Comments Off on 30 MORE | The History of Canadian Muslims in Toronto Jane’s Walk : Sunday May 7 2023
Walking Toronto through its Muslim history A Sunday Jane’s Walk will take participants through the west end, touring the site of city’s first mosque and other Islamic touchstones.
— Muneeza aka Noah’s mom (@Muneezalawyer) April 9, 2023
W/ @CP24 – all Muslims have the right to practice peacefully. All places of worship in Canada should be safe havens. These are our charter rights as Canadians. pic.twitter.com/ztkWQmEmrx
— Muneeza aka Noah’s mom (@Muneezalawyer) April 9, 2023
Man charged after allegedly driving at, threatening worshippers at Toronto mosque https://t.co/Rd811AnctN
Comments Off on Day 18 – LIVESTREAM – Dhuhr – Bayan: Continuing Series from the Lives of the Sahabah (RA) – Markham Masjid – Islamic Society of Markham
Comments Off on 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.”
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,
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.
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
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.
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.
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!?
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.
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
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. #Islamophobiahttps://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.
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.”
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
Comments Off on Day 2 – LIVESTREAM – The Resilient Hour – Seizing the Blessings of Ramadan – Brother Farhad Khadim & Shaikh Ahmad Kutty – IIT – Islamic Institute of Toronto
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.
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
