Dear Community Members,

Salaam Alaykum.

It gives me great pleasure writing to you all today on the auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Ghadeer having just returned from Hajj. Whilst for many, including myself, it was an incredibly positive and spiritual journey, for too many it ended in tragedy. There were two unfortunate and tragic incidents during Hajj this year; the first being the crane collapse in Makkah shortly before the majority of people arrived. The second was the stampede in Mina, which killed over 1,000 people and injured nearly just as many. It was heartbreaking to hear about these people who were so close to completing their Hajj but never got to make it back home to their families. I pray for the departed souls and their families. May Allah grant them Jannah. Ameen. I also pray for those who were injured. InshAllah they will have a speedy recovery.

Currently, we have some volunteers who have gone to Lesvos in Greece to distribute aid to refugees. Our volunteers have been sending in pictures and reflections, which are I have found very moving. The refugees in Europe are living in terrible circumstances. They left their home countries and everything they own in an attempt to find a safe and stable home for their families. Instead, they have been met with more hardship. I feel it is our duty to do what we can to help these people, so many of who are young children. The images displayed in the media show how much pain they are going through and we must do what we can to help. The World Federation and CoEJ’s European Refugee Crisis fund provide aid packs to those who need.

We have some exciting things coming up at The World Federation including our Executive Council meeting which will inshAllah be in Toronto along with a community event. More information on these will be available in the coming days inshAllah.

Eid-e-Ghadeer is one of the most important days in the year. It is the day the Holy Prophet (saw) appointed Imam Ali (as) as his successor. On this day, Prophet Muhammad said ‘whomever I am his lord, this Ali is his lord’. It was after this that the Quranic ayah ‘this day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion (5:3)’. On this joyous day, I’d like to wish you all an Eid Mubarak and encourage you all to remember each other in your duas. Let us also remember those who are unfortunately suffering in many places all over the world. We pray that Allah gives them strength to overcome their difficulties. Ameen.

With Salaams & Duas,

Dr Munir Datoo