ISMAILIS IN CANADA

has123 · Post by **has123** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 10:02 am

ISMAILIS IN CANADA In 18th century our forefathers from Kutch and Kathiawad were made to settle in East African Territories. Indigenous of these Territories were illiterate, hence, majority opened up retail businesses and rest became Industrialist, Professionals and Importers.   We, the 2nd generation were born in East Africa, our upbringing was disciplined by our parents living together in joint family where sons were trained by their fathers in their businesses where as mothers had total domination over their daughters and they were trained in house-hold activities. We were best equipped with strong foundation, i.e. Culture, Tradition, Principles, Religion, and Value System, that made men "MARAD' who gained, PURUSH-SHAT (maradbanu) where as ladies became good house-wives.   In early 70's, we began to migrate to Canada & U.K. where what that was assembled, parted. We, the 2nd generation had to re-start building our life from scratch in which both husband and wife had to work, the type of work they had to do which nobody liked.   The parents were thrown out by children who had to seek assistance from government bodies who were sheltered in different corners, their wishes were shattered as they hoped their children would look after them in their old age.   Then the stage of 3rd generation began where baby-sitters were required, wife's parents were invited to do the job of baby-sitting who would also cook food for the whole family. Later they achieved status of Permanent Residence.   Mother-In-Law was habituated of watching Indian series drama; slowly she took control of living room where main T.V. was installed, so when husband arrived home after work had no alternative but to go to his bed-room to relax. He would only come out when there was a call, "food is ready on table". Thus he became stranger in his own house. Wife returning from work first would meet her parents and children. This created a gap between children and dad.   Relation between husband & wife started deteriorating. Children were brought up under the influence of mother when father started losing grip of control over children, wives became independent from husband's disciplined regulation, act freely on her will. As the children grew, they would give deaf ears to their parents. (Mother can provide necessity to their children where has disciplined is given by father). This principle was broken; as it is when children are born they were isolated from very beginning, provided them with separate bedrooms & facilitated them with their personal T.V. and computers. Entry to children's room were restricted to children only, when they returned from their studies, would straight away go to their bedroom, taking food from the table, eating alone and doing their home work. At this stage they have already adopted outside influence which their parents tried to alert them of falling into bad trap but parents were considered to be stupid.   Canadian system dismantled us, on the top of that we dismantled our remaining family relations - we all ended up in isolation that gave birth to mental problem which lead to health problem, paying price of throwing grand parents from beginning.   Today only few percentage of 2nd generation visits their parents in their sheltered home. Grand parents only recreation is Jamatkhana in the evening, the whole day their pass time is watching T.V. or visit to doctors & specialty. Coming to Jamatkhana earlier, they gather in group, talk valueless.   If you observe Jamatic attendance where 80% are over 65 years who are mainly kutchi and kathiayadi speaking, lectures and announcements are performed in English, facilitated few Afhganis in their Pushtu language, this has minimized religious ceremonies and converting Jamatkhana into more of a social hall. I like to suggest that they perform their social announcements after the Jamatic ceremony is over where they will realize only volunteers and handful number of jamat would remain behind to listen. Consuming so much time on social announcements has resulted preferred sitting on chairs which is getting increased day by day ignoring our pratha of sitting on floor.   Now we lost our strong weapons, all our value system, what we achieved is materialistic value which only gives us comfort but not happiness and peace.   Now Alvida Tour Operators control them, they choose for them their place of visit. For some seniors may be one way, if so Khuda Hafiz. After completing one tour they wait for 2nd recommendation from Touring Co., they are being taught to play Casino. Seniors can afford to pay the price as they are being fed by government. old age people are increasing in Canada and the Canadian Government has to maintain their seniors in maintaining their welfare, medical, which is a extreme burden to government. CAN THIS SITUATION BE SUSTAINED?   Mansur Toronto , ontario , Canada     Shabbir Jiwa  [code][quote][u][i][/i][/u][/quote][/code]

AsadALLAH · Post by **AsadALLAH** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:21 pm

Sometimes i wish i was born in my grandfathers time. Wives respected their husbands and so did the kids. Today, there is no respect between the husband the wife, kids to their parents, no respect for mother in laws and father in laws and no respect for our elders.

I blame the government for all this. Government in north America has given too much freedom to women and the kids here. You touch a kid, police will be at your door. You touch or even tell your wife something and she calls the police on you and reports that you're giving her mental abuse. Life was not like this in east africa, i don't think life is like that now.
Some people that come from east africa, show alot of respect to their elders.

kjiwani786 · Post by **kjiwani786** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:34 pm

AsadALLAH wrote:Sometimes i wish i was born in my grandfathers time. Wives respected their husbands and so did the kids. Today, there is no respect between the husband the wife, kids to their parents, no respect for mother in laws and father in laws and no respect for our elders.

I blame the government for all this. Government in north America has given too much freedom to women and the kids here. You touch a kid, police will be at your door. You touch or even tell your wife something and she calls the police on you and reports that you're giving her mental abuse. Life was not like this in east africa, i don't think life is like that now.
Some people that come from east africa, show alot of respect to their elders.

I totally completely agree with you! The other day, my son told me to "chill out" because he didn't "want to go to khane." Let me say, my temperature was NOT above 98.6 and so I didn't need to be "chilled out." My son keeps trying to use the 'rights" and "freedoms" as a means to destroy his soul. The government is to blame! Canada's communism view is forcing our children to join the atheism society, abandoning all ethics with drugs. I can't believe Canada has a political party named after drugs. I prefer the Canadian flag to have a maple leaf, not a reefer leaf! AND HOW IS ABORTION LEGAL!!! We are losing our human dignity! I pray that the Aga Khan Museum will show Canada into the future, by living life as if it were the past.

-Karim

qifar · Post by **qifar** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 6:13 pm

Asad,
People like you give Islam a bad name. If you don't believe in rights for women and children there's a group in Afghanistan you may wish to join called the Talliban, perhaps you've heard of them?

Jiwani,
Are you aware that the current government of Canada is a Christian conservative one (i.e. anti-atheist anti-communist, anti-socialist, anti-abortion, anti-gay, ant-drug - ad abserdium). What is wrong with you? What possible problems could you have with Universal Declaration of Rights and Freedoms ratified by the United Nations, a global organization refined from a little organization founded by one of your beloved Imams called the League of Nations? If you have a problem with Canada's fundamental rights and freedoms; move. Don't blame a nation for your inability to raise your own children. You have the right to be unintelligent, but you don't have the right to blame others for it.
And can you appreciate the irony of an Ismaili complaining about cannabis? I'd prefer folks wearing 'I Am Cannabian' t-shirts to them committing acts of political terrorism under its influence.
Tolerance and pluralism are the hallmarks of the Ismaili tradition.

shellyza · Post by **shellyza** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 4:18 pm

I think that the issue that kjiwani is bringing up is important, but that it's unrelated to 'canadian communism' (canada isn't communist) or even abortion.

I also think that we shouldn't judge someone's skill at raising their children.

The western world is a materialist one, and ismaili youth can get influenced by this by thinking the traditional views as having less validity as the new Western views.

However, i do think that a lot of these youth start embracing their faith once they realize that duniya alone does not lead to inner satisfaction, or happiness.

The trick is not to make jamatkhana seem like a thing of the oldern generation.... you'd be surprised how much teenagers can accomplish once the popular ones think that going to jamatkhana is 'cool' -- just take a look at the Canadian Jamat.

Justaguest · Post by **Justaguest** » Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:10 pm

Ya Ali Madad,

I take the liberty to comment on this now, after a long time.

We live in the Western World and in an ever-changing world.

We are modernised (for better or worse), but it is up to us, the
parents to see that our children are properly educated with
regard to both material and spiritual knowledge.
One does not have to forgo one for the other.

We have to stick to our moral and ethical values. It is not
difficult.

Children learn different (sometimes very bad) things from
nursaries, schools etc. They can be taught the right things.
And, believe me, violence or aggressive attitude is the last thing
that will do the job. Nostalgy will not help either.

The last thing people should do is "Blame the Governments"
of the countries they live in here in the West.
Would it be better to live under the Talibans?
Or, for that matter under a Dictatorship?

Best thing is to take Mowla's firmans and guidance seriously
and try to do the right thing.
Failure is also a part of the journey of this life we have.
But, we have to try and try the right methods to put things
right and also observe the Human Rights and promote
Multiculturalism.

Best of luck to you all.