Saturday, November 17^th  and Sunday, November 18^th, 2007

Introduction

The family is an institution whose health is fundamental to the health of any society.  It is a pillar, and when a pillar crumbles, the entire structure becomes endangered.  Strong families are key to the continued strength of a society, and of a community.

 The strength of the family is built, first and foremost, by parents in their efforts to raise the next generation by providing a sound and nurturing home environment and by providing sound moral guidance.  However, this raising of the next generation is not only the responsibility of the parents; as the classic saying goes, “it takes a village.”   Adults and older youth serve as role models for the young, and the local community centre, if functioning well, can serve to support the moral guidance instilled by the parents.  On the other hand, corruption in the broader society can have damaging effects on the family structure that must be guarded against with great diligence. 

 The purpose of this seminar is to examine the importance of the family to society, to point out the main factors influencing the strength of the family unit, to understand how the community can support the family, to discuss the challenges and obstacles facing families today, and to look at potential solutions, all of this in the light of Islamic thought as taught by Muhammad (saws) and his family, the ahlil bait (as).

Topics

Topics will include: importance of family in society, balancing family, work, an community involvement, issues in pregnancy, conception, and childbirth, caring for infants, raising young children, issues involved with raising teenagers, challenges faced by youth, mothers, and fathers in contemporary society, importance of older youth and adults in the community and society as role models for the next generation, how our community centers can better support families.

Intended Audience

The seminar is intended for a range of different audiences, and there will be topics of interest to a range of different groups.  Intended audiences include young adults above the age of 16,  those who are beginning to think about marriage,  those who are newly married,  parents of young children and parents of older children.

Because of some mature subject matter to be covered, it is asked that parents do not bring young children to the seminar who will not be placed in childcare services.

Speakers  

Sh. Saleem Bhimji (Kitchener, Ont, Canada)

Sister Arifa Hudda (Kitchener, Ont, Canada)

Sister Akila Haneef-Jabari (Toronto, Ont, Canada)

Brother Khalid Haneef-Jabari (Toronto, Ont, Canada)

(Speaker bios to come soon)

Tentative Schedule

Online Registration

Childcare services 

Will be provided, on site, insha Allah, for an additional fee of

$10 per child per day.

Parents must provide formula, diapers, and a change of clothes for infant children.

Costs

Adult: $20 registration

Student (Age 25 and under only): $18

Family rate: $65

Registration fee includes attendance, registration package, and meals

Location and Directions:

Ahlillbait Masjid, 4075 de Courtrai, Montreal

Note to Potential Vendors

Those who would like to sell items during the seminar may contact us in advance at voiedelalumiere@gmail.com to make arrangements to rent a table.

Poster