Choose Nearest City

  • Calgary
  • Ottawa
  • Edmonton
  • Regina
  • Halifax
  • Saskatoon
  • Hamilton
  • Toronto GTA
  • Kingston
  • Vancouver
  • Kitchener
  • Waterloo
  • London
  • Windsor
  • Montreal
  • Winnipeg
  • Outside of Canada

Choose your city (or nearest city)

  • Calgary
  • Montreal
  • Edmonton
  • Ottawa
  • Regina
  • Saskatoon
  • Halifax
  • Toronto GTA
  • Hamilton
  • Vancouver
  • Kingston
  • Waterloo
  • Kitchener
  • Windsor
  • London
  • Winnipeg
  • Outside of Canada
  • Events
  • Directory
  • AdvertiseAdvertise
  • PatronsPatrons

Enter your login credentials

Forgot username?

Forgot password?

Remember Me
Register
Facebook Login Google Login
loading
Please wait, logging in...

Register Details

Have an account? Login

Forgot Username

[Form forgot_username not found!]

Forgot Password

[Form forgot_password not found!]

How would you like to proceed?

LOG IN / SIGN UP allows you to:
  • Have a record of all events you've been to.
  • Request cancellation if you cannot make it to an event.
  • Post an event of your own.
  • Add your business/organization listing to the online directory.
  • Add an opportunity (job, volunteer, petition, survey, etc.).

Please login to continue

LOG IN / SIGN UP allows you to:
  • Have a record of all events you've been to.
  • Request cancellation if you cannot make it to an event.
  • Post an event of your own.
  • Add your business/organization listing to the online directory.
  • Add an opportunity (job, volunteer, petition, survey, etc.).
Muslim Link is Ottawa Muslims' Online Community Newspaper. The site includes an up-to-date Events Listing and Business and Community Directory for Ottawa Muslims.
x

We have detected that you are using an ad blocker. Muslim Link relies on revenue from these advertisements so please consider disabling the ad blocker for this domain.

  • Home
  • Events
    • Ottawa
    • Montreal
    • Toronto GTA
    • Edmonton
    • Calgary
    • Vancouver
    • London
    • Windsor
    • Hamilton
    • Halifax
    • Winnipeg
    • Kingston
    • Kitchener/Waterloo
    • Regina/Saskatoon
    • Event Table
  • Directory
    • Ottawa
    • Montreal
    • Toronto GTA
    • Edmonton
    • Calgary
    • Vancouver
    • London
    • Windsor
    • Hamilton
    • Halifax
    • Winnipeg
    • Kingston
    • Kitchener/Waterloo
    • Regina/Saskatoon
  • News
  • Stories
  • Islamic Finance
  • Classifieds
    • Opportunities
      • Volunteer Opportunities
      • Job Opportunities
      • Crowdfunding
      • Bazaar Vendors Wanted
      • Call for Donations
      • ​​Scholarships / Bursaries
      • ​​Petitions
      • Nominations
      • ​​Call for Participants
      • ​​Call for Submissions
      • Call for Abstracts
      • Grants
      • ​​Surveys
      • ​​Invitation to Dialogue
      • Sponsorships
      • Contests
    • Locations
      • Jumaa Locations
      • Full-Time Islamic Schools
      • Part-Time Islamic Schools
      • Hifz Programs
      • Iftar Locations
      • Taraweeh Prayers
      • I'tikaf Locations
      • Eid Prayers
      • Eid Festival Locations
      • Camps Locations
    • Rentals
      • Add Rental
    • Find a Place
    • Find a Tenant
  • Opportunities
  • Locations
  • Rentals
  • Home
  • News
  • US Ambassador Visits Ottawa Main Mosque
Event organizers Amira Elghawaby (CAIR-CAN) and Shano Bejkosalaj (OMWO) with Ambassador David Jacobson Event organizers Amira Elghawaby (CAIR-CAN) and Shano Bejkosalaj (OMWO) with Ambassador David Jacobson
09
May
2013

US Ambassador Visits Ottawa Main Mosque

Written by  Chelby Daigle
Published in News
  • Add to Facebook
  • Like this? Tweet it to your followers!

It was an evening of firsts as the Ottawa Main Mosque welcomed US Ambassador David Jacobson on his first official visit on April 8.

Almost 100 people attended the event titled “Strengthening Bridges & Working Together for a Better Future”.  Security was discreet and the question period was uncensored which was unusual for a high-profile guest like the ambassador. But a unique set of circumstances had created the space for this gathering.  As Ambassador Jacobson explained at the beginning of his speech:

“On the 14th of December of last year, my country suffered a great tragedy, in Newtown, Connecticut, 27 people lost their lives at the hands of a deranged gunman, and among the 27 dead there were 24 very young children. A few days later, I received a card from Mrs. (Shano) Bejkosalaj (of the Ottawa Muslim Women's Organization) and it was followed by an e-mail from the Imam (of the Ottawa Main Mosque), and they asked to meet in order to express their sympathy and their support. And so on January 4 this year, the Imam and Mrs. Bejkosalaj and Mrs. (Safaa) Fouda came to my office, they came in grief, they came in respect and most importantly of all, they came in solidarity. Because when children die senselessly, needlessly, tragically all of us serve as their parents. And to me that exemplified the connection between us. It wasn't about national boundaries, it wasn't about race, it wasn't about religion. It was about people reaching out to people.”

Subsequently Ambassador Jacobson was invited to visit the Ottawa Main Mosque by the Ottawa Muslim Women's Organization, the Ottawa Muslim Association (which runs the mosque), and the Council of American Islamic Relations-Canada (CAIR-CAN),  to engage in open discussion with the Muslim community.

x

We have detected that you are using an ad blocker. Muslim Link relies on revenue from these advertisements so please consider disabling the ad blocker for this domain.

In his opening speech, the envoy outlined a number of programs and partnerships that his embassy had undertaken with Canadian Muslim organizations. These included helping to fund the Family Honour Project of the Muslim Family Resource Centre in London, Ontario and collaborating with the Association of Progressive Muslims on an exchange for young Muslim community leaders to the US.

However, the focus of the event was the open discussion. Although respectful, the questions asked by participants did challenge US domestic and foreign policies on issues such as the rights of prisoners still in Guantanamo Bay, the treatment of Muslim-Canadians at the American border, attacks on Shia Muslims in Pakistan, US drone attacks in Northern Pakistan, the role of the US government in speaking out against Islamophobia, and the recognition of the State of Palestine.

Amb. Jacobson's responses probably did not satisfy most present but the fact that people were able to ask questions so directly, without prior approval, was remarked upon.

“Well, we didn't ask him here to just smile at us,” Dr. Safaa Fouda said in response to a comment on the frankness of the discussion.  “I consider it a good start for continuing the relationship with the US Embassy. As Canadian Muslims, we think we have a role to play in terms of building peace. We will only understand this by conversation and communication. What we need to do is actually continue and come up with concrete practical projects that can help build peace among parties.”

OMA Imam Samy Metwally, who studied Muslim-Christian Relations in the US on a Fulbright Scholarship, felt the event was important not only for building a relationship with the US Embassy but because the mosque should be a forum for engagement and discussion.

“This event reflects the diversity of programs that we do at the Ottawa Muslim Association,” said Imam Metwally. “It's not only about giving sermons to people. We touch on community issues. We are very concerned about building bridges with other communities as well.  We are not only here to serve our own community but the larger Canadian community.”

x

We have detected that you are using an ad blocker. Muslim Link relies on revenue from these advertisements so please consider disabling the ad blocker for this domain.

Throughout the discussion, Amb. Jacobson recognized participants as being both Canadian and Muslim and said he saw no contradiction in the duality of their identities. In an interview with the Muslim Link after the event, Amb. Jacobson made the following point:

“First of all the most fundamental tenet of American foreign policy is that the people of the United States have a good relationship with the people of every other country in the world. There are countries where our government and their government do not necessarily see eye to eye but everywhere Iran, North Korea, you name it, there is no space between the people of my country and the people of those countries.  There is no place where that is more true than the United States and Canada. And there are times when we have disagreements with governments, even here in Canada, but that doesn't in any way draw a line between our two countries it just means that sometimes we have disagreements on certain policies. The second point is that if there is one thing that I have found in Canada it is that the best way to deal with these differences is through open and frank conversation. If we talk, if we listen, we are far more likely to come to the right conclusions and work out our differences.”

Chelby Marie Daigle is the coordinator of Muslim Link  

This article was produced exclusively for Muslim Link and should not be copied without prior permission from the site. For permission, please write to info@muslimlink.ca.

Read 7074 times Last modified on Tue, 28 Feb 2017 10:40
Rate this item
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
(0 votes)
Tagged under
  • Ottawa Muslim Association
  • David Jacobson
  • US Embassy
  • Ottawa Muslim Women's Organization
  • CairCan
  • Muslim Family Resource Centre
  • Family Honour Project
  • Safaa Fouda
  • Imam Samy Metwally
Chelby Daigle

Chelby Daigle

Chelby Marie Daigle is Muslim Link’s Editor in Chief and Coordinator. Under her direction, Muslim Link adopted its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy so that the website strives to reflect the complexity of Muslim communities in Canada. She knows that she fails to do justice to this complexity every day but she will continue to try to improve as she recognizes the frustration of being both marginalized in the mainstream and also marginalized in Muslim communities. As Coordinator, she works to build relationships with Muslim and mainstream organizations and manages the website's social media, event listings, and directories. She organizes regular Muslim Link gatherings. She also works closely with the Publisher to find ways to keep Muslim Link sustainable. Find her on Twitter @ChelbyDaigle

Latest from Chelby Daigle

  • Toronto Police Must Investigate Assault of Muslim Women Inside Walmart As Potential Hate-Motivated Crime Toronto Police Must Investigate Assault of Muslim Women Inside Walmart As Potential Hate-Motivated Crime
  • Islamic History Month and Islamic Heritage Month 2022 Events Across Canada Islamic History Month and Islamic Heritage Month 2022 Events Across Canada
  • It’s Still Not Easy: Habiba Ali Returns with New ‘Shaah and Sheeko’ Comedy & Poetry Show It’s Still Not Easy: Habiba Ali Returns with New ‘Shaah and Sheeko’ Comedy & Poetry Show

Related items

  • Coin Dealer Commemorates Ottawa Muslim Association with New Collectable Eid Coin Coin Dealer Commemorates Ottawa Muslim Association with New Collectable Eid Coin
  • United Muslim Organizations of Ottawa-Gatineau Receive United Way Community Builder of the Year Award United Muslim Organizations of Ottawa-Gatineau Receive United Way Community Builder of the Year Award
  • Faith Leaders Come Together for Interfaith Food Drive for the Ottawa Food Bank this Mother's Day Weekend Faith Leaders Come Together for Interfaith Food Drive for the Ottawa Food Bank this Mother's Day Weekend
back to top
x

We have detected that you are using an ad blocker. Muslim Link relies on revenue from these advertisements so please consider disabling the ad blocker for this domain.

x

We have detected that you are using an ad blocker. Muslim Link relies on revenue from these advertisements so please consider disabling the ad blocker for this domain.

x

We have detected that you are using an ad blocker. Muslim Link relies on revenue from these advertisements so please consider disabling the ad blocker for this domain.

x

We have detected that you are using an ad blocker. Muslim Link relies on revenue from these advertisements so please consider disabling the ad blocker for this domain.

x

We have detected that you are using an ad blocker. Muslim Link relies on revenue from these advertisements so please consider disabling the ad blocker for this domain.

Ottawa Events
View More Events
Eid Expo
Sat, Apr 01, 2023 12:00pm EST/EDT
Bazaars
MAC Qurtuba Islamic Centre Ramadan Benefit Iftar
Sat, Apr 01, 2023 06:00pm EST/EDT
Fundraising Dinners
Ahlul Bayt Center Shahr Ramadan Youth Program Monday to Thursday
Sat, Apr 01, 2023 06:30pm EST/EDT
Educational
Canadian Association of Moroccans of Ottawa-Gatineau Iftar
Sat, Apr 01, 2023 06:45pm EST/EDT
Dinners
ABIS Ramadan Market
Sat, Apr 01, 2023 08:30pm EST/EDT
Bazaars

Featured Articles

  • New Study Reveals Need for Further Research on Discrimination Faced by Muslim Women in the Canadian Healthcare System New Study Reveals Need for Further Research on Discrimination Faced by Muslim Women in the Canadian Healthcare System
  • Montreal Taraweeh Prayer Locations 2023 Montreal Taraweeh Prayer Locations 2023
  • What happened on VIA Rail, and what you can do to help What happened on VIA Rail, and what you can do to help

Twitter Posts

Check Out Muslim Link's March 2023 Snapshot!nhttps://t.co/JSwCIHHlEsnhttps://t.co/MQFNh4gOf1 https://t.co/S2pT0cCEVy...
3 days ago
RT @justiceforallcn: Thank you to @Muslim_Link Magazine for promoting our statement on last week's landmark #UN #Islamophobia observance.u2...
1 week ago
Check Out Calgary Events on Muslim Link!nhttps://t.co/TbPSwW8R2jnEvents w/ @IRCanada @NisaHomes @PennyAppealCau2026 https://t.co/leh3KlKxTG...
2 weeks ago
Muslim Link

About us

  • About Muslim Link
    Our Team
    About Eye Media
    Contact Us
    Diversity & Inclusion Policy
  • Events & Directory Disclaimer
  • Project: A Muslim History of Ottawa

How To

  • Claim a directory listing
    Create a directory listing
    Post an event
    Sell Tickets
    Report a mistake

Event Listings

  •  - Ottawa
  •  - Toronto GTA
  •  - Montreal
  •  - Edmonton
  •  - Calgary
  •  - Vancouver
  •  - London
  •  - Windsor
  •  - Hamilton
  •  - Kitchener/Waterloo
  •  - Halifax
  •  - Winnipeg
  •  - Kingston
  •  - Regina/Saskatoon

Business & Community Directory

  •  - Ottawa
  •  - Toronto GTA
  •  - Montreal
  •  - Edmonton
  •  - Calgary
  •  - Vancouver
  •  - London
  •  - Windsor
  •  - Hamilton
  •  - Kitchener/Waterloo
  •  - Halifax
  •  - Winnipeg
  •  - Kingston
  •  - Regina/Saskatoon

Advertisers

  • Advertise Online
  • Become a Patron
  • Sponsorships
  • Join Snapshot e-Newsletter
  • Snapshot Publishing Dates

ML Team

  • Writers Workshops
  • Content Policy
  • Staff Payment System
  • Join the team

Social Media

Follow us on our pages!

Facebook Twitter Youtube LinkedIn Pinterest

Copyright © 2023 Muslim Link. All Rights Reserved. All articles, photos, graphics and images on this site remain the copyright of Muslim Link, unless otherwise noted, and should not be copied without prior permission. Designed by Eye Media Solutions
Top
Copyright © Muslim Link. All articles, photos, graphics and images on this site remain the copyright of Muslim Link, unless otherwise noted, and should not be copied without prior permission. 2023 All rights reserved. Custom Design by Youjoomla.com