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Regina - Annual Report 2002

Samira Hussain held a focus group on the effects of Sept. 11th on Muslim women.

Work with Muslims for peace and justice - we work jointly with this newly formed organization after the Sept. 11th incident. 

Our limitation of work- Unfortunately the Islamic center and mosque of Regina has been taken over by people who do not understand Islam as we do.

Future plan depends on out come of our meeting here and if another group of Muslim is formed in Regina.

Presentation on Women in Islam: Luther College - University of Regina By: Samna Ahmed

After September 11th, I was asked by CBC to write a dairy about what my experience as a Muslim woman were like during after the attack.

The dairies are still available in the CBC archives on the internet.

I was asked to speak about the rights of Muslim women at various churches, schools, government organizations and the Islamic classes at the University of Regina.

CBC radio asked me to speak about a feature film I have written about Muslims during their September 11th radio program.

CBC asked me to write an anniversary piece about how my life changed one year after the attack.

Volunteer teacher with Regina Open Door Society, a semi-government organization that looks after the needs of the refugees and new immigrants. I teach spoken English mainly to selected senior citizens who come to Canada and to Regina on one to one basis.  At times I have been requested by the Open Door Society to teach English as a spoken language to those seniors who have been in Canada for more than two years. 

I, at times, also volunteer, as a host, in providing assistance to new immigrants and refugees. 

I have made arrangements with Open Door Society to inform us (CCMW) of newly arrived Muslim immigrants or refugees so that we can inform them about The Regina Mosque, about Islamic Association, and to meet other Muslim brothers and sisters. I have requested Open Door Society to approach other Muslim families to be hosts to the newly arrived Muslims, mainly refugees.

When Regina Lioness Club folded in 1998, I became a member of the Lions Club of Regina. I am involved with volunteer services such as assisting at the White Cane Club functions, raising funds for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) At Christmas time, with members of the Lions Club, I visit blind people, and senior citizens, residing in Nursing Homes and distribute cash or gifts to them. The Regina Lions Club provides funding for such services. However I identify myself as a member of CCMW as well as a member of the Lions Club and thus I endeavor to familiarize people with Muslim women's volunteer services.

As a member of the Lions Club I have been instrumental, with my husband, in fund raising for Canada Cancer Society, Canada Diabetes Association, Regina Multiple Sclerosis, Canadian Kidney Foundation, Saskatchewan Lung Association, Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation, CNIB and Salvation Army.

In the past, I participated in the discussion of Regina School Board relating to teaching religious studies in Regina Schools. As a member of the CCMW, I very actively participated in these discussions and brought about better understanding of Islam and its teachings, as well as Muslim culture, to the non-Muslims present.

I have on several occasions delivered talks on Islam and the role of women in Islam to Christian women and children, to scout masters and to girl guides.

After September 11, 2001,1 have been actively involved in giving talks on Islam to church groups, to Saskatchewan Geriatrics Society, to Moose Jaw Health Region (Nurses and other health care professionals), to student teachers at the University of Regina and to Nursing Students at the Regina Hospital.

Regina - Winter 2000 (March)

The Regina Chapter has come out of winter dormancy with renewed purpose. The mandate for the Chapter this year is Sisterhood and member recruitment. The executive for the 1999-2000 term was elected in April 1999. The club restructured the format of the executive. The position of Vice-President was eliminated and the position of Social Coordinator was added. The current executive is Erum Afsar (President), Nusrat Jahlil (Treasurer), Naushaba Habib (Social Coordinator) and Aamna Afsar (Secretary). The executive met in early February to discuss the direction of the Chapter for this year. It was decided that the club would take a more relaxed approach by having more social type meeting sin order to meet our mandate. This year two meetings have been held and this new format has been very successful. The Chapter is recruiting new members by encouraging existing members to bring a friend to each meeting. The meetings themselves have had short business portions followed by social time to allow for interaction between members. The first meeting, at the end of February, had presentations from the members that attended the National Conference. Two books that were launched at the conference were also presented. One of the members read from the book At My Mother's Feet and the response was very positive. After the meeting the Chapter has been actively ordering more of both books. In February, the President attended a Regional Council of Women Meeting. Our second meeting was held in March and had a successful turn-out of 13 members, of which two were new members. In May the Chapter will hold a planning meeting to organize our annual Mother and Daughter Barbeque/Picnic to be held in June.

Quote from guest at last meeting: "I've lived in Regina for 3½ years and have never heard of the CCMW"

Comment from the President: "This is something we are actively working to change by telling one person at a time about the CCMW and what it represents to Muslim Women across Canada."