scaramouche

...born with the gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad

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User: scaramouche
Irreverent, contrarian, delighted to be out of synch with the zeitgeist, I depend on my sense of humour (such as it is) to keep me sane in this wacky world.

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Friday, 22 May 2009


Opening the door to da’wa: One of many buildings people can visit this weekend during Doors Open Toronto, an annual city event, is a downtown mosque. The mosque, in a former bank building, belongs to the Muslim Association of Canada, which Maclean's magazine has described as "a group openly supportive of the international Islamist group, the Muslim Brotherhood, and its founder Hassan al Banna." (My bolds):
Event information: Visitors can expect a guided tour of the mosque and a chance to view a number of special exhibits. Throughout the weekend, the mosque will be hosting exhibits of Islamic art and calligraphy by Ibrahim Shalaby and Ibraheem Youssef, as well as architecture by Indonesian mosque architect, Kusdaya Sukada. On Saturday, May 23rd, Masjid Toronto is hosting a unique and rare one day exhibition of original and historical treasures of Islamic arts & antiques from the private collection of Dr. Farhan M. Asrar (resident physician at McMaster University and affiliated hospitals). Islam, the world's fastest growing religion has been the inspiration for a number of the world's greatest art treasures, these works of art expressing the majesty of Islam, with the words and teachings of God. Dr. Asrar's vast and marvelous collection includes rare and beautifully embellished Qurans (Islamic holy book) which are all handwritten and centuries old. All masterpieces were painstakingly handwritten by world renowned calligraphers, illuminated in gold and precious stones and date back 250-550 years old. Other items from his collection on display include handwritten manuscripts on Hadith (Prophetic tradition), Duaa (Prayer), historical and renowned handwritten books such as the 'Ain-e- Akbari', 'Tuzukay Jahangiri', illuminated 'Shahnama Firdausi', 'Masnai Manawi' by Jalaluddin Rumi, Nusratul Qulub, etc. Several masterpieces of Islamic calligraphy in various scripts including original calligraphic works of Emad Al-Hassani, Persia's most celebrated calligrapher. Dr. Asrar will also be displaying from his private collection, currency notes (banknotes) from around the Islamic world, share certificates and important original Islamic documents from the Ottoman period, Makkah, South Asia, Egypt, Nizam of Hyderabad's period and several other countries.
After their tours, visitors will be invited to explore audio-visual presentations about the Muslim faith and taste snacks and treats from various parts of the Muslim world. Throughout the day, visitors will also have the opportunity to observe the mid-afternoon prayer and listen to Muslim poets and authors present their work. The program schedule is as follows: Saturday, May 23, 2009
12:00-12:15pm Spoken word by Big Akhee Big Ukhti (BABU) Leadership group, 1:30-1:40pm Mid-afternoon prayer
2:00-2:15pm Haroon Siddiqui, Toronto Star, author of Being Muslim, a criqitue of post-9/11 politics, from Iraq to Afghanistan -- via Canada [especially Toronto]. Book signing follows program. 3:00-3:15pm Rukhsana Khan, award-winning author and storyteller Sunday, May 24, 2009
12:00-12:15pm Spoken word by BABU Leadership group
1:30-1:40pm Mid-afternoon prayer 2:00-2:15pm Spoken word (Jafar Alam, Sarah Rostom, BABU Leadership group)
3:00-3:15pm Spoken word (Boonaa Mohamed, Michael Cain, BABU Leadership group) As this is a place of worship, visitors are requested to abide by the following dress code: All clothing must cover shoulders and knees. Footwear must be removed upon entering the building.
Be there or be kafir.

Posted by: scaramouche at 00:58 | link | comments (4)


Comments:
#1  22 May 2009 - 01:40
 
You'll notice the sign up above the mosque has a stylized image of the Toronto skyline, primarily the CN Tower and the Sky Dome, both topped by a crescent moon.

Wonder what that means?

- Mississauga Matt
Anonymous
#2  22 May 2009 - 09:54
 
A real head-scratcher, that.
User: scaramouche Contact me View user's mediablog scaramouche
#3  22 May 2009 - 12:28
 
At what time is the ceremonial bashing of the Jooooooooooos?
Anonymous
#4  23 May 2009 - 13:06
 
One of the descriptions I read through yesterday...said something about 'the one true god'  as a part of the blurb about the temple of doom....
What sane person would go into one of those places and follow those backward idiotic customs...women not allowed in certain places...remove shoes...cover elbow...theocratic backward...lunatics
Anonymous
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