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By the grace of God, I hope you had a great start to the New Year. The month of January is a time of solitude and introspection as the days are short while the nights are long, and so we have the opportunity to reflect on personal aspirations and the goals we share collectively.
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MAC NATIONAL NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2020
Pour voir la version française, veuillez cliquer ici
IN THIS ISSUE                                                              ABOUT MAC   


  • ABOUT MAC
  • FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
  • MAC in the NEWS
  • OFFICIAL STATEMENT
  • FEATURED MAC EVENTS
  • FUTURE MAC EVENTS
  • HELP US GROW | DONATE TODAY
  • MAC SPOTLIGHT
  • SURVEY FEEDBACK
     Children Attending a MAC Community Awards Night



MAC has 13 Chapters, centers and mosques in 12 cities across the nation from British Columbia, to Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec.

To reach a MAC institution, navigate this directory for institutions per city.

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
 
Assalamu Alaykum wa rahmtu Allah (Peace be with you)

Dear Community Members,

By the grace of God, I hope you had a great start to the New Year. The month of January is a time of solitude and introspection as the days are short while the nights are long, and so we have the opportunity to reflect on personal aspirations and the goals we share collectively. I hope you find your inner strength and fortitude to navigate through your personal aspirations.

On January 29th we remembered the victims of the Quebec City Mosque Shooting terrorist attack by taking part in the Brampton Vigil for the victims and their families. In the aftermath of the attack, the Muslim community witnessed a surge of support and empathy from across Canada. There were multiple vigils organized from coast to coast and all leaders from across the political spectrum condemned the attack. Indeed we will never allow hatred to divide us, rather we are focused on standing up against hate and are committed to ending harm perpetuated by bigotry and ignorance. MAC’s official statement regarding the third anniversary of the tragic events is included below. I have also written directly to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to create a national day of remembrance and action against Islamaphobia to create awareness and heighten empathy in the face of ignorance and bigotry. May God bless the victims and their families through what they have endured.

Our Community Outreach Director Issam Saleh from Edmonton penned a powerful feature for the Edmonton Journal focusing on the pressing issue of homelessness. He is correct to note housing is a basic need the issues which lead to homelessness are far more chronic. To best address and solve these issues, the government should prioritize healthy communities that are the focal point of the positive community fabric, accessible mental-health and local resources that help provide economic and job opportunities for those at risk of falling through the cracks. Indeed, community organizations like MAC are catalysts for providing on the ground insight into what is needed at the local level to create healthy and prosperous communities.

Looking forward I am pleased to share February is Black History Month and MAC recognizes the amazing achievements that many Black Canadians and Black Muslims have contributed throughout history. The Black Canadian community has enriched Canada with their inventions, culture, generosity and kindness. They have played an integral role as pioneers strengthening, developing and creating the prosperous Canada that we call home today. I encourage our community members to attend some of the many Black History month programming taking place near your neighbourhood, inshAllah I’ll see you there.

Last but not least, I am pleased to share the newly minted MAC Community Report with our community members. This edition’s theme focusses on lighting the path of others while substituting as an anchor providing stability. The report captures how MAC has grown as the demands on the organization increased and how MAC continues investing passion, energy and resources into creating vibrant communities, supporting families, raising children and helping youth navigate their individual paths while staying connected to their faith.

As always, please let us know what you think. There is a survey at the bottom of this newsletter where you can share and express your feedback; we are always open to suggestions and new ideas.

May Allah (SWT) accept our efforts and bless you all,

Sharaf Sharafeldin, Executive Director
Muslim Association of Canada

MAC IN THE NEWS
 
 
 

By Issam Saleh | Edmonton Journal

MAC Director of Community Engagement writes, "I've always believed that barriers to affordable housing have terrible consequences for Canadian families and that addressing these shortages by building new affordable developments is an act of social justice that must be taken... there needs to be room made by our elected officials for real options that can change the lives of Canadian families continue reading...

Like a Lighthouse becoming an Anchor

MAC Director of Community Engagement writes, "I've always believed that barriers to affordable A lighthouse symbolize a beacon people look towards for guidance and anchor, a trusted structure representing a symbol of permanence and stability. Likewise, MAC was envisioned to be an anchor institution for the Muslim community as it started coming of age continue reading...
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
 
 



We remember the lives of Dr. Khaled Belkacemi, Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Aboubaker Thabti, Abdelkrim Hassane and Azzedine Soufiane.


Communities across Canada were shaken by a horrific tragedy that left families broken forever. The aftermath of this hate crime witnessed an outpour of community support for the families affected and promises made to stand in solidarity against hate continue reading...




Aujourd'hui, nous nous souvenons du Dr Khaled Belkacemi, Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Aboubaker Thabti, Abdelkrim Hassane et Azzedine Soufiane.

Partout au Canada, les communautés ont été secouées par une horrible tragédie qui a laissé des familles brisées pour toujours. Les séquelles de ce crime haineux ont vu une vague de soutien communautaire aux familles touchées et des promesses de solidarité contre la haine continue reading...

 
FEATURED MAC EVENTS
 
 
 
MAC Calgary | January 31

Our new Brothers Youth Club (BYC) program is starting soon inshAllah!

Adventurers' Day Camp Conquering Values
CCL-MAC Montreal | March 2-6 | 9-4pm

he Adventurers day camp is back for Spring Break !! The theme of the week will be conquering values.

 
MAC Calgary | Jan 17 | 6-9p

Registration Open for the 2020-2021 School Year!
MAC Edmonton | January 8

MAC Youth Club Edmonton is organizing a Distribution Day to help those most in need of basic necessities during the winter season.


Community Potluck Dinner
MAC Waterloo | Jan 31 | 7-10:00p

MAC Kitchener Masjid is pleased to invite you to a community potluck dinner.
Bring your favourite dish and join us for a family-friendly night.


Building Personal Resilience and conducting Animal-assisted Therapy!
MAC Mississauga | Jan 31 | 7:30- 9:30p

The theme of the month ‘Protecting Your Heart'
has a guest speaker coming in to give a talk on Building Personal Resilience and conducting Animal-assisted Therapy!
 
 
 
 
 
 
      FUTURE MAC EVENTS
 
Sister's Swim Night
MAC Calgary | February 1

Sisters Swimming is back on Saturdays! Sign-up today and learn the life-saving skill of swimming  


 
 
MAC ICCO Mississauga | Feb 1 & 2

You can donate non-perishable food items and select new house-ware items (see flyer) New items only please.


Open House!
MAC Edmonton Creative Minds Preschool-North | Dec 18

Creative Minds Preschool #106, 10807 Castledowns Road (Safadi Plaza)
NO Registration Fees until May 1st!

In the Shade of the Seerah
MAC Ottawa | Sundays | 11am

After the Qur'an Class with Sheikh Abdul Quds
Weekly Prophetic Reflections with Iman Ahmed Khalil


 
MAC Islamic School Gala
MAC Edmonton | Feb 8 | 6p

MAC Islamic school in Edmonton is hosting its 8th Annual Fundraising Gala! A night full of community memories and opportunities to get involved!


MAC CCL Montreal  | February 22 | 6-9p

We invite you to participate in the annual charity dinner in support of the kindergarten mosque
 
 
 
HELP US GROW | DONATE TODAY

Abraar Secondary School
The Best of Both Worlds

A project of the Muslim Association of Canada, Abraar Secondary School, located in the Bayshore area, is the city of Ottawa’s leading Islamic school. It is a combined middle school and high school for grades 7 to 12. The high school program runs from September to June and is divided into two separate semesters: September to January and February to June. Students can enroll at the start of either semester or join the classes at mid-semester if need be.

We have a team of dedicated staff who have a passion for teaching and a particular affection for the Islamic environment in which they teach. They are among the best in their profession. Relatively small class sizes allow the teachers to devote considerable time to each individual student – helping them explore their strengths and unique talents and encouraging them to aim higher in order to reach their full potential.

With the aim of facilitating an understanding of the Quran and ahadith, we offer language courses that initiate the students into a long-term study of Arabic, the sacred language of Islam. We also encourage the memorization of the Noble Quran. Abraar Secondary School also offers a French language program that meets the provincial requirements and both the middle school and high school programs include French language courses continue reading...


A heartfelt thank you to our generous Donors!
MAC SPOTLIGHT
Yasin Cetin

Yasin Cetin was born and raised in Edmonton. Its a city he feels passionately about and loves! He sits with the City of Edmonton's Guiding Coalition on Public Engagement and  is excited to see his city grown and progress. He loves the local River Valley, and is excited to see development in the Quarters, Rossdale, the High Level Line and expanded public transit. A background in Native Studies and Secondary Education did not quite lead him to enter the teaching field. He worked with the previous Alberta government in the area of community outreach, engagement and relationship building.

Yasin Has been active with MAC for almost 15 years. He has worked with MAC Youth locally and nationally on multiple projects including the establishment of youth centres, camps, tarbiyah, the Central Annual Meeting, events and helped revive relevant an inclusive youth programming. Yasin is still active with local youth work, but also sits with the Community Outreach and Engagement department as well as MAC Youth Junior.

To learn more about MAC Spotlight, you can visit this link.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK
COMPLETE THE SURVEY BELOW!
 
 
Muslim Association of Canada
2270 Speakman Dr
Mississauga, Ontario L5K 1B4
Canada
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Muslim Association of Canada, 2270 Speakman Dr, Mississauga, Ontario L5K 1B4, Canada