It was the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women AKA CCMW, that brought over 70 people from diverse ethnicity and religious backgrounds on the 11th of November 2012 at the Community center in Cote des Neiges. We were blessed to have a free room to celebrate in, Courtesy of The Black Resource Community Center.

The "High Tea" event was also graced by a young lady Member of Parliament Ms. Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe who gave an inspiring speech about how far we have come and how far we still have to go.

The decoration of the room was done by members of the 2nd generation of women. A young talented artist, who is also a photographer displayed her beautiful paintings and photographs. Tables were decorated with beautiful center pieces and had the Canadian National anthem leaflets to sing along with, while it played on the sound system. We had 2 large tables of Silent Auction to raise funds for our Chapter.

The program started with a dua by our member of Iraqi origin, who gave a power point presentation with it. Our Vice President reminded us about our Guiding Principles, Objectives and Goals. She spoke about our President not being able to attend the event due to an emergency. In both languages, she reminded us of the MANY problems women face even today, all around the world, the latest one being the case of Malala Yusufzai.

A young Indonesian lady give us Nasheed (a lilting Ode to our beloved Prophet). Our long standing member, who has been with this Chapter and led it for MANY years, recounted our achievements. One of them being how CCMW had led a team of young ladies to make and deliver the Ramadan Food Baskets to the less fortunate. Now it has been passed on to the Youth of Montreal. She was happy to note that the Youth are stepping up to the challenges in the Community.

A talented young lady canted an "Ode to her Mother". This young lady runs her own blog and tackles the taboo subject of Mental Illness by having created a support group. Our own member's concept of "Conversations with God" was demonstrated by a beautiful power point presentation. We were seranaded by a famous Iraqi Music Composer playing his compositions. Some young Iraqi ladies gave us a folk dance while he played.

Men are our "Other halves" and we feel that by working hand-in-hand with them, we can achieve more. One brother very graciously wrote an inspiring poetry about "Muslim Women & CCMW". We felt honoured.

A dance number was very entertaining & refreshing. The young lady in her beautiful dress transported us to another dimension with her flowing moves. Then the two young men gave us some jokes and we had a good laugh.

Our member who writes Urdu poetry could not attend as she was ill. Fortunately we had her translation from a previous poetry and the MC for the program read that. Lastly we had a power point presentation on Iraqi children that our member had written a few years ago.

Our Treasurer thanked all the volunteers who helped prepare and serve the food, decorate, set up, manage and control the sound system.

We would like to share with you some photos to remember this event.

CCMW Montreal Chapter raised money for the yearly "End Global Poverty Partnership walk" by the Agha Khan Foundation. Because our Team Goal of $1,000.00, was surpassed by 225.00. we gave in a total of 1,225.00.

The walk was attended by members.... Kiran (her husband and her son joined us too), Uzma, Sajida, Farida, Owais (my nephew) and myself. That made a GOOD team. We had our team photo taken by Kiran's son Asim (or is it Asem?)... I am waiting to receive those photos to pass them on to you.

It was VERY Heartening to hear the speech by the Head of the Agha Khan Foundation, Afghan Community (senior moment - forgot his name - sorry) who had landed right that morning to attend this major event. He did the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, walked with us (we took our photo with our Banner - no comments please about that Banner, I am grateful for having one at least) and then gave a speech before the Award Ceremony, about what YOUR $$ are doing in Afghanistan and how the AKF does not keep even 1 percent of your $$ for Administrative costs. Building bridges for girls to cross over to go to School was ONE Impressive story amongst other good ones. They partner with CIDA to achieve so many good things over there.

The walk went very well under the Captaincy of member Shaheen Ashraf. It was a BEAUTIFUL day with the sun shining bright .. yet it was a comfortable 22 degrees (Saturday having been WET and next day-Monday, continued to be a WET one too). The Vegetarian & Beef burgers were tasty (or did they seem tasty after the 5 - 6Km walk?). The Entertainment was wonderful too. The theme song by Farahri was "I am a woman" . How appropriate was that for our Organization. We also had some Bollywood-type dances, some Bhangra by the McGill Dance Group MIPSA??? or some such name. All in all a very successful event.

A new category was added to the "Awards". "Ten Highest sponsored individuals" was announced and yours truly barely (but proudly) scraped the last place by having 27 personal sponsors. Thanks to ALL who sponsored me (not that I did not NAG your life ENOUGH number of times - LOL). It was because of my sponsors that I got to go on the stage with the people who were HUGE at raising funds. STILL, I got to rub shoulders with them. I am waiting for photographs from the people who took them.

Until next year now. We are INCHING ahead .... Last year we had given in $750- so we ARE making progress.

CCMW ACTIVITIES leading up to 6^th March AGM - 2011

Since the last AGM, CCMW Montreal Chapter has been busy doing some “Old” things and some new since the last time that we were all together.

Point by point below, not necessarily datewise, is the summary of our different activities taken care of by different members.

• Representation of CCMW’s position in the Quebec National assembly regarding Bill 94.
• EID  celebration organized at a restaurant
• At another Eid, bowling was organized as a celebration with families.
• Presentation about Girl Guides for Muslim Girls.
• Seminar on marriage contract
• Seminar by Dr. Durre Ahmed on “Islam and Modernism”
• Fundraiser for Pakistani flood victims
• Fundraiser to help victims of Haitian earthquake
• Members helped coordinate furnishing a medical center in Haiti
• Trying to help Iraqi families settle in Montreal.
• Ramadan food baskets worked with AMAL Center and MCQ
• Representation at meetings of National Council of Women, Federation des femmes du Quebec
• Organizing in partnership with Afghan Women Center for Eid--Christmas celebration and later planning in June to celebrate children
• Elections held for Officer’s posts. We have new President, Secretary & Treasurer.
• Educational committee formed,
• Trying to set up a committee to review newspapers
• helped women who had been recently divorced,  with food. Helped  them also to get back into University  and arranged for some counselling
• Gave turkeys to AIDS HIV center and women’s shelter for Christmas 
• Chapter members cooked for "L'Abri d'Espoir" (Shelter of Hope) and feasted the women at that shelter, made gifts for the few children that were there too. This was done during Ramadan.
• Visited an Immigrant & Refugee center to help some Iraqis settle in Montreal. We are working with them and helping them coordinate. They  need an Iraqi woman to translate for them.  They are also relocating or looking at problems in regions regarding Muslims who live in Victoriaville and Trois Riviere, a Muslim man is needed, to speak and help men integrate and understand the system, get legal advice (religious) in case of divorce or family conflict situations.  Help find Imams to speak to people.  Help them build a reference center for new immigrants.  We have assured them that we shall do our best.

CCMW Montreal Chapter

OVER-ALL OBJECTIVES:

Broad objectives of the Montreal CCMW Chapter:  create a thriving organization that is active in many aspect of Canadian life.  The Montreal chapter mission, consistent with the CCMW national board chapter aims to empower, support, integrate, and educate Muslim women from all communities.  In order to do that effectively, we must work with other women organizations, and other Muslim organizations in Montreal and in Quebec. 

To have a clear operating plan, I suggest the following steps

1-    Increase memberships and fundraising activities.

2-    Create a series of lecture on different aspects of being a Muslim Canadian women

3-    Create a Women Think Tank with all the scholars that we have on our board and in our memberships.  We will tackle controversial issues and come up with studied responses to issues that relate to women in general and Islamic women in particular.

4-    Find government funding to allow us to get a regular business office.

5-    Create regular annual events for get-togethers, Eid El-Fetter and Eid El-Kibeer, New Year day brunch, family picnics; in order to foster community spirits and foster Muslim identity for our youth.

6-    To have a stable of intellectuals and scholars, preferably women that will represent the Muslim Women and the Muslim in general with the Media.

7-    Monitor the educational content of the reference books and information that is being given to children in the educational system. 

8-    Encourage the youth self identity by creating courses that cover specific topics, such as Islamic civilization, Islamic rituals, Hallal Foods, Middle Eastern or indian/pakistani cooking classes.  It will be a manner where young people get together for social interactions.

9-    Have an Elder-care center, where people that are cut off can be reached and provided for by our organization.

10-Have a vocational training center where people are given skills to become self sufficient.

11-Bring the 1001 inventions exhibit to Montreal.

This is an ambitious plan, but the time line for the execution of this plan is 5 years.  I think that if we are organized and keep our eyes on the ball we can accomplish this wish list.  I need your help in bringing this plan to life.

Fayza

CCMW/MWQ

Canadian Council of Muslim Women/Muslim Women of Quebec

October 9^th, 2010 (9:00am to 12:00pm)

Centre des loisirs Ville St Laurent

1375 rue Grenet

Agenda

1-    Dua

2-    Reading and approval of the minutes of the previous meeting (5 minutes)

3-    Reading and approval of the agenda for this meeting (5 minutes)

4-    One minute silence for Shaheen Junaid brother (1 minute)

5-    How do we express our support to Shaheen (5 minutes)

6-    Location of meeting and rental arrangement (10 minutes)

7-    Workshop marriage contract (60 minutes)

a-    english and french

b-    differentiate between different islamis sects

c-     who to invite, how public the meeting

d-    how do we publicize this upcoming event

e-    how to respond to criticisme

8-    Memberships (10 minutes)

9-    Finances (10 minutes)

10-Discussion on new objectives for CCMW Montreal Chapter (45 minutes)

11-Schedule the next meeting

12-Varia

13-Dua

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST GRACIOUS

CCMW/MWQ

Canadian Council of Muslim Women/Muslim Women of Quebec

Joint meeting Montreal/West Island

MINUTES OF MEETING

July 31, 2010

6767 Cote des Neiges Room 401-3

Present:   Amira Elias, Jinane Moudarres, Sajida Shariff, Fayza Rifai, Lina Mohammed, Fahmida Khan, Shaheen Ashraf,  Samaa Elibyari,  Celine Leduc

Regrets:  Sana Khalil, Natasha Ivisic

Welcome / meet & greet/ coffee

Opening Du’a   Shaheen

MARRIAGE CONTRACT

Prior to inviting Dr. Lynda Clarke members will read the marriage contract and then decide whether or not to invite her.

A discussion ensued  various points of views were expressed ranging from: we felt that it was irrelevant for the Quebec residents since we deal with the Civil Code, and in family law the civil code supersedes all contracts of any kind.   To the wording equality between men and women.  Members were reminded by Shaheen that Our CCMW motto is equality, equity, empowerment etc.  Shaheen informed us that Lynda Clarke worked with a family lawyer to make that contract to empower women who WANT to use it - this is a contract between a man and a woman, there is no IMAM involved, the bride and groom read, decide, strike out, add according to their likes and SIGN together, it has NOTHING to do with equality of anything"

A workshop will be held this fall to inform the Muslims that CCMW is offering a contract.   

ELECTIONS

Election where held, President Fayza Rifai, Treasurer  Sajida Shariff,  Secretary Celine Leduc

HONOR KILLING

Honor killings how to counter, get funding, women, family violence, (councilors, schools, shelters, centre de sante) open floor for ideas and suggestions

An intense discussion surrounding Honor killing the most salient points:

Fayza said: We need to educate the public that Honor Killings are related to cultural manifestations rather than religious zeal.  We need to start being vocal in making such a distinction. Documentation and workshops were suggested in order to be better informed.  A strategy of media contacts could be created at a later date.  Journalists and the general public need to be informed about the distinction.  

After a good discussion about killing. Samaa suggested buying a book to help us in getting funding to help understand the principles of Honor killing and making sure it is not always associated with the Muslim Community.     The book is   titled   Honour, Violence Women in Islam edited by Mohammed Mazher Idriss and Tahir Abbas Publisher Routledge Cavendish England.   It was decided unanimously that CCMW would purchase a copy of the book to be put in a library.   

UPDATE:   series of emails the book cost $125.00 so it was agreed that CCMW could not afford the book.   Suggestions made included asking Concordia and McGill to order the book and for Samaa or someone else see if they could get a copy free of charge from the Publisher.   

SPEAKING TO JOURNALISTS OR CONTACT PERSON FOR MEDIA:  -We wanted to create subject specialists within our midst, in order to direct the media to particular members that would become more informed about certain subjects.  The decision to create the structure was made, but specifics were left to a follow-up meeting.  Shaheen said: a "Coordinator" not a 'specialist' will be appointed for the media, with a specific function of fielding the media requests and directing those request to the different specialist depending on subject.

Kenya and Islamic Law information on new laws and what they mean for women, plus abortion laws for HIV AID patients   Not enough information on the topic and not in CCMW mandate Fayza deleted the point. Celine said there is a Kenyan Muslim community of Montreal to see what their needs and their interest is at this time. 

RAMADAN FOOD BASKETS

Money is being collected from members to make Ramadan Food baskets, three choices to give food baskets:   Amal Center, Sabria and MCQ     It was unanimously decided that the money raised will be offered to the MCQ and also to Sabria.      CCMW and MCQ made donations to NDG Food Depot because of new management and a different tone Celine suggested not to give it to them, food and meat will be given to Sabria’s shelter. 

YOUTH PROJECT

Sana sent en email requesting financial help from CCMW to buy a return train ticket from Toronto for Dr.  Durre Ahmed lecture Islam and Modernity.

Room request it was decided that the event should be held at Concordia Fayza and Celine offered help.  

Dr. Sajida said that Sana will book the 7^th floor of Hall building.   Update: The project was approved and the conference took place at Concordia on the 5^th of august.  The conference was successful and there were 25 participants.  

Samaa Discussion of book: Ayan Hirsi Ali 'Nomad'   next meeting

Next meeting September 18 2010 It was cancelled because of the delay in sending out the minutes.  Revised date :  October 9th, 2010

Wrap-up Du’a Meeting started 10h10 AM ended 12h45 PM

Dear All,

For the Eid Celebration, the Montreal Chapter of CCMW, held an open lunch on 12th September, at a Halal restaurant in Downtown Montreal.  We had 68 attendees (members, family, spouses & friends) that were quite pleased with the gathering.  Everything went smoothly and the event was enjoyed by all. 

We had a movie playing for the children, unfortunately the sound was not good and we adults were making too much noise for the children to enjoy the movie but they enjoyed running around and having fun.

We hope to make this gathering an annual event, allowing our children to interact and celebrate together the end of Ramadan. We shall organize better next year insha Allah and have some door prizes (donations from members or merchants) just to make it more interesting. Also we are going to ask parents of young children to come with Eid gifts for them and that could be their activity.

Ms. Fayza Rifai

President

CCMW Montreal Chapter

BRUNCH

Sunday September 12, 2010

WHERE:  MAHARAJAH BUFFET

ADDRESS: 1481 RENE-LEVESQUE W

WHEN: SUNDAY THE 12TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2010

TIME: 11:30AM TO 2:30PM

PRICE: 20$ PER PERSON INCLUDES, BUFFET, COFFEE OR TEA, SOFT DRINKS, TAXES AND TIPs.

10$ PER CHILD UNDER 10

Party room downstairs, we were charged extra for the room downstairs.

Please bring cash

THERE WILL BE MOVIES AND GAMES FOR THE CHILDREN SO THAT THEY HAVE A GOOD TIME.

For confirmation please send me an e-mail directly to:

Fayza : fayzarifai@gmail.com,

514-747-1131

(Chapter President)

Annual Report 2009

Ramadan Activities in 2009

The first weekend of Ramadan, CCMW Montreal chapter members  made food baskets with the money that had been collected earlier during the weeks preceding Ramadan. This was done in collaboration with the AMAL women's centre.  Members helped deliver the baskets to the different families in need (this is an ongoing Project which had been started by our Old-time member Fehmida Khan and now passed on to the younger generation to take over).

The Chapter members still participate actively in the process and do as much as they can. Our member Samina Uddin had taken over this responsibility and took it to another level where she campaigned rigorously and got Merchants to donate, bought some items, collected money from the Community, involved the Youth who made and delivered baskets under her supervision. This year the project had been passed on to her very capable daughter Kulsoom Uddin who had seen her mother perform and now is capable herself to take on this challenge along with other young members of AMAL women's centre.

Some baskets were delivered to the Notre-Dame-de-Grace Food bank since there were some Muslim families on their list. Some baskets were also delivered to a few deserving families despite the fact that they were not Muslims.  CCMW believes in “Eradicating hunger” especially where women & children are concerned - irrespective of belief/ colour or creed.

The members were also helping every Saturday at the MCQ masjid to organize, supervise & serve at Community iftars and on the 12th of September, which had been declared as  "Ramadan Solidarity day", members cooked Chicken curry, mixed vegetables, rice pulao and bought dessert for 70 women and children. They made 10 gift bags for children and took it all to the women's shelter "The Tree of Hope" where it was highly appreciated. This is also an ongoing project since the last two years and the women there look forward to Ramadan now as they know they shall be getting a good meal during that month.

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