The Canadian Muslim COVID-19 Task Force presents
 

Nationwide Khutbah Campaign

 

To Increase Vaccine Confidence

 

A unified Friday Sermon message in all masajid across Canada
 

Friday April 30 2021

 

1. COVID-19 EFFECT ON MUSLIMS

Data from the U.K., South Africa, USA, and even Canada, shows that ethno-racialized communities, which include many Muslims, have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

2. VACCINE HESITANCY

Although vaccine rollouts have started, some Muslims are hesitant to take the vaccine due to misinformation or attention-grabbing headlines that have not allowed risks to be contextualized.

3. VACCINES ARE SAFE, EFFECTIVE & HALAL

Muslim healthcare professionals and Islamic scholars from North America and Europe have verified the ingredients and issued statements affirming their safety, effectiveness and permissibility.

4. MUSLIMS’ COLLECTIVE DUTY

We have a collective duty towards those who are vulnerable and to protect our community.

That’s the prophetic way.

5. LOCAL MUSLIM LEADERSHIP

There are many educational, advocacy, and social support services established by and for Canadian Muslims.

Please visit the CMCTF website for COVID-19 related resources and information.

 

 

Imam Dr. Hamid Slimi recently received his COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination clinic in Mississauga.

He has some great advice for the community about getting vaccinated during the month of Ramadan.”

Region of Peel

“Ramadan 1442 is going to be another different Ramadan but a positive one.

Many of our Muslim community members are asking if they can take the vaccination when fasting.

Yes,

you can.

It doesn’t feed you and it doesn’t quench your thirst.

If you feel dizzy,

which is rare,

and you cannot control your body,

then you are allowed to break your fast.

It is a priority so I would encourage you to take the vaccine.

We pray that you have a wonderful experience and that you keep the memories of this Ramadan for many years to come.

Enjoy it and make the best of it.”

Imam Dr. Hamid Slimi

“I’m missing masjid days,

masjid praise

I’m missing aunties and uncles with all their masjid slays

I’m missing sisters and brothers

I’m missing lovin’ each other

I’m missing all around town,

mega family and cousins

I’m missing leg fall asleep at the khutbah

After Eid prayers

barbecues and the cookouts

Ramadan feasts is when everybody hood out

Giving all this charity

so we can throw some good out

I’m talking Qur’an class on the weekends

Aunties in the kitchen making sure we get that feed in

Everybody’s daddy was my uncle for no reason

Chillin’ on the brothers side,

so young enough to sneak in

Or so we thought it

Happy Ramadan”

Aint Afraid

“Hey MSA family!

Executive member and social media manager of the Black Chapter,

Gabby Spencer,

fasts for a day!

Find out how her first day of fasting went as well as her feelings and reflections!

Truly a very admirable and amazing young lady 💙✨”

CCDHS MSA

“Hey MSA family!

Student executive leader of Jack Chapter,

Annie Cameron and member Naomi Cameron,

fast for a day!

Find out how their first day of fasting went as well as their feelings and reflections!

These young ladies are stunning inside and out💙✨”

CCDHS MSA

“Today marks an important day.

The formal Proclamation marking January 29th of every year as a National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia was published today in the Gazette.

We thank the government for taking this step to officially mark this day in the hearts and minds of all Quebecers and Canadians,

as a reminder of the innocent lives lost,

and the work ahead of us to eradicate Islamophobia,

hate and racism from our country.”

The National Council of Canadian Muslims

 

 

Proclamation Requesting to Observe January 29 of Every Year as a National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia: SI/2021-17

 
Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 155, Number 9
 

Registration
SI/2021-17 April 28, 2021

OTHER THAN STATUTORY AUTHORITY
 

Proclamation Requesting to Observe January 29 of Every Year as a National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia

 

Richard Wagner
Administrator of the Government of Canada

[L.S.]

Canada

ELIZABETH THE SECOND, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories QUEEN, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

François Daigle
Acting Deputy Attorney General

Great Seal of Canada

TO ALL TO WHOM these presents shall come or whom the same may in any way concern,

GREETING:

A Proclamation

 
Whereas six persons were killed and 19 persons were injured by a gunman who entered the Islamic Cultural Centre of the City of Québec shortly after the end of evening prayers on January 29, 2017 and opened fire;

Whereas this act of terror devastated the families and friends of the victims, Muslim communities in Quebec, across Canada and around the world, and all Canadians;

Whereas it is important that Canadians have an opportunity to honour the memory of the victims, to recognize those who selflessly and courageously put themselves in harm’s way to protect others and to express solidarity with the survivors of this tragedy;

Whereas Islamophobia, racism, violent extremism, and the denial of these realities are at the root of this horrifying crime;

Whereas it is important that Canadians denounce Islamophobia and all other forms of racism, hate and religious discrimination and take action to combat them;

Whereas it is important that Canadians resolve to build a foundation for change by removing barriers and promoting a more inclusive and equitable country for all, where every person is able to participate and succeed fully and safely;

And whereas, by Order in Council P.C. 2021-276 of April 8, 2021, the Administrator of the Government of Canada in Council directed that a proclamation do issue requesting the people of Canada to observe January 29 of every year as a National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia;

Now Know You that We, by and with the advice of Our Privy Council for Canada, do by this Our Proclamation request that the people of Canada observe January 29 of every year as a National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia.

Of all which Our loving subjects and all others whom these presents may concern are required to take notice and to govern themselves accordingly.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, We have caused this Our proclamation to be published and the Great Seal of Canada to be affixed to it.

WITNESS:

Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Richard Wagner, Administrator of the Government of Canada.

AT OTTAWA, this fourteenth day of April in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-one and in the seventieth year of Our Reign.

BY COMMAND,

 

 

Simon Kennedy
Deputy Registrar General of Canada

 

 

 

 

Mariam Manaa of the Muslim Association of Canada on why a Masjid is the right place for a vaccination clinic :

 

Mariam Manaa was speaking with Jason D’Souza,

who is sitting in for regular host Ismaila Alfa,

on CBC Metro Morning broadcast from Toronto during the 6 o’clock hour today.

Reflections on Islam

Special Ramadan 2021 Daily Radio Program

Hosted by Ezzedin Gad

Everyday ~ Continuing Today : Tuesday April 27 2021

 

30 minutes before Maghrib/Sunset according to Toronto Local Time,

Today at 7:51 p.m.

Livestream : http://ReflectionsOnIslam.tv/radio/

Only listeners in Ontario can livestream online at this time.

30 Masjids in 30 Days of Ramadan.

This 30 Masjids project began in Ramadan of 2011.

Idea was simple.

Visit 30 Different Masjids around Toronto,

Break my fast there, pray, learn about each Masjid,

Its history, their congregation, local stories,

Then blog about it each day.

Repeat.

For 29 or 30 Days until Eid Al Fitr.

For Ramadan 2013,

30 Masjids Toronto transformed into 30 Masjids Ontario.

Travelling around the Province I blogged daily about Masjids and Musallahs,

Large & Little in Big Cities & Small Towns.

Orangeville would have been one of those visits,

But in Ramadan 2013,

Orangeville had no Masjid nor Musallah.

Today it does.

Muslims of Dufferin Centre,

Located at 294 Broadway in Orangeville, Dufferin County.

A house transformed into a Musallah,

Serving between 100 & 200 Muslim Families living in Orangeville & surrounding towns in Dufferin County.

It opened about 5 years ago.

Tuesday April 27 2021 was my first visit.

Shaikh Yehya Soliman,

Imam of Muslims of Dufferin,

greeted us through our car window with Physical Distancing.

Because Masjids are closed throughout Ontario,

or limited to 10 people inside,

Doing my daily 30 Masjids visits to blog about different daily Ramadan experiences would not be possible.

Drive-Thru Iftars at different Masjids make it somewhat possible.

I would have loved to have learned more about the Muslims of Dufferin,

Listen to Shaikh Yehya Soliman’s stories,

Meet the local congregation.

But a car full of Muslims pulled in behind us,

It was our time to go.

InshAllah,

During a future Ramadan,

Pandemic disappeared & Lockdown free,

It will be time to return for an Iftar.

This time sitting down instead of Driving Through.

Sitting down at home in front of the Iftar from the Drive-Thru.

Rice Pudding for Dessert.

Two soft and high quality dates.

Bread, boneless achar chicken, salad, pakoray, regular chicken, and side container of biryani rice.

This might have been the best presented, and complete Iftar take away of all my travels.

They even included a plastic spoon.

  Just add water

as the saying goes.

Shout-Out to Islamic Relief Canada for teaming up with Muslims of Dufferin,

Making today’s Drive-Thru Iftar happen,

And for making my belly full.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @muslims_of_dufferin

Day 15 Morning of Ramadan 2021,

Muslim Association of Canada opens up Registration for their Pop-Up Vaccine Clinic to be held at MAC Islamic Community Centre of Ontario (ICCO) in Mississauga.

Here’s MAC’s Official Statement :

MISSISSAUGA – April 27, 2021:

Following the announcement on April 24th regarding the partnership of MAC with Peel Public Health and the Ontario Government to use the MAC Islamic Community Centre of Ontario (ICCO) as a vaccination popup clinic in Mississauga,

the registration is now open to book an appointment for vaccination.

To receive the registration link email vaccine@macnet.ca and to sign up for updates click here.

The appointments begin April 30th and end May 11th for individuals 18 years of age and older who live in any of the Peel hot spot postal codes.

The clinic will run seven days a week with varying appointment times including appointment times after iftar.

Please note that Peel Public Health (PPH) is responsible for managing and overseeing the distribution and administration of vaccines for their entire region.

For more information on vaccination in Peel

please visit https://peelregion.ca/covid19vaccine

or call Peel Public Health for COVID-19 inquiries,

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,

Monday to Friday at 905-799-7700.

If you are aware of individuals in hot spot areas in Peel who have barriers to vaccination please email vaccine@macnet.ca.

For more information on MAC vaccination sites and Islamic opinions on vaccination visit www.macnet.ca/covid19.

To support MAC in running their educational programs and maintaining and developing their centres,

kindly donate at www.macnet.ca/donate and you will receive an official tax-deductible donation receipt.

Thank you again for all your efforts to keep our community safe.

Together we can help keep ourselves and our communities safe and healthy.

May Allah SWT protect us all.”

Available for those 18 years and older living in the following Peel Region, Ontario, Hot Spot postal codes :

  • L4T, L4W, L4X, L4Z
  • L5A, L5B, L5C, L5K, L5L, L5M, L5N, L5R, L5V, L5W
  • L6P, L6R, L6S, L6T, L6V, L6W, L6X, L6Y, L6Z
  • L7A, L7C

Perhaps 15 minutes after MAC went live with its announcement,

Vaccine Hunters Canada tweeted this :

Full readable view of the image embedded in their tweet :

BUT,

As we all can imagine and expect,

The booking website crashed under the strain of so many people attempting to reach it all at once.

7,000 Available Appointments,

All gone.

Confirmation emails to be sent out in 24 hours,

Expect something in your inbox by Thursday April 29 2021.

Some More coming . . .

So how do you get notified via email ?

 

CLICK HERE and FILL OUT THIS FORM . . .

( opens in new browser window )

 

…TO BE NOTIFIED when NEXT BATCH OF APPOINTMENTS BECOME AVAILABLE at MAC ICCO

 

I felt an incredible about of frustration in even putting together this blog post,

Even when most of it is only selecting and embedding relevant tweets.

Why ?

Why is this Frustrating ?

Not only for me blogging,

but for every Peel Region Muslim trying secure their first vaccine dose,

Because . . .

 

أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُون

Do people think once they say,

“We believe,”

that they will be left without being put to the test ?

— Surah Al-`Ankabūt (The Spider),  Qur’an 29:2

CODA

“Islamic Centre of Kingston – Spiritual Resting Point for Commuters Travelling on 401.”

By Sister Naila | Gatineau, Quebec

The Islamic Centre of Kingston has become a home away from home for our family.

Mash Allah, every time we needed a place to pray, rest, break our fast – the exit for the masjid would show up.

I moved to Gatineau during Ramadan of 2017 for work-related purposes.

As we drove from the GTA to Gatineau,

I remember thinking that I did not want to miss any salaahs in Jamaat while travelling.

The skies got darker as we drove towards Gatineau;

we started searching the GPS for a masjid to stop at.

Allhamdulillah,

we came across the Islamic Centre of Kingston.

Masha Allah, as we walked into the masjid, we were welcomed with open arms.

There were brothers there with iftaar asking us and other travellers to join them.

There was even a group of three brothers travelling from Paris – they were driving through Canada and made a stop over at the masjid.

It was at this point when we decided that the Islamic Centre of Kingston would become a regular stopover for our travels.

We have even advised others travelling for work to stop over in Kingston.

For us, it is now a family Ramadan Tradition to stop for Taraweeh at the Islamic Centre of Kingston.

I have always admired the Islamic Centre of Kingston.

As a young child, I would hear about the classes, youth programs, sleepovers the masjid had.

I remember thinking how many great community leaders have called the Islamic Centre of Kingston their home.

As an adult, each time I walk into the masjid,

I cannot help but wonder how great the masjid is,

as they have been able to raise their youth to have confidence and a firm belief in their Muslim Canadian identity.

It is important to invest our time and money into an institution that represents the Canadian Muslim Community – one which provides love and security for our future generations.

This Ramadan, give back to your home – the Islamic Centre of Kingston.

Dr. Jibran Khokhar,

Neuroscientist and Muslim Society of Guelph community member,

discusses important issues surrounding mental health in the context of Ramadan.