Monday, June 1st, 2009...7:56 pm
SAIT Polytechnic Welcomes Director of Afghan-Canadian Community Center to Calgary
First-of-its-kind project provides Afghan women with online access to SAIT education
June 1, 2009, Calgary, Alberta — Calgary, Alberta may be a long way from his home in Afghanistan, but Ehsanullah Ehsan will be at SAIT Polytechnic’s June 1st and 2nd graduation ceremonies to represent 12 female Afghan graduands unable to make the trek due to safety concerns.
Ehsan’s journey began with a vision to provide women in Afghanistan with something they never thought possible – an education. “We need to make every effort possible to ensure humanity has access to justice, education, love, freedom and prosperity,” said Ehsan, Director for the Afghan-Canadian Community Centre. “We should speak out and do what is required to ensure that men, women, boys and girls have free and open access to education. This should be done not only out of personal interest, but for the shared interests of humanity as a whole.”
Part of Ehsan’s vision became a reality through the Afghan School Project and online distance courses SAIT provides to females in Afghanistan who have had the courage to seek education while living in a country infamous for oppression of women.
“The courses these students studied were selected to provide the skills and knowledge that are in the greatest demand for the reconstruction and development of the Kandahar area,” says Gord Nixon, SAIT’s Vice President Academic. “The Afghan women will each receive the Business Management certificate for completing courses in project management, organizational behaviour, financial accounting, leadership development, human resource management and financial management.”
In 2007, the Afghan School Project, with the help of SAIT and financial donors, opened the Afghan-Canadian Community Centre in Kandahar with just two volunteers and 100 students, including the 12 women taking SAIT’s online program. Despite persecutions, threats, political turmoil, and an ultra-conservative culture that discourages educational opportunities for women, the school, which offers courses in business management, computing, health care and English as a Second Language, has grown to service more than 700 students. The Afghan-Canadian Community Centre is the only school in its area that offers vocational training for women.
“The Russians left for us arms and dumps of ammunition from which we have been suffering for decades. Al-Qaeda and the Taliban left for us the culture of extremism, terrorism, narrow-mindedness and suicides. But you – the great, the peaceful, the most generous Canadians – are leaving us with enlightenment,” says Ehsan.
About SAIT
SAIT Polytechnic has maintained close association with business and industry to ensure graduate success since 1916. SAIT offers 67 certificate, diploma, and applied degree programs as well as 33 apprenticeship programs, 300 distance education courses and 1,800 continuing education and corporate training courses. SAIT has delivered training in 30 countries around the world and has 79,000 course and program registrations each year. SAIT is a proud member of Polytechnics Canada.
9 Comments
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Human Rights and Justice in Islam
Islam provides many human rights for the individual. The following are some of these human rights that Islam protects. The life and property of all citizens in an Islamic state are considered sacred, whether a person is Muslim or not. Islam also protects honor. So, in Islam, insulting others or making fun of them is not allowed. The Prophet Muhammad said: {your blood, your property, and your honor are inviolable. truly
Racism is not allowed in Islam, for the Quran speaks of human equality in the following terms:
O mankind, we have created you from a male and a female and have made you into nations and tribes for you to know one another. Truly, the noblest of you with God is the most pious. Truly, God is All-Knowing, All-Aware.
Islam rejects certain individuals or nations being favored because of their wealth, power, or race. God created human beings as equals who are to be distinguished from each other only on the basis of their faith and piety. The Prophet Muhammad said: {O people! Your God is one and your forefather (Adam) is one. An Arab is not better than a non-Arab and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab, and a red (i.e. white tinged with red) person is not better than a black person and a black person is not better than a red person, except in piety.}
One of the major problems facing mankind today is racism. The developed world can send a man to the moon but cannot stop man from hating and fighting his fellow man. Ever since the days of the Prophet Muhammad, Islam has provided a vivid example of how racism can be ended. The annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah shows the real Islamic brotherhood of all races
And nations, when about two million Muslims from all over the world come to Makkah to perform the pilgrimage.
Islam is a religion of justice. God has said:
Truly God commands you to give back trusts to those to whom they are due, and when you judge between people, to judge with justice
And He has said:
…And act justly. Truly, God loves those who are just. Quran, 49:9)
We should even be just with those who we hate, as God has said:
…And let not the hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety
The Prophet Muhammad said: {People, beware of injustice, for injustice shall be darkness on the Day of Judgment.}
And those who have not gotten their rights (i.e. what they have a just claim to) in this life will receive them on the Day of Judgment, as the Prophet said: {On the Day of Judgment, rights will be given to those to whom they are due (and wrongs will be redressed
What Is the Status of Women in Islam?
Islam encourages the husband to treat his wife well, as the Prophet Muhammad said: {the best among you are those who are best to their wives.}
Mothers in Islam are highly honored. Islam recommends treating them in the best way. A man came to the Prophet Muhammad and said, “O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship?” The Prophet said: {your mother.} The man said, “Then who?” The Prophet said: {then your mother.} The man further asked, “Then who?” The Prophet said: {then your mother.} The man asked again, “Then who?” The Prophet said: {then your father.
Best regards,
Maryam Ibrahimi
student of ACC
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:42 pm
ACCC
(SK)
Keep looking, keep going, and keep it up
Make us feel, make us study, if we stop
For facing events of dangerous fact
Breaths of success make us act
Who has taught education, but in free?
ACCC is here to give a shade, but of a tree
Like a mom that feeds a child
Like a dad that earns money in midnight
ACCC of today is a roof to all for ever
Has always tried to be bigger and upper
ACCC helps ACCC trains
To those who need to serve
Wishes you Kanishka Ocean of success
Where challenge begins ACCC is an access
Written by,
Sharifullah Kanishka
A poem dedicted to all ACCC Founders, Donars, Teachers and students by (Shrifulah Kanishka).
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:42 pm
THE FOUR CANDLES
The four candles burn slowly.
The ambiance was so soft you could hear them talking.
The first one said: “I AM PEACE!!
how ever, nobody can keep me light. I believe I will go out.”
It’s flame rapidly diminishes and goes out completely.
The second one says: “I AM FAITH!!
Most of all, I am no longer indispensable, so it doesn’t make any sense that I stay light any longer.”
When it finished talking, a breeze softly blew on it putting it out.
Sadly, the third candle spoke in it’s turn: ” I AM LOVE!!
I haven’t got the strength to stay light. People put me aside and don’t understand my importance. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them.”
And waiting no longer it goes out.
Suddenly…
A child enters the room and sees the three candles not burning.
“Why are you not burning? you are supposed to stay light till the end.”
Saying this, the child begins to cry.
Then the forth candle said: “Don’t be afraid, while I am still burning we can re-light the other candles, I am HOPE!!”
With shining eyes, the child took the candle of hope and light the other candles.
“THE FLAME OF HOPE SHOULD NEVER GO OUT FROM YOUR LIFE”
… and that each of us can maintain HOPE, FAITH, PEACE and LOVE!!!!
Kind Regards,
Ali Raza
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:43 pm
A long time ago, there was an Emperor who told his horseman that if he could ride on his
horse and cover as much land area as he likes, then the Emperor would give him the
area of land he has covered.
Sure enough, the horseman quickly jumped onto his horse and rode as fast as possible
to cover as much land area as he could. He kept on riding and riding, whipping the horse
to go as fast as possible. When he was hungry or tired, he did not stop because he
wanted to cover as much area as possible.
Came to a point when he had covered a substantial area and he was exhausted and was
dying. Then he asked himself, “Why did I push myself so hard to cover so much land
area? Now I am dying and I only need a very small area to bury myself.”
The above story is similar with the journey of our Life. We push very hard everyday to
make more money, to gain power and recognition. We neglect our health, time with our
family and to appreciate the surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love.
One day when we look back, we will realize that we don’t really need that much, but
then we cannot turn back time for what we have missed.
Life is not about making money, acquiring power or recognition. Life is definitely not
about work! Work is only necessary to keep us living so as to enjoy the beauty and
pleasures of life. Life is a balance of Work and Play, Family and Personal time. You have
to decide how you want to balance your Life. Define your priorities, realize what you are
able to compromise but always let some of your decisions be based on your instincts.
Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of Life, the whole aim of human existence.
So, take it easy, do what you want to do and appreciate nature. Life is fragile, Life is
short. Do not take Life for granted. Live a balanced lifestyle and enjoy Life!
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:45 pm
08th March Women Day (2009)
Women day celebrated in afghan Canadian community center (ACCC)
totally (200) female and (50) male were participated in this program the ceremony commenced with a few verse of quran after recitation Mr. Ehsanullah Ehsan director of (ACC) center welcomed all participants and announced his speech to the respected spectators after him director of agriculture offered his speech a bout women day to the respected viewers and mention that afghan women are still suffering from diversity problems in Afghanistan. But to be honest that our women are not failed they are fighting against of women violence in a community then director of women department affairs in Kandahar province (DOWA)
Rona tareen presented her vocalizations to the participants and thanked Mr. Ehsanullan Ehsan for his hard working to opened center where thousand female and male are learning education. There were also some theme bout women which were prepared by (ACC) students. At the end of program there were some gifts certificates and appreciation letters for guest and student.
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:46 pm
This is a valuable contribution by Canada eSchool to assist in the recovery for the people of Afghanistan through accessible quality education.
Congratulations to all involved in making a difference in a very challenging environment.
July 20th, 2009 at 4:18 am
Dear supporter fist of all we would like to thanks from your to made these fcilities that today we knew the new technology and may girls are intouch with it today ACCC is the light which brighten in all of afghan girls and boys life and arrived them in wishes of their life it still such as looking a dream for us that we are studying online courese with your once againe form heartly thanks alot for the support of kindness.
Regard
farishta shams
July 28th, 2009 at 3:38 am
Dear everybody,
I hope everybody is fine and doing things wel, and i hope everybody understands what good no a great job you guys are doing and keep it up. as will as for people who are esclating some issues which are not required, be among yourselves and try to work things out and try to understand how important you people are in Kandahar community and weldone for everything you have done for our beautiful province Kandahar.
Best of luck
Sharif
Note: I miss all you Ehsan sahib and your team.
July 29th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Sharif Khan,
We miss you too and we like you to be around us.
Your positive contribution to ACCC classes are appreciated, always.
Leave a Reply