How do you explain to your six-year old daughter why she was born blind? What do you say to console your autistic ten year old when she complains no one wants to be her friend? How do you comfort your 14-year-old son when he knows the reason he can’t read beyond the first grade level is that he has moderate retardation? The story of the woman promised paradise might help explain to your beloved son or daughter the answer to... Read more
Many of us can relate to this Growmama writer’s experience in explaining to her son about world events. Talk to your children about 9/11 in an age appropriate way. Here are 8 tips on talking to your kids about 9/11 this week. Participate in a community building unity walk with your family. Plus it’s fun and healthy! Teach your children the value of community service by adopting a cause or charity for the day, or post a good deed that your family or child... Read more
As the new school year begins and a shift of seasons takes place, my girls and I decided to make a tree with the ninety-nine names of Allah adorned on the leaves. It is a simple and beautiful project, and a wonderful learning opportunity. As we glued the names on the leaves we discussed what the different names of Allah meant and tried to give examples. In Islam we do not have images of Allah, but through these beautiful names... Read more
“O Humanity. Behold, We have created you out of a male and female, and have made you into nations and tribes so that you might come to know one another.” (49: 13) I have been taught that this verse from the Glorious Qur’an is a prescription for us to embrace language and ideas which will build relationships between all of members of humanity. With this mindset, I want to propose a new term into our discussions – multi-schooling. Our family... Read more
As the years go by, I continue to make the intention to maintain my “Ramadan passion” when our dear friend passes. And here we are again on the verge of watching our beloved Ramadan leave us. This past year I tried something different and would like to share those experiences with you. When my passion was starting to wane, I held on to its light by enrolling in an online class with Seekers Guidance. Each week the lesson focused on... Read more
We’ve seen her regularly over the last couple of years, standing near the corner of a main intersection, waving a promotional sign for a store in the nearby plaza. She’s a familiar face to us now and her hand gestures consistent…high, medium and low. She stands in the brutal Canadian winter cold. She stands in the sweltering heat of the summer. And it seems every time we see her, I think about what a tough job she must have. My... Read more
Alhamdulillah I have been Muslim for ten years now. I grew up in a household without religion but with a strong sense of spirituality. We were God-conscious but without a religious home. My father became a Muslim when I was eleven years old. I became a Muslim eleven years after him. As Muslim parents, my husband and I are facing the challenge of establishing an Islamic tradition in our family. Alhamdulillah I see how blessed our son is to be... Read more
It was a peaceful night last night. Besides for my munchkin being fast asleep, I was home alone. So for the first time in a while, I picked up the Quran to continue the daunting task of rememorizing what I had once known by heart. Quran memorization was heavily emphasized in my childhood Islamic school. And I did well at it. I absorbed chapter after chapter and enjoyed having the beautiful words in my heart, and on my mind. Since... Read more
I am not a fuzzy-wuzzy mother. Ask either of my daughters – I’m loving but downright tough most times. I don’t put up with nonsense from my own girls, so far be it from me to tolerate ill-mannered children that don’t belong to me, in private or public places. Having said that, I am of late rather bothered by numerous complaints from others, actually just other women, about being bothered by children in the masjid. I have heard complaints about the... Read more
Many of us are familiar with the verse in the Qur’an that is translated as, “It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them…” (Surat al Baqara, aya 187). There are workshops across the country dedicated to introducing, reviving, and strengthening the Islamic principles of marriage using the building block, “Hunna libaasun lakum wa antum libaasun lahunna.” What does it mean for... Read more
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