Welcome to ISLAMIC ILLUMINATIONS!

Salaam, one and all! We welcome you with heart-felt prayers for God's peace and mercy and blessings.

This blog is maintained for the readers of In the Light of a Blessed Tree, as well as for all those interested in the wider work of Dr. Timothy J. Gianotti: including the Islamic Institute for Spiritual Formation (IISF, Toronto), which he serves as the Director and Principal Teacher, the Studies in Islam program at Renison University College (University of Waterloo), where he serves as an Associate Professor, and the American Islamic College (Chicago), where he served as the Director of Islamic Studies (2013-2015).

Please stay tuned for new blog entries and announcements for new programs in Toronto and beyond!


PUBLIC STATEMENT

November 27, 2008
RE: MUMBAI ATROCITIES

We condemn these and all acts of viciousness, inhumanity, and terror, and we categorically affirm that such behavior violates Islam and all Divinely inspired religious and spiritual systems.

We pray for all those innocents whose lives have been lost and whose sense of security has been shattered by these evil acts; and we pledge to stand up against the ideologies and twisted theologies that rationalize and condone the indiscriminate killing of innocent people and the targeted persecution of anyone because of race, creed, nationality, or gender.

Even as we pledge our support in the tracking down of those who planned and carried out these abominations, we counsel all peoples of faith to practice restraint, lest more innocent people die in the grief and anger arising from the wounds.

May the light of God's mercy envelop those whose lives were so viciously and unjustly taken, and may the lights of His healing and peace fill the hearts of those who are left behind to mourn and to pick of the pieces of shattered hopes and dreams.

Timothy J. Gianotti, Ph.D.
Toronto

Light Upon Light Friday December 5, 2008

Friday December 5 at 7:30 pm
Light Upon Light

Topic: The World of the Unseen

lower level at the Noor Cultural Centre, 123 Wynford Drive map

Light Upon Light Spirituality Discussion Series features a variety of spiritually nourishing subjects. This is an inclusive space where participants of all faiths actively contribute in a manner that is respectful to all.

This series is led by Dr. Timothy Gianotti
2008-2009 Noor Fellow in Islamic Studies, York University
2007-2008 Noor Chair of Islamic Studies, York University


Light refreshments will be served. Admittance is $5.

Previous Topics:

Spiritual Knowledge / Love / Tests & Trials / Loving Universally while Living within Particularity (featuring the writings of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook) / On the Importance of Being a Stranger in the World / Dreams, Death and the Journeys of the Spirit / On the Art of Being Grateful / The Importance of Solitude / Core Paradoxes: freedom in servitude, wealth in poverty, life in death, gaining by spending, spiritual advancement through sin /

Next scheduled date:
Friday January 9 at 7:30 pm
Light Upon Light, Topic: Being a Perpetual Beginner
lower level at the Noor Cultural Centre, 123 Wynford Drive map

Circle of Sacred Knowledge

Friday November 28, 2008
Circle of Sacred Knowledge

We continue this Friday with Dr. Timothy Gianotti who will host this monthly open study session devoted to traditional texts of spiritual formation and sacred knowledge.

The circle meets at the Noor Cultural Centre in the upstairs library/classroom space. We conclude well before the congregational (jum'ah) prayer service. While the texts and topics will come from the Islamic spiritual tradition, people from all faiths are invited to participate and stay for the Friday (jum'ah) prayer service which begins at 1:20 pm.

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Hajj Workshop

Hajj: The spiritual significance and actual mechanics of performing Hajj
Sunday December 7, 2008 - THIS IS POSTPONED AS EID AL ADHA MAY FALL ON THIS DAY
Noor Cultural Centre

upper level at the Noor Cultural Centre, 123 Wynford Drive map

10 AM to 11:30 AM

Join Dr. Timothy Gianotti for this workshop being held during the time of the Hajj pilgrimage as we explore the significance this event.


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North American Weekend of "Twinning" between Synagogues & Mosques

Nov. 21-23, 2008
Temple Emanu-El & Noor Cultural Centre
Weekend of Twinning
with Rabbi Debra Landsberg and Dr. Timothy Gianotti
See Coverage of this event in the Canadian Jewish News here.
As part of an inspirational North American wide initiative to build bridges and friendships between Jews and Muslims, Temple Emanu-El and Noor Cultural Centre have planned a series of cross-visits during the Weekend of Twinning of Synagogues and Mosques, November 21-23, 2008.

In the future we hope to have many occasions to share experiences, education, and build long-term friendships. We are hoping that families will attend throughout and in particular that youth will participate in the Sunday morning program at Noor.

LOCATIONS:
Noor Cultural Centre:
123 Wynford Drive
416.444.7148
www.noorculturalcentre.ca
Just east of the DVP ramp, just west of Concord Place. We're easy to miss, so look out for the condo construction right next to us, and a bus stop and Noor sign just outside.

Temple Emanu-El:
120 Old Colony Rd. East
416.449.3880
www.templeemanuel.ca
Off Bayview at the end of Old Colony, south of the 401 & north of York Mills - about ½ way between.

PROGRAM:

FRIDAY NOV 21
Noor Cultural Centre - 1:00-3:00pm
- 1:00-1:15pm Tour of the Noor Cultural Centre

- 1:20pm Call to prayers

- 1.30-2.00pm Jum'a prayers -- sermon: "From Estrangement to Reunion and Beyond: rethinking the biblical/qur'anic record of Abraham and his sons."

- 2:00-3:00pm Refreshments & fellowship at the Noor.

Temple Emanu-El - 6:00pm

- 6:00pm Shabbat services at Emanu-El, followed by family dinner & shared song

SATURDAY NOV 22
Temple Emanu-El - 10:30am

- 10:30am Saturday morning service at Emanu-El. As on Friday at Noor, the sermon focused on the story of Abraham, but here specifically on the 2 women of the biblical narrative: Sarah and Hagar.

- 12:00 vegetarian potluck lunch.

SUNDAY NOV 23
Noor Cultural Centre - 9:30-11:30am

- 9:30 - 10:00 Breakfast & Fellowship

-10:00 - 10:30 Sacred Music

-10:30 - 11:00 Rabbi Debra and Dr. Timothy offer scholarly reflections on the "Religion of Abraham."

-11:00 - 12:00 Table Discussions + Abraham quiz game

Light Upon Light This Friday November 7

Friday November 7 at 7:30 pm
Light Upon Light

Topic: Core Paradoxes: freedom in servitude, wealth in poverty, life in death, gaining by spending, spiritual advancement through sin

lower level at the Noor Cultural Centre, 123 Wynford Drive map

Light Upon Light Spirituality Discussion Series features a variety of spiritually nourishing subjects. This is an inclusive space where participants of all faiths actively contribute in a manner that is respectful to all.

This series is led by Dr. Timothy Gianotti
2008-2009 Noor Fellow in Islamic Studies, York University
2007-2008 Noor Chair of Islamic Studies, York University


Light refreshments will be served. Admittance is $5.

Next scheduled date:
Friday December 5 at 7:30 pm
Light Upon Light, Topic: The World of the Unseen
lower level at the Noor Cultural Centre, 123 Wynford Drive map

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In the Light of the Blessed Tree

We are in the process of constructing this as a resource centre to accompany the book.