Shaila Kibria

MARRIAGE
My childhood friend, someone whom I have known since birth, is getting married this October. He is Muslim and the woman he is marrying is Jewish. I never saw them as Muslim and Jewish, but rather, two very nice, good, pure human beings. They are there for me when I am in need of a [...]

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Teen moms and pregnant teens are being sent out to the unfriendly streets of Toronto, Brampton and other parts of the GTA.   Some of them have had their babies sent away to family members or social services while they stay in women’s shelters, homeless shelters, or even the streets.  Some of these teen moms were just getting back on [...]

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So we have a chance to speak up against Bill 94. But I want to know, if any of our leaders, the ones that support Bill 94, have ever actually invited a women in nikaab to lunch, or have ever had a conversation with them.  Do they really know their citizens?

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So, I was having tea with my friend last night at Second Cup. I was telling her about how I was contacted by a friend on facebook about the nikaab ban. The Quebec government is talking of passing legislation to ban the nikaab, the covering on a woman’s face. Some women believe that it is [...]

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That’s what a few government officials say when I talk to them about unions. This scares me.  To think that Members of Parliament may have this opinion about unions: “Unions, they are a bunch of lazy selfish people”.  Unions are organizations that are out their only because people vote for them, and the government chooses to ignore this? 
Two weeks [...]

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 (photo taken from my friend’s facebook page)
Maghrib prayer was right after the Olympics hockey game today. So as Canadians all over the world rushed to celebrate the gold, we sat with our hands up to maghrib prayer (the fourth prayer of the day, there are five).  As we prayed, my husband stated something that resonated [...]

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Last week I had declared a “NO JUNK FOOD” proclamation, announcing a ban on all junk food. So on the third day of my “NO JUNK FOOD” week, I had a great pang and desire for serious junk food, serious chocolate.  I needed energy. Tea, honey, or nothing would do it. I was going to [...]

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My friend Lydia Robertson sends her friends a newsletter of all her advice, thoughts and ideas about life, homes, eating, etc…
Just recently she sent us the meanings for roses. I thought it may useful for those of us that celebrate Valentine’s Day.  Here goes:
Red Rose: Love, I love you, respect, courage
Pink Rose: Perfect happiness, please believe [...]

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So, this is a problem I have, my sweet tooth.
I see a kitkat bar, or a aero bar, and I’m gone….gone to reach for it and just eat it.  When I see a bag of chocolate chip cookies, I say “Okay, I’ll just have one” - and then I have two, three, and then I [...]

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I remember the first time I got married, I was seventeen. The pressures were immense. I had to wear a sari every day, I had to wear make-up to the max, and gold jewelery.  My arms had to be full of bangles, or “God forbid”, what would people say, a “bride with no jewellery!”. My [...]

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