Janaza Training: Islamic Death and Dying Traditions FMW is willing to provide training in Islamic Death and Dying Traditions at your local mosque, organization or social group. Topics which are discussed are: what to do if someone is dying, what happens when we die, washing and shrouding the body, what the living can do for the deceased and preparing important documents. Please contact FMW for details. "Working With Immigrant Women's (WWIW) project entitled "Best Workplace Policies and Practices" (Present) A follow up project by WWIW to "No Hijab Is Permitted Here". "Stand Up, Speak Out Leadership: Muslim Women Promoting Diversity and Educating Communities" (May 2004 - Present) FMW has received funding from the Government of Canada through the Multiculturalism Program, Department of Canadian Heritage to co-ordinate and implement this new initiative, which is geared specifically towards Muslim women. In this two year project, FMW will establish an advisory committee, facilitate learning seminars and create materials to educate the public about Islam specifically through the school system as well as network with mainstream organizations. FMW will also solicit Muslim women and recruit participants to be trained to attend public forums so that we can have a strong presence in our Canadian society. The main objectives of FMW and this project are to network with organizations seeking to educate people about Islam and Muslims, to consult with agencies regarding the concerns and special needs of Muslim women, to assist Muslim communities in providing services to support Muslim women, to assist immigrant and refugee women adjust to Canadian society, to network with organizations providing humanitarian relief to Muslims and to publish and distribute literature about Muslim women and Islam. Peel Committee on Sexual Assault (PCSA) (2003 - Present) As a member, FMW assists in providing education and advocacy around sexual assault. Specifically, FMW is a crucial resource in providing ethno-specific education so that the Muslim community can be better serviced. Canadian Association for Community Living's (CACL) Canadian Knowledge Networks for Inclusion initiative (2003 - Present) CACL is a national federation of provincial and territorial Associations for Community Living that represent local associations providing services to people with intellectual disabilities. FMW is a key partner who has been specifically asked to provide our community relations expertise to the Knowledge Network on Ethno-Racial-Cultural Inclusion and have been given $4, 000.00 for our efforts. We are required to support the consultant, Rabia Khedr, contracted by CACL in arranging a pretest focus group with the Muslim community and with local agencies that serve ethno-racial-cultural communities within Peel, Halton and Hamilton-Wentworth area. FMW's Chair Zubeda Vahed has accompanied Rabia to Halifax and Vancouver to facilitate sessions. Together, Rabia and Zubeda have held focus groups with Muslim families who have family members with intellectual disabilities, community service providers and Imams. "Faces of Islam" (2003) This video was a joint initiative of FMW with The North Halton Cultural Awareness Council, Cogeco23, Halton Regional Police and the Halton District School Board. It was produced as a response to the stereotypes that arose towards Muslim and other communities post September 11, 2001. "Faces of Islam" is an education tool that challenges the myths surrounding Muslim women, using segments of acting by students as well as interviews with police. It was launched on May 23, 2003 at E.C. Drurary High School. "No Hijab Is Permitted Here" study by Women Working with Immigrant Women (2002) FMW was a partner in this study which examined the experiences of Muslim women wearing hijab applying for work in the manufacturing, sales and service sectors. "A Community Dialogue on Racism and Hate Motivated Activity in Halton Region". (2002) The purpose of this project was to provide a venue for all ethnic, racial, religious groups, organizations/institutions and concerned individuals to identify community needs and develop strategies to address the issue of racism and hate motivated activities in the region. Through this project the Halton Multicultural Council wanted to promote public education on the various ethno-cultural groups who co-exist in their community by fostering mutual respect and understanding. We want to be able to provide the community with resources to educate themselves so that they won't have to resort to acts of hate and racist actions. FMW was a partner in this project who arranged access to the Muslim community by referral or by organizing focus groups to discuss the issue. FMW gathered information by spreading the word about the project through the FMW Newsletter and on our web page. FMW also assisted in providing translators and interpreters into English from Urdu, Arabic, Punjabi or French. Partnership with the Children's Aid Society (CAS) (2000-2001) FMW partnered with CAS in a campaign to recruit Muslim foster parents. This project consisted of community education in order to build trust and understanding. FMW gained "air time" on various community radio and television stations and created a brochure with CAS that targeted the recruitment of the Muslim community.