i sent this a few minutes ago--if you weren't on the list of people-to-get-it, here 'tis once more! i do realize i actually don't have time to devote to this (bloody, bloody diplomas. ^_^) but nonetheless...
Assalamu'alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh!
As you may or may not know, Saturday March 20th is a global day of action: the anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq; people throughout the world people will protest/ etc in a massive effort to show that they are not silent as atrocities are committed. The Edmonton Coalition Against War And Racism is organizing a march/rally, BUT: alongside, a number of people are putting together a parade/carnival kind of deal: they feel that the march/rally thing has become too standard, too bland, for the masses--no one comes unless they're truly interested or etc, it's no longer as topical as it was last year and so doesn't elicit the same kind of response, etc. So, here we go: this would inject some spirit, some life, into the flagging Edmonton activism scene, reach out just to regular people and get them involved, provide information about ways they can make a direct difference... An event with lots of colour, with games for children, a parade with floats--perhaps poetry readings as well, puppet shows with storylines that have a message, skits portraying life in Iraq--there are tons of ideas, all of which inshaAllah can be brought to fruition, if we organize and coordinate properly. Maybe the word 'carnival' isn't the right one--it may have haram-ish connotations and so on, but you know what i mean.
The point is, i personally feel that a greater Muslim presence is needed in events like this. People may be apathetic--"what good will it do?"--and they do have a point, but *my* point is that this can be used to inform people. This isn't just the regular march/rally thing, where all that really counts is the number of bodies marching along, but instead an event which can be a place to teach and learn and so on! The MSA could have a float in the parade, the Adopt-a-Town project could raise money, the al-ikhwan could have a contingent marching in their tracksuits--there's so much we can do! There's still a month and ten days left till the event, so there is enough time to organize (for once!).
If you're even slightly interested in this, or think you might possibly know anyone else interested, please please please reply to this email or phone me (922-0924), and pass this message on!
(Also, who knows what happened to the JusticeNow network on campus? I saw flyers and stuff everywhere for a little bit and then everything just disappeared?)
JazakAllah khair and please do remember me in your du'aa :)
Wasalam!
--Basit
and then our exile
Tuesday, February 10, 2004 at 9:17 a.m.
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