This is the Canadian Somali Mothers’ Association’s official statement regarding the vicious killing of Abdirahman Abdi by Ottawa Police Officers on Sunday, July 24 th , 2016, and the impact of the killing on the Ottawa Black Community.

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatulaahi wa Barakatuhu
To our valued Somali Community of Ottawa,

On this most difficult time in our community, the Ottawa Police Service would like to express our sincere condolences first to Abdirahman Abdi’s family ( inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'oon) and to the entire Somali Community in Ottawa.

Hundreds gathered on Tuesday for a vigil in memory of Abdirahman Abdi in front of his home on Hilda Street.

Muslim Link interviewed Rayanne Bendaoud about how her encounter with a Syrian refugee in Ottawa inspired her to organize the United for Syria Soccer Tournament this Saturday, July 23rd to raise money for refugees supported by the United Nations’ Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

(If you would like to register as a team or individual for this all ages tournament click here for details.)

The Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) is holding its annual Eid al Fitr prayer and hallmark Muslim Summer Festival together on July 6th from 8am to 8pm at the Ernst & Young Centre.

Participants will also have an opportunity to make their Zakat donations to Islamic Relief Canada, one of the event's sponsors, who have secured a private donor to match all the donations given at the event. 

Muslim Summer Festival (MSF) is recognized by the City of Ottawa as an important city wide event and is a recipient of the Celebrate Ontario grant.

This year's Eid will be the first Eid celebrated by a very large number of Syrian refugees in Ottawa and MAC is working to ensure many of them will attend this Festival.

Muslim Link spoke to the festival organizers about what participants have to look forward to this year.

University of Ottawa students Nora Abdalaal, Tuba Yousuf, Jawdat Saleh, and Nour Khalaf, have raised enough funds to provide meals for a number of people at the Ottawa Mission this Friday, June 24th.  Volunteers are still welcome to get involved to help with preparation and distribution.

Muslim Link interviewed the students about their “Break Your Fast with Charity : Feed the Mission” Ramadan initiative.

Sisters Madeha and Fariha Irshad are collaborating again for this year’s Eid Bazaar at Jami Omar, taking place from 12pm to 6pm Saturday, June 25th. Muslim Link interviewed the sisters about how they are trying to build the Bazaar into an annual community event.

The University of Ottawa’s Social Wellness Club has joined a Group of Five to privately sponsor a Syrian family. They are crowdfunding $5,000 over Ramadan as their contribution to this joint effort. Financial contributions can be made online here.

Muslim Link interviewed the club members about their initiative.

The United Muslim Organizations of Ottawa Gatineau (UMO-OG) strongly condemn the mass shooting in Orlando on Sunday, June 12, 2016. We extend our sincerest condolences to the victims and their families.

We believe that human life is sacred in Islam and protecting it is one of the main objectives of our religion. Such horrible acts of hatred and violence are forbidden in Islam and we firmly stand against any and all attempts to link these crimes to our faith.

The Council of Imams of Ottawa-Gatineau and the United Muslim Organizations of Ottawa-Gatineau are raising funds to present to CHEO on behalf of the Muslim community, live during their annual Telethon on CTV Ottawa this weekend, June 4-5.