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Adol escen t Ange r & Faith ful Fr iends It said that teenagers get enraged very easily. I can relate to that statement, so how do I express anger in a productive way such that my point gets across, without hurting the other person? Is my anger always justified? Anger is a natural emotional that can manifest itself in many ways such as abusive language, physical violence, or bullying or alienating another person. If a person harbours ill-will towards others for an extended period of time, this could lead to depression or self-imposed isolation. Neither set of responses is conducive to a person’s faith-based identity. So, the question becomes, “what should a Muslim do when they feel anger?” The Prophetic advice tells us to deal with the issues triggering anger in a timely fashion – not to let the feeling of anger linger or fester. The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) taught us to sit down when we feel anger. If the feelings of anger persist then we should lie down. If still angry, a person should make wudu’ and pray to reconnect the mind and body and attempt to achieve a state of psychological balance. Second, if the situation requires dialogue, then we should be careful not to speak in a state of anger, as we often will say something that we later regret. In a moment of anger, our brains are filled with blood which means we can’t think clearly in that moment. Let the feeling of anger dissipate before speaking. Sometimes writing out a response is better to help us sort out our feelings before responding. In this respect, Allah reminds us to use the best of speech when addressing people even if arguing or debating in a heated manner: “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of those who seek guidance.” (Quran, 16:25).
What's the best way to approach a close friend who's expressed that they're losing their faith? Should you let them be, or is there anything you can say or do to help them out? If a friend reaches out to you to describe a thought or a problem, then this is their way of asking you for help. It takes a lot of courage for a person to expose their inner feelings so, as a friend, it is imperative that you act in the best interest of your friend. Begin by helping your friend identify the trigger point that has caused their loss – perhaps there is an unresolved question, a precipitating pattern of thoughts or even a series of tragic events that need to be explained by a qualified Imam. Second, there may be the influence of other peers, online personalities, family members or celebrities which often skew a person’s perception or ethical ideology of what is right or wrong. If so, work with your friend around how to choose appropriate role models in life, how to see long-term benefit rather than focusing on the short term ongoings. Finally, consider having a conversation with your friend about the deception of Iblees, the devil, and all his shenanigans designed to alter a person’s understanding of faith and its positive impact. In these cases it’s better to consult with an Imam or a teacher in the community who can provide dedicated support to your friend. Questions answered by: Omar Zia B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Ed., OCT High School Guidance Counsellor DawaNet, Board of Directors
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am the child of immigrants. Technically I am an immigrant myself, having arrived in Canada at the age of four, but having been so young, I don’t remember much about life before. The majority of my life has been spent on North American soil, with 13 years in public school and a few more for postsecondary studies. Time feels like it has flown, but the older I get, the more in awe I am of the immense risk that my parents took in order to come to a new country, seeking better opportunities. My parents gave up and sold everything that they had built up over the years—well-paying jobs, a house, and a comfortable lifestyle—leaving their stable and comfortable life behind to start fresh in a new country, with absolutely no guarantee that anything was going to work out. This is a common storyline for immigrants, but the true weight of their sacrifices cannot ever be truly appreciated. I honestly wonder whether I would be capable of doing something as momentous as what they did. So that’s how I came to call Canada my home. I am reminded of a Hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari where the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said, “Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler”.1 The imagery evoked here is one of temporariness and transience, yet we, as humans, are beings of habit and are rarely fond of change. It is easy for us to get comfortable in one place, settle down with a usual routine, and in some ways, become stagnant. However, we have to remember to keep on striving in all aspects of our lives. My parents’ journey to Canada reminds me that sometimes we have to make big sacrifices to cash in big rewards. For example, if someone has the goal to become a doctor, they will have to strive in that path in order to achieve it. Perhaps that entails not going out with their friends as often in order to study for the MCAT. The same concept applies to Muslims seeking the goal of Paradise. There are sacrifices and limitations that we impose upon ourselves in order to reach our goal and to please Allah. Sometimes it may be difficult, but it is important to keep our end goal in mind. We all see the world from a different set of eyes, with different lenses applied based on the beliefs
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and values that we cherish. These lenses can be derived from cultural practices, religious beliefs, or societal customs, and each individual decides how to prioritize them. As a child of immigrants, my outlook on life is balanced between two different cultures and societies, each with unique norms, which has made me critically evaluate and deeply consider my personal values to define my own beliefs. This has allowed me to expand the limits of my understanding, made possible only because of a decision that my parents made 20 years ago. I a m i n fi n i t e l y g r a t e f u l f o r t h e m a n y opportunities that I have had here. Because of the multitude of sacrifices that my parents have made, I have had the chance to experience a whole other way of life. Even something as simple as seeing snow is an experience I otherwise w o u l d n ot h a v e h a d . Grow i ng up here h a s greatly shaped my perspectives on life and rel ig ion, a point of re fle c t ion I m ay not have ever experienced other wise. It is a reminder that in our journey home to our Lord, we have to remember to remain focused and dedicated to ou r p at h, w h i le continually striving to be better. 1. H a d i t h , ( p p . S a h i h B uk h ar i , B ook 81, Hadith Number 5).
The Rise of Ableism in AREEJ HASHMI, 20
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ave you noticed anything problematic in horror movies recently? I have. “A Quiet Place”, “Hereditary”, and “Annabelle: Creation” are three recent horror releases that have something in common about their characters: they feature people with disabilities. These movies play on those disabilities to make their horror movies scarier. In this way, filmmakers use the fear of the “other” to dramatize peoples’ disabilities and, knowingly or unknowingly, give rise to ableism. According to the Law Commission of Ontario, ableism is when “persons with disabilities [are seen] as being less worthy of respect and consideration, less able to contribute and participate, or of less inherent value than others. Ableism may be conscious or unconscious, and may be embedded in institutions, systems or the broader culture of a society. It can limit the opportunities of persons with disabilities and reduce their inclusion in the life of their communities.” As someone who watches horror movies pretty regularly, I have noticed an increase of movie characters with disabilities in this genre. Initially, I was pleased with this discovery. Although I do not have any disabilities or personally know anyone who has them, I have often reflected on how difficult it is for people with disabilities to leave their houses out of fear of being stared at and getting stuck in uncomfortable situations. Exposure in movies would, in some ways, “normalize” their disabilities, making it easier for them to go about their daily routines with less fear of judgement. It would be great if that is what was actually happening, but unfortunately, this is not the case. In fact, these horror movies have been using people with disabilities to make their movies scarier. In “A Quiet Place”, the daughter, Regan, is partially deaf. Her deafness and struggles with her hearing aid are used in different parts of the movie to frighten viewers. By using high pitch sounds emitted from her hearing aid and her
differences in communication, she is shown as strange and scary. In “Hereditary”, the daughter, Charlie, is shown to have a similar condition to Tourette’s Syndrome, as well as a personality disorder. She makes clicking sounds, and her behaviours and interactions are depicted in absurd ways. Using a variety of light and sound effects, an eerie touch is added to her character. Another alarming character is her grandmother. Other characters describe her in her eulogies as someone who had multiple mental illnesses and would keep to herself. Finally, in “Annabelle: Creation”, the main character is wheelchair-bound and handicapped because of polio. Her difficulties in transporting herself are manipulated to seem horrifying. Although I like that there has been increased representation of people with disabilities in movies, it is unfortunate to see that those disabilities were made to seem terrifying and abnormal. In a society that is structured to favour and make ease for able-bodied individuals, adding unfavorable horror movie depictions to their long list of problems is really unnecessary. If this rise in ableism increases, we will need to start speaking up and letting the movie industry know that such discriminatory depictions of disabilities are completely unacceptable. Note: I do not endorse the movies mentioned, nor watching movies in general.
In this way, filmmakers use the fear of the “other” to dramatize peoples’ disabilities and, knowingly or unknowingly, give rise to ableism.
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CREATIVE WRITING
Hijrah SYEDA FARHEEN HASSANY, 21
how can you reduce the body the actions the thoughts the silence of my colour of my creed of my origin to the category “of unimportance”? how can you assume a spirit to be satiated when you refuse to comprehend its thirst? why is a tongue drenched with a grade a marking an achievement: what you like to call “intelligence”? why do we not drown? but surely if not us then our future lineages shall have this breakdown they say illiterate they say ignorant my words my ears my eyes
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My ancestor Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon him Migrated from his hometown of makkah to madinah To evade persecution for his beliefs. My grandfather was among the masses of people, of whom thousands died To move to pakistan from india in search of freedom. My parents uprooted their entire lives, all they had ever known To give us more autonomy And chances in the land of opportunity. Leaving for good is in my blood— Why would you ever think I won't leave you For the promise of someone who'll treat me right?
(zeh)en [the mind]
ANAA GULZAR, 18
mindless with an innate mind silent and savage with a bloodline inexcusable and exotic when i speak my birthright. God-given but scorned and labelled by those on Earth: all of whom should be insignificant participating in the race for a global vernacular that is not even mine is it in our nature to claim a superior? is only one tongue allowed to be revered? why do we hierarchize the syllables of sustenance? the speech of you and i: the defect or accent of mankind in what language do you even try to impress the unhearing and unkind?
The Fall of Atlantis
CREATIVE WRITING
MARYAM SHAH, 15 October 12th, 2018 I’m a typical merman—I hunt fish, work with my family, and play with my friends. I live in the city of Atlantis, but since tomorrow's my 18th birthday, I can leave home with the blessing of my parents. Not that they’ll let me, because apparently, the "situation" down here is getting worse. Mother says the water has been getting warmer, but I’ve always remembered the water being as warm at the surface as it is where we live. Father says that some fish species are dying, but they’ve practically been extinct all my life. He says it's gotten so bad that they’ve imposed hunting laws on some species he used to enjoy hunting regularly. October 15th, 2018
November 24th, 2018 Nothing is getting better—houses are crumbling, and the Olde City's ruins are indeed, old city ruins. My family is Hydra's heads grow back or the sirens’ voices heal anymore. Hunters like me can’t afford to feed our families and make a living at the same time. Tailors are running out of business and merchants fail to sell anything. Although the humans were once useful to our kingdom—supplying us gold from shipwrecks and amusement through forgotten literature—they have become the very cause of our ruin. December 8th, 2018
workers. It's really the humans’ fault, they just dump all their trash on us. I can't get a peaceful night’s sleep anymore, with all the noise and light from the ships overhead. As the ocean becomes more acidic, it changes the colours of our scales. More merpeople are dying than ever. October 27th, 2018 all the merpeople anymore. I can't leave, though, because my parents are afraid that “in my emancipation I'll find death,” or
fifty-odd years, can't live more than a week. My promise of a the others that are out there, in the world of mystery that I will now never discover. January 1st, 2019 collapsed after centuries of faithful strength. Since then, the coral, calcium, and other materials that support the castle have weakened, and have caused catastrophes one after the other. Slowly, Atlantis is dying.
predict the fall of our underwater kingdom because of some prophecy. At this point, they're probably right. Soon, my home will be gone, because of climate change.
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Chicken Vegetable Vegetable Soup Soup Chicken
RECIPE LIFESTYLE
A traditional family soup which is made back home in Pakistan… & here in Canada as well because it’s simply that delicious and tasty! ZAINAB ZAHRA, 17 1 ½ cup boiled and shredded chicken, 1 Boil and shred chicken, adding salt and pepper to taste. with salt and pepper added to taste 13 cups chicken broth (use the same 2 In a pot, add spices, vegetables and chilies to the chicken
ingredients -water you boil the chicken in) black pepper to taste -Salt, 2 eggs -½ cup cold water -4 tablespoons cornstarch -Crushed chilies to taste -1-2 green chilies (sliced) -2 ½ tablespoons soy sauce -3 tablespoons vinegar -1 cup frozen vegetable mix -(peas, carrots, corn, green beans) -Garlic powder (optional)
The ingredients listed are given in general recommended amounts because this soup is really based on your personal taste, so you can alter the amount you add to meet your taste.
LAUGH OUT LOUD
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serves 10 people
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
CREATED BY MASHAAL, 18
A Place of birth
broth and bring to a boil. 3 In a separate bowl, whisk the two eggs together and set aside. 4 In a separate bowl, mix the cold water with the cornstarch. This will be used to thicken the broth into a soup. 5 Add the seasoned and shredded chicken to the broth and boil for about 10 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally. 6 Add the cornstarch and water mixture to the broth to thicken it, while stirring constantly. 7 When the soup thickens, bring it back to a feverish boil and add the whisked eggs while making sure you’re stirring constantly. If not, the eggs will clump, and no one wants to eat clumped eggs in their soup. 8 Boil for a further few minutes, have a final taste test to ensure the soup suits your taste, serve and enjoy!
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