Muslim Coordinating Council member Sarwat Humayun honoured by province

Mrs. Humayun, a retired public servant, mother and grandmother, was nominated for the award by MCC-NCR president Mohammed Zakaria Khan for her work in managing the council's email list.

The MCC email list run by Mrs. Humayun informs the Muslim community of the activities of local Muslim organizations. It also includes information on topics such as religion, literature, arts, job opportunities, health and current affairs.

Mrs. Humayun is married to renowned artist Ahmed Humayun. Since the mid-1960s she has served various community organizations, women's auxiliaries and women's committees, helped new immigrant women and the elderly, and helped found and administer a spiritual education community school for children at a time when none existed. She also compiled and edited a popular cookbook that showcases culturally and ethnically diverse recipes from Ottawa's Muslim community.

“I am touched that 100 per cent of my relatives and friends said it was ”˜well deserved' - and even more touched that some of them said that a bit of my father's community spirit has rubbed off on to me, and that I'm following in his footsteps,” Mrs. Humayun said to the Muslim Link.

“I feel even more happy and very humbled at this sentiment. That in itself is enough ”˜award'! - and an incentive to continue being a part of the community with pride and honour. At times I think I have not done enough to help build a community. So much more is needed.”

Ms. Humayun, and others, are currently working to expand the MCC's email list to reach all Muslims living in the National Capital Region.

MCC calendar

The council has been making gradual advances as more volunteers become available. It has registered with Industry Canada and is now seeking tax-deductible status.

The main program of the council this year is to help arrange a joint Eid dinner with all Muslim organizations in the region. The council would like this to become an annual affair and it hopes that this would help bring Muslims and Muslim organizations closer and also assist their interaction with various levels of the government, the media and other institutions in the wider community.

The council is also planning to nominate suitable candidates from the community for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Awards.

The overarching goal of the MCC-NCR is to assist and unite the Muslim community and help it to become a vibrant, respected and productive component of the Canadian mosaic.

To join the MCC-NCR mailing list, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.