Day 18 – LIVESTREAM – Reflections on Islam – Special Ramadan 2023 Daily Radio Program

04 09 23'

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Day 18 of Ramadan 1444/2023,

Sunday Evening,

I’m tired.

The Days are catching up with me and I need to rest a bit.

Not just the days, The Day, This one.

The news of the past day about the Islamic Society of Markham have taken up mental energy I had wanted to expend elsewhere;

Have taken up mental space which needs to empty and recharge.

For me, this evening,

Listening to Reflections on Islam is a kind of Mental Comfort Food, Audio Comfort Iftar Food, something like that… needed to recharge myself.


. . . Today’s 30 Masjids in 30 Days needed to be 30 Masjids at Home listening to Reflections on Islam’s Special Ramadan Daily Radio Program,

While awaiting Sunset Time of ~ 7:54 p.m. in the Toronto Metropolitan Area.

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30 MORE | VIDEO – CP24 – “Our Mosques are no longer Safe Haven” — Muneeza Sheikh

04 09 23'

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Day 18 – LIVESTREAM – Dhuhr – Bayan: Continuing Series from the Lives of the Sahabah (RA) – Markham Masjid – Islamic Society of Markham

04 09 23'

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After yesterday’s post about what happened at the Islamic Society of Markham,

Followed by the update posted earlier today,

I wanted to have something positive on 30 Masjids about Markham Masjid.

So I screen-captured the following images from Salat Al Dhuhr, plus a recording of the Bayan, or Reminder, delivered afterwards.

From the Masjid’s official Livestream :

Adhan Al Dhuhr, Call to The Midday Prayer made inside Markham Masjid, The Islamic Society of Markham.

Iqamah for Salat Al Dhuhr, Standing in straight line shoulder-to-shoulder, to perform The Midday Prayer.

After Salat Al Dhuhr,

A short Bayan/Reminder in a continuing Series about the Lives of The Sahabah, the Companions of Prophet (upon whom be peace) . . .

 

. . . Definitely something positive,

Alhumdulillah.

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30 MORE | NCCM UPDATE : “The York Regional Police have arrested and charged a man related to the hate-motivated incident at the Islamic Society of Markham masjid.”

04 09 23'

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“SUSPECT CHARGED AFTER SUSPECTED HATE-MOTIVATED INCIDENT AT MARKHAM MOSQUE

Posted on Sunday April 09, 2023

23-113350
Investigators with the York Regional Police #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau have charged a suspect with several criminal offences after a suspected hate-motivated incident at a mosque in the City of Markham.

On Thursday, April 6, 2023, at 6:55 a.m.,

York Regional Police responded to a call for a disturbance at a mosque on Denison Street.

Witnesses reported that a male suspect had attended in a vehicle and drove directly at one of the worshippers and yelled threats and religious slurs.

The suspect drove dangerously in the parking lot before leaving the property.

Members of the #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau were notified and worked cooperatively with the Intelligence Unit and Hate Crime Unit to identify the suspect.

Members of the Hate Crime Unit attended the mosque to offer support to its members.

The suspect was identified and a warrant for his arrest was issued while efforts were made to locate him.

Shortly after midnight, on April 7, 2023,

members of York Regional Police arrested the suspect in Toronto.

CHARGED:

  • Sharan KARUNAKARAN, 28, of Toronto

CHARGES:

  • Uttering Threats
  • Assault with a Weapon
  • Dangerous Driving

Sharan KARUNAKARAN was held for a bail hearing.

His next scheduled appearance is at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in the Town of Newmarket on April 11, 2023.

Investigators are concerned there may be other victims and police encourage them to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7541,

or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS,

or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.

Prepared by: Sergeant Clint Whitney

23-113350

April 9, 2023

 

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30 MORE | NCCM : “We have been greatly distressed to learn about an apparent violent hate crime at a Markham mosque, where an individual yelled slurs, tore up a Qur’an, and attempted to run down worshippers in his vehicle.”

04 08 23'

Written by HiMY SYeD

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“We have been greatly distressed to learn about an apparent violent hate crime at a Markham mosque,

Where an individual yelled slurs,

Tore up a Qur’an,

And attempted to run down worshippers in his vehicle.

There will be a press conference on Monday with more details to come.”

— National Council of Canadian Muslims

Islamic Society of Markham struck by a hate-motivated attack as an individual used a vehicle to attempt to ram worshippers

(Markham — April 8, 2023)

We wanted to communicate clearly with our congregation and our neighbours about a highly distressing apparent hate crime that recently took place at our centre.

On or about the morning of April 6,

An individual came to the Islamic Society of Markham (ISM),

One of the oldest and largest Muslim institutions in Markham.

Thousands of congregants attend the ISM,

And the centre is much busier because of the sacred month of Ramadan.

The individual brought his car to the mosque.

Upon entering the mosque,

he tore apparently a copy of the Qur’an,

And began a racist and Islamophobic rant directed towards the worshippers.

The individual,

Upon exiting the mosque,

Then attempted to run over or strike worshippers with his vehicle.

We are deeply troubled by this incident,

Especially as we near the anniversary of the London Terror Attack,

Where a family in London was run down in an act of hatred.

We appreciate the support of the York Regional Police,

Who moved swiftly to make sure our congregation was safe,

And to our understanding have arrested and charged this individual.

We further urge YRP to continue investigating this issue as a potentially hate- motivated crime.

We know that our congregation is a strong and loving community.

Our security and logistics team have taken additional steps to keep worshippers safe in the next days of Ramadan.

We will be hosting a press conference at the ISM this Monday to provide further information.

Press Conference Details:

WHERE: The Islamic Society of Markham, 2900 Denison St, Markham

WHEN: Monday, April 10, 12:00 noon

 

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Day 16 – LIVESTREAM – The Resilient Hour – “The Real Good Friday” – Shaikh Abdullah Hakim Quick – IIT – Islamic Institute of Toronto

04 07 23'

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Day 14 – LIVESTREAM – The Resilient Hour – Dr. Tesneem Alkiek – Shaikh Abdool Hamid – IIT – Islamic Institute of Toronto

04 05 23'

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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

04 03 23'

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“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

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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

04 03 23'

Written by HiMY SYeD

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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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Day 9 – LIVESTREAM – The Resilient Hour – Shaikh Abdool Hamid – IIT – Islamic Institute of Toronto

03 31 23'

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🌟 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!

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30 MORE | Day 9 – VIDEO – “Hateful messages” Spray Painted – Towfiq Islamic Centre – 7 Oak Street – Toronto

03 31 23'

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“Suspected Hate-Motivated Mischief Investigation,Oak Street and Weston Road area

Unit: 12 Division
Case #: 2023-696807
Published: Friday, March 31, 2023, 1:33 PM

The 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.”



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



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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

03 29 23'

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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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Day 6 – LIVESTREAM – Reflections on Islam – Special Ramadan 2023 Daily Radio Program

03 28 23'

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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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Day 2 – LIVESTREAM – The Resilient Hour – Seizing the Blessings of Ramadan – Brother Farhad Khadim & Shaikh Ahmad Kutty – IIT – Islamic Institute of Toronto

03 24 23'

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Early days during the Pandemic, Islamic Institute of Toronto was closed due to public lockdowns in Ontario like every other Masjid and Islamic Centre.

Unlike every many Masjids and Islamic Centres,

IIT had the facilities to quickly create on online solution to keep their congregation connected, while introducing IIT to wider Ramadan communities.

During our now Fourth Pandmic Ramadan, The Resilent Hour has switched from that initial necessary daily Ramadan program, to a twice weekly schedule starting about an hour before Maghrib Sunset Time on Wednesdays and Fridays during Ramadan 2023.

If you’re outside of Ontario and can’t listen to the Reflections on Islam Daily Ramadan Program, IIT’s Resilient Hour remains a good go-to alternative at least 2/7ths of the time.

Hmmm… I think I used that line last year.

Also like in previous years, we broke our fast listening to Adhan Al Maghrib, The Call to Prayer after Sunset, which also concluded tonight’s Resilient Hour.

The Resilient Hour | Seizing the Blessings of Ramadan

Br. Farhad Khadim with Shaikh Ahmad Kutty

ASL Interpretation by Sister Aneesa

 

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Day 1 – Reflections on Islam – Special Ramadan 2023 Daily Radio/Livestream Program

03 23 23'

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Alhumdulillah,

This First full day of Fasting in Ramadan 2023 is in The Books.

InshAllah, this day is written in our Good Books.

Like in previous years of blogging 30 Masjids in 30 Days of Ramadan,

We’re making at least one daily stop listening to Ezz E. Gad host Reflections on Islam Special Ramadan Radio Program…

I was wondering how many times I’ve broken my fast and blogged about it while listening to Reflections on Islam Radio and now looking at the following list, I’m sort of surprised…

There’s a gap for a few years.

During Ramadan 2016, I was travelling from Coast to Coast breaking fast in 30 Masjids in 30 Days in Canada.

Ramadans 2017 and 2018 I was in British Columbia blogging 30 Masjids in 30 Days around Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.

Re-reading those previous entries one after another we can glimpse how important Reflections on Islam’s annual Ramadan Radio Program has been within Ramadan Culture for Muslims in Toronto and later on throughout Ontario.

During Ramadan 2011, it indeed was an over the air Radio broadcast from an A.M. Station in Niagara Falls.

By Ramadan 2013, it was off the air, yet having performed a digital Hijrah to the internet, Reflections On Islam Ramadan Radio Program remained on the air transformed into an online daily Livestream.

One benefit of migrating from a radio station time slot to their own website comes to mind.

Because the program is broadcast one half before Maghrib Sunset Time, every day the starting time on the air would change and not be fixed.

I recall at least on one occasion the Radio Station played the recorded program at the wrong time.

If memory serves, there was one time they re-played another day’s program or played the daily program out of order according to the 30 Days of Ramadan.

The decision to migrate from A.M. Radio to Digital Online Livestreams puts Reflections On Islam in its own house where they own all technical and timing decisions.

Alas, some Rogers customers in Ontario remain stuck with a Rogers’ out-of-province IP Address… and still can’t listen to the Livestream.

Livestreams remain geo-locked to Ontario based IP Addresses.

This year I realized that Reflections On Islam has started a Youtube Channel with 48 episodes available so far.

That’s a big deal for those of us who grew up watching weekly shows and sometimes being sad when we missed them.

The Television Program is still broadcast thrice weekly on VisionTV in Canada:

  • Fridays – 3:30 a.m.
  • Saturdays – 7:00 a.m.
  • Sundays – 11:00 a.m.

New episodes are broadcast on Saturday mornings then rerun Sunday morning.

It used to be that Friday’s Tahajjud timeslot would replay the episode broadcast the previous weekend.

Lately, I haven’t watched the Friday broadcast to confirm if this is still being done.

A number of times if I missed either of the Weekend shows, I made a very early Friday morning effort to wake up and watch it before Fajr, or after Fajr, depending on the time of year.

You can read a little more about the history of Reflections on Islam in my post from Day 11 of Ramadan 2020 written during first Ramadan of the Pandemic.

We’re now in the Fourth year of the Pandemic.

For the First Full day of Fasting in our fourth Pandemic Ramadan,

We opened our fast with an Iftar tablespread listening to Reflections on Islam‘s Adhan Al Maghrib being Livestreamed according to Toronto local time…

And if you’re within Ontario, for the remainder of Ramadan 2023, you can too, InshAllah.

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