Readers Response

Dear Editor:
Barack Obama deserves applause on winning the US presidency for a well-run campaign. The Obama win is of historic significance marking the first time a non-white has won the White House, transcending the barrier of race. It shows that the presidency is no longer for white folks exclusively as had happened since 1789. The Obama victory shows that anyone can win the presidency if one is intelligent, articulate, bright and smart.
It is not certain his victory has broken the back of racial politics in America but his victory has opened the political environment for anyone aspiring to higher office, regardless of ethnicity and economic status. Hopefully, it marks the beginning of a process where the ethnic or religious identity of the individual will no longer be relevant criteria for the presidency.
The Obama victory also has implications for immigrants like those who come from Guyana and the Caribbean. Obama is the son of a Kenyan immigrant and his winning the US presidency shows that the children of immigrants can have big dreams and can successfully run for high office. In a commentary in Newsweek, Fareed Zakaria, himself an immigrant and the magazine’s editor, said an Obama victory would open opportunities for his son, Omar to aspire to become President. It is the central reason why most immigrant communities supported Obama.
In sum, the Obama victory will make minorities believe that the highest public offices are open to them. Already, people are talking about an Indian-American President, Bobby Jindal, although I think this is a very long shot. The victory is a huge step in transcending the tragic history of the oppression of minorities through segregation and Jim Crow laws. It is hoped that it will encourage greater participation by minorities at all levels of the American political process and maybe even the rest of the world.
Vishnu Bisram

November 19, 2008 issue
Readers' Response
Charity seeks to reverse negative perception of Muslims
Dear Editor: Circumstances often inspire ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Shah Nawaz Husain was disturbed by all the negative things being said about Muslims and the religion of Islam in the post 9/11 world. The retired Brampton engineer decided he was going to do something to change how his religion was being portrayed. “Our detractors were defining us as evil, malicious and violent people,” Husain says. “I wanted to show what Islam really was, through compassionate deeds.” So Husain set about starting the MuslimServ charity with the goal of feeding the poor in Canada by asking Muslims to direct some of their charitable giving to his agency. Formed in 2004, MuslimServ asks Muslims to direct a portion of their religiously mandated yearly donations to the charity. Husain then uses the donated money, the majority of which comes through the internet, to purchase meat products which he, in turn, delivers to food banks. The two major campaigns of MuslimServ take place during the Muslim month of fasting, Ramadan, when Muslims generally give their yearly charity (zakat) and, two months later during the Eid Al Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) when donations are given to perform an animal sacrifice to commemorate the Abrahamic legacy. The Greater Toronto Area is the main focus for the charity where it collected 11,000 lbs of meat during the recent Ramadan in September. It also, did a pilot run in Ottawa where it collected 1,000 lbs of meat. Although the response to the charity has been good, Husain has to sell his charity to Muslims who think that poverty in their home countries should be supported first. “Our limitation has been that many feel that greater need exists in countries from where we came from,” he says. “There is also perception that government supplements in Canada are enough to live on. “ Husain is also challenged by having to market his project to a highly diverse Muslim community. “Our other limitation has been difficulty in reaching Muslims. It is very expensive to advertise. We have to creatively use the small assets we have to reach the community.” Most of MuslimServ’s current donors are attracted by the charity’s emphasis on helping those close to home which they see as an important part of their religion which encourages Muslims to be among those who benefit their society. This year’s Ramadan campaign was recognized by Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank as one of the top 10 food drives in the city. And with recognition such as this, Shah Nawaz Husain hopes that more Muslims will support his charity. This month, MuslimServ launched its yearly Zabiha 1429 campaign and will conduct the Eid Al Adha sacrifice on behalf of Muslims during the upcoming celebrations in early December and deliver the meat to food banks. The Halal meat packages will bear the inscription; “A Gift from Canadian Muslims”. More information on the charity can be found at www.MuslimServ.com Muneeb Nasir, President, Olive Tree Foundation.
Obama's victory opens door for immigrants, minorities
Dear Editor: Barack Obama deserves applause on winning the US presidency for a well-run campaign. The Obama win is of historic significance marking the first time a non-white has won the White House, transcending the barrier of race. It shows that the presidency is no longer for white folks exclusively as had happened since 1789. The Obama victory shows that anyone can win the presidency if one is intelligent, articulate, bright and smart. It is not certain his victory has broken the back of racial politics in America but his victory has opened the political environment for anyone aspiring to higher office, regardless of ethnicity and economic status. Hopefully, it marks the beginning of a process where the ethnic or religious identity of the individual will no longer be relevant criteria for the presidency. The Obama victory also has implications for immigrants like those who come from Guyana and the Caribbean. Obama is the son of a Kenyan immigrant and his winning the US presidency shows that the children of immigrants can have big dreams and can successfully run for high office. In a commentary in Newsweek, Fareed Zakaria, himself an immigrant and the magazine’s editor, said an Obama victory would open opportunities for his son, Omar to aspire to become President. It is the central reason why most immigrant communities supported Obama. In sum, the Obama victory will make minorities believe that the highest public offices are open to them. Already, people are talking about an Indian-American President, Bobby Jindal, although I think this is a very long shot. The victory is a huge step in transcending the tragic history of the oppression of minorities through segregation and Jim Crow laws. It is hoped that it will encourage greater participation by minorities at all levels of the American political process and maybe even the rest of the world. Vishnu Bisram
AFC salutes Force's proficiency, professionalism in recent arrests
Dear Editor: The recent success of the security forces in apprehending, and bringing to prosecution, the perpetrators of the GuySuCo payroll heist is commendable, and more so, because, when juxtaposed against reports and images of torture, inhumane detention conditions, and high-handedness that have beleaguered the forces over the past weeks, the public has been able to witness a display of proficiency and professionalism instead of one of incompetence and ineffectiveness. The professional manner, in which the forces went about the tasks of investigating and apprehending the suspects, and with the minimum loss of life, is proof positive that they know how to behave and act professionally when the need arises, and that within the forces are outstanding officers and ranks. The AFC salutes all those involved in the operation and say well done, especially for keeping the loss of life to a minimum. The AFC also takes the opportunity to point out to the police and army hierarchy that the benefits of apprehension, as against killing, are immediately obvious as facts and information on the Bartica massacre and other high profile crimes are coming to light. This can only put paid to widespread speculation as to what really happened and who was involved, and serve to enhance the image of the forces at this time. The Police Force is urged to explore and investigate every lead that has been presented as a result of the successful ending of this event. Alliance For Change
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