Daily Times, July 18, 2006
Farhat Hashmi told to leave Canada
By Khalid Hasan
WASHINGTON: Farhat Hashmi, founder of the ultra-conservative Al-Huda centres, who moved to Canada nearly two years ago with her family has been told by Canadian immigration officials to leave the country but so far has failed to do so.
A letter sent to Hashmi and her family by a Canadian immigration official as far back as 30 September 2005 says, “We regret to inform you that we are unable to approve your request. You are required to leave Canada immediately. Failure to depart Canada may result in enforcement action being initiated against you.”
According to an exclusive report in Maclean’s, a popular Canadian magazine, “Days after that stern letter, which has yet to be followed up by a removal order that would permit the federal government to force her from Canada, Lorne Waldman, a high-profile Toronto immigration lawyer ... filed an application for leave and for judicial review on Hashmi’s behalf. That application, should it succeed, would lead to a review of the case. Yet the legal gambit does not supersede the official’s request that Hashmi and her family leave Canada, where she continues to live and to teach.” Hashmi is operating classes attended by upscale, generally idle and mostly affluent Pakistani women and impressionable teenagers. Her reactionary teachings, which many see as bordering on retrogressive interpretations of Islam, have set a challenge to liberal sections in the Muslim Canadian community in Toronto, which is already trying to cope with increasing difficulties triggered by the recent arrest of 17 youngsters, almost all Pakistanis, on terrorism charges.
Her first work permit in Canada was denied because of an error in the application. Her second — which like the first was based on an invitation for employment by the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) — was denied because at $43,500, the proposed salary exceeded the amount allowed to religious teachers, who are expected to work on a volunteer basis and are permitted only a small stipend.d.
Wajid Khan, MP for Mississauga-Streetsville, told Maclean’s that he could not support Hashmi. “If she’s been asked to leave the country, she should leave the country.” The federal government, he added, should move to have her returned to Pakistan. “I don’t understand why they haven’t taken action so far,” he stated. Hashmi arrived in Canada in October 2004 with her husband, Idrees Zubair, also an Islamic scholar educated at the University of Glasgow, and two of their children. In interviews with immigration officials, court documents show, Hashmi said “her focus is to liberate and educate the Islamic women.” She calls herself an “Islamic feminist” whose teachings provide women a voice in their families. Still, she instructs them to “listen to your husband - he’s your leader.”
7 comments:
This may be the last message I type. My death is near. I have a responsibility. A responsibility to convey. A message to everyone reading this. So that they stop. Close their eyes and think. What if I die now? Will God forgive me for unknowingly blaming someone? Someone innocent.
"They will bear their own burdens in full on the Day of Resurrection, and also of the burdens of those whom they misled without knowledge. Evil indeed is that which they shall bear!" (Al-Qur'aan 16:25)
Our beloved and respected Dr. Hashmi is a da'ee (a caller towards Allah) and a da'ee does not stay static. He is always concerned about the world. Reaching out to as many people as he can. Companions of the prophet followed suit. It is for this reason that Islam spread from continent to continent. Dr. Hashmi only moved to Canada after she had institutions running in Pakistan sufficient to cater the needs of hungry students. However, I'd agree she is greedy. Greedy for the reward of the Hereafter. Yet some of us are greedy and hasty to blame and defame her. What do we get for trying to prove that God's law is outdated? We all know.
If she says, "listen to your husband - he’s your leader", she is only echoing God when He says, "And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses, etc.) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect, etc.) to what is reasonable, but men have a degree (of responsibility) over them. And Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise. " (2:228)
I would sincerely advise everyone to go visit her web site: http://www.alhudapk.com. Listen to her lectures and tell me if you find anything unislamic.
aoa i just want to say that she is spreading the message of Allah swt sincerely and devotedly and inshahallah Allah swt will protect her as it is mentioned in verse no 30 surah fussilat;In the case of those who say `Our lord is Allah and further stand straight and steadfast The Angels descend on them ;Fear ye not, nor grieve ; But recieve the Glade Tidings of the Garden which you were promised . I would like to advise those who comment on her blindly ,first listen to her and then comment on her which is the right way. keep it up madam Allah will help u .and u r always in our prayers .( PHONKOON SE YEH CHARAGH BUJAYA NA JAYEH GA ) MAY Allah bless u .jazakallah u khair
"And amongst you, there should be groups of people calling you to follow the path of righteousness and guiding you towards good and away from what is bad and evil"
( Surah Aal-e Imran - Ayah-104).
This is what Alhuda International and Dr Farhat’s teachings are all about, to follow the path of righteousness and guide you towards good and away from what is bad and evil!!
Dr Farhat Hashmi has opened a graceful chapter around the world for teaching women the meaning of the words of the Quran and enlightening them with the deeds of the Prophet (pbuh). Her method of teaching, her style of delivery and the content of her lectures have managed to attract thousands of students from the classes that has never satisfied them before, yet deprived themselves of an awakening on the path of faith and deeds.
I was very fortunate to meet and to learn from Dr Farhat personally. I have very high regards for her who is dedicated to convey the true massage of Allah SWT. I have learned so much from her and from her lectures such as: how to be thankful to your Lord, how to be happy and have a successful life, How to keep a balanced married life and to keep good relation with family and friends. She takes personal interest in every individual and expects nothing in return but exclusively Allah's pleasure and is truly a great inspiration and character building for all.
Hearing Dr Hashmi is a cerebral experience. Even those, who have read and re-read the Quran's translation before, say that coming from her, it seems new. She is tolerant, abreast with what is going on in the world today and most of all not racist at all. Her teachings are liberal, yet strictly within the Islamic framework. She seems emancipated. Dr Hashmi's English and Urdu are flawless, but it is her Arabic that is special. In a mellifluous voice, she recites the holy ayats with such beauty that it's mesmerizing.
In short, what brings about all this love in one place is the fact that we are knit in the strong bond of 'Iman' with absolutely no discrimination. This is only because she taught us to be giving, loving and to be patient all the times. Her Schools has provided our children and us an Islamic environment and taught us the true Islamic values to deal with both, the Islamic and non-Islamic societies, but by giving us a great start that can make a world of difference. This is what www.alhudapk.com is all about. She taught us to be proud of what we are, while giving us a great education and strong Muslim character.
In just about 4 months InshaAllah, I will be completing twenty academic months. I along with other students around the world should be so proud of turning their dream into a reality. With the will of Allah (swt) and the support of our teacher Dr Farhat Hashmi, together we have learned our religion Islam. Through our Quranic classes we have come to know that Islam is a peaceful religion and does not promote hate ret. I owe unlimited thanks to Allah and also the means by which He granted me this favor from Dr. Farhat’s institutes- Al-Huda International.”(hidayat)."
In the end I have to thank our teacher, her family. I pray for all of them from the depth of my heart, may Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala give them from His special bounties in this world and the hereafter for helping us in understanding the Qur’an and emphasizing on applying it in our daily lives. And May Allah Ta'ala gives us ALL the hikmah to see things, as they really are not on something they hear or read against some one!! Ameen.
Umme-Nail
Thank you for sharing your views.
Prophet SAW SAID THAT THE BEST OF THE PEOPLE AMONG YOU ARE THOSE WHO LEARN THE QURAN AND TEACH IT.
Thats what are beloved teacher Dr. Farhat Hashmi is doing ,nothing else and may ALLAH(SWT) give her all the jazaikhair for this and protect her and her family from all evil.
AMEEN
Sadary,
I was recently introduced to Dr.F.Hashemi audio cassettes and am now addicted to her lectures. It is not only her knowledge that deserves admiration but her style of delivering the lecture wants you to stay on listening for hours.
Being a Bahraini,I appreciate her arabic - Koranic pronunciation is quite different from the majority of scholars from the sub-continent and again adds value to her lectures.
May Allah reward you for spreading knowledge to us.
hello to all,
i jusr read these comments.
Just wann to add my 2 cents here;
Are we ashamed of our old islmaic values in front of West? or felt as loser..if we follow the Deen\ way of life as Islam.
Ustazah Dr.F.Hashmi& Zubeer...reflects a combination..of how you can acheive Taqwaa & implements to others [youth
\ old\ specially females...example o f good muslim couple- working together to reform our time ?.]...........plz feel free to disagree...but if you ever watch
listen to their pupil\ students.......i find them good mannered...also the weekend course...amazing for youth- who stop sitting behind TV \ computer screens & statred really learning Quran - with love of Allah & Sunnah-.
That's all.
Peace be to those who make peace with others.
UmmaSafa
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