Assalamu alaykum,
We have 12 updates to share with you in today's newsletter:
(1) Earthquake Relief Fundraiser: we are continuing to raise funds to support the relief efforts in Türkiye and Syria.
(2) Preparing for Ramadan: the masjid is looking for volunteers to help clean and organize the AMA Centre prior to Ramadan. Volunteers seeking community service hours are encouraged to register.
(3) Stories of the Four Caliphs: join Sh. Abu Umar Abdulazeez as he delves into the lives of the four rightly-guided caliphs.
(4) Managing Diabetes in Ramadan: learn to manage diabetes while fasting, fast safely this Ramadan. Sessions available in both Arabic and English.
(5) Arabic Halaqa: join Sh. Ismail Albatnuni every Saturday after Isha for a halaqa in Arabic.
(6) Beyond the Shelters: learn more about the programming and services offered by Sakeenah Homes on March 1.
(7) Teen Girls Talk: the AMA Big Sisters Club invites girls ages 13 - 18 to discuss and reflect on Mental Health and Deen next Saturday, February 25.
(8) Classical Arabic Program: develop a foundation for understanding Classical Arabic with Sh. Munir Shalghum.
(9) Converts' Halaqa: new Muslim brothers and sisters are invited to a halaqa with Sh. Abu Umar Abdelazeez.
(10) Youth Events: soccer is cancelled this Friday for the long weekend.
(11) AMA Counselling Clinic: we are proud to provide a Counselling Clinic at AMA that is supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
(12) Neighbourhood Health & Wellness Hub: benefit from the COVID-19 clinic, parenting drop-ins and dental clinic offered by OPH at AMA.
Read below for more details.
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#1. Earthquake Relief Fundraiser
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On Monday, February 6, Türkiye and Syria were hit with a devastating earthquake registering up to 7.8 on the Richter scale. This historic disaster has taken the lives of over 30,000 so far.
إِنَّا ِلِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Five are regarded as martyrs: They are those who die because of plague, abdominal disease, drowning or a falling building etc., and the martyrs in Allah's Cause." [Sahih al-Bukhari 2829]
We ask Allah to shower his mercy on those who have been killed, and to grant them Jannat al-Firdous al-A'la. And we ask Allah to protect our brothers and sisters in Türkiye and Syria, to grant them safety and security, to place relief in their homes and in their hearts, to strengthen them with patience, and to make this difficult trial an expiation for their sins.
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Over the past week, we have risen to the challenge. In support of the number of organisations on the ground in Syria and Türkiye, we have raised over $100,000. We also opened our doors to clothing and item donations which were incredibly successful.
AMA deeply appreciates the support you have shown for our brothers and sisters overseas and we ask Allah to accept from us. It is important to keep the momentum going, as the critical stage of the search and rescue operation draws to a close, we begin a new phase of rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Items such as tents, sleeping bags and sanitary products now highly in demand in both Türkiye and Syria. We encourage you to support Diyanet Canada's clothing drive by visiting:
Turkish Assembly Centre
2212 Gladwin Crescent
Unit C8, Ottawa, ON
K1B 5N1
You can donate items including blankets, clothing, boots, shoes, tents, diapers, sleeping bags, flashlights and sanitary items. Please note that used items are not accepted. The centre is open at the following times:
Weekdays 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Weekends 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
For PayPal and INTERAC e-Transfer donations please put 'For Relief Efforts' as the comment.
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#2. Preparing for Ramadan
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The masjid is looking for volunteers to help clean and organize the AMA Centre prior to Ramadan. Volunteers seeking community service hours are encouraged to register.
Here are the details:
Date: Saturday, Feb 18
Time: 10 AM - 2 PM
Location: AMA Centre
Volunteer Supervisor: Usman Qureshi (819 329-6387)
Responsibilities:
- Organize the AMA Library and storage based on the directions of the supervisor
- Removing unnecessary items
- Cleaning surfaces, sweeping, and mopping
- Labelling and sorting existing items
Please note: This position is for brothers only and may require lifting heavy boxes
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate us at alefiya.j@amacentre.ca
Register by clicking the button below:
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#3. Stories of the Four Caliphs
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Join Sh. Abu Umar Abdulazeez as he delves into the lives of the four rightly-guided caliphs. This lecture series will span the space of four weekends this February and everyone is invited to reap the benefits of such a renowned speaker.
Here are the details:
Instructor: Sh. Abu Umar Abdulazeez
Date: Weekends starting February 4 to February 26
Time: 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM (see poster for detailed schedule)
Location: AMA Community Centre
Cost: Free
Register by clicking the button below:
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We are looking for volunteers to help with set-up and take-down for the event on all the days. If you're interested in volunteering, kindly send us e-mail at: alefiya.j@amacentre.ca
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#4. Managing Diabetes in Ramadan
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This year, we are collaborating with our community partners at SEOCHC, Canadian Arab Health Coalition and Ottawa Public Health to offer an online program for the Ottawa Muslim community.
Learn to manage diabetes safety during Ramadan with Sh. Ismail Albatnuni, Dr. Ahmad R. Tarakji and Lydia Nyarko.
Here are the details:
Location: Online via Zoom
Date: February 14 (Arabic), February 15 (English)
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Cost: Free
To register for the event, click the corresponding button below:
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Join Sh. Ismail Albatnuni for his weekly Arabic halaqa, every Saturday after Isha. The topic of discussion is Major Fitnahs.
Here are the details:
Date: Every Saturday
Time: After Isha (8:00 PM)
Location: Masjid ar-Rahmah (1216 Hunt Club Rd.)
Cost: Free
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AMA is proud to partner with Sakeenah homes to bring you Beyond the Shelters, a workshop that will provide an overview of the services and programs offered by Sakeenah Homes.
Here are the details:
Date: March 1
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: AMA Community Centre (1216 Hunt Club Rd.)
Cost: Free
Register by clicking the button below:
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AMA Big Sisters Club presents, "Teens Girl Talk," a safe space for young Muslimahs ages 13 - 18. Join us for a halaqa this Friday. We will promptly start at 12:30 PM, so please join us on time!
Topic: Mental Health and Deen
Date: Saturday, February 25
Time: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Location: AMA Community Centre (1216 Hunt Club Rd.)
Cost: Free
Ages: Girls 13 to 18
To register for the event, please click on the button below:
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#8. Classical Arabic Program
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We are proud to announce that the Arabic Program is continuing in January 2023!
This course will give you a basic foundation for understanding classical Arabic and is divided into multiple parts, beginning with Level 1 for Beginners.
This course will be taught by none other than Shaykh Munir Shalghum.
- To benefit from this course you will need to:
- Know the Arabic alphabet
- Be committed to attending the class each and every week
- Have a goal for wanting to understand the Qur'an without needing an English translation
You do not need to know how to speak Arabic to enroll in this course. Our teaching method will benefit you even if you cannot speak Arabic. This course is beginner-friendly.
Here are the details for the upcoming Winter 2023 semester:
Instructor: Sh. Munir Shalghum
Date: Class begins on January 30, 2023
Time for Level 1: 8:15 - 9:15 PM each Tuesday and Thursday
Time for Level 2: 6:00 - 7:00 PM each Monday and Friday
Time for Level 3: 8:15 - 9:15 PM each Monday and Wednesday
Time for Level 5: 6:00 - 7:00 PM each Wednesday, and 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM each Saturday
Time for Level 8: 7:00 - 8:00 PM each Monday and Wednesday
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Cost: $350 for the term
Register by clicking the button below:
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Converts are invited to join our next halaqa on Wednesday, February 22. The session will be led by Sh. Abu Umar Abdulazeez and is available both online and in-person. Please join us for this important topic for new Muslims and relationships with non-Muslim parents.
Pizza and refreshments will be served. Daycare is available for ages 4 - 9
Here are the details:
Topic: Treatment of Parents
Speaker: Shaykh Abu Umar Abdulazeez
Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: AMA Community Centre (1216 Hunt Club) or virtual via Zoom
Cost: Free
Registration mandatory
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#10. Friday Youth Soccer (Cancelled this week)
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AMA Youth is back Fridays at 8 to 10 with soccer for youth.
Soccer is cancelled this Friday for the long weekend.
Here are the details:
Date: Every Friday from February 3 to March 10
Ages: Boys aged 9 - 13 and 14-18
Location: Canterbury High School
Time: 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $10/month
To register for the event, please click here:
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#11. AMA Counselling Clinic
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To help our community to rebuild and recover from impacts of COVID-19, AMA Centre has launched a Counselling Clinic as part of the Resilient Communities Fund from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). We work with trained Psychotherapists who integrate evidence based interventions (CBT, DBT, EFT, etc) in their client centred therapeutic approach, thus providing top-level care and service to clients.
We currently offer appointments at select hours on Mondays and Thursdays. To book an appointment, please email counselling@amacentre.ca.
We would like to thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their support to help us create programs and systems to help our congregants and community to regain autonomy and self-sufficiency.
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#12. Neighbourhood Health & Wellness Hub
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(1) Immunization – COVID-19
Tuesdays to Thursdays from 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM (Closed 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM)
(2) Parenting in Ottawa drop-ins
Wednesdays from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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Best regards,
The AMA Team
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