Until then, enjoy some of these pictures from One Ummah, One Love!

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A FREE summer event!

Come to an evening program and lecture to inspire HIGHER CONSCIOUSNESS and UNITY in the COMMUNITY.

Listen and converse with inspiring speakers. Ask your long awaited questions or pose ideas about how the Muslim community can regenerate and progress…

DATE: Friday, July 16, 2010 (Juma evening)
TIME: 6:30 PM (ASR) to 11:30 PM (ISHA)
COST: FREE! Refreshments too!
VENUE: SW Masjid – 5615 14 Ave. SW, Calgary, Alberta

Scholar Biographies

Sh. Islam Ali | Guyana, Caribbean Islands, South America

Sheikh Islam Ali has been active in Islamic work for approximately 30 years. During the course of his dawah work, he has placed great emphasis on educating Muslim youth and is keen on their achievements in the field of dawah. Prior to coming to Canada, Sheikh Islam was a part of the Islamic revival movement in the Caribbean and South America. With much of his work in Guyana, he held the position of ameer in the county of Berbice for seven years and served as an Imam for two mosques for seven years in addition. During his educational ventures, he has studied under various scholars from the Islamic University of Madina, in addition to scholars from the Alimiya Institute in Pakistan. He has studied the science of tajweed with Sheikh Saeed Gharsuddeen of Egypt.

Dr. Iqbal Nadvi | Toronto, ON

Dr. Iqbal Nadvi is one of the few Muslim scholars in Canada authorized to deliver an Islamic legal ruling (fatwa). He’s currently the Imam of Al-Falah Islamic Centre in Oakville, Ontario and is among the leadership of ICNA Canada. Previously, he was an Imam in Calgary, Alberta. He holds a Ph.D. in Islamic Shariah (law), with specialization in jurisprudence (Fiqh) and taught in King Saud University for 6 years, dealing with subjects such as principles of jurisprudence (Usool Al-Fiqh), Islamic Culture, Islamic Political Thought, Islamic movements and Fiqh of Organization. He has memorized the Qur’an and was the recipient of a recommendation letter signed by the well-known scholar, Sheikh Abd al-Aziz ibn Abd Allah ibn Baaz (rahimullah).

Sh. Mohammed Yaffa | Halifax / Sierra Leone, Africa

Sheikh Mohammad Khalil Yaffa is the Imam and Khatib at the Centre for Islamic Development, a Dawah and educational centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He also acts as the Arabic and Islamic Studies curricullum developer at the Ihasan Educational Centre in Halifax. Some of his duties include organizing communty events, retreats and workshops, as well as providing leadership training and education for youths and organizations.

Sh. Yaffa has an M.A. in Arabic Language and Islamic Studies and currently works as the Coordinator of Diversity and Social Equity Initiative for the Capital District Health Authority in Nova Scotia.

This year, NYM Calgary teamed up with NYM Saskatoon to present to over one thousand youth its annual activities with a special focus on Camp Sunnah. These excited youth were gathering to meet Br. Mutah, a former member of 2pac’s OUTLAWZ. The organizer decided to host numerous local Muslim organizations in a resource fair for Muslim youth to encourage youth involvement and awareness of what the various Islamic organizations had to offer.

Both the event and NYM booth were a success, in that many new Muslim youth and Camp Sunnah candidates were enthusiastic about the upcoming 2010 Camp Sunnah.

The NYM ink booth left a positive first impression with many at this year’s MCC Youth Conference, but it was the conversations had by the brothers of NYM iNK Calgary with the youth that were the real gems and jewels of this May long weekend event. The discussions at the booth seemed to inspire eagerness and excitement in the hearts and minds of the attendees as they poured through gym doors of the Akraam Jomaa Islamic Centre. The NYM Volunteers witnessed many teens, young adults, and even parents who were curious to find out more about who NYM iNK is, what they are all about, and what they have to offer. The message at the booth was simple: NYM iNK aims to empower the youth firstly with confidence and sense of pride in their Islamic identity in order for them to build and benefit both our Muslim communities as well as the greater North American community.

All attendees, through dialogue and display, were able to catch a glimpse of the different NYM initiatives, such as Marriage workshops, professional dawah workshops and Camp Sunnah – all of which are part of the NYM iNK holistic approach. The youth were beginning to see the multi-faceted nature of NYM organization including the sisters. NYM iNK has made a point to ensure that our sisters are not forgotten, a phenomenon that unfortunately happens far too often, leaving our sisters ill equipped with proper Islamic knowledge to be the best Muslimahs they can be. One of the brothers put it best when he said, “How can we not remember our sisters, can a bird fly with only one wing?”.

The most popular section of the booth amongst the attendees was Camp Sunnah. As the enticing trailer rumbled in the back ground the brothers were engaging the people telling them of their personal stories and experiences from Camp Sunnah. Camp Sunnah is now in its fifth year of operation and continues to strive in leadership development and improve the experience every year as it receives hundreds of applicants for the 50 available seats.

So if you are thinking about attending this year’s Camp Sunnah check out the trailer below and be advised to submit your strong application as early as possible!

As-salaamu alaikum wr wb
Abu Dhar
NYM iNK Journalist

1. Prologue

I remember participating in Islam Awareness Week (IAW) at my local College last year. We, the Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) were ecstatic!

“We are going to convert people by the dozens,” we thought. After all, we were equipped with English-translated copies of the Qur’an, pamphlets, and posters. However, in the midst of all this preparedness, there was only one thing missing. None of us actually knew how to call to Islam, or in Arabic, to give Dawah! And so, with a lack of knowledge and awareness at hand we forced pamphlets down the throats of our non-Muslim classmates as they passed by our IAW booth.

Training Day Calgary 2008

When anyone would come up to the table, we would put up our defensive shield, ready to react to anything thrown our way. However, negative connotations that are falsely related to Islam were not on their minds at all. They were mainly interested in inquiring about the fundamental beliefs of Muslims, which ironically, had never been explained to them. When they respectfully challenged our beliefs or asked simple questions, we turned into a gang. It became a 3-on-1 argument instead of a 1-on-1 discussion! Unfortunately, our purpose became argumentation, and not to actually get people thinking about Islam.

Regrettably, I have made many mistakes when giving Dawah to friends, coworkers, and strangers. These mistakes must be taken seriously and I now understand that I am reprehensible if I lack the basic knowledge to explain Islam in the correct manner. We have only a moment, one opportunity, to ensure we use wisdom in sending a message and inviting people to this beautiful way of life. We must see ourselves as the representatives of Islam in-line with idyllic Muslim behavior and humbleness.

2. The Weekend Course

If we were given the opportunity to purchase a brand new BMW for $1000, most of us would accept the bargain instantly so long as the main components functioned (i.e. ignition, engine, etc.). So why is it that when we explain Islam, we do not begin with the main functions like Tawhid? The instructor prompts the audience to reflect on the various questions asked by non-Muslims. We just need a strategy to recognize where certain questions arise from and get people thinking about their origin and destination. In other words, why were they created?

Dawah, or the ‘Call to Islam’ is a powerful mechanism that is scarcely practiced in the Ummah today. It is obligatory on every able-bodied sensible Muslim. The “Essential Weekend Dawah Course,” presented by NYM Ink (a Western Canadian Dawah organization) not only brought upon the topics of Dawah techniques, but embodying the spirit of Dawah as a whole. Our instructor was Br. Syed ibn Iqbal, currently a final-year dentistry student and Muslim Chaplain at the University of Saskatchewan.

I was impressed with the professionalism and superior organization in which this course was presented.  The Dawah workshop takes advantage of the technology around us, so do not be surprised when you see videos embedded in the PowerPoint visuals. The course’s case studies were particularly enjoyable. In one study for example, we watched a video of a Muslim sister on Fox News trying to defend Islam, but instead appeared severely apologetic. Her attempts were horrendous! In the case study we each assessed what she could have done better and how the Fox News interviewer obliterated any arguments put forward by her. These interactive cases allowed us to be creative, along with the opportunity to ask the instructor about different Dawah approaches that could be used in such a scenario.

Another important aspect of the course is that one cannot give Dawah without possessing the characteristics of a Da’ee (pronounced “Daa-ee”). A Da’ee is someone who invites to the Deen of Allah (SWT). Ikhlas (sincerity), Adab (etiquettes), Neeyah (intention), are just some of the topics I will briefly mention that are covered in this workshop -all vital factors one should seek when doing Dawah work.  Professionalism, assertiveness, control, and clarity are all characteristics a Da’ee must display. We all laughed when the instructor gave the example of how Christian Mormon’s dress up in suits when they give Dawah and MSA members wear their $10 novelty t-shirts.  In the end, there is not any universal formula for giving Dawah. A Da’ee must tailor their invitation to the individual(s) in front of him/her. An Essential Weeknd Dawah Course would not have been complete without Halal fried chicken during break and the benefits of obtained through congregational prayers.

Conclusion

Yes, this Training Day was 10X better than Denzal Washington’s 2001 Oscar movie. Moreover, our exam was simple: make the intention to do Dawah to you neighbor, coworker, or family member. Towards the end of the workshop, the audience made a special request to the instructor to continue lecturing and answering questions for an additional two hours out of the their own fascination. Every brother, sister, student, and professional must experience Training Day. Imagine a scenario, where Allah subhana wa ta’ala guides someone to Islam through your words. How many times has that happened to us? Maybe I’ll just wait until you take the course for yourself.

Jazakum’Allah Khairun

Written by Basil, for NYM Ink

Muslim Communities across Western Canada similarly struggle on how to deal with their most important asset, Muslim Youth. Often times it is difficult to motivate the youth to take positive initiatives within their community. Instilling a sense of pride, identity, and values in our young generation is a daunting task for any community. Traditionally, Muslim Youth have not been catered to through their own peers, which often leads to misunderstandings known as the proverbial generation gap. What should be understood is that only youth themselves are best suited to tap into the minds and pulse of their counterparts.

This brings us to discuss an event put on by NYM Ink, a young, motivated, and determined Western Canadian organization brimming with enthusiasm that implements a different approach when it comes to youth programming. NYM Ink is run by a group of university students that promote and organize youth programs that provide spiritual benefit and also tap into the culturally Canadian interests that our youth identify with today. This past July, NYM Ink displayed its efforts by putting on the ‘Generation Muslim Conference’ in Calgary, Alberta.

The conference took place on July 17, 2008, was held in the central location of the Akram Jomaa Center, and attracted over 800 people with the majority being youth. Featuring a vibrant cast of speakers such as Dr. Reda Bedeir from Calgary; Sheikh Islam Ali from Toronto; and keynote speaker, Mutah Beale a.k.a Napolean from the former rap group of Tupac’s Outlawz, the evening was jam packed with a lively set of entertaining lectures. Some of the lecture topics included ‘Confessions of a Dangerous Mind’, presented by Mutah Beale; ‘One Ummah, One Love’, presented by Sheikh Islam Ali; and ‘Generation Muslim’, presented by Dr. Reda Bedeir. These are just a few amongst a larger set of lecture topics presented at the Generation Muslim Conference.

The conference also featured ‘NYM Clothing’, a stylish clothing line produced primarily to promote Islamic identity. NYM also displayed the fruits of their efforts, pamphlets and brochures that they have produced in house which are now aiding in Islamic awareness efforts across Western Canada. Lastly, the conference featured a wide range of food, drinks, and snacks to keep everyone satisfied as they indulged in the various lectures and talks provided by the speakers.

Overall, the evening deemed to be a success, something many Calgarians had said that they ‘had never experienced before’.

NYM Ink endeavours to empower the youth by providing similar opportunities such as ‘Generation Muslim’ in the future. Entirely run by the voluntary efforts of students, NYM Ink is heavily reliant on the support of local communities to organize and execute highly expensive events such as the one mentioned above. If you are interested in supporting the efforts of NYM Ink, they can be reached via email at contactus@nymink.com.

Umm Kulthum, Freelance Writer

This article was published in Arab News, August 2008 Issue and the Asian Times, September 2008 Issue

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