We’re excited to launch a redesign of the Digital Al-Akhbar.  The Al-Akhbar newsletter has been a staple of the Canadian Jamati communications diet for many years. This redesign incorporates feedback received from readers, and aims to:

• Streamline the content by shortening teasers and allowing users to expand articles to read more information
• Make the content easier to scan and digest by categorizing information into Events, News and Opportunities
• Create a view that is mobile friendly
• Highlight the activities of the Imamat and AKDN institutions, in addition to those of the Jamat

We hope you enjoy the new format. We anticipate continuing to tweak the layout and structure, and look forward to your feedback and suggestions at communications_admin@iicanada.net. Thank you.

Imamat Day Program
On Tuesday, July 11, 2017, the Jamat will gather together to commemorate the launch of the Diamond Jubilee for a special half-day program beginning at 2:00pm. This historic event will include a Homage Ceremony Broadcast from Aiglemont.

We warmly invite family members of other faith backgrounds to join us for jaman and celebration on this special occasion.

Registration
To assist with planning for Jubilee activities, we are conducting a registration drive in all Jamatkhanas from May 19 to June 4, 2017, for residents of Canada. Registration desks will be set up in Jamatkhana and each family is asked to register. Canadian Jamati members living outside the country will be registered at a later date. 

Any family member who is 18 years or older may register on behalf of family members living in the same household. This family member should bring a valid Photo ID showing the current address and also the current identification for each person being registered. Family members of other faith backgrounds living in the same household and caregivers should also be registered.

Acceptable forms of identification are:

• Drivers licence
• Provincial health card
• Photocopy of student ID card, if student is studying away from home
• Canadian birth certificate for child under 18
• Canadian passport/permanent residence (PR) card
• Utility bill for proof of address

Please note that the Canadian Jamat Survey will also be conducted during this period through an online system that allows Jamati members to provide their information conveniently and anonymously. We ask all Jamati members to complete this important survey, which is critical for planning purposes. More information can be obtained at the registration desks.

Diamond Jubilee Fund
To support all of the Diamond Jubilee commemoration programs and the Jamat’s ongoing needs to December 2018, please visit the Diamond Jubilee Fund desks in Jamatkhana. If you are already a JSF monthly donor, your contribution will automatically be allocated to the Diamond Jubilee Fund. For those who are able, please consider increasing the amount of your contribution at this special time in our history.

Nazrana
The gift of Time and Knowledge Nazrana (TKN) to the Imam has no time limit. The Diamond Jubilee TKN is open to the entire Jamat regardless of age. Murids who submitted a TKN Niyat during the Golden Jubilee, whether or not they have been called upon to serve, may still submit a new Niyat for the Diamond Jubilee. 

Procedure to Register:

• All Jamati members wishing to offer their Niyat for the Diamond Jubilee Time and Knowledge Nazrana must do so at the designated Jamatkhana paat or desk in the foyer.
• After offering their Niyat, Murids will receive either a TKN Niyat card with a 12-digit code, which is required to complete the registration process online, or a paper-based form.

Jamati members can offer their Niyat for the Diamond Jubilee Time and Knowledge Nazrana until Tuesday, July 11, 2018. For more information, please approach the TKN volunteers or visit www.timeandknowledge.org

Volunteer Opportunities
The Diamond Jubilee Year will bring many opportunities for the Jamat to participate as volunteers. Our goal is to have at least one member from each family volunteer during the year. We are looking for volunteers of all backgrounds, ages and abilities.

Jamati members wishing to volunteer should visit the Volunteer Registration desk in Jamatkhana. Online volunteer registration will commence shortly.

Countdown to Diamond Jubilee with TheIsmaili.org
Further information about Canadian programs and volunteer opportunities will be provided on a regular basis through announcements, the Al-Akhbar and iicanada.org

For educational resources on the Diamond Jubilee, please visit TheIsmaili.org and #countdowntodj with TheIsmaili on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

This Mother's Day, make mom proud by helping mothers globally

Join Aga Khan Foundation Canada in celebrating mothers globally. Thanks to the support of thousands of Canadians like you, the new Bamyan Provincial Hospital, located in the remote mountains of Afghanistan, is providing world-class healthcare for some 450,000 Afghans—with a special focus on the health of women and children.                            

Thanks to these transformational new facilities, doctors at the new hospital are leading the fight against preventable deaths for mothers and babies. Watch the story of the first day in the hospital’s new maternity ward.

Join the 2017 World Partnership Walk and help us continue to invest in the healthcare of mothers, children and entire communities. Learn more about our special Mother’s Day match and register today!  

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For Canada’s 150th anniversary, Ottawa will get a little bit greener, when Aga Khan Foundation Canada, Just Food, and the Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard bring Canadians together to plant and maintain a new community food garden. This project will enhance the quality of life in the neighbouring community and allow Canadians from across the country to explore the local-to-global connections around issues of food security and environmental sustainability.

Want to take part in the community garden? Help plant the garden as part of the Give 150 hours in Commemoration of Canada 150 Challenge! Find out more here and email christine@akfc.ca.

Since April 2015, Aga Khan Foundation Canada has welcomed 40,000 visitors to the Together exhibition, an innovative, interactive exhibition on how Canadians are working together to alleviate global poverty. The exhibition features powerful photography and videos; unique objects; an interactive world map; and a global citizen skills quiz for visitors to discover how they can get involved.

As part of Canada’s 150th celebrations, the Together exhibition will be travelling across the country in 2017, sparking discussions on how Canadians are driving a more peaceful, prosperous, equal, and pluralist world.  

Watch a short video about the exhibit and visit the website, where you can find more details. 

Together will be open to the public, free of charge – parked in Ottawa at the following locations: 

June 24, 2017

Carp Farmers’ Market
3790 Carp Rd, Carp, ON
Saturday 8am – 3pm

June 30 – July 2, 2017
Ottawa Jazz Festival
Marion Dewar Plaza, Ottawa, ON
Friday – Saturday 10am – 8pm
Sunday 10am – 6pm

Looking forward to seeing you!

Developing Physical Literacy in Young Children

Watch a recorded webinar by General Manager of Early Years and Project Manager of Wellness Programs at YMCA Calgary. Physical literacy is when children develop the skills, confidence and motivation to be active for life. In this webinar, you will learn about the importance of physical literacy, play and its connection to early childhood development. Please click http://iicanada.org/ecd/webinars

Express Entry is an economic immigration program that attracts highly-skilled workers and those whose occupations are in demand. After Tuesday, June 6, 2017 additional points will be awarded under this category to those who have siblings in Canada as well as to those who have strong French and English language abilities.  Registration with the Job Bank will then be voluntary in this program.

With restrictions placed on private sponsorship for refugees in 2017 and 2018, the Jamat is urged to encourage their families to learn English and French as well as obtain Language Test Scores through the approved testing centres.

For more information, please click here.

The application deadline for Al-Ummah has been extended to Sunday, May 14, 2017. Al-Ummah is a 16-day residential program held in Duncan, British Columbia. This year's program will be held in celebration of our beloved Imam's Diamond Jubilee. The program is for Ismaili youth between the ages of 15-17 from Canada and worldwide.

For more information and registration, please visit http://iicanada.org/summer-programs/horizons.

Foundations of Faith is a national religious education curriculum that provides an introductory exploration of the key principles and practices of our Tariqah. Online readings for personal study are available at www.iicanada.org/FoundationsofFaith. New readings are available for the topics Tariqah Rites and Ceremonies and Ethics and Values of Islam.

Would you like to have a bigger impact on Canadian society? Have you ever considered pursuing a placement on a non-profit or governmental agency, board or commission?

Register for the Civil Society Board Matching program to submit past board experience, receive emails for upcoming board positions, and resources for board members.  Register at http://iicanada.org/national/forms/civil-society-board-matching-program today.

Please note that registration does not necessarily guarantee placement, as matching will depend on appropriate skills and fit.

In keeping with our vision of ONEIVC, we invite all Ismaili Volunteers to come together to contemporize their Ismaili Volunteers Uniform. The new uniform will provide a wide array of modern and traditional uniform styles for men, women and the youth. The new IVC Ties are now available for purchase.

Statistically, one member of your immediate family will develop a significant mental health concern during their lifetime.

Does this surprise you?

Two out of three people with mental illnesses do not tell anyone, often because they fear judgment and dismissal. Stigma refers to the negative attitudes that people face due to a lack of understanding. Stigma is dangerous as it prevents many people from seeking the help they need and can even interfere with recovery.

There is a wide range of mental health issues: from feeling overwhelmed by daily stressors to mental illnesses like depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder, developmental disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, drug and alcohol addictions and more.

Mental Health Week is an annual national event that takes place during the first week in May to encourage people from all walks of life to learn, talk, reflect and engage with others on all issues relating to mental health.  The Aga Khan Health Board and the Council for Canada are pleased to offer programs and education throughout the month to help the Jamat better understand mental health and mental illness.

Physical health and mental health are both important. Similar to our physical health, our mental health suffers from time to time. We exercise and eat healthy to prevent problems, and when we feel unwell, we see our doctors. There is no stigma. Similarly, while we all do the best we can to support ourselves and those around us, at certain times we may need professional emotional, psychological, or psychiatric help. For those who need further support for their mental health, help is available.

If you think you are experiencing a minor or major mental health problem, speak to your doctor early. If you or someone you know is planning to hurt herself/himself or is experiencing some other mental health emergency, call 911.

For non-emergency issues, the following resources are available through the Council for Canada:

1) The Social Support Services Line provides the Jamat with telephone assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This confidential service provides support and referral for those with mental health concerns or other life challenges. Call 1-888-722-5555.

2) The Medical Advisory Service provides confidential information and support for physical and mental health questions in several languages. Call 416-751-4001.

One of the best ways you can look after yourself, those around you, and reduce stigma, is to learn more. The Council for Canada offers several educational opportunities including:

1) Mental Health First Aid: a 2-day certification course that teaches signs, symptoms, and how to provide the initial help for various mental health problems.

2) Living Life to the Full: an 8-week program that improves your ability to deal with life's everyday challenges and stresses, and to have healthier, more meaningful relationships.

3) Seminars on topics such as depression, anxiety, addictions, and dementia.

4) Mental Health InfoBits published in the e-Al Akhbar

Speak to a member of the Health Board for information on the above or for how to get involved.

Let’s continue working together to better understand mental health, eliminate stigma, and foster a healthy and supportive environment for all.

Mental illnesses are commonly misunderstood. The truth is that anyone may experience mental illnesses—this includes your friends, family, co-workers, and even you. Mental illnesses affect between 20 to 35 percent of people, therefore, it’s important to gain a better understanding of them.

Here are some myths about mental illnesses:

• Myth: Mental illnesses are impossible to recover from.
  Fact: Recovery IS possible from many mental illnesses. However, what works for each person, and what recovery means for each person, may be unique. There are many options available for support, for managing symptoms, and to live a meaningful life with mental illnesses.
• Myth: Mental illnesses result from weakness of character.
  Fact: Mental illnesses are not due to any personal character flaw. The causes of mental illnesses are complex and include genetic, biological, environmental, and social factors. While there are things that we can do to potentially maintain our mental health and decrease the likelihood of onset of mental illnesses, there are also factors that are outside of our control. None of these factors involve weakness of character. Seeking and accepting help is a sign of strength and courage.
• Myth: People with mental illnesses are crazy and violent.
  Fact: Mental illnesses are not predictors of violence. In fact, people with mental illnesses are 2.5 times more likely to be victims of violence and crime. The reason we think that individuals with mental illnesses are violent is because of messages communicated through media (like TV, the radio, and movies). In reality, with appropriate treatment and support, people with mental illnesses are no more dangerous than others.
• Myth: People with mental illnesses cannot function in the workplace.
  Fact: Many people in the workplace have mental illnesses. Just as people come to work with physical illnesses, many people come to work with mental illnesses. And, just like physical illnesses, engaging in the workplace, socializing and feeling connected in the workplace may be affected by mental illnesses. It does not mean that they are no longer capable of working. Some people may benefit from changes at work to support their goals, but many people work with few supports from their employer. Most people who experience serious mental illnesses want to work, but face systemic barriers to finding and keeping meaningful employment.

By learning the facts about mental illnesses, we can start to better support ourselves and others. To learn more, visit the Canadian Mental Health Association at www.cmha.ca.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The above is part of a series of inserts designed to raise awareness of mental health over the month.

If you feel that you or a loved one might be experiencing some difficulties maintaining positive mental health, please speak to a health care provider. For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact akhbc@iicanada.org.

For training sessions to learn how to better support others, there are programs such as Mental Health First Aid. To learn more skills for dealing with life’s stresses, and how to have healthier relationships, programs such as Living Life to the Full may be of interest to you. For more information about these programs, please contact akhbc@iicanada.org. 

I once had a thousand desires. But in my one desire to know you all else melted away. 
― Jalaluddin Rumi

A video highlighting the official opening of the international headquarters of the Global Centre for Pluralism will be shown on Friday, May 19 after Jamati ceremonies. Members of the Jamat, including family members of other faiths, are encouraged to attend.

Students in grades 9-12 are encouraged to register for One-on-One Career Counselling sessions to be held on Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the Ottawa Headquarters Jamatkhana. The facilitator, Zahra Ladhani, is a professional teacher with a Master’s in Education Counselling from the University of Ottawa. She is the Director of a Montessori Lower Elementary Program in Hamilton and has had professional counselling experience at McGill University. Please register for a session by emailing mahmud.amlani@iicanada.net. Spots are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ismaili Seniors Center drop ins will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 from 5 to 7 pm in the Social Hall. 

The Ladies Jambo Club has organized an outing to view the tulips along the Canal and enjoy lunch on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 Members are to meet at 11 am in the Social Hall at the Ottawa Headquarters Jamatkhana. All ladies are welcome. Please register at the ICARE desk. 

Disclaimer: This event is organized by a third party not associated with His Highness Shia Imami Ismaili Council for Ottawa or the Ismaili Tariqah and Religious Education Board for Ottawa or other affiliated bodies (collectively the “Jamati Institutions”). The Jamati Institutions assume no responsibility for this event.

It’s time for Luminate 2017.  BUI secondary students will be visiting ‘The Canadian Ecology Center’ on May 26-28, 2017.  Registration deadline is May 13, 2017. For more information, please contact secondary teachers or email us at luminateottawa@gmail.com

Celebrate Mother's and Father's Day with a Music Party and Dinner Event by Shiraz Walli on Saturday, May 27, 2017 after Jamatkhana ceremonies in the Social Hall. Tickets will be on sale at the ICARE desk every Friday.

The Dos and Don’ts – Thursday, June 1, 2017 at 9:00pm Eastern

All parents feel frustrated by their children’s behaviours at one point or another. We often question ourselves on how best to discipline in those moments. Listen to Dr. Ladhani, Professor at McMaster University, Department of Pediatrics, on the Dos and Don’ts of Disciplining Your Child. During the webinar, Dr. Ladhani will explore concepts of guidance and discipline, examine anticipated difficulties through each developmental stage, and will identify appropriate guidance strategies and techniques for children of all ages. Spaces are limited. Please register at www.iicanada.org/ecd/events.html

An evening of melodious musical compositions including songs and gazals by renowned artists from Kolkata, India will be held after Jamati ceremonies on Saturday, June 3, 2017 in the Social Hall. Light refreshments will be served. Tickets are available at ICARE until June 2, 2017.

As part of the CIVIC initiative launched during the Golden Jubilee, the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board (AKYSB) is holding a food drive during the month of Ramadan to support the Ottawa Food Bank. 

Did you know that the Ottawa Food Bank provides emergency food to 48,000 people a month – 37% of those being children?

The Jamat is kindly requested to bring non-perishable food items for donation. A box has been set up in the Social Hall for the month of Ramadan, from Friday, May 26, 2017 to Saturday, June 24, 2017.

Young women, aged 18-25, who do not currently serve on a Board are invited to apply to "Girls on Boards" to receive training and guidance to join an external Board. Please apply at: http://www.girls20.org/programs/girls-on-boards/

ITREB Madagascar is seeking a Religious Education Coordinator. Click here for details.