Muslim Link had the opportunity to interview Mohammed Al Rayyan and his wife Dima Siam, who is facing deportation to Syria. A petition was launched on March 8th, International Women’s Day, demanding that the new Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, John McCallum, grant Dima permanent residency. Dima hopes that members of Ottawa's Muslim community would consider supporting her cause and signing the petition.

Palestinian Canadian Registered Dietitian Rawan Suleiman discusses the health benefits of returning to homemade ethnic food.

Dr. Habib Khoury, 42, is a Palestinian Canadian practicing dentistry at Centrum Dental Care in Kanata. Last year, he came up with the idea of finding an innovative way to raise funds for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)’s Community Mental Health Program. The program supports Palestinians, particularly children, who are coping with mental health issues such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

After years of working in community development and youth engagement across Ottawa, Hamid Mousa has been working with the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) since 2008. Currently the OPS Community Development Coordinator, Mousa, a Palestinian Canadian, began as a refugee to this country.

Muslim Link is continuing its series Muslims of Ottawa. At the Arabian Canadian Bazaar, we asked Arab Muslims from Ottawa the question: What Do You Want The World to Know about Arab Culture?. Here is a volunteer with the Palestinian Students' Association of Carleton University, Hind Al Hassoun's response.

Muslim Link is continuing its series Muslims of Ottawa. At the Arabian Canadian Bazaar, we asked Arab Muslims from Ottawa the question: What Do You Want The World to Know about Arab Culture?. Here is Heba Jallad's response.

Muslim Link is one of several sponsors of the Arabian Canadian Bazaar taking place Sunday, January 18th at St. Elias Banquet Hall. This a charity event organized by the Syrian Association of Ottawa in collaboration with Human Concern International in the hopes of raising over $25,000 for humanitarian aid for Syrians. Other sponsors of the event include Autorebex International, Iraqi Student Association of Carleton University, Muslim Student Association of Carleton University, Bab Elhara Cafe, Youth Gentler and Softer Hearts, H&M Photography, and Sweet Castle.

"Being Muslim, Canadian and Palestinian is in many ways a microcosm of Canada as a whole, with its beautiful capacity for coexistence and constructive integration. My personal ability to seamlessly be all three is nothing but a proof that Canada is the best place in the world. Being Muslim is about God and about giving to humanity while making the world a better place. Canada gave the world things like insulin, sonar, and the prosthetic hand. If we are good at something, it's improving the lives of people. Being a Canadian Muslim is a unique privilege and offers a huge opportunity for adding good to the world, through our Canadian values, and through Allah's spiritual guidance. I think in many ways, being Canadian has made me a better Muslim."

When Marwan Abdalla began planning the first Palestinian Festival in Ottawa, there was one thing he was certain of, “We are having it at City Hall!” Fortunately, the city was receptive and the festival will be taking place in Marion Dewar Park, adjacent to City Hall, from August 29th to 31st. Mayor Jim Watson will even be opening the event with an inaugural speech.

Muslim Link caught up with 17 year old Palestinian spoken word poet Haneen Al-Hassoun aka Freedom Writer as she prepares to compete in this week’s Youth Can Slam National Youth Poetry Festival.