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Iftar with Mayor & Councillors

 


World Islamic Mission Canada organized the first  official Iftar gathering with the
Mayor of Oakille and City Councillors. This auspicious event took place at  the
Oakville Town Hall on Sept 26th, 2008. Community leaders and officials joined
the Muslim community of Oakville to partake in the breaking of the fast in the
holy month of Ramadan. For most of the attendees this was a new and
informative experience about Islam.                                                                                     Home
Many felt that the gathering highlighted, in a very human way, the
importance of fasting in the lives of Muslims and how  iftar is used as
a means of constant reflection to examine themselves in their roles as
parents, students and positive members of our community.  Moreover,
this dignified gathering proved that by communities coming together to
learn from each, there is hope for us to work together in an atmosphere
of  love and respect.   
 
       
    Munaf Solaiman, vice-president of WIM, welcomes Councilllor Fred
Oliver and his wife. Fred Oliver explains that he has been a member
of the Oakville Town Council for twenty-one years and has seen
many changes during his duties in public life.		   Mohamed Siddiqui, executive member of WIM, meets Wayne
Joudrie, Director of Education for the Halton District School
Board		  
       
    Councillor Mary Chapin chats with young Miss Hameeza.
 		   Councillor Mark Grant and his wife meet Sara Sami and Mrs.
Sabith Ali of Oakville.		  
       
    Mayor Rob Burton chats with Sabir Sami and Munaf Solaiman
 		   PC candidate, Terrence Young, and assistant Ed Haffer meet
Mohamed Siddiqui		  
       
    Abdul Ahad Ruhoman, Secretary if WIM, welcomes federal MP of
Oakville Bonnie Brown to the Oakville Iftar gathering.		   Terrence Young exchange views  with Councillor Tom Adams  
       
    Sabith Ali, resident of Oakville for 37 years,  chats with Councillor
Alan Johnston		   Dr. Shaida Khan and her father meet with representatives of the
Halton Health Authority		  
         
    Master of Ceremony for the event, Noorhassan Kausim and Hafiz Usman
Munawwar explain the importance of fasting for Muslims		   Maulana Yunus Ashrafi, Imam of Masjid Noor-ul-Haram, with MP
Bonnie Brown, Sabir Sami and Zaffar Munawwar listening to the
Iftar presentation.		  
       
    Oakville Muslims and non-Muslims come together to share a solemn
moment - the time of Iftar / breaking of the fast at sunset.		   WIM Executive members - Hassan Peero, Bilal Jahanghir, and
Saeed Iqbal together with member of the organizing committee Sara
Sami particpating in the Iftar		  
       
    Councillor Fred Oliver in a moment of reflection joined by Inspector Jackie Gordon of Halton Regional Police Service.   Prayer at iftar gives Muslims a chance to reflect - Br Waqqar and friend  
       
    Mr. & Mrs Odidi, Community Leader, participating in the Iftar gathering.
 		   Councillor Maqsood Khan and wife join in the Iftar gathering.
Br. 'Max' is the first Muslim Councillor in Oakville.		  
       
    Shaikh Rahmat Moertabat, Maulana Yunus Ashrafi, Hira Hayee and Munaf Solaiman participating in the iftar presentation. Munaf Solaiman touched on the inner aspect of iftar and the important services being offered by Masjid Noor-ul-Haram, 'the little mosque in Oakville,  to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. He also urged more non-Muslims to play a more active role in the affairs of the centre.
 		  
     
    Mayor Rob Burton explains that the Muslim community is a vital part of Oakville and that Masjid Noor-ul-Haram, by offering its services to the community, is playing a key role and is actually doing the work of the town of Oakville. For this, he thanked World Islamic Mission Canada for its efforts.   Hon. MP Bonnie Brorwn applauds all faith communities for taking an active role in the community. Ms. Brown was also moved by the fact that fasting and iftar was a time of reflection and self-introspection for Muslims, "something we all need to do more" she said.
 		  
       
    Ramesh Shukla, President of the Vaishno Devi HinduTemple of Halton, with
the pundit of the temple joined by Abdul Hayee and Mohamed Siddqiui in
the iftar program.		  

PC candidate - Terrence Young expresses
his gratitude for being in such an auspicious
iftar gathering.

 
       
    Here executive member Muratib Shah engages Mark Grant and Co. The
event gave all a unique sense of togetherness.
 		 There was no shortage of culinary delight and special moments amongst friends and neighbours. Here we see Councillor Ralph Robinson with his
wife wasting no time to 'dig' in.		  
       
    PC candidate - Terrence Young meeting with members of exec. committee
of Masjid Noor-ul-Haram.		   Old friends Ali Chaudhry and Haji Sohail Akbar of Oakville sharing a quiet moment at the iftar gathering.  
       
    Members enjoying a friendly moment. Thanks to Nauman Khan of "Asian
Focus" and "Brampton Guardian" newspapers for coverage of events.		   Qudos to the organizers and thanks to all who participated, including Saad Ali  
       
    Dr. Qidwai, Afshan Omar,  Nadeem Omar enjoying a light moment  with
Councillor Mary Chapin and her husband.		   "So when are we doing this again?" OK, Mayor Rob we got the message.  
       
    Friends enjoying a parting moment with tokens of appreciation of kind words and momentos. We pray that all within our community come together more often in
such gatherings of sharing and felicity. Ameen.