MSA GRADUATION - KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Staff Writer, Ottawa Muslim Network

"Every time a door closes another door opens, but too many are fixated on the door that closes that they never see the door that opens' - Dr. Tyseer Aboulnasr.
Words to reflect on by graduates, family, and friends who attended the 6th Annual MSA Graduation Dinner. 

In May and June of every year universities and colleges hold their convocation to recognize their graduates.  For the Muslim students in the Ottawa-Hull area, the Muslim Students Association (MSA) organizes an annual dinner to celebrate and recognize the achievements of students of many ethnic and cultural backgrounds but who have one thing in common - their faith.

The dinner was organized by the MSAs of Ottawa University, Carleton University, University of Quebec in Hull, and Algonquin College, with the support of local Muslim organizations and members of the Muslim community.
 

Dr. Tyseer Aboulnasr

Dr. Tyseer Aboulnasr, Dean of Engineering at the University of Ottawa, was one of the guest speakers.  An appropriate choice given that the majority of the graduates received their degrees in engineering and computer science.

Dr.  Aboulnasr, recipient of the Ottawa-Carleton YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in 1999 and Fellow of the Humanitarian Institute of Canada in 2001, reminded the graduates that they are fortunate in that they have opportunities before them to make an impact in the greater society. 
 

She said "knowledge gives you a tremendous amount of power and with power comes great responsibility".  She also emphasized that one has the responsibility to share this knowledge and as a Muslim one will be asked 'what did you do with this knowledge - did you do something useful with it'.

Dr. Aboulnasr quoted the saying of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh): "acquire knowledge as it will enable you to distinguish right from wrong".

Of the more than 80 graduates who attended the graduation dinner, over 60% graduated in engineering and computer science, and approximately 30% were women.  Dr. Aboulnasr referred to Amy Awad, one of the top graduates and outstanding achiever from the University of Ottawa, as an individual who by virtue of her very presence and accomplishments presents a very positive example of a Muslim woman. 

She advised the audience that "you are a reflection of Islam-everything you do.  The people will look at you and will see something of Islam.  You have an impact - even the little things you do, the good and the bad".

Riad Saloojee, Executive Director of  the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN), a lawyer and former member of the MSA when he attended university in Ottawa, presided over the dinner event.

Nahid Gawad accepted a Recognition Award on behalf of her husband Dr. Hussein Gawad. Saloojee reminded the audience of the contribution made by Dr. Hussein Gawad, a long standing member of the Ottawa Muslim community, who over many years delivered Friday sermons (khutbah) to university students and faculty members.

The audience was also addressed by another member of the Muslim community who have also been an inspiration to many women graduates.  Dr. Sheema Khan, a research scientist and Harvard graduate, who is currently a technical consultant on Intellectual Property with a law firm in Ottawa.

Dr. Khan said that Islam should make us humble not proud, and that our Islam should make an impact on the society.  "When you have an idea, pursue it.  Do not wait for someone to do it", she advised. 

She encouraged the graduates to use their degrees to benefit all of humanity.  As a consequence of the events of September 11, she  said that the Muslim communities in the U.S. are going through a more severe test than the communities in Canada.  Dr. Khan explained "they don't see themselves as victims, but going through a test".  Dr. Khan is currently the Chairperson of CAIR-CAN.

Over the past ten years, there have been a noticeable change in the number and composition of graduates in the Muslim community.   The Muslim population has increased significantly over the past two decades and the children of the new immigrants and refugees are now in significant numbers in high schools, colleges and universities.  At one time, most of the graduates were foreign students who, upon graduation, would return to their homeland or other countries.

Today, most of the Muslim graduates are Canadian born or who came to Canada as young children.   Graduates now see themselves as Canadians, and who will be full participants in building a society in which their human and intellectual resources will be a contributing factor.

While some graduates have already found employment, others are testing the job market and if unsuccessful will be pursuing further studies.  Only a very few are considering returning to their countries of birth or countries with similar culture. These very few are individuals who have come to Canada as adults and the reasons they gave  relate to finding appropriate employment or being homesick for the environment or culture in their country of origin, and in some cases they have sincere intentions to contribute to the development of their country of origin.

The Centre of Collaborative Government, a Canadian public interest research organization,  with the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage recently produced a paper 'Leveraging Our Diversity'. The paper explores the nature of social and cultural diversity in a post-industrial society and supports the idea for a new way of thinking about individual and collective identity.

In the Centre's view, diversity is a form of social capital that could make an important contribution to learning and innovation in knowledge-based societies such as Canada. It advocates that Canadians' experience with diversity should be an integral part of current discussions over innovation and skills development in the new economy.

No doubt, an interesting and thought provoking idea for our new graduates.

The evening was filled with joyful celebration, goodbyes to friends heading off to new life experiences, and feelings of great accomplishment and appreciation.

Peace and Blessings to the MSA and to the many volunteers who have made the event a success.

© Copyright 2002 Ottawa Muslim Network

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