Muneeb Nasir

A collection of 170 posts

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Friday reflection: In search of sanctuary: The enduring quest for refuge

By Muneeb Nasir The migration (hijrah) of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and his companions from Mecca to Medina stands as one of the most significant events in Islamic history. Faced with persecution, these early believers were compelled to leave their homes behind. The hijrah holds significant historical

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Friday reflection: Journey Towards the Eternal - Navigating challenges and strengthening Faith

By Muneeb Nasir During the early days of Prophet Muhammad's, peace be upon him, messengership, Muslims faced constant pressure, threats, and abuse. Allah's early revelations aimed to fortify the early believers with eternal principles of faith. These revelations taught them and teach us that the power

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Friday reflection: Building blocks for a flourishing Muslim presence

By Muneeb Nasir When Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sought refuge in the city of Madina, having migrated from his hometown of Makkah, it was predominantly populated by non-Muslims. However, the atmosphere in Madina was filled with anticipation and excitement as the residents eagerly awaited the arrival of

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Friday reflection: 'My Lord! Let me go back'

By Muneeb Nasir We perceive time passing swiftly, reminding us that one day we will face God on the Day of Judgment. On that day, it will feel as if we have lived, dreamed, and aspired for merely a fleeting moment. Our worship of the Creator will appear incomplete and

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Friday reflection: What leads to happiness?

By Muneeb Nasir What leads to happiness? Is it by acquiring wealth and having many luxury possessions? Today it seems as if there is no stop to the excessive greed and reckless living of people in societies around the world. One of the signs of these conditions is the relative

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Ethical concerns arise over Canadian Muslim relief agencies' voluntourism practices

By Muneeb Nasir and Irshad Osman Muslim Relief organizations are in overdrive, aggressively marketing to the Canadian Muslim community, and a new form of fundraising practice is cropping up among the larger charities - voluntourism, which combines tourism and volunteering. As a background on the extent of Muslim donations in Canada

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Friday reflection: We all have a defined benefit plan

By Muneeb Nasir Good deeds are our investment for the everlasting future and the returns are defined – it is our defined benefit plan. All of us should be looking to live, not just ‘a good life’, but a life of goodness. ‘A good life’ is generally understood as having a

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Friday reflection: Turn to God - He is Loving and Merciful

By Muneeb Nasir Among the main purposes of religion is to heal the brokenness in our relationship with God as well as with fellow human beings and other creations of God. Indeed, the purpose of fasting in Ramadan is to restore consciousness, awareness and mindfulness of God leading to such

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Friday reflection: The Muslim community’s beautiful traits - generosity, compassion and hospitality

By Muneeb Nasir Generosity, compassion and hospitality are defining features of the Muslim community and they are on full display during the month of Ramadan. In homes, neighborhoods, and mosques, Muslims are engaged in hosting friends and neighbors for iftar (fast breaking meals), giving to the less fortunate and those

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Friday reflection: Ramadan - a wellspring for the spiritually dry

By Muneeb Nasir Ramadan is a sacred time - it is the ‘anniversary of anniversaries’, a time that the One God, Allah, singles out sincere believers for rewards. God's Apostle, peace be upon him said, "God said, 'All the deeds of sons of Adam (people) are for

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Friday reflection: In today’s world people could all do with a dose of Ramadan

By Muneeb Nasir There is great anticipation in the air - families are making plans, children are getting excited, homes are being cleaned and spruced up, special foods and ingredients are being purchased to welcome a most noble guest, Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, set to begin next week. In

interfaith

National organization recognizes interfaith leaders

The National Muslim Christian Liaison Committee (NMCLC) recognized two long-time Canadian faith leaders with the BMG (Berthrong, Muinnudin, Gregerson) Award for Interfaith Collaboration at their annual event on February 23, 2023. The awardees were Shirley Tetreau and Muneeb Nasir. The National Muslim Christian Liaison Committee brings representatives of Muslim

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Friday reflection: ‘The real House of God - where those who have lost God will find Him’

By Muneeb Nasir Outside the sacred sanctuary of houses of worship, hospitals and health institutions are among places where the most sincere prayers are offered. They are places where many people seek God for solace and comfort, and where they may rediscover and reconnect with God. Many years ago, I

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Friday reflection: Let's change our way of relating to each other

By Muneeb Nasir A successful life is one in which we develop, maintain and nurture meaningful relationships with the One Transcendent God, Allah, with our fellow humans and other creations. We are a growing and beautifully diverse Muslim community in this city. However, one of the greatest challenges we face

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Türkiye and Syria Earthquake - Which charities to support?

By Muneeb Nasir and Irshad Osman Two devastating earthquakes hit southern and central Türkiye in the early hours of February 6, 2023, and it also affected regions of north-western Syria. This is the fourth costliest earthquake in world history. The property damages and the financial loss are estimated at

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Friday reflection: Those who walk on the earth ever so lightly

By Muneeb Nasir The world is full of self-important, self-absorbed, self-promoting, brash, egotistical and arrogant people. These are the people who lead the news. Look at the recent headlines – it is all about political leaders who are arrogant and brash; who proudly display their character flaws and

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Friday reflection: These words will change your life

By Muneeb Nasir Say, “Bismillah Hir Rahman Nir Raheem - In The Name of God, the All Merciful, the Mercy-Giving before you do anything,” was the first lesson that our parents taught us. “If you say ‘Bismillah’ you would not do anything wrong,” they reasoned with us. These words, ‘In

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Friday reflection: Who are the Muslims next door?

By Muneeb Nasir Canadian Muslims truly stand out as being among the most enthusiastic group of Canadians - 83 percent of Muslims feel very proud to be Canadian. However, because Muslims have a religious and cultural background unfamiliar to most other Canadians they face questions about their commitment to becoming part

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Friday reflection - Can we be at home in different places?

By Muneeb Nasir Where are you from? This is the question that I am frequently asked by people and they are expecting me to say India or Pakistan or from Asia. They're absolutely right insofar as 100 percent of my blood and ancestry does come from that region

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Friday Reflection - The days of our lives

By Muneeb Nasir First lesson as we go through the days of our lives: Appreciate that each day is a gift and live each day purposefully. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is reported to have said: “Purity is half of the faith. The praise of God fills the

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Friday reflection: God loves those who are steadfast

By Muneeb Nasir The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is reported to have said: “How wonderful is the case of the believer; there is good in everything and this is not the case with anyone except a believer. If good attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah (One God)

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Friday reflection: Finding your why

By Muneeb Nasir The companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) transformed themselves and their societies in a short period of time. We cannot be but amazed at what they achieved. These women and men were from among the most deprived lot in their society - many came from

Reflections

Friday reflection: To what are these times calling us as people of faith?

By Muneeb Nasir These are times of brokenness, disruptions, dislocation, and uprootedness. What are we being called to in these times as people of faith? First,  we are being called to respond to our calling as religious people. In the Qur’an, God invites us to this calling: “You who

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Friday reflection: On Trust

By Muneeb Nasir Trust is what makes our lives and relationships meaningful and rewarding and, as we have learnt during the pandemic, make us safe. Damien Cave, New York Times bureau chief in Sydney, Australia, wrote in a recent article [https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/15/world/australia/covid-

Real Lives Featured

An inspiring man

By Brian Carwana So often when Muslims make the news, it is as either victims or perpetrators of violence (the murdered London family or the Taliban respectively). Where, I always wonder, are the stories of Muslims like those I know – people who are excellent neighbours, insightful colleagues, and community supporters?