President Barbara opened with the Land Acknowledgement, O Canada, toasts and 4 Way Test. See pic below of Barbara with our speaker:

Brief Bio of Abd Alfatah Twakkal (as introduced by Nancy Lovelock)

Editorial note: What is an Imam? “Imams may lead Islamic Worship services, serve as community leaders, and provide religious guidance. For Shia Muslims, the Imams are leaders of the Islamic community..” Taken from Wikipedia.

Imam Abd Alfatah Twakkal was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. He studied at the University of Calgary completing a BA Honours in Religious Studies and a BSc in Zoology in 2000. After graduating, he worked as an Islamic Studies and Qur’an teacher at a local Islamic school for 4 years before pursuing a Master’s degree in Islamic Studies at McGill University. Upon completion of his MA, he traveled overseas to work and study. Throughout his education, he studied several Islamic texts under a number of distinguished scholars learning Islamic Jurisprudence (fiqh), Qur’anic Studies (usul al-Qur’an), and Prophetic Biography (seerah). He returned to Canada with his family in the summer of 2013 and settled in London, Ontario.

Imam Twakkal has been engaged for several years in many aspects of interfaith dialogue, the media, youth and family counseling and outreach. He served as the Imam of the London Muslim Mosque for four years and its Director of Community Outreach and Engagement until June of 2018. He has served as the Teacher and Resident Scholar of Al-Ghazali Centre in London, Ontario since 2019. He is currently working at a non-religious social service family support agency, the Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration in London, Ontario, serving as their Intercultural Community Relations Coordinator.

Leta Keating, Project Facilitator, from St Thomas Elgin Local Immigration Partnership was also present with us.

 

What is Islam? surrender and submit to God – a state of peace as in ‘Peace be unto you’ – faith and works – serving the community

Who were the first Muslims in Canada? James and Agnes Love who immigrated from Scotland 1854. London is home to one of the oldest Muslim communities in Canada and houses the longest running Mosque.

Muslims in Canada – There were 250000 Muslims in Canada in 2001 and projected to be 1 million within 10 years. They are integrated into most aspects of Canadian society. A 2016 survey showed that 73% were proud to be Canadian in 2006 and 83% in 2016. They are not a monolithic group. Another survey in 2017 showed 46% of Canadians had an unfavourable view of Muslims, but they are peaceful, loving and law abiding.

Examples of what have Muslims contributed to society – first camera in 13^th century, Abyssinia Canon of Medicine, discovery of coffee.

Sharia – has no application in our place and time – means ‘path to water’/ the Laws of God, how God wants us to live – requirement to pray 5 times per day – Ramadan – follow the following tenets: faith, self, mind, wealth, lineage/honour.

The attack of 6Jun21 in London Ontario – was Islamophobic and created fear in their community - Abd Alfatah Twakkal was in the vicinity walking with his wife at the time and said “God knows what would have happened” but was spared. Terrorist actions do not happen in a vacuum; the solution comes through education, conversations, calling out Islamaphobia. We can ask questions of someone showing fear of Muslims by such as:  “Have you ever met a Muslim?”. He introduced the acronym (I EMBRACE) Interact, Educate, Mercy, Be engaged Reach out, Advocate, Collaborate, Empathy.

Q&A If the laws of Canada and the laws of Islam differ, when Muslims live in Canada, which do they obey?  The Canadian law supersedes.

A discussion followed re the history of the leaders of Islam and it was generally agreed that both Christianity and Islam contain different “denominations” that have sometimes been in conflict.

 

What was special about yesterday? Your editor Stew got the correct answer: Giving Tuesday.

Who Started? 92^nd St. YMCA, New York City

Why? Encourage financial giving, discourage consumerism

How much? 2.5 Billion 2020 worldwide

What is average gift? $147 - 82% from millennials

How many Countries? 75 , 7.1 million volunteers

When is next Giving Tues? 29Nov22

 

50/50 draw was won ironically by Abd Alfatah Twakkal. The ticket was given to him by Ron, and because it is prohibited in Islam to gamble, he passed the money back to our club.

 

Gerry – 100 People Who Care event last night, Tim his son has a contract in US to do computer work

Catharine – Imam’s talk and holiday in US

Malcolm - Imam’s talk and he got his booster shot

Nancy - Imam’s talk and brother visited for first time in 1.5 yrs

Trudy - Imam’s talk and CCMA awards at Budweiser gardens and Windows decorated by Interactors

Barbara - Imam’s talk

Trish – visit by siblings and mother

Pat – 3 family birthdays and Imam’s talk and Aylmer Santa Claus Parade

Ron - Imam’s talk and has read Qu’ran with difficulty, son’s birthday, can’t believe its 62 years

 

Freda Trimmer passed; she was a member from Glencoe and prominent in community and generous supporter

 

$180 came to club from Christmas market; thanks to Barb and Bob for making the display

 

Next week: Dan Logie, CMHA Elgin  will speak about Mental health issues in our community. The Wayside will be open for dining; we got a peek at the menu. Please let Stew know if you want a hybrid meeting.

Your secretary Stew will be sending out to members, information on membership that is stored with CR and RI (same info for each). Please every member, verify with Stew that the info is correct as this information will be used by RI to bill us in January and to communicate with each of you.

 

Video from last weeks water First meeting.

 

Join the Railway City Rotary Club 22Dec21 5pm for an evening of socializing from the comfort of your own home. Art auction with funds raised going to Elgin Hospice. Zoom link as follows: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3252917427