Following the March 15 shooting, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh raised over $900,000 for Christchurch Muslims.
The act of generosity was inspired after Muslims rallied around the Jewish community when an armed shooter opened fire in a Synagogue in Pittsburgh, USA killing 11 people in October last year.
At a lunch time ceremony, the New Zealand Jewish Council president, handed over a cheque to the Christchurch Foundation, to establish the Abrahamic fund.
For members of the Muslim and Jewish faith, the ceremony was much more than just a transferral of money from one faith to another. It was an opportunity to explore the other's religion, as Jewish and Muslim leaders were taken on a tour of each religion's respective places of worship.
For Canterbury Hebrew congregation member Yasmin Sellars, her first time inside a mosque was an opportunity for comparison. "I have obviously seen a Mosque in movies and television before. All I was doing was comparing how do we do things, and the first thing was there's no chairs!"
Chairs aside, the visits saw Muslims and Jews realise just how many similarities they shared.
Federation of Islamic Associations New Zealand spokesperson, Dr Anwar Ghani's first time in a synagogue, was an experience he thought both communities could learn from.
"The similarities between the two faith groups is just unreal. This is also something we need to be promoting within our own communities, that people should visit places of worship so that we improve understanding about each other."
After their respective visits, both groups joined Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel for lunch and the launch of the Abrahamic fund.
During her address, the 30 or so people gathered in the Mayor's lounge collectively nodded their heads when Ms Dalziel said the donation was an extraordinary gift.
"The world will remember the response long after they remember the person who committed this atrocity. They will never forget those whose lives were so cruelly taken on that day."
New Zealand Jewish Council president Stephen Goodman signed the document to establish the new fund.
He said the Christchurch Foundation would allocate the fund's money according to the needs of families affected by the attack.
"The purposes [in the fund] we have defined are not necessarily complete because no one knows what the needs are for the community.
"It is looking long term at things like education, medical needs, counselling, financial advice and planning and also to improve Muslim-Jewish relations."
New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Vic Alhadeff travelled from Australia to deliver close to $70,000 worth of money raised by Jews living in the state.
He said it would have been easy to simply transfer the money but he wanted to send a message with his presence.
"I wanted to come on behalf of the Jewish Board of Deputies to physically stand here and say we did this because we cared. That's why I wanted to come here and have a symbolic presence to show that we are all members of one humanity."
The agreement signed by the Jewish Council and the Christchurch Foundation, acknowledged that any allocation of funds would consider the interests of Muslims.
The foundation would now consult with Christchurch's Islamic community to identify areas where support is needed.

Peel Arya Samaj will be offering scholarships to College/University bound students who have contributed to the organization.
By removing financial barriers, we strive to enable high potential individuals to excel and contribute to the Canadian community.
We are pleased to award scholarships in 2019 with a total of $4,000.

Applicant Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for PAS Scholarship, you must:
• have applied to a Canadian post-secondary institution
• be a full-time Student in high school or secondary institution with a minimum average of 80% from top four subjects including core of Mathematics and English Language.

Conditions for Disbursement
If you are selected to receive the PAS Scholarship, you must meet the following criteria to receive your award:
• Be accepted by Canadian post-secondary institution
• Complete 40+ hours of Voluntary Service within the Samaj.

Application Deadline: August 15, 2019.

Please submit your application on the Peel Arya Samaj Scholarship Application Form available from Bahen Molly Balraju, General Secretary, at mollybalraju@yahoo.ca. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Successful applicants will be informed by August 31, 2019 and awards will be presented at the PAS Annual Veda Yajna on Sunday September 15, 2019.

The International Diaspora Council (IDC) convened a special presentation and interactive discussion on Indians in Malaysia by Datuk Dr. Denison Jayasooria of Malaysia. The event was held on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at Richmond Hill Library on Hillside Avenue in Richmond Hill, New York.
The theme of Dr Jayasooria’s PowerPoint presentation at the IDC-hosted event was “POST-GE14 Malaysia & Indian Concerns in Malaysia”, followed by an informative audience interactive discussion.
Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria is the Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA), National University of Malaysia (UKM) & Secretary-General of PROHAM (Society for the Promotion of Human Rights). He was in New York as lead presenter at several conferences held at the United Nations. Dr. Jayasooria was honoured in 2017 by the United Nations for his contribution to the mobilisation of different stakeholders, particularly representatives of vulnerable groups, towards ensuring inclusion and participation in Sustainable Development Goals in Malaysia.
Following a welcome by IDC president Ashook Ramsaran and invocation by Pt Santram Dukhbhanjan, Dr Sharla Khargi presented a welcome garland to Dr. Jayasooria.
Dr. Jayasooria’s presentation focused on: Malaysia & Indians with Malaysia as:
• A multi ethnic society – Malays, Chinese, Indians and others
• A multi religious society – Muslim, Buddhist, Hindus, Chris- tians, Sikhs
• A multi lingual society – Malaya, English, Tamil, Mandarin
• A multi-cultural society – a vibrant cultural diversity
Based on the 2010 Census Report, there are 1.9 million Malaysian Indians out of a population of 28.3 million (about 8% of the population). About 80% of Malayasian Indians can trace their origin to Tamil Nadu in India. While much progress has been made, there are challenges relating to minority issues, inclusivity, and poverty.
Attendees’ observations and question ranged from Indian migratory history to comparisons of Indian indentureship to Malaysia with other countries, such as Caribbean, Mauritius, Fiji and South Africa, where Indians were brought under the Indian Indentureship period.
For more information contact Ashook Ramsaran at AshookRamsaran@gmail.com, Mobile (USA) +1 917 519 5783.
Indian Diaspora Council International (IDC), established in 1997, is an international non-profit organization with global affiliates and membership in 21 countries with the objective to embrace, engage, and enhance the shared heritage, aspirations, and interests of persons of Indian origin with optimum inclusivity

The One Love media group and Friends Indeed Canada continue to promote positive and inclusive events in the Muslim community, collaborating with interfaith leaders and community organizations to provide inspirational messaging in the Greater Toronto area.
On Sunday August 11th, they will be holding the fourth Annual Eid-by-the-Lake celebration for Eid ul Adha. Muslims around the world celebrate this festival during the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. The Hajj brings Muslims from all backgrounds internationally together.
The Eid-by-the-Lake festival will be commemorated at the Abilities Centre, 56 Gordon Street, Whitby, Ontario from 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes will once again be in attendance as well as the founder of the interfaith body – the Abraham Festival – Helen McCarthy from Peterborough, Ontario.
The Eid-by-the-Lake festival includes speeches, prayers, food, fun, musical performances, Interfaith messages and lots of time to socialise with family, neighbours and friends.
A number of Interfaith leaders as well as entertainers are in the line-up.
Awards presentations will include the Hodan Nalayeh award for empowering girls in Africa. The nominee this year is Sauliha Alli for volunteering in Ghana.
The bazaar will include food vendors and other services in the Durham Region.
The charity of choice this year is "Service to Humanity" for their back-to-school program for the children in Guyana, South America.
Main sponsor is the oldest Muslim charity in Canada – Human Concern International serving Qurbani in thirty countries.
The Co-Chairs are Vaqar Raees and Anela Jadunandan.
This event is free and open to all.
Contact Habeeb at 416 823 1738 or bookhabeeb@gmail.com

2019 marks the 26th anniversary of Rastafest Reggae festival in Toronto, an annual music festival celebrating the national and international initiatives of the Rastafari movement in Canada and Jamaica!
This year’s festival takes place at the north property of Black Creek Pioneer Village, 7060 Jane Street, (North West corner of Jane Street and Steeles Avenue West) on Saturday, August 17th, 2019 in recognition of Marcus Garvey’s birthday. Rastafest is a family fun, reggae event showcasing different aspects of the Rastafari history, culture and lifestyle.
The festival kicks off on Thursday, August 15th, with a launch reception at Black Creek Health Centre at Yorkgate Mall from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. On Saturday, August 17th, 2019 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm there will be Empress Walk leaving from the parking lot of Black Creek Pioneer Village parking lot, heading to Driftwood community centre, stopping at Black Creek Farm and ending up at the festival grounds. From 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm there will be an Ital Village consisting of ital food demonstration, Organja Market place, health and wellness workshops, reggae music discussions, arts and craft market place followed by an international reggae concert from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm featuring the legendary Mighty Diamonds, Johnny Clarke, Horace Martin, Nana McLean, Carol Brown, Sampalue, Michie Mee, the Mighty Mystics, Jade Faith and Amazing Papa G. Music by: DJ Boxer Joe. MC. Queen Mother Moses from Atlanta.
Donation: Children 12 and under are free; online - $20:00 and $30:00 at the door.
Rastafest is sponsored by Masani Productions, Snapd, First Friday, Upfront Theatre Foundation, and Eglinton TV.
For more details please log onto - www.rastafest.com or email info@rastafest.com
Media Contact: 416-638-4235 or email info@rastafest.com.

Government of India launched a scheme called "Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children" (SPDC), in the academic year 2006-2007, for the wards of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to assist them in pursuing Under Graduate courses in Indian Universities/Institutes.
Under SPDC scheme financial assistance for specific undergraduate courses in Professional and Non-Professional courses (except Medical and related courses) is provided towards tuition fee, admission fee and post admission services. The scheme is applicable to NRIs and PIOs from 66 countries.
Under the scheme, PIO/NRI students are awarded a scholarship of up to US$4,000 per annum for payment of tuition fee, admission fee and post admission services for Undergraduate courses in Engineering, Technology, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Commerce, Management, Journalism, Hotel Management, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and other courses. The scholarship is applicable to students who have already secured admission in an Indian institution. Admission is permitted only in Central Universities, NAAC "A" Grade Institutions, National Institute of Technologies (NITs), School of Planning & Architecture (SPAs), and Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIITs) as covered under Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) scheme.
In case of any technical assistance, please contact following:
SPDC Portal Support Team, EG & IT Division, MEA, 1025, A Wing, Jawaharlal Nehru Bhavan
23-D Janpath, New Delhi 110011, Email: technicalcellegit@ mea.gov.in, Tel. +91 11 4901 8371
In case of any assistance/clarification regarding Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children, please contact following: Section Officer, OIA II Division, MEA, 925, Akbar Bhawan, Chankyapuri, New Delhi 110021, Email: so1oia2@mea.gov.in, Tel.: +91 11 2419 7927; Or Visit www.spdcindia.gov.in
Last date for application is Nov. 30, 2019.

Canal #2, Wales and Patentia annual picnic will be held on August 11th from 10 am to 8.30 pm at Milliken Park, Area B, 5555 Steeles Ave E, Scarborough. Bring your picnic basket and enjoy a fun day with your family meeting old friends and villagers. For more information, contact Jason at 416-498-8506; Townie at 416-283-7639 or Nevil at 416-755-5652.

Shiv-Shakti Kali Devi Mandir will be celebrating its 9th Annual 3-day Karagam Puja on August 9th, 10th and 11th, 2019 at 42 Haas Road, Etobicoke, Ontario. Program schedule is as follows:
Friday August 9:
6:00 am Flag Raising ceremony
2:00 pm Mariamman Abhishekam
5:00 pm Mother's Unveiling
6:00 pm Building Karagam at Summerlea Park
Saturday August 10:
12:00 pm Shri Hanuman Jhandi & Maha Lakshmi Puja
6:00 pm Mother Ganga and Mother Katteri water side Puja
10:30 pm Maha Kali invocation at Temple
Sunday August 11: 10:00 am Maha Kali Puja

In celebration of Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Shiv Shakti Cultural Sabha Canada will hold a 3-session Gita and Bhagwat Puran Gyaan Yajna from Friday August 23 to Sunday August 25 at Shiv Shakti Mandir, 8861 Sheppard Ave East, Scarborough. Hours of reading: Aug 23 & 24 - from 7 pm' Aug 25 - from 10 am. Officiating - Pt Avinash Dindial Mohan along with Pt Ram Ramgolam and Shri Surender Sharma of South India. Info: 416-284-6575; 416-283-4109; 647-767-3046; 437-243-7089. Tax deductible receipts will be issues for donations.

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