In My World

The second speaker at the Community Conversations meeting at the CASO Station on September 13, 2018 was Imam Abd Alfatah Twakkal from the London Muslim Mosque speaking on the topic of "Contemporary Islam and Muslim Identity". Islam is to surrender or submit to God.  One who submits is Muslim.  Assalam u Alackum is a traditional greeting which means Peace be with you. And who is more beautiful in speech than one who calls unto God, works righteousness, and says, “Truly I am among those who submit”? ~ Qur'an 41:33 The website anewlife.ca has a lot of interesting information. Islam in Canada 1991     253,265  2001     579,640    129% increase  2011  1,053,945      90% increase  Islam in London London is home to one of the oldest Muslim communities in Canada, established in 1899. The London Muslim Mosque is the second mosque built in Canada and the first in Ontario....

I've had to wait to post while my broken finger has been healing.  As they say, better late than ever. It was my pleasure to attend Community Conversations at the CASO Station on September 13, 2018.  After a warm welcome by Karen Vecchio MP, the first speaker was introduced. Victoria Esses from Western University spoke on the topic "The Media's Portrayal of Immigrants and Refuges" in which she discussed the ways that media dehumanizes immigrants. In 2016, of all new permanent residents in Canada, 53% (155,994) were Economic class immigrants, 26% (78,004) were Family class immigrants, and 21% (62,348) were Humanitarian class immigrants. The media (and others) use words such as flood, bogus, and que jumpers when describing immigrants and refugees.   Sadly, people tend to respond to negative portrayals of new residents.  One sided negative messages help to reduce uncertainty by dehumanizing these newcomers.  The media (and others) accomplish...