SUPPORT AND PROMOTE

TRUE LEADERSHIP

 BY JAVED ZAHEER

      TORONTO:  Municipal elections, another test for the people in store. Preparations are in full swing by the contestants to win the heart, trust and confidence of the people in order to represent and lead them.

     The municipal elections, scheduled to be held on November 13, 2006, are base for a good system and society. Any wrong decision would prove very costly and directly affect the people, development and progress in many ways. This is also the time to find and promote true leadership. This responsibility rests directly on the judgment of the people. 

There may be many in the race but only those be promoted who have proven clean track records and whose contributions are positive and in the interest of all the people. This is extremely important for judgment, selection and desired results. In fact, the progress, prosperity and stability of the country and the people depend on this phase of elections.   Promotion of right persons will ensure effective voices and strong council and parliaments.

SOUTH ASIANS: Thanks to proper awareness, understanding and influence of the Canadian system and society, members of the South Asian community too have become active and showing the readiness and determination to face the challenges. They are extremely eager to join the mainstream and become an important part of the system in order to serve all people and the country. This is a good sign for the community and the country. This is what the people and Canada needs for progress.

There are many in the race for municipal elections including Khalid Usman, a leading figure and a councilor, Razaul Jabbar, a prominent literary and social figure, Abdul Haq Aingar, President of Islamic Society of Toronto, Adnan Hashmi, editor of Sunday Times, Matanat Khan of Sunshine Radio, and Mohammed Ather, a rising star of the community with great potential to serve the people. Adnan Hashmi and Matanat Khan are both Canadians of Pakistani Origin. Without differentiation, all are moving forward as South Asians with the common objective of serving the people. Differences of any kind would only harm their struggle and community and deprive them of good identity, recognition and ultimately progress.

BIG QUESTION: When Razaul Jabbar and Mohammed Ather contacted me for community and media support, I asked them only one thing: “What have you practically done for the people, community and society?” I reminded them that since the people will judge them by this parameter therefore it is necessary to highlight the contributions, aims and objectives.

The South Asian community, like many other communities, is proud of having mostly highly skilled, talented, educated and civilized members in its fold. They are contributing positively and tremendously in all fields. Their main objective is progress and prosperity of the people and Canada.

MOHAMMED ATHER: Most of the contestants are renowned and popular personalities and need no introduction in the community. Out of the lot, Mohammed Ather is a newcomer and young blood. He has a clean track record and the determination and will to practically serve the people. He believes in action and not verbal service and hollow promises. What he needs is an opportunity, encouragement and support of the people. Now he has got the opportunity and is looking towards the people for support and encouragement. So it is necessary to first introduce him to the readers.

Mohammed Ather is 36 and contesting for councilor seat in Ward 42 Scarborough-Rouge River area. He was born on April 7, 1970, in Hyderabad Deccan, India. He married at 23 and has three children---Ayesha Ather (Girl, 12), Bilal Ather (Boy, 10) and Amena Ather (Girl, 4).

He is a graduate and did B.Pharm in 1992. He migrated to Canada in March, 1998. Since then he worked day and night---driving cab and doing odd jobs--- and struggled hard to become what he is today, a part of the mainstream. He never looked back and never complained and only focused on progress and success.

He worked as technical support specialist for three years. While driving cab, he studied as well and did A+, MCP and AS400 Programming. Later, he started his business and at the same time worked full time also. He quit the job in 2002 to run his business with full concentration.

 ACHIEVEMENTS: Mohammed Ather’s field of specialization is Information Technology Marketing (ITM).  He is Managing Director of CCA, the business he established and runs successfully. CCA includes Computer Club, IT Solution Provider and Business Directory---Desi411.com.

He proudly says that instead of running away from challenges, hardships and Canada, he struggled hard, earned and invested in his business (CCA) in Toronto. This he achieved in a very short period. 

Mohammed Ather always wanted to serve the people. With this objective in mind, he  worked on two important projects---Muslim411.com, the Internet Business Directory, and Desi411.com, Asian Canadian Business Directory. These were aimed at connecting communities and meeting all needs of the people. The websites are www.muslim411.com, www.desi411.com (info@desi411.com) and www.ccaclub.ca (sales@ccaclub.ca). Through all these projects, he is connecting and serving all communities tremendously and successfully.    

 He is also president of the Canadian Computer Association, a registered non-profit organization, established solely to help people, particularly novice users and seniors, who are interested in learning computer skills. This is a remarkable community support project.

Mohammed Ather has also another prestigious registered project---Desi Idol---in hand. Through this project, he plans to promote, recognize and honour the brilliant minds and talents in the community in the North American region. This will extend great support and boost to the community members in getting recognition and joining the mainstream.

FUTURE PLANS: All his projects and contributions are positive and in the interest of the people. His main aim is to support and benefit the people in the best possible constructive and positive ways. 

His future plans include establishment of organizations like Seniors Helping Youth, Seniors In Focus, Family Support Services and Youth Support Services. All these projects are under process of set up and would be launched soon.

1.       Seniors Helping Youth will help the youth to benefit from the experiences of seniors.   

2.       Seniors In Focus will help seniors through proper counseling.

3.       Family Support Services will deal with family issues in order to make families prosperous and ensure unity and stability.  

4.       Youth Support Services will help youth find jobs and help them in all possible ways in becoming responsible members of the society and the community.

His team member in these four planned projects is Winston Ramjeet, a Canadian of

Guyanese Origin, who is also Vice President of the Canadian Computer Association. He is contesting for councillor seat from Ward 40.

     Mohammed Ather belongs to a literary family. His grandfather, Mohammed Abdul Haleem Ilyasi, did transliteration of the Holy Quran in Roman script.

     Since the tender age of 16, he was actively involved in community, social and cultural activities including distribution of food and goods in the calamity-affected and disturbed areas, Independence Day celebrations and organizations of social and cultural events.

      MESSAGE: Mohammed Ather is an experienced event organizer including tournaments. Even in Canada, he hosted many events including award ceremonies and the prestigious Hindustani Drama Festival in which dramas in different languages were organized.  This he claims to be one of his great achievements. He also organized the Desi Talent Show in 2004. He wants the people to benefit from his rich social and cultural experiences.

     Ather says the focus must always remain on better education of children and family values. The objective must be to make children and citizens responsible. Good parenting can help make children responsible.   

      Mohammed Ather believes in teamwork and volunteer service. He welcomes discussions and suggestions and can be contacted at Cell # (416)890-7011 and Work # (416)289-7011. Email: atherm@gmail.com. He believes in making only those commitments and promises, which he can fulfill but would always strive to become an effective voice of the people and fight for their rights.  

POLICY NEEDED: There are hundreds of people in the South Asian community who are genius, brilliant, talented, highly skilled and educated. All they need is proper encouragement, promotion and recognition. Unfortunately, their services remain unutilized. They are an asset and must not be rusted and wasted. This is a tremendous loss for Canada. An effective policy needs to be formulated to help them and fully benefit from their valuable services. This is essential for progress of Canada and prosperity of the people. Whether Pakistanis or Indians, South Asians must unite and work together.

RAZAUL JABBAR: This name needs no introduction. Razaul Jabbar, M.Com., LL.B., C.A., is a distinguished, recognized and respectable personality of the community. He is a community leader and his contributions and achievements are tremendous. He is contesting for councilor seat in Ward 26. In the race in Ward 26 is another heavyweight, Abdul Haq Aingar, President of the Islamic Society of Toronto. It will be a very tough contest.

Survey shows that Aingar apparently enjoyed support of Jane Pitfield, Councillor, who will be contesting for Mayor, John Godfrey, MP, and Kathleen Wyne, MPP. He enjoys backing of the strong Gujrati community in the area as well. He is a religious and social leader but lacks literary and social contributions that of Razaul Jabbar.

BRILLIANT CAREER: Razaul Jabbar has 25 years of working experience in accounting and legal areas with Revenue Canada, Taxation (11 years), Ontario Ministry of Health and Ontario Ministry of Consumers & Commercial Relations (7 years), Harbourfront Computer Center (One year) and with chartered accountant firms (18 months).

Jabbar has a brilliant literary background. He is author of seven books of selected stories in South Asian languages and is recipient of literary awards. His books are: 1. Hadees-e-Deccan 2. Nau Heerey (1958) 3. Roshni Ki Kiran (1970) 4. Nai Dharkan (1975) 5. Chand Ki Kashti Ka Akela Musafir (1985) 6. Sunkh Uthaney Ka Hosla (1991) and 7. Saharon Ke Mausam (2006).

 His social contributions are as follows:

·             Moderator, Speaker and Integrated Member of the Christian-Muslim Forum of Canada.

·             Launched project, “Feelings on Wheels”, formed to raise awareness of ability and empowerment of individuals with special needs. Mayor Art Eggleton inaugurated the project.

·             President of Seniors Association. This association provides opportunities to share and socialize for healthy living.

·             Organized Mushairas (Literary gatherings) and community functions.

·             Participated in various international conferences within and outside Canada.  

TOUGH CHALLENGES: Razaul Jabbar was born on March 10, 1937, in Hyderabad

Deccan, India. When he was about one year old, he became a victim of Infantile Paralysis. His legs and hands were completely paralyzed. His neck and back too were partly affected. Later, some strength returned to hands but legs remained paralyzed.

     Due to lack of facilities 70 years back, Jabbar faced very tough time. There was no rehabilitation, no wheelchairs and the school and office buildings were not accessible. He could only move by sitting on the floor and dragging his body with the help of his hands. As a result, his lower body’s skin was affected with eczema and bruises.

     During winter, it became more difficult. Dragging on the cold floor resulted in attacks of cold and fever. His ears were affected and there was continuous discharge from them.

     Razaul Jabbar’s disability became a great challenge for him. People used to taunt, harass and discourage him. The family and society considered him a burden. The barriers of attitude gave hard times. He, however, faced the time and situation very bravely. He started going to school from Class 6^th. Before that he used to study at home. He used to read stories about children and this interest developed into an urge to write short stories.

      BOOKS PUBLISHED: In 1954, he remained in the hospital for 14 months due to major surgery---from toe to chest. Even in this condition, he used to read books. In the hospital, he wrote three stories, which were selected and published in a reputed weekly Urdu journal `Rahbar’, published from Bombay.  

     In 1960, when Razaul Jabbar was a student of M.Com, he was editor of Osmania Journal, published by Osmania University, Hyderabad Deccan. He did both B.Com and M.Com from Osmania University.

      LOVE MARRIAGE: Razaul Jabbar married in 1967. His wife, Zarina Rangwala, belonged to the Bohri community. She was his fan and this ended in a dramatic love marriage. Because of his disability, the Bohri community gave him a very tough time and opposed him tooth and nail. Zarina is a highly educated lady and has MA and B.Ed degrees.

     Before migrating to Canada, Razaul Jabbar was Accounts Officer in a shipping firm. He served the firm for ten years. At the same time, he used to teach part time in Burhani College of Commerce as a part-time professor. He served on this position for seven years.

     Jabbar attended an international conference for disabled in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He liked the place very much and decided to settle in Canada. He filed his immigration papers in New York, USA, and returned to India. He migrated to Canada in 1980. Zarina came to Canada one year later.

     From 1980-1986, he did small contract jobs and then onwards served the provincial and federal governments. He found Canada a very good country and says people here have feelings for each other. They are educated, sensible and civilized.

      CANADA PRAISED: Jabbar said: “Canada is a very nice country and has given me a lot. I can only dream of the facilities else where. Here I have a custom-made car with arrangement to lift wheelchair. It is automated and hand-controlled. I drove the car from Toronto to Washington in 2004 and went to New York in 2003 to attend a marriage. I keep driving from Toronto to Ottawa. Where else can we get so much facilities, support and care?”

     He said: “I never complained about Canada and never faced problems of racism or discrimination. Instead, a disabled Jew girl saw me standing outside the immigration office in New York when she was going inside the office. When she came back she saw me still standing there. She asked me what was the problem and I told her that my caliper had broken and I need to go by bus but I can hardly move. I don’t have the taxi fare so I can’t go home. She took me in a taxi to a shop and got the caliper repaired. This was how I reached home. She was a complete stranger and disabled but helped me greatly.”

     “In the Osmania University, Hyderabad Deccan, too Hindu students used to regularly help me climb the stairs. They used to lift me up,” he stated.

       CODE OF CONDUCT: Jabbar said: “There is a code of conduct for Muslims in the Holy Quran and they should follow it strictly.”

     Razaul Jabbar has two children---a son and a daughter---and five grandchildren. His son, Khaliq Raza Jabbar, is 38 and is a graduate in medical rehabilitation. His daughter, Shehna, is 36 and has completed her MA. She is working as an administrator in the University of Toronto for the last about ten years. His son-in-law, Javed Mohyuddin, is a professional engineer and works in a reputed engineering firm. Jabbar’s wife Zarina worked as Assistant Manager for 14 years (1982-1986). She quit the job due to kidney failure. She is still under treatment.

      STILL ENERGETIC: Despite disability and tough challenges, Razaul Jabbar managed to not only make a respectable place for himself in the society and system but helped his children as well in getting good education and jobs. He retired in 2002 and now keeps himself busy in social, cultural and literary activities.

May be only very few know that Razaul Jabbar’s mother is 90-year-old and lives in a nursing home. Jabbar said that he sponsored his mother to Canada in 1983. Since then he looks after her with great care. He loves her very much.

Razaul Jabbar too belongs to a literary family. His father, Abdul Jabbar, was in the teaching profession. Jabbar has the determination and will to fight, struggle and move forward. He has proved it and hopes to do more as a councillor. He too believes in practical achievement instead of verbal service. He keeps meeting and supporting people. He can be contacted on PH # (416)264-3330. Email: razauljabbar@hotmail.com.

      There are hundreds of people in the South Asian community who are genius, brilliant, talented, highly skilled and educated. All they need is proper encouragement, promotion and recognition. Unfortunately, their services remain unutilized. They are an asset and must not be rusted and wasted. This is a tremendous loss for Canada. An effective policy needs to be formulated to help them and fully benefit from their valuable services. This is essential for progress of Canada and prosperity of the people. Whether Pakistanis or Indians, South Asians must unite and work together.