Push Back The Darkness

@CanadaGuy64 @CllrAshmeedKhan @TownOfAjax @MPJenOConnell @markhollandlib @Iwater4life Many attempts were made to find speakers of both backgrounds (and several others) but we were ultimately unsuccessful in our search. Our hope is that event attendees will be a broad representation of the community here in Durham, and that we will hear their experiences as well

@CllrAshmeedKhan @TownOfAjax @MPJenOConnell @markhollandlib @Iwater4life @PushBackDarknss and Christian / Jewish representatives..

Have you ever felt targeted by others due to some aspect of your identity, such as race or religion? What would you want someone else to do to help you in that situation? #PushBackTheDarkness #NoHate

Do you have any stories of unexpected acts of kindness by others which left you feeling happy?

Please join us this Saturday in Ajax from 6-8pm for an important discussion between many members of our community. Confirmed speakers include: @CllrAshmeedKhan @MPJenOConnell @markhollandlib @Iwater4life Dr. Zaihan Rashid, Islamic Center of Oshawa @PushBackDarknss

Two years ago, we went to give out hugs the day after the Quebec City mosque attack. Today, we will be giving out hugs at Jummah prayers (at approximately 1PM local time) - please join us at your local mosque today, and help #PushBackTheDarkness #NoHate #Christchurch

Thank you @this_moun_lives @IIT1630 for inviting me on the podcast, and for putting a lot of time and effort into making the story flow so well! I appreciate your help and support with this initiative, and look forward to continuing to work together with you #PushBackTheDarkness

This drawing was submitted by Noor Siddiquie, 10, of Toronto. You can also find her drawing (as well as the other stories which were submitted) at PushBackTheDarkness.ca/stories.html Let's work together to ensure that Canada continues to be as beautiful as Noor's drawing of it is.

Thank you to @LondonMosque for organizing an event on January 29th and to all speakers for your insights! A video of the event is now available. Take particular note of the song - it was created by Ali Chahbar and members of @LondonMosque for this event! youtu.be/IvJkjbii0XQ

Please read about how Saïd has turned to writing in the aftermath of the attack, some of the poems he has written, and the challenges of coping with an event like this. I met Saïd when I visited CCIQ, and he is a kind and caring man who I am happy to consider a friend now.

"Adapting, saying yes to life, continuing, is a daily effort," he says. "Sometimes I see a dark tunnel closing up on me; sometimes I have dark thoughts." Saïd Akjour, who was shot in the shoulder during the terrorist attack on January 29th, 2017: cbc.ca/news/canada/mo…

Thank you very much @ErinOTooleMP for your strong statements on this, and for your public commitment to stand up against intolerance. We look forward to working together with you to push back the darkness of ignorance and hate with the light of knowledge and friendship

"We cannot allow indifference or silence to normalize the language of intolerance in political discourse. I, for one, do not want the next generation of politicians to have to apologize for injustices that I have the ability to prevent" #PushBackTheDarkness

This story was submitted by Y. A. R. of Toronto, who chose not to provide their full name. Please read it to understand the perspective of someone who grew up in Toronto but now feels isolated due to the attitudes seen on a daily basis from strangers. #PushBackTheDarkness

"People might think why I choose to be so different, why I can’t just change the way I dress to not stick out so much, and then maybe I will be treated normally. But many people have forgotten that before, our differences made us normal..." pushbackthedarkness.ca/story-isolated…