Asma Warsi: Canada's only Muslim woman newspaper publisher

But have you ever stopped to think about what makes The Ambition the excellent publication that it is? Who makes it tick? How has this particular newspaper managed to survive uninterrupted since 1987 (almost a quarter-century)? What is the driving force that has kept it going while so many others have petered out or disappeared completely? Most importantly, have you ever thought that you could become a part of this amazing da'wah work (a work with the purpose of extending an invitation to Islam)?

Well, the opportunity is open. Read on: this is where you can meet Asma Warsi and her brainchild, The Ambition. Sister Asma modestly declines to talk about herself; she feels that this is irrelevant to the higher purpose of her ongoing project.  Her sole wish is to focus on the work at hand.  “When Allah wants to get something done, He chooses someone to do it. I am grateful that He chose me to convey His message to the public”giving me the honor of being the first Muslim woman in Canada, if not North America, to be the publisher of a newspaper,” she says humbly.

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”[The Ambition] is operated through a committee of volunteers, writers, and distributors, who tirelessly devote their energy and efforts into it as an outreach format to spread the word of God. As a result, [it] has become one of the most established Islamic newspapers in North America”

It was around 1986 that Asma felt a need to establish a platform for budding Muslim writers (many of whom were still children at the time) to express their Muslim identity in print. “I noticed there were ethnic newspapers in Urdu, Arabic, or other languages, but children did not, or were not able to, get anything out of them that would replenish and rejuvenate their Islamic distinctiveness,” she explained in an interview with CIC.  “One reason was the language barrier; another was content. What these newspapers presented was just not relevant to them.”

During Ramadan 1987, Asma took the plunge and launched The Ambition, an English magazine for children and youth, which contained Islamic content with a Canadian perspective. “It was mostly written by me and a couple of children, typed by me on a manual typewriter, printed on legal-size paper, folded in half, collated and stapled with the help of my husband and children, and then brought to Muslim grocery stores for free distribution,” she recalled.  “Typos at that time were not as easy to correct as they are today.  You [made] one error and you had to re-type the whole line to correct that one word! So when I was able to purchase an electronic typewriter for The Ambition, I was thrilled.  Those were pre-computer days.”

A few years later, The Ambition was published as a four-page tabloid and it has grown steadily since then.  Today, it is operated through a committee of volunteers, writers, and distributors, who tirelessly devote their energy and efforts into it as an outreach format to spread the word of God. As a result, The Ambition has become one of the most established Islamic newspapers in North America, read by Muslims and non-Muslims alike.  And, as Asma points out, its focus is Islamic identity, rather than ethnicity.  “We never attack other religions in a negative manner, so we feel very comfortable presenting it to non-Muslims,” she stated. “We are non-partisan, so many MPs and MPPs receive this paper with thanks.  We aim to present an uncorrupted message of Islam in the simplest form and language, accessible to all.”

In keeping with its inclusive Canadian vantage point, The Ambition does not delve into “back-home” (country-of-origin) politics ”” a topic that Sister Asma finds is a definite turn-off for the younger Muslim generation.  Instead, it highlights issues having a national or Western context.

The Ambition's articles are thought-provoking, covering a variety of subjects such as science, politics, social sciences, Islamic history and arts, current issues, theology, multi-faith themes, Muslim landscapes across the world, Islamic morals, local reports, and topical concerns such as homelessness and foster-parenting, national and international news, and a multitude of other areas. “We are doing this da'wah work quietly, [but] I can very safely say that if the community put their money where their mouth is, The Ambition has the potential to become a major alternative print medium,” Asma asserted.

Interested readers may wonder how The Ambition is financially supported, since it is not funded by any foreign or domestic organization or government.  It depends on donations and resources (many of them unsolicited) from Muslim businesses or individuals who want to do their share in this special da'wah work. All contributions are greatly appreciated.

Like any other venture, The Ambition has been through its share of ups and downs. As Asma relates, “On the upside, I can proudly and very humbly say that we've never had a shortage of volunteers in terms of writing, editing or distribution. Being a volunteer-based organization, working on a tight budget, and with the grace of God, our survival has never been threatened since day one. We have committed members on our team, and I want to take the opportunity to thank them all. May Allah accept their efforts.”

Even so, The Ambition still faces significant challenges. A good production needs full-time attention and that means taking on paid staff. Hiring staff requires funds and ongoing fiscal stability ”“ two elements that Asma finds the Muslim community is still reluctant to provide. She is concerned that many Muslim businesses would rather advertise in ethnic (multicultural) newspapers than in a wholly Islamic paper. Although the appreciation is there, first-generation immigrants have yet to realize the importance of actively supporting Islamic print media in Canada.

Another obstacle is that Canadian Muslims have become so accustomed to obtaining a variety of information and educational resources free of charge. Asma wonders if this attitude reflects Muslims' general state of Imaan (faith). She ponders over the notion “that we want everything from Allah without being a little inconvenienced for Him”[by] praying regularly or donating [to] His cause.”

Another problem is that many people don't want to purchase Islamic books, newspapers, audio materials, or videos anymore. They would rather spend hundreds of dollars on entertainment movies, food, concerts and other recreational activities, yet they cannot spare a dollar for something so valuable for their entire family.  This attitude towards spending in the way of Islam is reflected in the fact that after 24 years, The Ambition is still distributed for free.

In spite of all the challenges she has faced, Sister Asma deserves great credit (despite her personal modesty) for continuing to provide this outstanding newspaper paper to the community at no cost. However, there are talented people in our midst with the drive to make a positive difference and there is always a need and a place for them with The Ambition.  Now is the moment in time when you can seize the opportunity to do something lasting and beneficial for all.

If we look at the big picture ”“ if we present universal values and speak for the oppressed, give a voice to the silent majority on moral issues, bring forth rightful solutions to problems in our local communities, and advocate for human rights ”” we will find partners in good work from both Muslim and non-Muslim communities.  And when we step up to take charge of things and create more and better opportunities for doing good, Allah's help comes from sources that we can scarcely imagine.

So please, join in the effort to keep The Ambition going and give a hand to Sister Asma in any way you can.

Wahida Valiante is National President of the CIC and Chair of Islamic History Month Canada. She is also a cyber family counselor for OnIslam.net, an author and a frequently published topical writer.  She is currently listed in the prestigious directory, “500 Most Influential Muslims in the World.” This article was slightly edited for the CIC Friday Magazine.