Below is an article to be published in the upcoming MuslimLink Newsletter inshaAllah
Ottawa Muslim Youth To Host Town Hall Meeting on Saturday July 23rd
Meeting will focus on need for foster parents and several other important community issues
VOMY - Voices of Muslim Youth (July 13, 2011)
Adam came to us in December with a sweater so large on him it hung off his shoulders. His winterboots were too big for a small boy of 7 and one of them had a hole in it. In his hands was a garbage bagcontaining the few items he owned. Foster families are compensated for the upkeep of the child theytake in, I cant believe how this child arrived at our door. Sireen*, Foster family member
Adam was placed by the Childrens Aid Society of Ottawa into Sireen's family --- one of a handful of Muslim foster families in the Ottawa area. Sireen describes how Adam suffered from months of bed-wetting, how he could not sleep in a room by himself and how he had an extreme fear of the bathroom. He had been shuffled through 7 different foster homes, this being his first Muslim one.
Stories such as Adams are far too common in our community. Several Muslim children, for a variety of reasons, are in the system and the majority are being placed in non-Muslim homes. Some homes are truly places of healing but there are also many reports that several children are victims of abuse and neglect.
What can we do for children like Adam? How can you become a foster parent? What resources are available in our community?
In order to address these important questions we invite you to our Muslim Townhall Meeting on July 23rd.
This is an event open to every Muslim in Ottawa wishing to build a stronger community. Come join our community leaders and experts and participate in the dialogue. Please ask your questions and provide suggestion which, InshaAllah, will lead to concrete solutions.
Other areas of concern which will be addressed during the town hall meeting include the following:
UNITY THROUGH PURPOSE
Our Families
* How can we unite our families?
* What are the experiences of Muslim children with the Children's Aids Society?
* Why is youth representation in our organizations so low?
Our Resources
* Where should we invest as a community?
* Halal investments- where to start?
* Why are our Islamic schools in Ottawa not more widely supported?
Our Canada
* How do we show Islamic values are Canadian values?
* Where as a community can we get our voices heard?
* How do we form a lobby?
Our Families
* How can we unite our families?
* What are the experiences of Muslim children with the Children's Aids Society?
* Why is youth representation in our organizations so low?
Our Resources
* Where should we invest as a community?
* Halal investments- where to start?
* Why are our Islamic schools in Ottawa not more widely supported?
Our Canada
* How do we show Islamic values are Canadian values?
* Where as a community can we get our voices heard?
* How do we form a lobby?
The Muslim Townhall Meeting will be held at Ben Franklin Place 101 Centrepointe Dr.(behind Baseline station) Saturday June 23, 2011 from 6 to 9pm. Please reserve your spot in advance by emailing vomyottawa@yahoo.ca. There are only 200 seat available.
*Note: Names were changed to protect the privacy of the child involved.
VOMY (Voices of Muslim Youth) is a grassroots organization in the city of Ottawa promoting unity within the Muslim community and fostering leadership amoung Muslim youth. We aim to raise awareness and, inshaAllah, work with other groups and individuals in finding solutions for social issues facing our community here in Ottawa and Canadian society at large. Please connect with us on facebook (search:Vomy Ottawa), on our blog vomyottawa.blogspot.com or email us at:vomyottawa@yahoo.ca
