By: Ismael Mukhtar
​​Many of us make crucial choices in our life which we, in retrospect, regret or feel proud of. Personally, I have made many choices; among the choices that I feel proud of is migrating to Canada years ago. Canada offered me opportunities, rights and privileges that were denied to me elsewhere. Canada is certainly a beautiful and comfortable country to live. It has been ranked consistently year after year among the top 10 best nations in the world. It has a landscape that is spacious, full of variety, magnificence, and beauty. From its ice and floating icebergs covered north, to the rocky areas in the south, to the high mountains and thick forests in B.C, to the many swamps, rivers, and lakes across the east and west, to the flat plain farmlands in the prairie, to the rugged coastline in the far east, Canada is a land full of natural splendor and wonders. It is a country endowed with abundance of water, rich natural resources, and pristine land. Canadians enjoy a variety of social, financial and health benefits that are only available for the rich and the elite in many nations across the globe. All of this and more makes Canada, despite its harsh winter, a highly sought country by immigrants from other less fortunate nations.

By: Ismael Mukhtar
The October 2014 tragic attacks in Ottawa by Michael Zehaf-Bibeauand and in Montreal by Martin Rouleau were shocking to all Canadians. The fact that both were converts to Islam was unsettling to Canadian Muslims. As discussions intensified on their motives, their earlier conversion to Islam became a focal point, raising concerns of potential dangers posed by new converts to Islam.  
Converts to Islam are many and they have visible presence in Muslim communities in the West. Many of them chose to be Muslims on their own initiative; either by reading Quran or by coming into direct contact with Muslims. Converts come from all ethnicities, faiths and all walks of life. They include diplomats, intellectuals, celebrities, students, labourers etc. Among the earliest well known celebrity converts to Islam we find Cassius Clay (Mohamed Ali), Heavyweight Boxing Champion; Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam), renowned British singer and others. Many converts find appeal in the Islamic teaching of prohibition of intoxicants, emphasis on family values, theological clarity and lack of hierarchical clergy structure.

​By: Ismael Mukhtar
 
The Friday congregation is one of the most important assemblies for Muslims. As stated by Al-Imam Ibn Al-Qaym, it is the next most important gathering after the annual Arafa day gathering in Hajj. Jurists have devoted a significant amount of their juristic deliberations on examining the different rules, etiquettes and pronouncements pertaining to Friday congregation. Al-Imam Ashawkani, for example, devoted about sixty pages of his book Nael Alawtar on the topic of Friday congregation. Similarly, Al-Imam Ibn Al-Qayim devoted more than one chapter of his book Zad Al-Maad to Friday congregation, providing details on the prophet’s (peace be upon him) style of sermon, its content, length, and manners of delivery.
 
The purpose of the Friday congregation is to bring the larger community together to impart spiritual, social, and educational benefits. Attending Friday congregation is considered to be an obligation (Wajib). Further, jurists stipulate that Friday congregation should be held at as few locations as possible, preferably at one location only. More than one location is acceptable only when there is an absolute need for it. Accordingly, some jurists differentiate between Jamee’ and masjid. Jamee’ refers to a larger mosque where Friday congregation is held (in addition to the daily 5 prayers), masjid refers to the neighborhood mosque where only daily 5 prayers are held but where no Friday congregation is held. The expectation is that on Fridays people will have to make extra effort to congregate at a central Mosque and share the greater blessing of a larger gathering.
 
Friday congregation is unique and significant partly because it occurs in greater frequency (every week), it is attended by large numbers of Muslims from all walks of life and most importantly it is obligatory. The core of the Friday congregation is the sermon (khutbah); which, according to many jurists, is an obligation (wajib) upon which the validity of the Friday congregation depends. Al-Imam Ibn Al-Qaym’s book gives us an insight to the prophet’s sermon. 

By: Ismael Mukhtar
The first ever mosque in Manitoba was established in Winnipeg in 1976 on 247 Hazelwood. The mosque served as the only mosque for Muslims of Winnipeg for two decades. The location of the Hazelwood mosque was on the southern end of the city and was somewhat far away from downtown. Commuting to the Hazelwood mosque for Friday (jumma) prayer and other was challenging for downtowners. The Muslim Student Association at  the University of Winnipeg had a temporary prayer room that provided an alternative. This alternative, however, was only available during school year; it was not available in the summer. Various efforts were made to find another alternative, such as approaching the International Center and similar institution in downtown. In early 90s a place owned by a Muslim businessman became available on Ellice Avenue.

By: Ismael Mukhtar
As Muslim communities in North America grow and become more established, they are bound to deal with a variety of issues that are peculiar to them and reflect their unique local circumstances. Among many of these issues, the role of women and their relations to men will be the most prominent. The “North American born” second generation Muslims who are now gradually taking leadership roles have no allegiance to the traditions and practices of their parents’ generation. They are increasingly challenging and questioning the legitimacy and authenticity of some of these traditions and practices, particularly issues pertaining to women. Discussions and debates between those who want to maintain the status quo and those who question them are becoming common across communities in North America. 

By: Ismael Mukhtar
​Recently I gave a short talk during the Taraweeh prayers in the month of Ramadan. The topic of my talk was “Muslim youth”. My talk was nothing out of the ordinary, according to my judgment; however, the response I received from the youth who were present was overwhelming. Not only did they welcome the talk, but they expressed a sense of relief that an exclusive talk was dedicated to their issues and concerns. One of the youths commented: “we are always told to respect elders, but rarely do we hear similar talk of the need to respect the youth”. A parent commented: “our youth face mounting pressure to divert; they need constant reinforcements and words of appreciation and encouragement from within their community”. Among the themes of the talk that resonated well with the youth were “respect”, “understanding”, “opportunity” and “appreciation”. ​I was certainly happy to hear such a positive response from the youth, but at the same time I was very much concerned. I felt the response I received wasn’t a reflection of the talk I gave, but possibly a reflection of the reality that we, as elders and adults, are not doing enough to show our youth how much we value them, how much we appreciate their presence and how proud we are of them.

By: Ismael Mukhtar
In December 2011, I accepted a task I ruled out as a possibility for a long time; I became President of the oldest local Muslim organization, Manitoba Islamic Association (MIA)! Ironically, this time I accepted what I had consistently declined in the past when I was much younger, healthier and conditions in MIA were more favorable. Two things compelled me to accept the task. First, the relentless pressure from many members of the community and second the dire straits the MIA was in. Given my professional background in management and my lengthy volunteer involvement in MIA, I accepted, hoping to make a difference and bring back some normalcy and order. From the outset it was crystal clear to me that the task was daunting; MIA was facing it worst crisis in its history. The expectations from my executive team and I were high. Even the Winnipeg Free Press, for the first time took interest in MIA elections and published an article titled “Islamic association head vows to heal divisions”! It was clear to me that I was venturing into a difficult terrain, with all possible outcomes. Nevertheless, I made my istikharah (seeking guidance prayer) and took the task, fully prepared for all possibilities.​

By: Ismael Mukhtar.
Note: this article was written in 2019 and much has changed since that time.

​On the 27th of November 1969, the small Muslim community in Manitoba took a bold step of formally incorporating the first Muslim organization in the history of Manitoba[i]. The new organization was named Manitoba Islamic Association (MIA). As early as the mid- sixties, the newly emerging Muslim community had been taking baby steps towards organizing itself, creating a formal structure and a new constitution. The formal incorporation of MIA came as a necessary step towards the establishment of an officially recognized Muslim presence in Manitoba. The Muslim community at that time was made up of a small number of families; it had no mosque, no place of gathering or any institution of any sort. The founders of MIA set in motion an ambitious vision articulated in the MIA constitution preamble. Stated in the preamble is: “WE, THE MUSLIMS OF MANITOBA, HEREBY JOIN TOGETHER TO FORM AN ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERED IN THE CITY OF WINNIPEG TO BE CALLED THE “MANITOBA ISLAMIC ASSOCIATION” WHOSE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IS TO CREATE, NOURISH, AND MAINTAIN A TRULY ISLAMIC COMMUNITY IN MANITOBA FOR THE MUSLIMS”.

By: Ismael Mukhtar.
The term Imam is becoming increasingly familiar and common within the Western media at large. Over the last couple of years, recurring controversies and some highly publicized events kept the term flashing in media outlets in greater frequency. Included in these recent events are the controversies surrounding Amina Wadud’s leading of a Friday (Jumma) prayer, controversial comments made by an Australian Imam, Sheikh Taj Al-Din Al-Hilali: the ongoing discussions in countries such as Germany and the Netherlands on the roles of Imams, plus the CBC’s airing of  the “Little Mosque on the Prairie” whose main character was an Imam. The term Imam is often, conveniently, explained to non- Muslims as the Muslim equivalent of Rabbi or priest. To Muslims, however, this analogy is some what factually incorrect. According to Dr. Qaradawi, a leading contemporary jurist, Islam, unlike Christianity or Judaism, doesn’t have a religious hierarchy or a clergy structure. People who are educated in Islamic sciences are known as scholars and experts in Islamic law and they don’t have any special religious or spiritual powers.

By: Ismael Mukhtar​
​The son of the elegant city
I was born in a well-to-do family in the city of Asmara, the capital of Eritrea. Asmara was a city of half a million people and was known for its temperate weather, elegant Italian style streets and cafes. It was a multi-cultural and multi-faith city. When I was young the city was relatively quiet, despite the growing and looming political tension. As kids, we went to school, we enjoyed outdoor activities and we had a normal life. We used to hear of the ongoing battles in rural areas between government forces and rebels, stories of imprisonments and displacement, but our city was overall peaceful. As the political tension escalated, things were gradually changing.

By: Ismael Mukhtar
I met Dr. Mirghani Sheikelddin for the first time in the Pioneer mosque, on a Sunday evening, where he used to regularly attend a weekly Quranic study circle conducted by Dr. Waleed Ezzat, a PhD student at University of Manitoba. When I first met him and introduced my self to him, he received me with a friendly smile and with his typical warm welcome. We became friends from day one and our brotherly and friendly relationship continued to grow through out the years. ​Dr. Mirghani -as he was commonly referred to- was a very active member of our community. He was always available to serve, to help and assist in the work of the community. His involvement was widespread and far-reaching. He volunteered in the weekend school, in the library committee, the camps, the Muslim Student Association; he was elected as MIA trustee, MIA Vice President, MIA president and many others. He rarely missed any community gathering or event.

BY: ISMAEL MUKHTAR
As I was listening to the speeches, reports, and presentations that were made at the New Center fund raising dinner held on Feb 24, 2001, my memory went back to the initial days of the New Center project and the formation of the land committee by the MIA General Body. The mandate of the committee was to purchase a piece of land as a site of the future New Islamic Center. I was fortunate to be a member of this committee along with others like Br. Pervez Siddiqui, Br. Gulam Kibrea, Dr. Mujeeb Al-Rahman, Br. Irshad Farooqi, Dr. Abdulnaser Batuoq, and the late Dr. Riaz Usmani who was the most senior in the community amongst all of us. As the fund raising evening continued, the memories of the initial days of the project and in particular Dr. Usmani’s images kept on flashing through my mind. This prompted me to write this article to share some of my memories of Dr. Usmani and to introduce him to the new members of our community and to our younger generation. ​When I first arrived in Winnipeg, I saw Dr. Usmani for the first time at the Pioneer mosque on Sunday -at Zuhr (noon) prayer. He was sitting on his wheelchair in the front row. Since then, I saw him every time I came to the mosque from a distance. Typically, he would be sitting very quietly in his wheelchair almost always on the same spot, greeting people with a smile and friendly face. Once during the month of Ramadan, I listened to his speech about fasting in a seminar arranged at the mosque.

By: Ismael Mukhtar
​When I first visited the Pioneer Mosque on 247 Hazelwood Avenue, following my arrival in Winnipeg, I found a a study group that meets every Sunday for Quranic exegisis “tafseer” sessions. The instructor was Dr. Waleed Izzat -from Iraq-, then a PhD student at the University of Manitoba. Most of the attendees were also PhD students. Among this group, there was a man who looked different. He was well groomed, older in age, calm in demeanor and gentle in manners. He listened attentively, asked questions and sometimes made insightful comments. He caught my attention from the moment I saw him and he left on me a positive impression. After few encounters, I came to know that he was a family doctor and his name was Dr. Mujibur Rahman! From that moment on, I had the honor of befriending this great man and working with him on many community projects.