It is a scene that is likely familiar to many young Muslim families living in Orleans. Usually the conversation starts something like this:

“MashaAllah, your kids have gotten so big! Are they in school yet?”

“The older one is starting next year. Going to try for Abraar School or Ottawa Islamic School.”

“Oh, that’s a great idea MashaAllah, both schools are great. It’s just too bad they’re so far from here.”

“Yeah, we’ll probably be moving to Kanata, or maybe Barrhaven. It’s too far going all the way from here every day. We should really have a school in Orleans someday.”

“Agreed, some day InshaAllah.”

An information session was organized Saturday at the MAC Youth Centre to explain Ontario’s updated Health and Physical Education curriculum to Muslim parents. The revised curriculum will be introduced in public schools starting September 2015.

Muslim Link attended MAC’s Canadian Family Day event on February 16 and asked people: What Does Family Mean To You? Mohammed Saleem, principal of Abraar School, spoke about family with his eldest son Omar, 13, and his youngest son Bilal, 4.