Week 10 – Why Bother Listening to the Only Muslim Radio Broadcast in Ottawa + The Hypocrisy of Free Speech + Historical Ottawa Event + Ottawa is Taking Islamic Practice to the Next Level

Host: Omar (Mafro)

Quran:

ArRa’d [ch. 13 v. 5-11 | Recited by Abdullah Basfar -عبد الله بن علي بصفر ]
“Verily Allah will never change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls)” (3:37 – 8:24)

Discussion:

The Double Standard of Freedom of Speech when it comes to Zionism (NOT Anti-Semitism). “Call it what it is.”
Both Carleton University and the University of Ottawa have banned a poster for the Israeli Apartheid Week. The reality is, just as we’ve heard many a Rabi, an Israeli, and researcher that Zionism piggy backs on the back of Judaism in order to cowardly hide behind anti-semitism whenever the actions of the Zionist Israeli machine are criticized. [Call it what it is. | The Proud Islamist]
You don’t have to listen to Salam Ottawa. Sure we’re the only Muslim Radio Broadcast in Ottawa, but there are far more reliable sources about Islam and Muslims on the air waves.
Why bother Listening to, let alone supporting the only Muslim radio broadcast in Ottawa when you have such great options like CFRA’s Lowell Green. Such a level minded, educated, and fair talk show host, with pounds of reason at every corner of his commentary. [Radio host Lowell Green chastised for ‘abusive’ remarks about Muslims | OttawaCitizen]

Community News:

Masha’Allah, Ottawa Muslims are really getting their act together as of late:
Imam Zaid Shakir’s event was a full house, with entertainment that is worthy of a paid ticket event. And a first of its kind in Ottawa, as a collaboration between the UofO MSA, and the Revival Series from Reviving the Islamic Spirit. The Event really showcased the level of professionalism that the MSA, and quite generally, the Muslims of Ottawa are capable of. Imam Zaid Shakir rarely disappoints, and the ideas he researched and presented at the event titled, “Can We Make Islam Relevant in the 21st Century? Yes We Can!”, were brilliant and quite worthy of a 21st century intellectual discussion. A discussion which we really need to follow up with, and perhaps will be a focus of one of our shows in the near future, insh’Allah.

Joint LUL and Al-Mughrib Historic Event:
As I said, Ottawa Muslims have really taken the practice of Islam to the next level, and they’re on a roll with it. This past couple of weeks have seen a number of events that all of Ottawa’s Muslim community should be aware of. Primarily, the level of professionalism that both “Light Upon Light”, and Almaghrib Institute have risen to. We spoke with Brother Hisham Saleh, the Amir of last Friday’s L.U.L. event and intro to the Rays of Faith double-weekend-course held by Almaghrib. This is what we heard from Brother Hisham.
MAC Blood Donation Drive
Earlier in the week, in fact the day right after our last show, I headed over to the MAC Blood Drive event being held and the Canadian Blood Services Clinic on 1575 Carling Avenue. I had a chance to speak with some of the brothers and sisters who had come out to donate their blood. Brother Ryan was in charge of last Wednesday’s event: Some had come with zeal and excitement to donate their blood for those who need it, but not always does it work out:
Brother Haytham Al-Azzuni, one of the organizers and a Carleton University Student spoke to us while giving blood:

Nasheed:

With You – Vocals – Raef: Lyrics – Omar N Khan [youtube]
OLD SCHOOL: MYNA Raps – Deenin’:Lota Pani – Sunnah Back:

Brother Dash – The Meaning of Life:

☆ Green Kufi’s “Greening Muslims”

Here’s a tip that is easy, good, will save you money, save on energy, and with the right intention gain you rewards from Allah.
Unplug. Yup, unplug. I don’t mean unplug from the hectic daily life (which would also be good for you on many levels), I mean unplug your “stuff”. Do it know before he stops you. Who? The phantom of course!
You’ve got a phantom in your house. If you’ve got any electrical device in your home it is using your electricity with out you knowing it. “Duh”, you say. “It’s an electrical device. Of course it uses electricity. That’s how it works.”
I bet you didn’t know that it uses electricity even when you’re not using it. That’s right. Just having you’re devices plugged in draws electricity form the circuit. This is called “Phantom Power”. Electrical current that continuously flows through your devices even when you are not using them. Ask yourself, “how often do I use my printer, scanner, fax” (do people really still use faxes?). How about your cellphone charger you keep in the wall once you’re done charging.
“Okay, Okay, I’m guilty.” Here’s what you need to do:
☆ Use a power bar with an off switch to plug all the devices that you will not be using very frequently (e.g., cellphone charger, fax [really? Still got it?], scanner, etc) and unplug, or hit the power switch when you are not using them.
☆ Your printer, scanner, and many other devices have a master power switch, keep it turned off until you need it.
☆ As for your TV, DVD player, PVR, Cable Box, etc, or anything that stays plugged in over night (up to 10hrs/day) without every being needed or used: plug them into an electrical timer, and set it to cut off the power during the hours that you will not need or use them. E.g., over night, or while you’re at school or work, etc.
These tips will save you from the Evil Dreaded Phantom Power, and save you some dough so you can donate to Salam Ottawa. Enjoy you newly found wealth. Keeping on greening, Muslims.

“What do I do” you say. Unplug. It’s that simple. Plus, you could reduce your electric bill by 10 percent a year.

Muslim Global News

Imam Siraj Wahhaj Patient in the face of his affliction:
For more than 30 years Imam Siraj has traveled extensively at the invitation of other Muslim leaders and organizers in the U.S. and abroad. He freely and passionately shares his love and knowledge of Islam -often booking back-to-back speaking engagements on a weekly basis. There is no doubt that his demanding schedule factored into the development of his health condition. As such, it has become paramount for him to make important lifestyle changes, which includes taking a sabbatical from some of his responsibilities, in order to balance his life and improve his overall health.

Imam Siraj’s Letter:
As Salamu Alaikum, Dear Brothers and Sisters!

It is well known now that I have been suffering from hypertension. Al Hamdulillah, I have been working with it for a while now, and insha’Allah it’s pretty much under control. As a result of being thoroughly checked by the competent doctors in Atlanta , I have been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Al Hamdulillah, inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun. (All Praise is for Allah. Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.)

My diagnosis is not as bad as it sounds on the surface. Many men have been cured from prostate cancer. My doctors are very optimistic about my cure, and so am I. Insha’Allah the treatment should last about two months. But you and I know that the cure is in the Hands of Allah. If Allah heals me, I will be very grateful. If Allah doesn’t heal me, then I will be patient and happily accept my fate. This is the way of the Believers. I am looking forward to full recovery and getting back to work in the not-too-distant future, insha’Allah.

Many people will ask the question, what can we do? Don’t waste your time feeling sorry for me. Make du’a. But don’t just make du’a for me. There are a lot of Muslims, men and women, with cancer (and other diseases). Make du’a for them also. There are so many among the elderly, who need our help, make du’a for them. There are so many Muslims who have lost their jobs, lost their homes, make du’a for them! Beyond the prayers, go visit the sick, those in prison, and others in need.

Get involved more with Islamic work. Support organizations like MANA, ISNA, ICNA, MAS, CAIR, SIFCA, the community in association with Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, the community of Imam Jamil Al Amin, etc. Support good brothers and sisters, like Mauri’ Saalakhan of the Peace and Justice Foundation. Support Islamic education and schools. If you want to help Imam Siraj, then help support his Masjid, Masjid At-Taqwa, in Brooklyn, New York and all the other struggling Masjids throughout America.

Every challenge we face in life presents us with many opportunities for growth. With a heightened awareness and sensitivity about health-related issues, I will feel better when we, as an ummah, learn more about our health. We have to be very careful about the foods we consume! I urge all of us to cultivate healthy appetites such that we begin to love and crave foods that are good FOR us and eliminate foods that are not. I intend with Allah’s help to share information with you in the coming weeks about our health.

On behalf of MANA, I encourage you to lend your support to our growing Organization. Every MANA project is structured to strengthen American Muslim communities. The SHARE Centers, Healthy Marriage Initiative, Community Reentry Program, and Healing and Reconciliation Project all need input and active service urgently. Please contact the MANA office to find out more and look for regular updates in our newsletters, insha’Allah.

In closing, I am humbled and very thankful for all the prayers, and well wishes of the Muslims, and am very appreciative for all the help extended to me and my family in the past. Alhamdulillah! I am also overwhelmed with gratitude that a number of you want to lend financial support, and have asked how you can do that.

Online donations can be made here, or feel free to correspond with me directly at Siraj Wahhaj, P.O. Box 312264, Atlanta, GA 31131.

Thank you kindly. May Allah guide and protect us all.
Your brother in faith,
Imam Siraj Wahhaj
Special Donation For IMAM SIRAJ WAHHAJ
please visit
MUSLIMMATTERS.ORG
TO FIND OUT HOW TO DONATE.
Go back to the top

Advertisement

Environmental Week, Summer Activities, Muslim Cemetary

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Host: Omar (Green Kufi)

— Tazkiyah Retreat From its rustic location in the Adirondack Mountains, the Tazkiyah Retreat offers an excellent opportunity for Muslims to experience a unique Islamic Retreat to purify one’s soul. Camp activities will comprise of teaching as well as practice. Sessions will cover what the ailments of the Nafs and Qalb (heart) are and how to change the state of these inner ailments from our hearts. Throughout the camp we will emphasize Ibadah with Fikr (contemplation & reflection) and Dhikr in accordance with the Sunnah. By this way we will connect with Allah’s creation and enjoy with spiritual focus the natural beauty that surrounds us. Other activities include hiking and canoeing. We will learn to feel the pleasure that comes with Taqwa (consciousness) of Allah through an enjoyable spiritual experience, Insha’ Allah. DATES: June 14th – June 25th, 2008 TEACHER: Sessions will be taught by Sh. Mokhtar Maghraoui. Click here for more information and to register: http://www.jannah.org/retreat and http://www.zawiyah.net/

— OTTAWA MUSLIM ASSOCIATION LIGHT UPON LIGHT: A Time to Reflect on our Book Given by: Sheikh Abdurrahman Al-Hejazy, the Deputy Imam of the Main Ottawa Mosque When: Every Friday after Maghrib prayer Where: At the Main Ottawa Mosque, 251 Northwestern Ave. Every Friday Let’s make our hearts and our Masjid GLOW!!!

— Good news for the Muslim Community from the Ottawa Muslim Cemetery The land for a cemetery is purchased and completely paid for. The city of Ottawa approval has been obtained. All of the required environmental and geological issues has been resolved. And Now the Ottawa Muslim Cemetery has obtained the last set of approval. That is, a license from the Province of Ontario to operate a cemetery. We would like to thank all those who helped to make this possible. The Muslim cemetery can be operational by the fall of this year provided that funding can be obtained to complete the work on the land. The land for the cemetery is located in the south end of the city about 25 minutes from the main mosque.

The only obstacle keeping the Muslim community to have its own independent cemetery is the funding to complete the project. The project now requires your generous support to build the infrastructure such as a road on the land, landscaping, and a small utility building.

You can help by donating and/or by making an advance payment on a plot. If each Muslim family makes an advance for one plot there will be sufficient funds to complete the final stage of the project. Stay tuned for further announcements on fundraising events for the cemetery.

You can contact the Ottawa Muslim Cemetery at 613-723-5911 or at info@.muslimcemetery.ca

—
Sheikh Muhammad Alshareef will be giving a new series: “Conversations in Paradise, Conversations in Hell” on the coming two consecutive Tuesdays: June 10 (TODAY) and June 17. The program will go from 7:30pm until 9:00pm on each Tuesday. Please arrive at least 15 minutes earlier.