Insight Pakistan: A Discussion Series

Noor is delighted to offer Insight Pakistan, a four-part discussion series in collaboration with Pakistan Development Fund (PDF). The series will try to provide insights into the structural/systemic factors underlying Pakistan’s current condition.

Friday May 3         | Democracy & The State
Thursday May 23   | Development & Aid
Wednesday June 5  | Religious Extremism & Militancy
Thursday June 27 | Gender & Sexuality

Session 4) Gender & Sexuality - Thursday June 27, 2013
Discussion on issues of gender and sexuality in Pakistan provoke conflicting understandings - how does a country considered ‘backwards’ and ‘violent’ towards women elect a female Prime Minister?  This session aims to reconcile these realities through the examination of political, social and economic factors in the country.  It will consider the role that religion, culture, colonialism and imperialism have played in shaping gender roles and perceptions of sexuality in Pakistani society.

Date: Thursday June 27, 2013
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Auditorium, Noor Cultural Centre
Admission: $5

Pakistan Development Fund is a student-led organization dedicated to advocating for the most marginalized communities in Pakistan and within the Pakistani diaspora.

Noor is pleased to announce its Saturday night Ramadan Lecture & Iftar series as follows, insh’Allah.


Saturday July 13
7:15 pm| Lecture by Sarah Elton
Consumed: The Search for Ethical Food on our Finite Planet
8:58 pm | Maghrib & Iftar

Sarah Elton is a best-selling author, journalist and the food columnist for the CBC Radio show ‘Here and Now‘
(Copies of her new book, Consumed: Food for a Finite Planet, will be available for purchase)



Saturday July 20
7:15 pm | Lecture by Dr. Amira Mittermaier
Alms-Giving and Social Justice in Revolutionary Egypt
8:53 pm | Maghrib & Iftar

Amira Mittermaier, PhD, is an Associate Professor of religion and Middle Eastern civilizations at the University of Toronto

Saturday July 27
7:10 pm | Lecture by Dr. Nader Hashemi
Remembering Fazlur Rahman: Why his Quranic Methodology Matters
8:46 pm | Maghrib & Iftar

Nader Hashemi, PhD, is an Assistant Professor and Director of Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Denver



Admission:
Lecture -
No Charge

Iftar Dinner -
Adults: $20
Children (age 6 - 12): $10
Children (under 6): Free - however, if seat is required: $5

For tickets, please email tickets@noorculturalcentre.ca or phone 416.444.7148 ext. 222.

A 5% charge is applied for payments made via credit card. Capacity for the dinner is limited, so reservations will only be confirmed upon receipt of full payment.

Taught by Br. Asif Meherali

This course aims to teach participants to read and understand the Qur’an without the aid of translation.

Requirements:
- Prior ability to read and write the Arabic alphabet
- Age:15 years or older
- Commitment to participate for the duration of the course
- Regular attendance
- Homework completion

Course Materials:
Madina Books by Dr. V. Abdur Rahim (available for purchase at cost)


Dates: Sundays beginning May 5, 2013, for a two-year duration
Time: 10 am – 1 pm
Location: Auditorium, Noor Cultural Centre
Course Fee: $50 per quarter
Registration: please note-this class is no longer open to new registrations

For inquiries about the course, please contact Br. Asif Meherali (lugatulquran@hotmail.com)

]]> http://www.noorculturalcentre.ca/?feed=rss2&p=8511 http://www.noorculturalcentre.ca/?p=8982 http://www.noorculturalcentre.ca/?p=8982#comments Mon, 13 May 2013 03:05:32 +0000 admin http://www.noorculturalcentre.ca/?p=8982

May

30

6:30 pm

Workshop|Muslims & Multiculturalism

There are persistent widespread concerns about Muslim communities in North America, and accompanying doubts about the viability of multiculturalism as a policy.  This session will examine common ideas and narratives that lie behind these concerns.
Presented by Azeezah Kanji and Khadijah Kanji.

Date: Thursday May 30, 2013
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Auditorium, Noor Cultural Centre
Admission: Free

Azeezah Kanji (BHSc McMaster University; JD University of Toronto Faculty of Law) and Khadijah Kanji (BComm University of Ottawa) have an active interest in perceptions of Muslims in the West. They are both involved in programming at Noor Cultural Centre.

In response to demand following the introductory workshop on happiness, Noor is delighted to offer a course on:

Happiness & The Good Life
with Dr. Tayyab Rashid

Almost every philosophical and religious tradition has concerned itself with the search for happiness. We know that happiness matters, but what does ‘happiness’ mean? It is often equated with pleasures in the moment - from the tickling of our senses to the purchasing of latest gadgets - but is largely seen as elusive. Sorting through the conventional wisdom and scientific insights, this 8-week course demystifies happiness and presents its markers and makers. Through experiential exercises, participants will discern happiness based on the notion of ‘the good life’ —a virtuous existence imbued with positive emotions, engagement, meaning, positive relationships & accomplishment. Participants will learn evidence-based positive psychotherapy strategies that can make their lives more fulfilling and satisfying.

Topics covered will be:
- Elements of Unhappiness: From Heritability to Habits
- Our Strengths and Weaknesses
- The Person You Always Wanted To Be . . .
- Open Memories that Dampen Your Days
- From Grudge to Gratitude
- Forgiveness
- In Praise of Slowness and Savouring
- Meaning and Purpose
- Flourishing Relationships & Positive Communication
- Post-Traumatic Growth & Resilience, Meaning and Purpose
- Doing the Right Thing: Leaving a Positive Legacy
- Lessons for the Good Life


Dr. Tayyab Rashid (PhD, C.Psych) is a licensed clinical psychologist at the Health and Wellness Centre at University of Toronto Scarborough. His expertise includes positive clinical psychology, strength-based resilience, positive education, post-traumatic growth and multicultural counselling. Dr. Rashid has worked internationally training mental health professionals and educators, and assisting natural disaster victims and relief workers through non-profit organizations in Asia. The author of numerous scholarly papers, Dr. Rashid’s work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Toronto Star, Globe & Mail, CBC, Psychology Today and Tedx. He has been the recipient of several professional honours for his work.


Dates*: Sundays
April 7, 21, 28;
May 5, 12, 26;
June 2, 9
Time: 10 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Upstairs Classroom, Noor Cultural Centre
Course Fee: $240

To register, please:
email - admin@noorculturalcentre.ca
phone: (416) 444-7148 ext. 222
Advance registration is required in order for appropriate accommodation to be arranged.

Course Cancellation Policy


*Note: No class:
Sunday April 14 - Parenting Workshop | Raising Children with Confidence
Sunday May 19 - Long Weekend