Since its inception in 2003, Muslim Families Network Society (MFNS) has offered a variety of programs to the community. Over time, as the needs changed, we added new programs, discontinued a few and revamped others. The programs are organized into three categories that align perfectly with our mission:

Providing the Essentials;

Empowering Youth and Children;

Bridging the Cultural Gap;

– PROVIDING THE ESSENTIALS

NEED FOR THE PROGRAM:

Access to food, clothing, furnishings, and the means of finding employment are the minimum pre-requisites for a dignified and respectable life. MFNS believes that without these basic requirements, individuals and families cannot take the critical steps needed for healthy integration into their society and become contributing citizens. MFNS generally supplements the support available through other organizations but in some cases, it is the sole provider of these services to individuals and families.

WHAT WE ARE DOING: To help our brothers and sisters in need, MFNS runs two programs

HALAL FOOD BANK

Where: Our Halal Food Bank is currently managed out of our office @ 3961 – 52 Ave NE, Building 1000, Unit 1129

Please call 403-466-6367 to book an appointment.

BI-ANNUAL CITY-WIDE FOOD AND CLOTHING DRIVES

When:   MFNS arranges Food and Clothing Drives twice a year.  (In order to meet the increased demand on account of the Syrian Crisis, we organized an additional drive in 2016. Alhamdulillah, we were able to serve an unprecedented number of guests, thanks to our generous donors, hard working volunteers and dedicated board members)

–  EMPOWERING YOUTH AND CHILDREN

NEED FOR SUCH A PROGRAM:

MFNS realizes that our successful future is dependant upon our youth. Without appropriate and timely mentorship and guidance there is risk of this vulnerable group  getting lost in the chaos of life. However, when given the attention and respect they deserve, children can be the change that we  all desire to see in this world.

Alberta has the youngest population of all Canadian provinces with a median age of just 36 ( 2014 statistics). People 65 and older make up only 11%.

13% Albertans use the food bank, 42% of which are children and youth. (2011 statistics) This vulnerable group can benefit most from positive mentorship.

The newly arrived Syrian families comprise more than 50% of children and youth. These kids have major gaps in their education, not to mention language and cultural barriers that need to be addressed through guidance and mentorship.

Currently, we offer two programs in this category:

LEARN and LIVE QUR’AN PROGRAM
First started in 2007, this has alhamdulillah been our longest running program.

Enrolment: Max. 28 students

For Ages: 5 and up

Duration: Every Saturday from September to June

Timing: It runs from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm (winter) and 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm (summer)

What this program is about:  It seeks to provide a balanced understanding of Islam and explain how it all fits into the western narrative.The topics are as variable as the childrens’ imagination but the common theme is helping kids see the  Qur’an’s relevance to our time. Children learn the importance of caring, sharing, tolerance, patience and their role as productive Muslims.  In addition, there is a safe and effective support system for both the children and their families to talk about and try to resolve home, school and workplace related challenges.

The program is run by professionals with active parental involvement.

Curriculum: includes Qur’an, Sunnah (teachings of the Prophet Mohammad Peace be upon Him), Tajweed (the science of correct recitation of the Qur’an), Tafseer  (exegesis of the Qur’an), Memorization, Islamic studies and Islamic History. Parents are always welcome to share their points of view and add to the healthy discussions.

For more information or any questions please call: (403) 466 – 6367  OR  email: muslimfamilysociety@yahoo.com

TOASTMASTERS’ YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

A joint effort by MFNS and Toastmasters International, this is a perfect example of collaboration and coordination between two organizations with similar goals of empowering the children and youth. Since 2012, this is one of our most successful and sought after program

Enrolment:  Seats are limited to 20, which fill up pretty fast and allow for maximum participation of all registrants.

Ages: 11 to 16 year old

Duration: It runs on average for 8 weeks, with 1 1/2 to 2-hr long sessions every Sunday.

Timing:11:30 am to 1:00pm

What this program is about: Instruction is provided by Toastmasters International and MFNS acts as a bridge between the instructors and the students. Parents are welcome to sit through the sessions to see first hand how their children blossom into effective public speakers within a short span of 2 months.

The final outcome is improved listening and communication skills, development of leadership skills and heightened confidence and reasoning abilities, all qualities needed to succeed in the real world.

The 2017 program ended in May, with 21 graduates !

Next session will be in 2018. Exact dates TBA later.

 

For more information or any questions please call: (403) 466 – 6367  OR  email: muslimfamilysociety@yahoo.com

– BRIDGING THE CULTURAL GAP

NEED FOR THE PROGRAM:

We recognize that there are multiple gaps that need to be addressed in order for people to successfully adapt to the Canadian environment and for Canada to be enriched by the diversity of cultures. The clients MFNS serves come from a variety of countries, each with its distinct culture. There is the obvious gap between the home culture and the Canadian environment, but there is also the disparity between  cultural perspectives and authentic Islamic teachings, which is not always obvious.

THE GOAL:

To highlight the complementary nature of Islamic and Canadian values and to provide methods and tools for living a balanced life in Canada.

THE PROGRAM:

Education and dialogue are the key tools that MFNS employs to bridge the various gaps. MFNS brings in key Muslim and non-Muslim speakers to speak at conferences and facilitate workshops. The topics selected are related to common societal issues and are chosen based on the opinion of community leaders and the general public  through community surveys.

Since **2006, there have been two annual conferences, one focussing on ‘Family Wellness’ and the other on ‘Social Issues’. (**There was one conference held in both 2003 and 2008 and none in 2004 and 2005)

Popular themes of the conferences, seminars, workshops and panel discussions are: Parenting Skills; Parent-Child and Parent-Teen Relationships; Domestic Violence; Marriage and Family Relations to name a few.