October, 2007
Mustafa Master

Ramadaan, Eid & Thanksgiving

Richmond Hill - In an initiative started by Mrs. Lubna Malik, award winning architect, artist & poet, Mr. Mustafa Master of Richmond Hill was invited by the Central Library to put up a large display related to Ramadaan & Eid so that the local community can understand some of the basic Islamic cultural & religious background and beliefs as related to this season. He undertook this sensitive, critical and yet so necessary a task, in full stride by composing posters and using various objects and artifacts to organize it. This display faces the most prominent intersection of the entire York Region (Yonge & Major MacKenzie) that includes the Towns of Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Markham and Newmarket of the greater Toronto Area.

This year the festival of Eid falls in the same week as the Canadian THANKSGIVING celebration of the fall season. Therefore, Mustafa picked the theme of Shukr (Thanksgiving) and tied it to Ramadaan & Eid. This effort to harmonize an ethnic event with local tradition continues in Richmond Hill through out October and beyond.

The best place to start this process of harmony and unification is from within. Mr. Naim Malik has achieved what all the Muslim Nations of this World have failed to do so far. He has organized all different Muslim sects and factions into a unified platform to celebrate the upcoming festival of Eid in a grand function to be hosted by the Mayor & his council at the
Sheraton in Richmond Hill on 26th October 2007, to which this Library Display is just a prelude.

The Mayor, his worship Mr. David Barrow, has taken this cultural initiative quite seriously as well. He has managed to unify ALL cultures & religions under the single banner of the New Performing Arts Center’s Benefit series of Multicultural events. From Chinese New Year to Eid and beyond his worship has led the Town to celebrate the rich & diverse cultural mosaic of
all various ethnic groups that call Richmond Hill their home.

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