Abbas Syed holding an Olympic Torch

On Saturday, December 19, 2009, as the Olympic torch passed through Brampton, Ontario, Abbas Syed was given the honor of representing his city and country by carrying the torch down Bovaird Street.  Abbas held the torch with pride as he walked down the frigid street as family and friends joined in his celebration, cheering on [...]

An Islamic Perspective on Suicide

Suicide is a word seldom mentioned in Muslim gatherings; perhaps the political connotations make it a taboo subject. Indeed, in researching Islam and suicide, the topic of suicide bombers and martyrdom is prevalent. However, the concept of killing oneself with the intention to do harm to others in an act of ‘combat’ is beyond [...]

Mental illness and Islam

Mental illness and its effects on the individual are often misunderstood and negatively construed in communities and cultures across the world. The Muslim community is no different. Often, Muslim individuals are stigmatized and families are rejected and isolated for their association with mental illness, addiction and suicide (Pridmore & Pasha, 2004). The purpose of this [...]

Inclusion and participation of people with disabilities: Examples from the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

Unlike several world religions that attribute disability to past sins (Hammell, 2006), Islam does not blame or isolate people for their disabilities. Rather, Islam recognizes that people with disabilities play an integral role in society and have economic, civic and social rights that are well established in revelation from God and the actions, sayings and [...]

Community Integration for Children with Disabilities

What is community integration?
Community integration is achieved when children with disabilities participate in activities in their community and are assimilated with their able-bodied peers. Community integration also refers to participation; which is engagement in social relationships, leisure activities, and community activities (King et al., 1999) with any peer group. Children with disabilities are [...]

Each one makes Everyone

Allah azza wa jal has created every individual as a unique being. He has created us and then perfected our forms. Albeit this uniqueness, there are certain features that most of mankind share in common. It is by these common characteristics that the ‘norm’ in society is defined. However, out of [...]