This report covers the activities of CCMW Calgary Chapter from October 2003 until March 2005.  Over the past year and a half, the Calgary Chapter has maintained a membership of approximately 11-12 members.  On average, 50% of our members are young women under the age of 30.  We hold Chapter meetings on a quarterly basis and between meetings we meet to conduct specific activities and social events.

Over the past year, our chapter has focussed on the four key areas that were identified in our Action Plan (2004-2005).  These areas are as follows:

• Community Outreach
• Networking and Collaboration
• Education and Personal Empowerment
• National/Inter-Chapter Work

The following outlines the activities completed under the key areas:

Community Outreach

• “In My Own Skin”: The video was presented at the University of Calgary (March 2004).  The presentation was followed by discussion.  The goal of this presentation was to present the kit to university-aged, Muslim women and to attract new members. By the end of this presentation we already has one new member.

• Mustard Seed: This organization feeds the poor and homeless in Calgary.  One of our members has gone through the volunteer training and reported back to the Chapter on other potential volunteer opportunities.  Our Chapter hopes that by getting involved with this group we will be able to show that Muslim women are active members of the Calgary community and wish to contribute and help those less fortunate.

• “Breaking the Fast Event” (October 2004): Six members participated in this event that was held to foster understanding between Muslims and Non-Muslims.  The event was structured around Iftaar time so that Muslims and Non-Muslims could “break the fast” together.  Maghrib prayer was performed after which two speakers spoke on the topic of racism and discrimination.  The speeches were followed by roundtable discussions concerning the issue of racism and discrimination.  This event was held and organized by the Canadian Unity Council (CUC) which is a national organization.

• Youth Against Racism Conference (March 2005): One member attended as conference delegate.  Chapter members also attended a meeting with Chelby from Ottawa who presented a workshop on Islamophobia at the conference.

• Ethno-Cultural Council (ECC): One member attended a weekend retreat in Banff to discuss issues related to diversity and communities.  Involvement with this group has allowed us to expand our contacts within the Calgary community.

 Networking and Collaboration

• Ramadan Iftaars: A number of iftaars were held during the month of Ramadan which were hosted by Chapter members.  The format was potluck style and the purpose was mainly to socialize, strengthen ties between members, discuss current events and to motivate others to join CCMW.

• Women 4 Women Afghanistan (W4WAfghan): This organization was founded in Calgary.  The first National conference was held in Calgary October 8-9 2004.  Members of the CCMW Calgary Chapter partnered with the organization and helped to organize the conference including volunteering at events, presenting information about CCMW, selling CCMW books at the conference and selling tickets.  This event was also sponsored by CCMW National who contributed $1000 to the conference.  The purpose of working with this group is to increase our awareness of international issues concerning Muslim women, to partner with organizations that are working to help these women and to increase our exposure to the networks affiliated with W4WAfghan.

• Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA): One member has undergone an extensive 6-month Sexual Assault Crisis Training Course.  Using this training, her next goal is to work within the Muslim community to educate Muslim women on resources available and to advise service providers on the needs of the Muslim community.

• Middle Eastern Police Advisory Committee (MEPAC):This committee meets monthly and the focus is to bring together representatives of the Calgary Police Force and major Muslim/Ethnic communities.  Our involvement allows for exposure to the Police Force and other Muslim/Ethnic communities.

Education and Personal Empowerment

• Muslim Women’s Self Defence Course:  This course was held in January 2004 and was an introductory level course that covered punching, kicking and avoidance self-defence techniques.  The intent of offering this course was to empower Muslim women, create an environment where all Muslim women felt comfortable partaking in this activity (female instructor, no men) and to generate some income for the Chapter as we charged a fee (including cost for instructor)

• Quranic Halaqas (Study Group): Members meet weekly to read assigned versus of the Quran.  Discussion and Tafseer follows.  The purpose of the Halaqa is to discuss verses, meanings, review various interpretations and to increase individual knowledge of the Quran. 

• Book Club:  This is an ongoing initiative.  The first book read and discussed was Irshad Manji’s “The Trouble with Islam”.  Four books are planned 2005 and the next book is Amina Wadud’s Quran and Women: Re-reading the Sacred Text from a Women’s Perspective.  Both Muslim women and non-Muslim women have participated in our book club.

National/Inter-Chapter Work

• Regional Meeting: The meeting was held in June 2004 and hosted by the Calgary Chapter.  Delegates from Calgary, Regina, Moose Jaw and Edmonton met for one day to discuss strategic planning for their chapters and to become familiar with the Sharia Arbitration Act stance of CCMW.

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This year the chapter activities were slow due to the small amount of members; however, despite this disadvantage, we were still involved in several small projects. We have participated in many protests against the war in Iraq. As well, we have networked with others to inform them and gather larger groups to be involved.

We continue to have ties with the Women for Women Afghanistan group and receive monthly updates from their group. As well, we are also affiliated with Middle East Police Advisory Committee and the Women’s Center in Calgary.

We assisted with two youth workshops run by the trained facilitators to accompany the “In My own Skin” work kit. As part of this venue, we were involved as participants in one workshop regarding “Parental Expectations and Double Standards in the Family”. This workshop was well attended and consisted of a lively discussion.

Recently we had a meeting and have now increased our members. This has enabled us to establish many new ideas and goals for the coming year. For instance, we hope to hold an information session regarding the different sects in Islam ( Sunni, Shea, Ismali, etc.) in order to educate ourselves on this topic and break down some of the existing barriers in out community. As well, we would like to organize a few education sessions on a variety of topics listed below:

• Issues regarding sexual/ reproductive health and awareness (this could possible be done in conjunction with Planned Parenthood; Erum is a board member).

• Self- defense classes for Muslim women

• Workshops to be done with other faiths in order to understand awareness of common experiences.

As well, one of our new members is willing to be our web master and establish a web site for us. We are all very excited about this idea. We strongly believe that with the added support and innovate ideas coming forth from our new members; we will be able to accomplish many goals in the upcoming year.

Pervina Khan

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Two Ramadan Iftars were held

- We are looking into running a Muslims Self -Defense course which will run 3-4 hrs on a Saturday afternoon Jan/Feb at the Islamic Centre

- W4W Afghanistan , Calgary Chapter to network with this organization (Razia to attend first meeting and report back to chapter)

- Meet with Cam Stewart (Calgary Police Officer in charge of the Diversity Committee) to invite Cam Stewart to our future/next chapter meeting to have him do a presentation about what the group is doing currently.

- Fundraising ideas - discussion occurred on fundraising events that the Calgary chapter could host /hold. Ideas included hosting a movie on Islam (Empire of Faith) shown on PBS (Pervina has this documentary film) at the University in Feb/ March. The chapter will show the film .

- Invite Scholar Armaghan to discuss work he has done with Interfaith groups and to present on the topic of different Sects in Islam .

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