel surfed to CBC Toronto.
Weekday mornings during the 6 a.m. hour,
CBC Toronto TV simulcasts the CBC Metro Morning radio show broadcasting on CBC Radio One at 99.1 FM.
I only intended to watch/listen to CBC World Report, the ten minute news update broadcast at the top of each hour, which is then followed by CBC Metro Morning for the remaining 50 minutes until 7 a.m.
After World Report, David Common begins his Metro Morning 6:10 a.m. intro highlighting upcoming segments for the remainder of the hour…
Half-listening at this point, because well, I’m usually sleepy after praying Fajr.
But then I heard David Common say the word, “Ramadan” and hunh? Wait, what!?
Aha! I better record this, like right away!
If there is something I have learned about News Media Interviews in 10+ years of blogging 30 Masjids in 30 Days of Ramadan,
It’s that not every live interview segment, be it TV or Radio or Livestream, gets archived online nor rebroadcast.
Alhumdulillah, eleven years ago, I archived my own audio appearance on CBC Metro Morning when I was interviewed by Priya Sankaran on Day 14 of Ramadan 2012 which was then broadcast on Day 15.
Ten years ago, I did not archive my audio appearance on CBC Hear and Now when I was interviewed by Mary Ito on Day 0 of Ramadan 2013 as I was about to begin my journey of visiting 30 Masjids in 30 Days of Ramadan around Ontario.
In my rush to get to London, Ontario to begin 30 Masjids Ontario, I didn’t prioritize archiving as I could have in 2013.
Afterwards I contacted CBC Toronto who confirmed my audio appearance on CBC Here and Now was no longer available.
SubhanAllah, lesson learned.
So back to the immediacy of the here and now of Day 12 of Ramadan 2023.
David Common about to begin speaking live on air with Mahamed Elmi of Istar Restaurant, located 235 Dixon Road in North Etobicoke.
In my still sleepy state, snap decision was to grab my Nikon Coolpix point and shoot, then point it at the TV Screen and begin recording.
Alhudulillah.
If you fell asleep after Fajr,
Right now, you can still listen to Mahamed Elmi sharing his Ramadan experience in running the 24 Hour Open Halal Diner/café Istar Restaurant speaking with David Common :
InshAllah, with the interview done, Mahamed Elmi can now get some sleep.
After the show . . .
Mahamed Elmi’s Ramadan Interview is NOT found in Metro Morning’s On Demand Segment Listing for the show aired on Monday April 3 2023.
“If there is no record, there is no history, it didn’t happen.”
— HiMY SYeD
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Comments Off on Day 11 – Iftar – Bramalea Islamic Cultural Centre (BICC) – 25 Kings Cross Road, Brampton
Adhan Al Maghrib, The Call to Prayer after Sunset and time to break the Fast.
After Taraweeh, Reflections From The Qur’an by Imam Omar Subedar
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Night 11 – VIDEO – Meeting Stephen Brown – CEO of the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM)
Comments Off on Night 11 – VIDEO – Meeting Stephen Brown – CEO of the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM)
During the concluding session of today’s 9th Annual Fiqh Conference . . .
. . . Dr. Slimi recognized Stephen Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) as being in attendance.
In fact he was sitting maybe two prayer spots length directly behind me, alongside the central pillar within Sayeda Khadija Centre’s Prayer Hall.
The Conference concluding with Adhan Al Maghrib, and breaking of the Fast with pairs of dates and cups of water which had quickly been distributed by volunteers.
By Prayer Time, Stephen Brown was standing in Iqamah one person over from me, to my right.
After completing the Maghrib Prayer and before our Sunnah prayers, I made the briefest of introductions with him.
We had never met in person before.
I pointed to the Green Square of fabric safety-pinned to my lapel, which I had decided on Night 1 to begin wearing for the duration of Ramadan 2023.
Showing him my 30 Masjids photo card which I use in place of a regular business card, I confirmed that he did not know who I was, yet he was immediately in listening mode, giving me all his attention.
Thinking about it now, it might have been because he saw my Green Square.
I’ve learned to quickly recognize Sincerity when meeting people, and Alhumdulillah, it was found in this moment with Stephen Brown.
Yet it wasn’t the proper time to talk. At all.
People were praying Sunnah all around us; he was expected to momentarily be joining the Iftar Meal as a special guest of Imam Slimi in another room.
I quickly wrote down the url for the 30 Masjids BIG photoblog “30Masjids.ca/bigphotoblog” on the back of the photo card and handed it back to him.
I asked when he could, to visit the BIG photoblog, and find a specific post, he would immediately recognize it.
The CEO of NCCM assured me he would.
The post was of course This One.
In my video above,
Dr. Slimi had mentioned some of what Brother Stephen shared yesterday with Sayeda Khadija Centre’s Taraweeh Congregration during his address made after 8 Rakats.
Below is my rough video edit,
From Yesterday after Isha, Night 10 of Ramadan 2023…
Dr. Slimi introducing Stephen Brown to the Congregration after Isha Prayers.
After 8 Rakats of Taraweeh Prayers,
Brother Asim Malik welcomes Stephen Brown who then addresses the Congregation sharing his personal story about becoming Muslim then speaks about work NCCM is doing to bring about systemic change.
Great to hear from @nccm CEO Br. Stephen Brown on important work being done against hate and #Islamophobia. We all have a part to do thanks @ihslimi @skcentre for raising profile and awareness for orgs like @nccm and @justiceforallcn pic.twitter.com/ZFEJ9L4qWC
— S Chowdhury (@simplychowdhury) April 1, 2023
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Comments Off on Day 10 – 9th Annual Fiqh Conference – “Fiqh of Balancing” – Canadian Centre for Deen Studies – 7150 Edwards Blvd. – Mississauga, Ontario
“Join us at our Centre for Deen Studies’ 9th Annual Fiqh Conference this Saturday April 1st at 4 p.m.
Iftar will be provided.
Livestream scheduled 4 p.m. EDT : https://www.youtube.com/@FaithofLifeNetwork/streams
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Day 9 – LIVESTREAM – The Resilient Hour – Shaikh Abdool Hamid – IIT – Islamic Institute of Toronto
Comments Off on Day 9 – LIVESTREAM – The Resilient Hour – Shaikh Abdool Hamid – IIT – Islamic Institute of Toronto
🌟 The Resilient Hour: Tonight at 7 PM 🌟
Join us at the Resilient Hour, featuring conversations with community leaders, imams, and scholars.
Tonight’s special guest is Shaikh Abdool Hamid.
📅 Every Wednesday and Friday Night at 7 PM (ONLINE ONLY)
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and strengthen community ties. Invite family and friends to watch!
🌟 The Resilient Hour: Tonight at 7 PM 🌟
Join us at the Resilient Hour, featuring conversations with community leaders, imams, and scholars. Tonight's special guest is Shaikh Abdool Hamid.
📅 Every Wednesday and Friday Night at 7 PM (ONLINE ONLY)
Don't miss this opportunit… pic.twitter.com/boqb9O3i1C
— IIT (@IIT1630) March 31, 2023
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Comments Off on Day 9 – JUMAH – Janaza – Second Friday of Ramadan 2023/1444 – Noon Academy Masjid – 12 Rutherford Road South – Brampton, Ontario
Second Friday of Ramadan 2023.
I joined Jumah Prayer at Noon Academy‘s Masjid at 12 Rutherford Road South in Brampton.
Before the Pandemic began,
I had also prayed Jumah here on the Second Friday of that year’s Ramadan.
On that Friday, worshippers entered through the Academy’s main entrance, before then weaving through hallways to enter the Prayer Hall.
The change I first noted on Night 4 of Ramadan 2022 of using the Academy’s side door as the proper front entrance for the Masjid seems permanent now.
Something not permanent is our worldly life.
Upon entering the Masjid, Adhan Al Jumah, The Call to Friday Prayer, was already halfway called by the Muezzin.
To the Muezzin’s right, a Janaza/Funeral Casket.
I arrived early enough that I was able to sit in my preferred spot when attending any Jumah no matter where I find myself : First Row, to the right of the Mimbar.
Today, that spot was directly facing the Janaza.
This was the Father-in-Law of Shaykh Waleed Almakee, The Imam of Noon Academy.
Shaykh Almakee delivered an important context of reminders as he told us about his Father-in-Law during the Jumah Qhutbah.
Today I prayed Jumah in the First Row standing one person away from a Funeral Casket.
Almost immediately after the Jumah Prayer,
Shaykh reminded us of what to say during each of the three segments of prayer in-between the four Takbeerat.
Then as the Janaza Prayer was about to begin, he reminded the Congregration that attending a Janaza earns reward equivalent to one Qiraat.
And one Qiraat is equivalent to one mountain.
Everyone attending the Janaza today may all receive that great a reward.
The Shaykh was citing from a Hadith.
This is not the exact Hadith he was quoting, because there are a number of similar ones, and I’m not sure which one, I’m choosing to include this one only for reference:
“Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Whoever attends the funeral procession and offers the Janazah Salah, will get a reward equal to one ‘qirat’, and whoever accompanies it till burial, will get a reward equal to two ‘qirats’.
It was asked, “What are two qirats?”
He answered, “Like two huge mountains.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 1325 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 945)
I somehow ended up standing immediately behind Shaykh Waleed Almakee as he lead the Janaza.
I can only think of being this close to an Imam leading Janaza, when my own father died when I was 21 years old.
We prayed Janaza for my Father at Madinah Masjid on The Danforth in Toronto all those years ago.
It does not seem like all those years ago in this moment.
And that is one of the reminders from today.
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Comments Off on 30 MORE | Day 9 – VIDEO – “Hateful messages” Spray Painted – Towfiq Islamic Centre – 7 Oak Street – Toronto
#Ramadan should be a sacred and peaceful time of reflection. Saddened to hear of this hateful act. #Mississauga stands in solidarity with our neighbours. I hope the community can continue to celebrate the positive love and joy that Ramadan brings. https://t.co/dYXXsgZvSx
— Bonnie Crombie 🇨🇦 (@BonnieCrombie) March 31, 2023
The Towfiq Islamic Centre in Toronto was defaced by hateful messages last night and I am worried about the growing number of Islamophobic acts that have taken place recently in Canada. Such hate has no place in our country. #Islamophobia https://t.co/XrCTo0GhjT
— Senator Salma Ataullahjan (@SenatorSalma) March 31, 2023
We’re investigating possible hate-motivated graffiti at the Towfiq Islamic Centre. @TPS12Div & our Hate Crimes Unit are engaged & reviewing the incident. We’re committed to investigating every potential hate crime & encourage the reporting of any suspected hateful act to police.
— Chief Myron Demkiw (@TPSMyronDemkiw) March 31, 2023
“Suspected Hate-Motivated Mischief Investigation,Oak Street and Weston Road area
Unit: 12 Division
Case #: 2023-696807
Published: Friday, March 31, 2023, 1:33 PMThe Toronto Police Service is informing the public of a suspected hate-motivated investigation.
On Thursday, March 30, 2023, at 5:30 a.m.,
the Toronto Police Service received a call for a Hate Crime/Mischief that occurred at an Islamic Centre in the Oak Street and Weston Road area.
It is reported that:
- two suspects spray painted graffiti on an Islamic Centre building at approximately 12:26 a.m.
- the graffiti contained hateful messages
The suspects are described as wearing dark clothing and were seen fleeing the area on foot eastbound along Oak Street.
After consultation with the Service’s specialized Hate Crime Unit, the investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence.
Investigators are seeking anyone who witnessed the offence, or who were driving in the area at the time and have dash camera footage, to contact police.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
When suspected hate-motivated offences are reported to police, the investigation will be led by a Divisional investigator.
The Hate Crime Unit will be made aware and specialized officers from that unit will support the investigation as needed.
If it is alleged a criminal offence was committed (such as assault or mischief) and it is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice or hate, the officer-in-charge will consult with the Crown.
If a person is charged and convicted of the offence, the Judge will take into consideration hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence.
Wilful promotion of hatred and advocating genocide are hate propaganda (hate speech) offences which require the Attorney General’s consent.
Members of the Hate Crime Unit will provide assistance and support to the divisional investigators in seeking the Attorney General’s consent to lay these charges, if applicable.
These charges are often laid at a later time.”
I understand @TorontoPolice are investigating possible hate-motivated graffiti at the Towfiq Islamic Centre in the Weston Road community.
I'm extremely troubled by this act of vandalism in the midst of the holy month of Ramadan.
— Jennifer McKelvie (@McKelvieTO) March 31, 2023
We want all residents to be able to celebrate their faith in peace in our city.
— Jennifer McKelvie (@McKelvieTO) March 31, 2023
NEW by me: Investigation underway after 'hateful messages' spray painted on North York mosquehttps://t.co/knurfxIF3B
— Joanna Lavoie (@JoannaLavoie) March 31, 2023

CTV News Toronto – Broadcast on Thursday evening March 30 2023
“If we don’t know each other, we hate each other sometimes.
But when we come to know each other, then we will know who we are, who you are, who I am.
You know,
Those who put this hatred words on our walls,
They come to their sense,
And realize what they are doing is, in 2023, not the right thing.
Come, visit us.
Talk to us.
We will show you who we are.
We are not the hatred people.
We’ll show you.
But come and join us even.
I wanna invite them and come and join us,
And see what we have in here.”
— Abdul-Kedir Nagei, Speaking to CTV News Toronto
This is such a thoughtful response to such a disturbing act of Islamophobia. We need to reach out to each other. Learn from each other. Understand one another. That is how we can end such hateful acts. Let's stand with the Towfiq Islamic Centre. https://t.co/DnntyflPA7
— Salma Zahid (@SalmaZahid15) March 31, 2023
Very disturbed to learn about this incident at the Towfiq Islamic Centre. There is no place for Islamophobia in our city.
It is incredible to see that despite the vicious hate, the community has responded with love. https://t.co/wmQ0bHjvHK
— Mitzie Hunter (@MitzieHunter) March 31, 2023

I strongly denounce the hateful vandalism against Towfiq Islamic Centre. Islamophobia has no place in our society and I stand with Toronto's Muslim community.
— Josh Matlow (@JoshMatlow) March 31, 2023
Hate crimes are message crimes that we condemn. This is deeply troubling, especially as families gather at our mosques and community centres during Ramadan. https://t.co/YbfwjsvrrL
— Amira Elghawaby (@AmiraElghawaby) March 31, 2023
More than past our time to get serious about hate. I stand in solidarity with the Islamic community tonight. As a Jew, I know your pain. From strength to strength. https://t.co/G9lRmqbdip
— BernieFarber (@BernieFarber) April 1, 2023
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Comments Off on Day 7 – LIVESTREAM – Interfaith Ramadan Event & Iftar – Anishinaabe, Jewish and Muslim Perspectives on Human Relationships with Other-Than-Humans – Presented by Temple Kol Ami & Noor Cultural Centre – Maple, Thornhill, Ontario
My recording is an abridged version of the Zoom Livestream.
Audio length is about half as long as the actual event, but there’s enough good parts to benefit from if you’re hearing it now afterwards.
If a proper video is made available, I’ll update this post and embed it.
UPDATED, Embedded Above.
Screen captures of The Livestream that started shortly after 6:30 p.m.
Interfaith Ramadan Event & Iftar |
Anishinaabe, Jewish and Muslim Perspectives on Human Relationships with Other-Than-Humans
Please join us for this Ramadan program, jointly presented by Temple Kol Ami and Noor Cultural Centre:
An Anishinaabe-Jewish-Muslim conversation on human relationships with other-than-humans – what does it mean to be human?
How do we understand/re-conceptualize the human-nonhuman divide from the perspective of our traditions?
What are human obligations of justice and love towards other-than-humans?
Program
Doors open: 6 pm
Panel discussion: 6:30 – 7:40 pm
Fast-breaking: 7:41 pm; followed shortly by iftar (fast-breaking dinner) – vegetarian, kosher and halal, with vegan options
Panelists
Prof. John Borrows : Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Law at the University of Victoria Law School. His books include Recovering Canada: The Resurgence of Indigenous Law (2002), Drawing Out Law: A Spirit’s Guide (2010), and Law’s Indigenous Ethics (2019).
Prof. Tanhum Yoreh : Graduate Associate Director and Assistant Professor at the School of the Environment, University of Toronto. He is the author of Waste Not: A Jewish Environmental Ethic (2020).
Prof. Anna M. Gade : Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor and Associate Dean for Research & Education at the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is the author of Muslim Environmentalisms: Religious and Social Foundations (2019).
Date: Wednesday March 29, 2023
Time: 6:30 pm (doors open – 6 pm)
Location: Temple Kol Ami (9600 Bathurst St., Maple, ON L6A 3Z8) and via Zoom
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Comments Off on Day 7 – CLOSED – Noor Cultural Centre – 123 Wynford Drive, Don Mills – Toronto
On the First Friday of Ramadan 2015,
Day 2 of 2015’s 30 Masjids in 30 Days in Ramadan,
I prayed Jumah inside The Noor Cultural Centre.
As a Jumah-only Prayer location on Fridays,
Noor was always a Destination Masjid,
To employ one of the masjid categorizations I’ve come to understand by blogging about Canadian Masjids and Islamic Centres.
Only two days ago on Day 5,
I wrote about finding Main Street Musalla in Brampton being CLOSED.
And why it’s important for me to blog about finding recently Closed Masjids previously listed as Open for prayers on 30 Masjids…
In preparing today’s Day 7 blog post to confirm Livestream details,
I found something missed when previously visiting the Noor homepage:
Noor Cultural Centre is also now CLOSED.
Sort of…
“NOTE: Noor Cultural Centre no longer maintains a physical location
Its 123 Wynford Drive location was sold in October 2021 after 18 months of continuous lockdown for COVID-19.Since March 2020,
all Noor programming has been virtual,
and is planned to continue thus,
insh’Allah.”
Noor Cultural Centre is now Physically Closed.
Noor Cultural Centre remains Virtually OPEN.
And one such virtual program will be this evening’s pre-Iftar Interfaith event to be livestreamed from Temple Kol Ami in Thornhill, Ontario.
On Tuesday in Brampton,
was I surprised to find the Main Street Musalla, a small corner bookend in a strip mall of store fronts, CLOSED because of the Pandemic?
No.
Am I surprised to find that Noor had closed because of the Pandemic.
Yes.
Their stand alone building at 123 Wynford Drive in Toronto was originally the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.
Noor employed the building’s original architect, Raymond Moriyama, to oversee a $3 million renovation before opening its doors 20 years ago in 2003.
Elsa Lam wrote in Canadian Architect on Thursday February 6 2020:
“By the turn of the century, the Japanese community had outgrown the centre, and moved down the street.
“Moriyama’s building was sold to a Muslim community group, who have now re-established it as the Noor Cultural Centre.
“The building has been carefully restored and maintained, with a few modifications for its new use—Moriyama & Teshima Architects helped convert the judo changerooms into ablution rooms,
“a prayer hall occupies a former activity space,
“and Arabic calligraphy has been discreetly installed in the wood screens and at the door handles.
“On a recent visit, Raymond Moriyama noted with pleasure that the new owners had kept the screwheads on the centre’s built-in benches aligned vertically, the way they had been originally installed.
“We actually lost some of those screws, but we found a supplier—it took us about a year—and bought a ton of them,” noted Karim Lakhani, whose father, Hassanali Lakhani, headed the purchase of the building.
“The original terrazzo floors are still in place, and the wooden auditorium floor has been refinished so many times that Karim isn’t sure it can handle being sanded again.
“123 Wynford Drive is in good hands.”
Or it was.
Last month, Shawn Micallef writing in The Toronto Star on Friday February 10 2023:
“The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre was one of Moriyama’s early, major designs, completed in 1963,
“but it is a masterpiece and still in immaculate condition on Wynford Drive by the Don Valley Parkway.
“The trouble is a residential tower is planned for the site that will preserve only some elements of the building.
“The case for the building’s ability to serve other purposes has already been proven.
“In 2003, Moriyama & Teshima was hired to update it for the Islamic Noor Cultural Centre, which made it its home until 2021, when they sold the building.”
Tariq‘s comment on Shawn’s article:
“The repurposing of the building for Noor Cultural Centre was everything that made this city great.
“The JCCC moved to its present location across the DVP and a Muslim organization respectively repurposed it using the original architects.
“I had my wedding ceremony there (in its incarnation as Noor Cultural Centre) and it was a great place to go for Eid prayers.
“I understand the reasoning behind selling the building but tearing it down for more condos without making a real effort to maintain the current building is everything that makes this city soulless now.”
Not only will this architectural legacy of 20 years as an Islamic Cultural Centre be CLOSED;
The building itself might soon be GONE.
Noor‘s Community and Jumah Congregation are not gone,
They reshaped.
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Comments Off on Day 6 – LIVESTREAM – Reflections on Islam – Special Ramadan 2023 Daily Radio Program
We began Ramadan 2023 by breaking our Fast on Day 1 listening to Adhan Al Maghrib, Livestreamed.
The Livestreamed Call to Prayer after Sunset concluded Day 1 of Reflections on Islam‘s Ramadan 2023 Daily Radio Program.
On Thursday,
I wasn’t technically able to include any audio recording of the day’s program to include and complete the blog post.
Even though the Day 1 blog post was enough of an update and re-introduction of Reflections on Islam, something was still missing.
I still wanted to include something audible from the Special Daily Ramadan Program during Ramadan 2023.
Above and below are today’s Day 6 of Ramadan 2023 opening and concluding segments.
If Iftar inside homes in and around Metropolitan Toronto could have an Official Soundtrack,
That soundtrack would have to be listening to Ezz E. Gad hosting Reflections on Islam while awaiting Adhan Al Maghrib, and the time to break the fast.
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