In the Name of Allah , The Beneficent, The Merciful
WIM NEWS
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Shaikh Syed Mumtaz Ali gives first Eid Khutba at Masjid Noor-ul-Haram
| For the first time, WIM celebrated a major Islamic event at the
newly purchased 11 -acre site, Masjid Noor-ul-Hararn in Oakville, Ontario. On Sunday
28th. March 1999, WIM celebrated the occasion of Eld-ud-Dhua. Well known Islamic scholar
Shaikh Syed Mumtaz All who is a barrister and a solicitor and head of the Canadian Muslim
Society gave the Eid khutba. Of the hundreds of worshippers, who attended, many were impressed with the contents of Shaikh Syed Mumtaz Aii's deliverance in which he dealt with three items. He started his khutba with a clarification of the issue of the determining of Eid. He stated that the accepted criterion for this is based on the sighting of the moon and not on astronomical data as being practiced by the Saudia authority. And that Muslims, in general, need to be aware of the errors that are being committed by the Saudis and their benefactors. Imam Syed Mumtaz also dealt with one of the features of Eid, which is the takbir (Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. Laa ilaaha ilalaah. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lilaahil Hamd ) and explained its larger significance. He explained that the lesson leamt here is that we should be engrossed in dhikr (remembrance of Allah) not only during the Eid period but at all times in our lives in order to nourish our nafs (soul) so that we mav gain proximity to Allah, Our Creator. And, finally he explained the inner significance of the ritual qurbani (sacrifice). It is a symbolic gesture by the believers done in accordance with the sunna of our beloved Prophet Muhanunad Salalaahu alahi wa Sallam, to act out our love for Allah by wanting to sacrifice those distractions on the path of spiritual excellence. It is only by sacrificing that which we the love (duniya) can one attain true Love for his Creator. |
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Importance of an Islamic CommunityMost of us came to this country as
economic immigrants. We each came with our individual hopes and aspirations as far as
employment and career is concerned. Many of us who are over 35 and who arrived from
countries like India, Pakistan, Turkey, and Lebanon would have some recollection of what
it is like living in a society where Islam is predominant. Those of us who were born and
grew up in such societies understand the importance environment plays not only in our
understanding of Islam as a living religion but also appreciates how living in such
communities supports the basic needs of the average Muslim thus allowing him or her to
fulfil all of his religious and social obligations without sacrificing his ability to grow
and flourish as an individual. True, there are examples of such exceptional Muslims to be
found in a non-Muslim countries such as Canada. But by and large they are the exception
not the rule.
The whole idea behind an Islamic community is that it takes care of the basic needs of its members. It offers them the opportunity to pray, work, live and prosper in an Islamic environment. Under the guidance of Maulana Noorani Siddiqui Saheb who has traveled to most parts of the world and has witnessed and experienced the successes and failures of a multitude of Islamic communities both in the Eastern and Western countries, advised Muslims of Canada to establish not a separate community, but create an environment for the future generations of Muslims where they can be nurtured Islamically and can develop the the many talents required to take leadership roles based on Islamic values. Purchasing an 11-acre site within a larger area which can potentially be owned and be developed by Muslim professionals, educationists and entrepreneurs and by it relative proximity to major urban centres, essentially WIM took on the task of not only building a masjid and a school but also to build a community from the ground up based on Islamic precepts. To this end it was suggested by Maulana Saheb that the following facilities be factored into the long term planning of such a community:
In short, we hope and pray that with the experience and insight of Maulana Saheb, this project will continue to attract Muslim brothers and sisters who understands the importance of the Islamic community, and are interested in creating an Islamic environment for our future generations well into the twenty-first century. Please call and let us know how you can help to realise this dream.
Financial Target for April We appeal to all members and supporters for their continued financial support. By donating towards this worthy cause you will be protecting your religion and in turn Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala will protect you. All donations are Tax deductible. Please make all cheques payable to World Islamic Mission Total Collection as of March 1999 Cost of Property
$780,000.00 |
More than $1 million raised for Kosovo by Shaikh Tevfiq al-JerrahiIt all started with a phone call by our respected Shaikh Tosun Bayrak Effendi. After visiting the refugee camps in Albania twice he told us that the situation is worse than we see on television. Since then the Jerrahi Sufi Order in New York were instrumental in helping the Kosovar refugees by providing them with over $500,000 US worth of aid in the form of medicine, food and clothing. Recently as well the Toronto branch of al-Jerrahi joined in this cause of helping the Kosovar refugees and were able to collect over $500,000 worth of similar items. These items were sent by 40ft. containers with the help of the Bosnian Children Relief Fund and Canadian Feed The Children Association. These ftems reached its destination in Albania two months ago. And now we are trying to send an additional three containers by the end of April, Insha Allah. My respectable brothers and sisters as you know humanitarian affairs are emru-ilahi and sunnatur-Rasul. Our great forefathers went to the far corners of the world whenever the needy and oppressed cried for help. Likewise, we Jerrahis are also struggling for this sacred mission in our humble and small way. The Jerrahi order has only been established in Canada for three years now and growing rapidly. Our understanding of Islam is: perform your immediate prayer and get up, be active, leam, search and enhance your wisdom. Work hard for your family, the oppressed, the needy and the weak regardless of their faith, colour or creed. The prophet of all humanity Muhammad SAW said that if your stomach is full and your neighbour (regardless of faith or creed) is hungry and you are not concerned about him then you are not one of us. Again Rasullah said that there is a part of the body; if it is dead then the whole body is dead. And that part is the heart. According to ahl-Tasawwuf; there are two kinds of people on earth. The ones who are alive and the other ones who are the walking dead. So what category do we belong to? Let us take a look at the great Muhammad lqbal. Every Thursday thousands use to gather to listen to the pearls of wisdom which used to come from his lips. But on one particular Thursday, he addressed the people saying, '0 my beloved people, today there are no stories to tell, nor poems to be recited. Last night I was visited by Rasul-lulaah SAW. He approached me with a sad face, tears rolling down his blessed beard like jewels from heaven. He said, Ya lqbal my Turkish children in Anatolia are surrounded by five armies vvith modern weapons. They are helpless and have no weapons to defend themselves. What are you going to do to help the children of those Turks who brought the beauty of Islam to you and others. I woke up trembling. So I am now asking you to help our brothers'. Listening to lqbal's words everyone started crying and formed a circle around him pulling all of their jewellery from their ears, noses and necks until a little mountain of gold was piled before him. With this help the Turks were able to fulfil some of their immediate needs and saved themselves. In the same spirit we must all help our unfortunate brothers in Kosovo.To donate towards this cause, further your cheques made payable to World Islamic Mission. Please write 'Kosovo Refugee Relief' on your cheques. |
| World Islamic Mission 2478 Ninth Line , Oakville, Ontario Canada L6J 4Z2 Tel: (905) 257-1342 |
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