We at Muslim Link strive to make it a non-partisan publication that respects that Ottawa's Muslims support a variety of political parties. However, when we were invited to spend a day with Yasir Naqvi, the Ontario Minister of Labour with the Liberal Party, we jumped on the opportunity to see just what a politician does with his or her time. Our goal is to demystify the work of politicians and encourage citizens to take more of an interest in politicians' work throughout their time in office, not just during elections. This is important in order to keep politicians accountable to their constituents. Along with Muslim Link reporters, 16 year-old Adilah Makrup, a Lisgar High School student and photographer living in Yasir's riding, was invited to join Muslim Link on November 15th for the chance to connect with the man who represents her and her family provincially. We hope that this will become a regular series as more politicians invite us to spend the day with them.

Inspired by the highly successful White Ribbon Campaign, Muslim communities around Canada have kicked off the third annual Muslims for White Ribbon Campaign, a similar initiative that aims to put an end to violence against women.

The White Ribbon campaign is the largest organized movement of men in the world taking a stand and working to end violence against women.

Following a successful campaign last year, the Who is Hussain Ottawa team is gearing up for their Muharram 2013 campaign. In its second year, Who is Hussain is a worldwide initiative that aims to familiarise the public with Hussain (pbuh), grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). For standing up against injustice and oppression, Hussain (pbuh) was killed alongside his companions and family on Ashura (tenth day of the Islamic month Muharram) in the year 680 AD.

The Muslim Students' Association (MSA) at Carleton University has unveiled a useful new online service that allows people to find and invite suitable roommates to live with.

For the last two months, a group of youth in the city have been hard at work trying to get advertisements on bus shelters and preparing gift bags to hand out to the public. Their goal ”“ to spread the noble message of Hussain, the blessed grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.

“Who is Hussain” is an initiative that began in the UK that has spread across the world; arriving in Canada's capital. The campaign aims to familiarise the public with Hussain, may Allah be pleased with him, who alongside his closest companions and members of his young family, was killed for standing up against injustice and oppression.