“You must reach out to others” - Carolyn Parrish, a federal Member of the Canadian Parliament

TORONTO – A conference on Islam’s Vision for Humanity concluded Sunday, August 1, in this southeastern Canadian city with a call for creating a just world order.

“Morality and Justice: Islam’s Vision for Humanity” was the theme of the fifth annual two-day conference of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) and the Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) that brought together a cohort of renowned Muslim leaders and Canadian Members of Parliament.

“The convention offers a unique opportunity to acquire as much knowledge of our deen (religion) as possible from the best Muslim scholars in the continent,” ICNA President Talat Sultan told the conference attendees in his welcoming message.

Chief among Muslim scholars who attendant the conference are Jamal Badawi, Munir El-Kassem, Ekram Bashir and Mumtaz Ahmad.

“We spend at least 60 hours in an Islamic environment permeated by the resounding call of Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest), the blessings of Assalaamu ‘alaikum (peace be upon you), Islamic manners and etiquettes and the spirit of brotherhood,” Sultan added.

MAC President Sharaf Sharafeldin said that the much-celebrated conference is more than just lectures.

“We have come together as a community in this activity to come closer to pleasing God,” he said.

“Our vision is to establish an Islamic presence in Canada that is balanced, constructive and integrated, though distinct, within the social fabric and culture of Canada.”

The conference included sessions for youths, children and women and also featured special Urdu, Bengali and Arabic language lectures.

The recently produced documentary on Canadian Muslims and their history, “A New Life in A News Land”, was also introduced to the conference by producer and director, Michael Milo.

Reaching Out to Others

Carolyn Parrish, a federal Member of the Canadian Parliament, thanked the Muslims for their support in the recent elections and urged the conference organizers to invite other faith and civic leaders to future conferences.

“You must reach out to others,” she said. “Other Canadians don’t understand your culture. Invite them to your conference and show them that you are like regular people.”

Wajid Khan, one of the first Muslim MPs elected to the federal parliament, said that the face of Canada is changing.

“We’re the largest non-Christian faith group in this country,” he told the audience. “But we’re not less Canadian than anyone else.”

“Let’s make Canada a beacon for the rest of the world,” Khan urged the Muslims.

Mumtaz Ahmed wrapped up the session with an eloquent plea to Muslims to stand up for justice.

“The time has come for all to work to create a just world order,” he told the audience.

“Justice denied anywhere is justice denied everywhere,” Ahmad said.