Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Assalamu Alaikum.

It has been almost six years since a gunman entered the Centre Culturel Islamique in Quebec City and opened fire on the congregation who was gathered there for the Isha prayer. This horrific attack took the lives of six Muslim men and gravely injured many others. It also left six widows, several orphans and many survivors with irrevocable losses and lifelong trauma.

Since this tragic and horrific attack, MANAL has strongly advocated for and played an active role in addressing and taking action against Islamophobia. We helped developing national and provincial strategies to identify and eliminate the systemic causes of this problem. We remain committed to be part of the solution working together with our national, provincial and municipal allies.

As a result of our collective efforts, in 2021, the Government of Canada designated January 29 a National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia. Last year, a similar designation was also made by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

This week, as we approach the sixth anniversary of the Quebec City Mosque attack, we will be taking some initiatives to honor the memories of the victims and to express our continued commitment to stand against Islamophobia. Accordingly: 

1. We will be reaching out to different levels of government asking for public monuments (i.e. Government House, Confederation Building and City Hall) to be lit green on the weekend of January 29 as a symbolic gesture of support and solidarity
2. Masjid Al Noor will be joining other Canadian mosques by designating its Jumah Khutbah of January 27 to the National Day of Remembrance and Action Against Islamophobia
3. We will have a Quran recitation and congregational douaa at Masjid Al Noor right after the Isha prayer on January 29
4. As part of a national campaign, MANAL Executives, Volunteer Imams & Khateebs will be publicly wearing a 2" x 2" green square during the week of January 29. (All members of our Muslim community are encouraged to join the campaign. You can easily home make your own green square using felt or any other material and then attach it to your jacket / coat with a safety pin.)

May Allah swt bless all the victims of Islamophobia with the highest ranks of Jannah, give patience and strength to their families and friends. As Muslims, we will continue to do our part by spreading peace and awareness in our communities, supporting each other and standing up for our rights.

Jazakumullahu Khairan

MANAL Executive Committee

Assalamu alaikum wa rahamat Allahu Wabarakatu:

Thank you for stepping forward to help patients in need for blood through participating in the coming blood drive event (Dec. 28 to Dec. 30, 2022.)
 

Saving lives, drawing smiles, gifting big, and helping others is still achievable in this holiday season.
MUN Muslim Chaplain, in collaboration with Muslim Students Association (MUN-MSA) and Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (MANAL) is organizing the 5th anniversary 3-day-Blood-Drive-Event to assist filling the need for blood and to ensure blood supply continuation during the holiday season Dec. 28 to Dec. 30, 2022.

Please BOOK your appointment online today at https://www.blood.ca/en

Alternatively, you can email the event coordinator (a_nasar@mun.ca) to reserve your place.
Address of Canadian Blood Services: 7 Wicklow St, St. John's, NL A1B 3Z9

Please use the following forms for signing up:

Volunteering Form

5th Blood Drive Event Announcement & Sign-Up Form

You are also encouraged to online donate financially at:
https://secure3.convio.net/cadbs/site/Donation2?1901.donation=form1&df_id=1901&mfc_pref=T&_ga=2.1583000
31.459847227.1640095130-
1684579569.1640095130&_gl=1*y9ytk*_ga*MTY4NDU3OTU2OS4xNjQwMDk1MTMw*_ga_YHMRKTXXVD
*MTY0MDA5NTEzMC4xLjEuMTY0MDA5NTIzNi4w

Memories of past events:

https://gazette.mun.ca/events/memorial-university-muslim-chaplain-blood-drive/
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/muslim-association-st-johns-blood-donations-
1.5410406

Assalamu alaikum Brothers and Sisters,

Effective immediately MANAL is lifting mandatory mask requirements within the Mosque and its School.

This decision is based on the high vaccination rates in the province and the low percentage of COVID-related infections.

We greatly appreciate your support and cooperation during the last two-and-a-half years of this pandemic.

Jazakum Allahu Khairan,

MANAL Executives

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahu Wa Barakatuhu,
In 2007, the Parliament of Canada proclaimed October as Islamic History Month.

Since then, it is celebrated as the Islamic Heritage Month in a number of large Canadian cities. The City of St. John's joined them in 2019 after accepting MANAL's request for a similar proclamation.

More recently, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador issued a press release to recognize and celebrate October as Islamic History Month in our province. Please check this link to read their press release: https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2022/ipgs/1003n02/

MANAL is also involved in developing a Muslim Archive at Memorial University to preserve our history for future generations.

These are important milestones for Muslims in Newfoundland and Labrador to celebrate, as they provide sustainable grounds to promote awareness and appreciation of their rich heritage and great contributions to our province.

Please stay tuned for updates about MANAL's October programming.

Happy Islamic History & Heritage Month to you all!

Jazakum Allahu Khairan,

MANAL Executive Committee