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Highlights From our Community

[Summer Edition]

 

In this special edition newsletter we will share highlights from our latest programs and initiatives during the summer months until September. We'll start with a special message from our Board of Directors and our Imam, Shaykh Ismail.

Message from the Board - Shaykh Munir Shalghum

Assalamu alaykum,

During the last two years, our community, our country, and the whole world went through difficult times due to COVID-19.

The challenges that the pandemic presented did not slow us down. Here at Masjid ar-Rahmah and AMA Centre we continuously put in efforts to serve you, our beloved community.
Our Board of directors, our dedicated staff, and our volunteers strive to offer services while taking all safety precautions to limit the spread of the virus.

Here are few highlights of our work:

(1) Our Centre was used as a clinic for both COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.
(2) Our Centre continued to be used for Blood Donor Clinics with the Canadian Blood Services.

(3) Our volunteers and staff worked hard to secure a safe return for our congregation to resume their spiritual duties. 

(4) Many of our community programs and classes were moved to a virtual setting to ensure continuity of our education and Da'wah programs.

We are looking forward to resuming our full regular programs and activities once the COVID era is behind us by the Grace of Allah.

May Allah SWT keep our community safe and help us continue to serve the community for His sake.

Message from Our Imam - Shaykh Ismail Albatnuni

Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatu Allah,

With the school year underway I wanted to take a moment to share a message for our children and youth, our sons and daughters, who have returned to being students again.

We know over the past 1.5 years going to school has not been easy with all of the changes in learning because of COVID-19. However, I want to encourage our beloved students to not forget about the noble act they are doing of seeking knowledge.
I want to share a reminder with our community.

Seeking knowledge is one of the deeds that Allah loves the most.

It’s enough for us to know that the first word revealed to our Prophet (peace be upon him) was “Iqraa” (read).

“Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists),” [Chapter 96, Verse 1]

In another verse we are told that those who seek knowledge are in a category of their own.

Say, “Are those who know equal to those who do not know?”  [Chapter 39, Verse 9]

Allah tells us that those who have knowledge and those who do not are not the same. He also tells us in another verse that only those who have knowledge fear Allah.

Knowledge is our key to success in this life and the next.

As our beloved sons and daughters are working hard to learn about science, business, math, and all other subjects, I want them to remember the purpose behind their learning.

“We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves,” [Chapter 41, verse 53].

The knowledge you are seeking should bring you closer to Allah. Take this opportunity to renew your intentions, that the knowledge you're seeking will be for the sake of Allah.

When you have the right intention then you will be rewarded for the efforts you are putting into your education every day. You will be rewarded for the steps you take to school, the countless hours of study, and the effort you put into doing the best you can on your assignments and exams.

Seeking knowledge is one of the most beloved deeds to Allah but you need to have a good intention. 

Imagine becoming successful in this dunya by getting your degree, receiving a strong education, and getting the reward from Allah all at the same time. How amazing would that be?

I encourage you to aspire to reach new heights in your education and become a great benefit for our community.

AMA Hosted an Election Q and A Session for Federal Candidates

On Friday, September 17 we hosted a Federal Election Q and A session for candidates in Ottawa South.

This was an opportunity for our community to ask about their concerns such as Islamophobia, foreign policy, immigration and housing, and more. The event was both well-received and well attended. Between those in attendance in-person and watching virtually from home, the session received 960 views.

Lastly, AMA is a non-partisan, community oriented organization. We cannot recommend any party or candidate in any election, regardless of whether it is municipal, provincial, or federal.

AMA is Featured by the City of Ottawa for our Response to Help in the Pandemic

AMA was featured in a story published on the City of Ottawa’s website regarding our role for COVID-19 relief, testing, and vaccination.

It highlights the work we’ve done with the UMO-OG and our other partners, as well as using our space for both COVID-19 testing & vaccination clinics.

To view the full the story you can visit this link on Ottawa.ca

Our Virtual Multicultural Bazaar 

AMA hosted a special event on Friday, July 23. It was our FIRST virtual multicultural event and bazaar.

What made this bazaar unique from our past bazaars wasn’t just that it was virtual. In addition to browsing and purchasing goods from vendors, we also provided a multicultural exhibition of 15 countries! The exhibitions contained....[continue reading]

Congrats to the Winners from our Summer Olympics!

The Summer Olympics was a 6 week long program for youth ages 9 to 18 years old.

It was comprised of a variety of activities including fitness, skills building, team building, community service, Islamic and recreational events to promote over-all growth.

We held an awards ceremony in August to recognize the hard work the participants put in and to award fun prizes!

Summer Achievement Program for Youth

The AMA Summer Achievement Gap program is an extension of our ongoing after-school homework club which runs throughout the school year.

The program was offered for free to all participants and provides 1 – 3 sessions/week during the summer. 

This includes book clubs, virtual field trips, math workshops, skills workshops, writing workshops, visual arts classes, poetry workshops, and related activities you've seen in our past email newsletters... [continue reading] 

AMA Hosts Its First-Ever Movie Night

AMA partnered with Islamic Relief to offer a screening of the family-friendly film "One Night in Al-Aqsa" on Saturday, July 24.

This was a movie drive-in event where the movie was watched from inside your car. Viewers got to uncover the mysteries of Al-Aqsa, one of the holiest and most-beloved mosques in the world. It was also an opportunity to learn more about Palestine and allow the community to offer their support.

Here are photos from this amazing night in which we had over 100 guests!

AMA In the Media

Throughout the summer we received the following news coverage in the media:

CIty of OttawaPandemic response from Ottawa’s Assunnah Muslims Association is innovative, inspiring and all-inclusive (August 2021)


CBC News: All In A Day - Greening Sacred Spaces - program looks at faith communities' energy usage (August 2021)

Ottawa CitizenLifted restrictions bring joy to local Eid celebrations (July 2021)

Eid ul-Adha Drive Thru

We held an Eid ul-Adha drive thru where children could receive Eid loot bags. We were pleased to see so many happy smiles and faces that day!

Do You Have a Highlight to Share?

We are on the lookout for amazing stories from our AMA community members. These stories can be testimonials on how our programs and initiatives have impacted your life or the life of your family. 
If there is a highlight you want to show in our next newsletter then you can send it to info@mymasjid.ca
That brings us to the end of our community highlights for the summer months. Stay tuned to our next newsletter for our regular upcoming events & programs.

Best regards,
The AMA Team
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