On November 25th, the Muslim Coordinating Council of the National Capital Region (MCC-NCR) organized a Unity Dinner at Sir John A. Macdonald Building for the leaders of Muslim community organizations. Over 310 Muslim leaders, people of diverse faiths, academics, government leaders and the media who attended the first joint dinner of Muslim organizations on Parliament Hill.
On November 8th, I was invited to speak at the Muslim Coordinating Council's "Turning the Tides: A Panel Discussion on Young Muslim Radicalization and Crime Prevention".
I was particularly pleased that a Muslim youth, Afnan Khan, was given the lead on organizing the panel and moderating the discussion. Muslim organizations need to give more space to younger Muslims to organize and lead sessions that have to do with issues youth are facing.
On June 7th, the Muslim Coordinating Council of Ottawa-Carleton (MCC) organized an all candidates’ debate in the provincial riding of Ottawa-South, which has the city’s highest concentration of Muslim residents. Ottawa-South resident Qais Ghanem moderated the session, asking a range of questions from how the candidates would address global warming to how they would address the lack of recognition for foreign credentials.
Politicians and community leaders cut the cake at a Canada Day community celebration held at Strathcona Park on July 1, 2013.
It was a defining moment for the growing Muslim community as members of disparate organisations and associations came together to celebrate the achievements of their own.
The Jan. 19 event, hosted by the Muslim Coordinatin
g Council (MCC) and the Ottawa Muslim Association (OMA), honoured 20 Ottawa Muslim recipients of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award.
“This is the first time in Ottawa that 42 Muslim organizations joined hands in a community-wide celebration of our contributions to Canada,” the MCC said in a statement issued after the event.
Pleasant weather, a cool spot beside the Rideau Canal, delicious food, and lively games for the kids made for a memorable celebration of Canada's 145th birthday.
According to organizers, the July 1 celebration at Strathcona Park, organized jointly by the Muslim Coordinating Council (MCC-NCR) and the Indonesian Canadian Congress was a smashing success.
Sarwat Humayun, chair of the Muslim Coordinating Council of the National Capital Region's email committee, has been honoured for her contributions to the community.
On Mar. 24, she was among 29 women and girls in Ottawa who received the Leading Women/Leading Girls, Building Communities Award from member of the provincial assembly Yasir Naqvi, who presented the award on behalf of Laurel Broten, Ontario's Minister Responsible for Women's Issues.
“Only by working together constructively will the Muslim community be able to uplift itself and serve the country effectively,” Mohammed Zakaria Khan told an iftar (evening meal to break the fast) gathering of students of Carleton University and the University of Ottawa.
The president of the Muslim Coordinating Council spoke at an iftar of Muslim students of the two universities, which was hosted by Human Concern International (HCI) and the Muslim Coordinating Council of the National Capital Region (MCC-NCR). HCI is one of MCC-NCR's member organizations and has previously hosted such iftars. MCC-NCR co-hosted the iftar for the first time.
The following is an open letter to the community from outgoing Muslim Coordinating Council president, Mohammed Azhar Ali Khan.
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Most Merciful
With Allah's help and the efforts of many brothers and sisters the Muslim Coordinating Council of the National Capital Region has built a solid foundation. Insha Allah (God willing) a new team of dedicated, wise, patient and visionary people will carry on the task and serve our community and our country. As my term ends, I pray to Allah to bless you for your support.
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