CCMW Edmonton Chapter AGM 2022
CCMW Edmonton Chapter hosted its AGM on December 4th, 2022.
This was the first in-person meeting since the pandemic's beginning and provided a relaxed atmosphere for the community to socialize face-to-face with both familiar and new faces. With around 30 attendees, we had an excellent turnout and a productive discussion on the future direction of the chapter.
The event entailed a 'meet the community night,' while the gathering included festivities such as live music and mehndi, graciously provided to us by active community members. We are advocates of change and collaborated with the Edmonton Foodbank during the AGM to raise food/funds for their cause as part of our community outreach efforts.
As a chapter, we have discussed our involvement in the CCMW National Meeting held in Toronto, which some of our executives attended in person to plan the future logistics of the organization as well as network for future collaboration and projects. Additionally, we discussed collaboration and strengthening ties with other Muslim organizations in the Edmonton area, multi/inter-faith organizations, and the City of Edmonton. Finally, we have done an introspection on our strategic planning and executive board, for which we are actively planning the logistics of securing our team for the new year.
We invite any members interested in joining our board, membership or newsletter to email us at edmonton@ccmw.com to get in touch. We look forward to seeing you at future events!
Note: Below are the pictures from the 2022 AGM held in Edmonton
Misbah Mahal
Secretary CCMW Edmonton Chapter
Pope Francis’ Visit to Edmonton
By Narmin Janmohamed
On July 25. 2022. Pope Francis arrived in Edmonton, Alberta Canada to begin what he called his pilgrimage of penance.
This journey on Canadian soil commenced with an apology to our Indigenous peoples for the deplorable evil acts committed by Christians against them while in residential schools. He recognized the devastating effects that policies of cultural destruction and forced assimilation had in severing bonds within the families and communities that has led to inter-generational trauma.
The Pontiff spoke of the pain and remorse that he felt over the past few months since a delegation of Canadian Indigenous peoples visited him in the Vatican. He asked our Indigenous peoples for forgiveness with the hope that the future will bring justice, healing and reconciliation.
The Pope acknowledged that his apology is only the first step towards healing and reconciliation. He committed to a serious investigation into the facts of what took place in the past and ensuring our Indigenous peoples receive the support they need to recover from the trauma they have suffered.
On July 26, 2022 Pope Francis delivered a homily to approximately 30,000 faithful in Commonwealth Stadium. I felt privileged to be there representing the Edmonton Chapter of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women along with one of our co-chair and our past president.
I found many common themes in the Pope’s homily with my own faith being a practicing Muslim. He spoke about the need to maintain strong bonds within one’s family, the importance of community and the active role we all play in shaping our collective future. His words rang true for Catholics and Muslims alike.
The Pontiff spoke about the influence that family has in molding our person and in instilling and nurturing our beliefs and values. He emphasized the importance of taking care of the elderly and the key role they play as holders of stories, knowledge and wisdom.
The Pope implored all to look beyond the material (money, status and career) and think about how we can help our community and society grow and prosper. He spoke of how we actively play a role in shaping our future and he emphasized the need to contemplate what kind of mark we will leave behind for future generations.
In today’s high-tech, fast-paced and constantly changing world Catholicism (like most faiths) is struggling to keep the timeless teachings of old relevant. It is only through inspired leadership and believers that manage to carve out a space for religion in their everyday lived experiences that religion will continue to be relevant and thrive today, tomorrow and into the future.
Muslim Women in Edmonton Speak Out
"There is a deep pain, a sadness that wears us down to the bone. It hurts to know that it doesn't matter that Muslims have been on this land as far back as 1851." — Muslim women in Edmonton speak out. Edmonton has seen a sharp rise in hate attacks on Black and other racialized Muslim women. Muslim women and girls from CCMW’s Edmonton Chapter have been at the center of advocacy and are mobilizing to keep themselves and their sisters safe. “Muslim women should not need to live in fear. Action needs to be taken to address the Islamophobic attacks and voices of Canadian Muslim women need to be centred to start making change,” echo Canadian Muslim women from Edmonton unanimously.
#Hate2Healing is a national anti-Islamophobia social media campaign, sharing stories of Islamophobia and racism experienced by Canadian Muslim women, girls and non-binary people. For more information, please visit daretobeaware.ca
CCMW's Meeting with the Honourable Maryam Monsef
The CCMW Edmonton Chapter in conjunction with CCMW Calgary and CCMW Vancouver organized a virtual engagement with the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. This one-hour virtual event was held over Zoom and gave participants the opportunity to share their experiences with the Minister.
Know Your Rights (Virtual) Knowledge sharing WOrkshop
On Sunday, September 20, CCMW Edmonton held a virtual knowledge-sharing workshop to educate and empower Canadian Muslim women in the Toronto area on Canadian and Muslim family law. Featuring lawyer Jamil Sawani, the aim of this workshop was to build the skills of individuals, organizations, and communities so that they are better equipped to increase access to justice for Canadian Muslim women in family law issues.
The goal of this workshop is to serve community and build the capacity of CCMW chapter members, legal professionals, community leaders, service providers, and educators across Canada.
WE WELCOME NEW MEMBERS & VOLUNTEERS – GET IN TOUCH
Please complete the form below and the CCMW Edmonton President or another chapter member will be in touch.
Annual Chapter Membership Fees is $30 (minimum)