IQRA

My Brother Amadou

By Fred A. Reed

Amadou Bruno M’baye was born in Senegal 63 years ago and died in Montreal on June 15.

He died alone, in deprivation, but his death cast a light that was both revealing and unexpected.

I’d known Amadou for three years. He lived near the mosque I attend. Every Friday I would pick him up in front of his house, and drive him home afterwards.

He had become weakened and diminished from diabetes. Walking was often a painful ordeal; he was tormented by the fear of losing his feet.

Weapon of choice is her voice

A spoken-word poet who refers to her voice as "my weapon" is to perform at this weekend's MuslimFest for young people.

Sofia Baig, a rising star among Canadian Muslim activists, takes the stage Sunday at a two-day gathering intended to celebrate Islamic cultural expression.

"So pardon me while I rip the clip from my lips and throw – blow them away like ashes," the 20-year-old Montreal poet recites in "My Weapon," from her debut CD Daughter of the Sand to be launched at the festival.

"My mouth won't ever cease fire," she raps. "So load the clip and watch as they shoot out of my lips, rain hell on all of them. I want these words to explode and hit." (Read More)