Merrry RIS mass part two.

Jack Layton

A sea of hijabis

After we got our arm bands we headed to the table to get our bags which usually contain the lecture schedule for the weekend. But they weren't ready so we had to wait till the next day to get them. If I had known I would have printed out the schedule from the website. Note to self to do this next time as a back up. First we went to the bazaar as the lectures hadn't started yet and the first thing I did was to give charity. Some charities sweetened the pot with t-shirts (Islamic Relief) and calendars (Afzal Islamic Montesorri & Academy) and handmade chocolates (Afghan Women's clinic). We also gave to those simply holding boxes as well. After this I went to do wudu and joined the Jumuah prayers. The sermon was by Imam Johari Adbul Malik. The first thing he mentioned was the debt we owed to the natives and I almost started to cry because I am ojibway and everybody always forgets us. Then we went to the first session called Do Muslims,Christians and Jews share the ten commandments? I remember not feeling very inspired by this speech and for some reason I missed the second one which was Thou Shalt not Commit Adultery:The eyes of the beholders. I saw my friend F in the lecture hall and I saw her every day for all 3 of the days of the conference which is a miracle in itself. Like I said, there were 20,000 people there!  I prayed asr and maghrib and then instead of staying we went to Kara Mia in Mississauga as we had made reservations there. As usual I had the chicken fettuccine which I love. My daughter had the same thing. At the end of our meal the owner/chef came up to us and said he remembered me coming there last year. Actually it was two years ago and I was amazed he could remember me! I asked him if he remembered all his customers and he said he tried to. After dinner we didn't go back to RIS as we were too tired and it would have been to much trouble to go back to TO. Insha Allah the RIS site will be selling copies of the lectures we missed. If anyone heard any of the first day lectures and feels there is one I must hear then please let me know.