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Ottawa - 2002

June 7:  Appeared before the Standing Committee on Health. Presented a briefing on Muslim women's perspective on Assisted Human Reproduction.

January 14:  We participated at a multi faith gathering at the Diocesan Church highlighting the faith of Islam. This was organised by Women of Peace, a group within the Church. Prominent Muslim speakers from the community were invited to speak.

February 3:  Women's Health Project held a meeting. WHP is an Ottawa-based women's group that we have been involved with since the early nineties. We have done two projects with them: one on Bosnia and one on Somalia. This involves raising awareness of issues in the conflict and the impact of war on women, and raising funds for women victims of rape and other atrocities of war. This year, the women agreed to work with the Ottawa Chapter on the Kashmir Project. We also contacted "South Asia Partnership, Canada". They will collaborate with us on this project.

February 27:  Humera represented CCMW at the Eid dinner organized by the Assoc. of Progressive Muslims of Ontario on Parliament Hill

March 2:  Attended a rally and Human Rights March and Women's Fair at City Hall

March 6:  The newly established Ottawa Muslim Women's Organisation is led by Nazira Tareen, who has been very active in the Muslim community for over 30 years. A beautiful multi-faith event and dinner was held. Prayers were offered by all invited spiritual leaders.

March 14:  The Guyana Caribbean Muslim Association presented an event at Parliament Hill entitled, "Women in Islam: Beyond the Images - An evening of discussion and reflection on the role of Muslim women in society." Fauzya Talib of the Ottawa chapter was one of the organisers together with Ms. Nazreen Ali, the President of the Guyana Caribbean Muslim Association. The panel of speakers were Dr. Leila Ahmed, Dr. Riffat Hassan, Dr. Tyseer Aboulnasr, Dr. Heshmat Mousavi and Ms. Amina Sherazee. Dr. Sallama Shaker, the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt was the Panel Moderator.

March 26:  Farhat Rehman representing CCMW and Dr. Anu Bose of NOIVMWC were interviewed on Rogers Cable on "Cross Cultures". This is a local, weekly TV program designed to raise awareness about immigrant and minority issues. Several questions regarding issues facing Muslim Women were asked and hopefully answered without raising the ire of too many viewers.

April 6:  Attended an interesting Community Forum organised by Urban Rural Mission, entitled, "Many faces of Racism". Ubah Hersi presented an inspiring personal account of her experiences of living as a Canadian Muslim of Somali cultural background.

April 11 & 14:  Attended demonstrations on the Hill to express concern for events in Palestine

April 28:  Organised and held the CCMW Focus group to assess the impact of Sept. 11/2001. 

June 13:  Held the 2"d Evening of Dialogue with the women of the Kashmir Project. As there are many points of political conflict in Kashmir, the women participants have agreed to come together on social justice issues for the people of Kashmir, especially women and children.

July:  As Treasurer of NOIVMWC, Farhat attends regular meetings and is a member of the Project Committee of the National Visible Minority Ref. Group, of which NOIVMWC is the lead agency, and has secured a project from the Solicitor General's office. The aim of the project is to train and educate, and also be educated by the member visible minority groups in formulating government policy.

August:  Preparations for CCMW Conference. Completed the questionnaire.

October:  Presentation at the Religion Seminar for the Metropolis Workshop. The theme was, Religion and Public Policy: What's missing?

October 25:  Attended a Conference with NOIVMWC Executive director, Dr. Anu Bose in Kingston, Ontario. Hosted by Queen’s University, the focus was the implications of anti-terrorist legislation on charitable organizations. Dr. Bose presented a paper from a Vis Min perspective.

November:  Some University students, as part of their project on Muslim Women, interviewed and videographed Chapter members.

November 27:  All day meeting – NOIVMWC

Farhat Rehman is CCMW’s representative on the Board of NOIVMWC as the treasurer and sits on the Project Steering committee for the SIDPD project.

December 15:  Guyana Caribbean Muslim Association Dinner was held in Ottawa. Fauzya Talib, CCMW member is on the organization’s Board

Ottawa - Winter 2000 (March)

We have had four meetings of the local chapter so far.

On February 7, 2000 we accepted an invitation from the Jewish Women's Group in Ottawa to come and speak with them at one of their monthly meetings.

We were asked to talk about our identity as Muslim women in Canada and integration into Canadian society as immigrants. They wanted to know what our issues are and the social challenges faced by Muslim women and Muslim parents. The host Jewish women asked us questions about the portrayal of Muslim women in the media. Was it true, they asked, that there was some verses in the Qur'an that specifically state that Muslims should hate Jews because they are bad. We assured them that was not true. Also, there was a lot in common between the two religions and that God clearly states that He will not judge us as Jews, Christians or Muslims but by our acts and intentions of kindness and justice. They mentioned that Judaism was also historically patriarchal. It was our first inter-faith encounter and both groups learned a lot about each other. We left with the intention of meeting again and collaborating on mutual issues.

Ottawa - Fall 1998 (September)

Ottawa continues to collaborate on the Women's Health Project, Kashmir Project and with the Muslim Community Circle regarding social services for youth and the elderly. Farhat Kurd Rahman represents CCMW on the Board of the National Organization of Visible and Minority Women.

Ottawa Chapter wrote to the Prime Minister regarding Iraq.