Editorially Speaking

Enlightened Days Ahead

Three major challenges must be met by the Canadian Council of Muslim Women so that we can move ahead with dignity. We must help our members to acquire a good understanding of Islamic Shariyah (laws and regulations) as defined by the Quran and the Sunnah (the way of the Prophet). We should work together to enhance the cohesion and health of the Muslim family. Finally, we must develop more effective programs to ensure fuller and more respons­ible participation in Canadian public life. As Muslims our framework is well defined. Islam is a universal message and it provides us with guidance and principles which shall inspire and govern our thoughts and actions in every sphere of life, in particular marital relations and public life. My own twenty-five years in Canada, first as a student, then as a working wife and mother, and now as an executive of C.C.M.W., have convinced me that we can be successful and happy if we set our priorities and goals within the Islamic framework and work together as a family. It is our ignorance of the basic teachings of Islam that causes confusion or frustration. Our major task, therefore, is to popularize neighbourhood circles and to build them around the family unit as a focus.

Muslim Canadians come from different schools of juris­prudence (Fiqh) and from varied ethnocultural backgrounds. We also differ in educational levels and socioeconomic status. Thus, though we are all Muslims, our understandings and interpretations of the 'shariyah', our cultural hangups and our family resources and targets in life are greatly varied and complex. For example, many `Muslimahs' are working women, not because they have high career goals, but because they just have to work to make both ends meet. At the same time, there are others who have professional expertise which they enjoy and which they should employ in generating knowledge and to improve the quality of life in their own family and in the Canadian society. This differen­tiation is heightened when we consider those Muslimahs who were born or raised in Canada in contrast to those who migrated here as adults.

A word of caution is required here. We should be careful not to pass judgement on others and not to make generalizations based on our own particular Fiqh, or culture or experience. From its founding, C.C.M.W. has invited all Muslim women to its fold. Through our newsletter, work­shops and conferences we try to reach out to all Muslimahs, to sensitize them to their rights and roles in Islam and to assist them in the Canadian social context.

We are the moderate people who are committed to the Islamic way of life and who are generally comfortable in the Canadian environment because we can live and raise our children as practising Muslims in Canada. We invite you to join hands with us and to work together to spread the message of peace, equality, social justice and family stability which Muhammad, the Last Messenger (peace be upon him) brought to us.

Let us now look at marital relations in the Muslim family. Islam recognizes marriage as a sacred institution and basic unit of our social structure. Marriage is obligatory on every Muslim man and woman unless prevented by extreme physical or economic factors. The Quran exhorts Muslims to enter into marriage with chaste partners. The Prophet declared that marriage was one of his most sacred practices and that marriage is half of Iman (faith). Islamic marriage is a contract which binds together a man and a woman in conjugal fidelity and guarantees specific rights and obligations for both husband and wife. The Muslim woman has the right to choose her husband and to insert terms of her own in the marriage contract. At the same time, Islam permits dissolution of a marriage if either party becomes convinced after repeated efforts of reconciliation that a reasonably happy togetherness is impossible. Even then the partners are urged to depart in dignity and generosity.

I'd like to remind you of the basic Quranic principles regarding marital relations:

1. The creation of spouses is one of the signs of Allah's mercy and Allah places kindness and affection in the hearts of the married couple so it is a blessed relationship.

2. The husband and the wife are like clothing for each other to protect, to beautify and to enrich each other.

3. Women have similar rights on men as men have on women.

4. Men have a degree of preference above women. Men are Qawwamoon, responsible for maintenance and protection. 5. Men and women are urged to act with dignity and generosity toward each other.

This definition of the marital relationship is just, balanced and comprehensive and if we act according to Allah's commands our family's lives would be blessed with harmony and joy. It requires a sincere commitment, exclusive loyalty, loving openness, regular communication and consultative decision making. Islam does not make the husband a master or the wife an inferior partner who just carries out the orders given to her. This was not the way of our Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.). If Muslim men recognize the need to respect their wives, to be kind and thoughtful in words and actions, to help in domestic chores and to make decisions jointly, then the Muslim wives will happily accept them as their Qawwamoon.

I must mention at least two other important situations, namely the working wives and writing of wills. In the past, out there in rural Pakistan or Egypt, middle and upper class women were not required to work outside their homes. They depended on their fathers or husbands for mainten­ance. They accepted a certain authority structure which was kind of feudal and arbitrary. Today, in Canada, things are different. A large number of Muslim women work outside the home. They work with other men and women in offices, factories, clinics, schools and business institutions. They make decisions and at times they are better educated and have better jobs than their husbands. In some families, they are the only wage earners. Then there are also younger professional women for whom their careers are just as -

important as they are for men. A promotion or advancement sometimes appeals more than another child. These wives expect, and rightly so, that they are listened to, their opinions are respected and that their husbands share in household work. These are the facts of life and we can ignore them at our own risk.

Other family tensions arise when men stay away from home after the regular work hours while the wives wait at home and feel neglected. This may even involve the so­called Islamic work but it cannot be justified if it deprives the family of the presence of the husabnd. The education of children as they grow or the selection of mates for marriage age boys and girls are some other frequent causes of conflict. And let us face it, economic difficulties and stinginess are as much responsible for broken marriages as sexual and intellectual incompatibility. In any case, violence against wives cannot be condoned at all. It is unIslamic, inhuman and criminal.

Writing one's will is another Islamic obligation. We should know the Islamic inheritance laws as well as the Canadian law, consult a lawyer and prepare a will that is mutually acceptable. Other aspects of family life which deserve study include adoption, care of the elderly and budgeting

As Muslims we also know that the prevalent permissive or extreme feminist attitudes do not work to the advantage of the family. This society has surrendered the interests of the family to the pleasures of the individual and this we can not accept as Muslims. The free mixing of men and women is also against Islamic tradition. Our salvation lies in the framework of the spirit of Islam as it applies to our surroundings. And this is where family counselling by qualified Muslim professionals who are committed to Islamic norms becomes vital. As a young immigrant community we do not have community elders or family support systems to advise, admonish or encourage when the chips are down. This makes Islamic Counselling Services even more critical. The Canadian Council of Muslim Women conducted a survey and the need for community based professional family counselling services was rated as the top priority. This is an area where local chapters can conduct pilot programs and test the waters.

Finally, Muslim women should become more involved in community life. They have a role to play in community school groups, in neighbourhood councils and in political riding or ratepayers associations. They should write letters to the editor and visit or phone their M.P.P. or M.P. on issues which concern them, e.g. Canadian immigration laws, abortion, pensions, free trade and peace. They should demand greater and more meaningful participation in developing Islamic education programs in the local community. They should join C.C.M.W.

In conclusion, the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, Council of Muslim Communities of Canada and local Muslim organizations should develop a plan of action for the 1990's which incorporates the following:

1. Develop and distribute authentic Islamic literature written in simple language by Muslim scholars and other concerned community leaders of Canada. Much of the Islamic literature available now is dogmatic, unappealing and intellectually unsatisfying. We need booklets which bring the Quran and the Sunnah to concrete Canadian social situations.

2. Regular consultations and get-to-gethers where Muslim scholars, community workers, family members and youth discuss and analyze the many challenges which we face as a minority.

3. We should be more tolerant and patient with different interpretations and approaches within the Quranic frame­work. In particular we should not condemn Muslim organiz­ations with whom we do not agree.

4. We should seriously consider the development of self help groups. We have now men and women of integrity and understanding across the Canadian Muslim community who should come forward to form local cells whose objective is to put marriage-age Muslim youth in contact with one another. We should sponsor youth recognition events.

5. We should establish family counselling programmes which cover all aspects, including career counselling, financial counselling, psychiatric referral and legal assistance.

6. We should develop regular, nationwide, series of consultations and workshops to help Muslimahs become active participants in the democratic institutions and processes of the Canadian society to enhance human dignity, family stability, equitable legislation and morality in public life.

- Talat Muinuddin

President's Message

Almost 7 years ago as I travelled across Canada talking to Muslims in various communities, it became apparent that there was a definite need for Muslim women to organize themselves not only locally but as a national body. In the spring of 1982 women came together from all the provinces across Canada to meet in Winnipeg and to discuss the concerns, the issues and the means of resolving these concerns and issues. Today, Masha-Allah, we have much to be grateful for as we come together to celebrate our 5th Anniversary Conference.

We have come a long way but we still have a long way to go. The future emphasis of this council lies in networking with women in many other organizations and through many endeavours. We can join with other women in educating ourselves and others on the critical issues in todays society. It will be necessary for us also to extend our hand beyond this great country of ours to the many Muslim women and their children who are living under oppression, who are powerless, shattered by insensitive rulers. It is a time of tragedy and exploitation. It is also a time to join with all women to seek peace throughout the world and to release women and children from bondage and oppression. This was the task that our Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) began 1400 years ago. It is the same task that we must pursue as we enter the 21st century.

- Lila Fahlman

World Council of Churches

Women in Interfaith Dialogue

From June 6th-11th, 1988 our President, Dr. Lila Fahlman and Secretary, Talat Muinuddin will be participating in a joint consultation on dialogue with people of living faiths and the women of the World Council of Churches at Victoria University in Toronto.

The overall purpose of the consultation is to become better aware of one another's commitment, concerns and experiences as religious women; to think together about our common issues and concerns as religious women of all faiths who are interested in inter-religious relations and who might discuss the potential for an interfaith women's movement.

Canadian Womens Movement Archives

Founded in 1977, this non-profit body collects data, conducts research and functions as a resource centre. They now have records from over 2000 women's groups and coalitions as well as conferences, regular periodicals, newsletters, sound recordings, posters and photographs. They produce FEMDIRECT which is a computerized directory of Canadian women's groups. Groups are indexed by location, and by area of interest and concern. You can access information by city, province, postal code or by subject. Please contact The Canadian Women's Movement Archives, P.O. Box 126, Station P, Toronto, Ont., M5S 2S7.

News from the individual chapters will be published in the next issue. Please forward your news.

Sudbury

The Canadian Council of Muslim Women now has a chapter in Sudbury. In coming months the members of the Chapter will be meeting to finalize their constitution. The Chapter's present priority is to organize a seminar in the spring to deal with Muslim Women. Conference will include speakers from across Canada. The newly elected Executive of the Chapter is now in the process of obtaining a Federal Government grant for this project. The members of the executive board are Sabiha Janjua, President; Maha Dabliz, Vice-President; Batul Hassan, Secretary-Treasurer.

Canadian Multicultural Council

Talat Muinuddin, Editor of the Canadian Muslim Woman, has been appointed to the Canadian Multicultural Council. The Council Members meet regularly, monitor government policies and programmes which deal with multicultural concerns at the federal level.

The Secretary of State of Canada

Le Secr6taire d'Etat du Canada

The Canadian Council of Muslim Women

74 Whit Ehorn Crescent

Willowdale, Ontario M2J 3B2

Dear Friends,

It gives me great pleasure to send you my warmest greetings as you commence this most important conference on "Changing the Image of Muslim Women in Canada."

Our country has experienced enormous racial and cultural changes in recent years. While Canada continues to be recognized as one of the most open societies in the world, the active involvement of the government and groups such as yours is essential if we are to eliminate the barriers which prevent minority women from contributing and participating fully in Canadian society.

It's a central theme of this government's multiculturalism policy that all Canadians be allowed to pursue individual, social, political and economic goals, free of any barriers that might exist because fear, ignorance or prejudice.

Your discussions over the next few days will strengthen ties and reach out to every corner of the Muslim community in Canada.        I wish you a most successful conference, and best of luck in the future.

Sincerely,

David Cromble

Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism

Otlawa. Canada KiA OM5

National News

Our president, Dr. Lila Fahlman attended the Invitational Symposium of the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women in Ottawa, March 14-15, 1988. The leaders of 75 women's groups were invited to share their voices and experiences and to analyze various aspects of power in society. The women discussed power at all levels of Government - municipal, provincial, national and international - and the need to create different structures to emphasize equality and mutual respect for women, men and children.

One highlight of the symposium was the speaker Kristine Halldorsdotter, a member of parliament from Iceland and one of the founding members of the Women's Alliance Party of Iceland, which now holds the balance of power in the country's Government. Kristine, in her speech, stressed the traditional ideas of powers have done little to advance the equality of women. The experiences cited by Kristine provided an inspiration for the participants to become involved in the election process in Canada.

Edmonton

Last weekend the Edmonton Chapter of C.C.M.W. hosted a reception along with the Indo-Canadian women for "Jalva", a speaker from the West Bank and Gaza. "Jalva" presented many disturbing facts about the situation and showed a series of slides to confirm the statements she was making. It thus became apparent that the situation in the West Bank and Gaza is becoming most intolerable. The women themselves have united and formed a union network throughout the area to organize women to help nurse the wounded; to help feed the hungry; and to help restructure the decaying society around them.

"Jalva" is touring across Canada.

Meech Lake Accord

We welcome the negotiations which Prime Minister Mulroney started to bring Quebec fully into the new Constitutional framework. We recognize that Quebec has a distinct society and a unique place of its own. We also appreciate that Federal-Provincial relations should not be adversarial and that all Canadians should work and live in mutual trust and harmony. And we are pleased that most Provinces have ratified the Accord.

However, we must express our discontent with the lack of provisions which guarantee the rights of our first people and women. We urge our members to continue to work with other women's groups to ensure that our status and rights are not compromised in any Province under any pretext. In particular we urge all members to call on their M.P.s and stress that:

1. The lack of definition of `distinct society' in Quebec may jeopardize the status of immigrant, visible and minority faith women in Quebec.

2. In Section 15, the equality clause of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms should explicitly state that it applies to the entire Accord.

3. Multiculturalism should be included in Clause 1 of the Accord to reflect fully the official bilingual and multicultural nature of Canada.

Women in Politics

In 1984 more women ran for and were elected in the House of Commons than in previous years. Provincially this trend is also continuing. As the next Federal election draws near, more and more women will endeavour to enter the political arena.

Women are constrained from entering politics due to lack of financial support, the attitude of political parties toward women and the responsibilities in the home and the lack of sufficient support services to enable women to achieve their goals outside the home. To obtain full equality in all areas of society women must increasingly participate in the political process at all levels.

Canadian women in the past have had greater success provincially but still the numbers remain small. Approxi­mately 60% have been elected in the past 10 years.

Women stand a good chance of being successful in politics at the local level for example as councillors or trustees. My own success as a school board trustee less than two years ago was a most rewarding experience. Particularly since 58 candidates were in the running and only 9 were to be elected. These two fields are apolitical and give women the opportunity of securing a stronger and broader base among the electorate. I would encourage many Muslim women across Canada to become politically active and to encourage the young daughters to do likewise. By making gains in this field we will be able to not only set models for future generations but we will also establish a stronger base politically.

- Dr. L. Fahiman

Free Trade and Women

Several studies indicate that Free Trade may reduce the number of jobs and the quality of working conditions in the jobs held by women.

Nearly eighty percent of women in the labour force are in the service sector. Working women are heavily concentrated in data processing, financial services, telecommunications, transportation and culture. Industries which are labour intensive may seek to become more competitive at the cost of pay equity and other employee benefits. More privatiza­tion and increased contracting out of part-time work would also affect working women adversely. And it is well documented that women generally face more difficulties in relocating and retraining.

We therefore urge the Government of Canada to plan and undertake nationwide initiatives and measures, includ­ing legislation, which will ensure that the modest gains which women have made in the last decade are protected and new programs for retraining recognize the realities of life of the working woman. We support the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women on this issue and demand that a free trade agreement must be accompanied by extensive and well coordinated provisions for job retraining, affirmative action and employment equity for women.

Most immigrant women start in garment, textile, leather, electronic and food industries. Their jobs and working conditions are at stake unless the Federal and Provincial Governments undertake massive retraining projects. Equity in language and skills training is as important for our future as cultural autonomy or balance of trade.

Ummah Muslim Television

In the present age of mass communications, television is the most effective and efficient means of presenting the truth, influencing public opinion and developing identity. It has the power of becoming Dawah in the real sense.

Today, Allah Subhanahu wa Taala has given Muslim Canadians a historic and unique opportunity to establish the first regular, independent, prime time National Islamic television service in the Western world. The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission has issued the license for a separate Religious Television Network which will go on air in September 1988. Trans­mitted via satellite through cable, it will enable us to take the message of Islam to more than 10 million Canadian and U.S. viewers.

To meet this challenge the Council of Muslim Communities of Canada has established the Ummah Telecommunications Agency which will produce and present the Ummah Muslim Television program, with a start up cost of nearly $286,000.00.

The mission of Ummah Muslim Television is "To foster a better understanding and appreciation of the message of Islam and Muslim culture, contributions and concerns in order to strengthen the Islamic identity of Muslims and to promote goodwill among all."

The purpose of Ummah Muslim Television is:

1. To establish a regular, independent, authentic and high­quality Canadian Islamic television service which presents Islam and Muslims in a realistic and positive way

2. To produce a series of varied, comprehensive, enlighten­ing and interesting programs which shall build a sense of belonging and brotherhood among all believers and to strengthen the ties which bind the Ummah Islamiyah together.

3. To design programs to safeguard, enrich and strengthen the spiritual and cultural fabric of life.

4. To project real life situations which focus on values and practices which make Muslims a distinct people.

Essentially, programs will include real or simulated life situations, dramatizations, vignette, documentaries, public affairs magazine and discussions in a suitable mix of studio and on location settings. Each program will be guided by the noble teachings of the Quran, the way of the Prophet Muhammad and the Islamic principles of justice, peace and brotherhood. We shall focus on the unique principles and practices of Islam as they relate to contemporary life and issues like human rights, the environment, family stability, racism and international peace. Selected aspects and events of the Muslim World will be highlighted to popularize the just and truthful Islamic perspectives and to correct misconceptions.

In the first phase, a series of thirteen, one-half hour programs of high broadcast policy will be produced. They will be designed to enhance Islamic consciousness of Muslims and to promote effective Islamic presence in a multicultural Canada.

A project of this magnitude and critical nature needs your all out support. Quality TV programs cost a lot of money. God has given us a unique opportunity to build a promising future for Islam and Muslims through the use of television. Let's go for it, in the name of Allah Subhanahu wa Taala.

In Agreement With Mr. Joe Clark

The Canadian Council of Muslim Women wishes to express its endorsement of the statements made by the Canadian Minister for External Affairs, Mr. Joe Clark, regarding the treatment of Palestinians in the territories occupied by Israel.

We join with him in the condemnation of violations of human rights of the Palestinians in the occupied territories by the security forces of Israel and call upon him to vigorously express the position of the Government of Canada regarding the matter both to Israel and before the United Nations. We believe, as Mr. Clark has stated, that information regarding the situation in the occupied territories should be openly available and that the human rights of the Palestinians should be respected without exception under the terms of the Geneva Convention.

For Life

The January 28, 1988 decision of the Supreme Court of Canada declaring existing hospital abortion committees unconstitutional has opened the proverbial Pandora's box. There have been large demonstrations, legal warnings and threats by Prochoice groups (which want abortion on demand as a birthright of a woman) and by Prolife organizations (which demand that the right to life of the unborn child must be respected at all times). We understand that the Federal Government is bringing new legislation which will allow abortion under certain conditions.

As Muslim women, we have a well defined and clear position. All premarital or extramarital sex relations are forbidden under Islamic Shariyah as they undermine personal morality and family solidarity. A Muslim woman values and preserves her honour and integrity.

Abortion is allowed during the first twelve weeks only, according to some schools of Islamic law and that also only if the life of the mother is threatened or in rape related cases (fiqh). The Quran states in clear terms that one should not kill children because of fear of poverty.

Islamic solutions look at the total picture and develop structures and patterns of conduct which are morally sound and practical and which respect the innate dignity of life. As Muslim Canadian women, we urge upon all government and private agencies and individuals to promote measures which enhance family solidarity, emotional health and respect for life.

Congratulations

Dr. Inamullah Khan, Secretary General of the Motamar Al-Alam Al-Islamia has been chosen to be the recipient of the Templeton Prize for 1988. This is a most distinguished prize. Canadian Council of Muslim Women takes this opportunity to congratulate Dr Inamullah Khan for achieving such a distinction. May Allah bless him and give more power to his excellent work. Amin.

Dr. Inamullah Khan has organized an International Conference on Islam and Global Peace this month in Karachi (March 30-April 1). Canadian Council of Muslim Women fully endorses the need of Islamic mobilization for global peace and urges the participants of the conference to do everything possible to stop the bleeding of the Ummah between Iraq and Iran.

We pray for the success of the conference and solidarity of the Ummah.

Canadian Council of Muslim Women

AIM

Canadian Council of Muslim Women endeavors to promote and encourage mutual appreciation and friendly relations between Muslim women and non-Muslim women.

OBJECTIVES

• To coordinate the activities of organizations of Muslim women across Canada and to present the Islamic way of life, as defined by Koran and Sunnah.

• To stimulate a direction of thinking among Muslim women across Canada which is characterized by acknowledgement of the multicultural differences of the harmony in such diversity of cultures, and by an awareness of their rights, responsibilities and roles in a multicultural society.

• To foster Islamic education for and among Muslim women and stimulate Islamic thought among them.

• To communicate with women throughout the Muslim World.

HOW DID WE COME TO BE?

For many years the concept of networking of Muslim women across Canada, has been a dream of a Canadian born Muslim, Dr. Lila Sied Ameen Ganam Fahlman. In the capacity of Advisor to Women, for the Council of Muslim Communities in Canada, Lila travelled across Canada, meeting and talking with Muslim women.

On April 24, 1982 Muslim women came from across Canada to a Founding Conference, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women. The Council presently has twenty Chapters in operation or in process of formation, extending across Canada, from Vancouver, British Columbia to St. John's, Newfoundland.

Education is the thrust of each chapter. "Muslim women must grow in knowledge and actively participate in society, thereby setting an example for our youth.

CANADIAN COUNCIL OF MUSLIM WOMEN

CHANGING THE IMAGE OF MUSLIM WOMEN IN CANADA

April 8 - 10, 1988

Park Plaza Hotel, Toronto

PROGRAMME

- ACKNOWLEDGEMENT -
The Canadian Council of Muslim Women acknowledges with thanks the funding of this programme by the Secretary of State.

1982-1988 CONFERENCES have been held in:

 Canadian Council of Muslim Women
Le Conseil Canadien des Femmes Musulmanes
2400 Dundas Street, W., Suite 513
Mississauga, Ontario L5K 2R8