people about Karbala and the Imamat. It is for his ever being in prayerful prostration, that he was popularly called "Sajjad".

The knowledge and piety of this Holy Imam was matchless. He was so mindful of Allah that whenever he sat for ablu-tion for prayers, the complexion of his face would change and when he stood at prayer his body was seen trem-bling. When asked why this was, he replied, "Don’t you know before whom I stand in prayer, and with whom I hold discourse?"

His charity was unassuming and hidden. After his passing away, the people said that hidden charity ended with the de-parture of this Holy Imam. Like his grandfather, Imam Ali, he used to carry on his own back at night bags of flour and bread for the poor and needy families in Medina and he so main-tained hundred of poor families in the city.

Imam Zayn-ul-Abideen was not given the time to offer his prayers peacefully, nor could he deliver any sermons. He, therefore, adopted a third course which proved to be very beneficial to his followers. This was in compiling supplication prayers for the daily use of man in his endeavour to approach the Almighty Lord.

The invaluable collection of his edited prayers are known as as-Sahifah as-Sajjaddiyyah. The collection is a treasury of wonderfully effective supplications to the Lord in inimitably beautiful language. Only those who have ever come across those supplications would know the excellence and the bene-ficial effect of these prayers. Through these prayers, the Imam gave all the necessary guidance to the faithful during his seclusion.

On the 25th of Muharram 95 AH, when he was in Medina, al-Walid, the then ruler had this Holy Imam poisoned. The fu-neral prayers were conducted by his son, the 5th apostolic Imam, Muhammad al-Baqir (as) and his body was laid to rest in the cemetery of Jannat-ul-Baqi in Medina.

December 2013 - Ottawa, CA Assalaamu alaikum dear fr iends

Read it online at ..

abischool.com

In the name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful

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AhlulAhlulAhlulAhlul----Bayt Islamic School NewsletterBayt Islamic School NewsletterBayt Islamic School NewsletterBayt Islamic School Newsletter

Imam ZaynImam ZaynImam ZaynImam Zayn----ulululul----AbideenAbideenAbideenAbideen Name Ali Title Zayn-ul-Abideen

Alias Abu Muhammad Father Imam Hussein (AS)

Mother Shahr Banu, daughter of Yazdeger III, the last pre-Islamic King of Persia

Birth Medina, on Saturday, 15th Jumadi-1 36 AH

Death Medina at the age of 58, poisoned by al-Walid on Mu-harram 25th 95 AH

Grave Jannat-ul-Baqi', in Medina

Ali Zayn-ul-Abideen is the 4th apostolic Imam of Ahlul-Bayt (as). His epithet was Abu Muhammad and was popularly titled as "Zayn-ul-Abideen". His mother was the royal personage, Shahr Banu, the daughter of King Yazdeger, the last pre-Islamic Ruler of Persia.

Imam Zayn-ul-Abideen spent the first 2 years of his infancy in the lap of his grandfather, Imam Ali, and then for 12 years he had the gracious patronage of his uncle, Imam Hassan. In 61 AH, he was present in Karbala, at the time of the gruesome tragedy of the wholesale massacre of his father, his uncles, brothers, cousins and all the godly comrades of his father. He, then, suffered a heartless captivity and imprisonment at the hands of Yazid.

When Imam Hussein had come for the last time to his camp to bid goodbye to his family, Ali Zayn-ul-Abideen, who had been very sick since his childhood, was lying semi-conscious in his sickbed and hence escaped the massacre in Karbala'. Imam Hussein could only manage a very brief talk with the inmates of his camp and departed declaring his sick son as Imam.

Imam Zayn-ul-Abideen, for the almost 34 years that he lived after his father, he spent it in prayers and supplication to Allah (swt), in remembrance of his martyred father, and teaching

Dates to Remember

Dec 12 - 13

Bake Sale

Dec 13

Martyrdom of Imam al-Hassan (AS)

Birth of Imam Moussa al-Kaazim (AS)

Dec 23

Arbaeen (40th day commemoration)

of the Martyrdom of Imam al-

Hussein (AS)

Dec 23 - Jan 3

Christmas Break

Dec 25

Birth of Prophet Jesus (AS) An artist’s depiction of one of the many emotional stances of Ashura: The women and children weeping with the now master-less Zuljana, the Imam’s loyal horse, after returning to the camp without his martyred master.

Thank You ...

�Mrs. Batoul JomaaMrs. Batoul JomaaMrs. Batoul JomaaMrs. Batoul Jomaa, Mrs. Salam SalehMrs. Salam SalehMrs. Salam SalehMrs. Salam Saleh, Mrs. Haifa MatarMrs. Haifa MatarMrs. Haifa MatarMrs. Haifa Matar, Mrs. Fatima Matar, Mrs. Fatima Matar, Mrs. Fatima Matar, Mrs. Fatima Matar,

and Mrs. Bushra Atwi Mrs. Bushra Atwi Mrs. Bushra Atwi Mrs. Bushra Atwi who helped with school field trips.

ABIS is blessed to have such a dedicated, enthusiastic group of volunteers!

�Parents Parents Parents Parents for encouraging and supporting your children in participating in educational competitions (Art, Po-

etry and Ashura competition). These experiences have proven to be beneficial and rewarding for students.

Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq’s (as) said: "Revive our events; Blessed is he who revives our events”

He, then, explained: “To learn our knowledge and teach it to the people for if people knew the goodness of our words they would surely follow us.”

Your continued support of our children and school is greatly appreciated.

Donations Are Always Welcome…

Please contact Mrs. Haidoura if you would like to sponsor treats or gifts for upcoming Islamic

events.

Our Winter BreakOur Winter BreakOur Winter BreakOur Winter Break starts on December 23rd.

Students return to school on January 6th.

Take time to relax and enjoy your winter break.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2014.

Homework Packages Homework Packages Homework Packages Homework Packages ----

Concerning students who Concerning students who Concerning students who Concerning students who are absent from school due are absent from school due are absent from school due are absent from school due to vacationto vacationto vacationto vacation. If a student will be missing school due to a vacation, a parent needs to contact the office or send a note with the dates your child will be absent to the classroom teacher.

Please note that it is impossible for our teachers to pre-pare homework packages for students who are absent from school due to vacation.

If parents decide to remove their children from class in order to travel, teachers may provide reading materials for students while away.

The responsibility is on students and parents to The responsibility is on students and parents to The responsibility is on students and parents to The responsibility is on students and parents to catch up on any work missed during their absence.catch up on any work missed during their absence.catch up on any work missed during their absence.catch up on any work missed during their absence.

Cold & IllnessCold & IllnessCold & IllnessCold & Illness Many thanks for keeping your children home when they are sick. It is very easy to pass on colds and flu in a school environment.

Children, who do not feel well, do not learn well, and learning is definitely our goal!

If students are well enough to be at school, then the expectation is that they go outside for recess.

Unfortunately, we do not have staff on duty inside during recess times.

Remembrance Day at ABISRemembrance Day at ABISRemembrance Day at ABISRemembrance Day at ABIS Grades 1-4 teachers and their students organ-ized an amazing, heartfelt Remembrance Day Ceremony on the morning of November 11th.

We are proud of our students’ involvement and the au-dience for their respect and thoughtful manner during this ceremony.

Thank you Ms. Carson, Ms.Erika, Ms. Kaitlyn, Mrs Tabitha and the grade 1-4 students for coordinating such an important school event.

With winter weather already in Ottawa, it is important to dress your child appropriately with winter coats, hats and gloves or mittens daily.

• When snow is on the ground, students are expected to wear boots.When snow is on the ground, students are expected to wear boots.When snow is on the ground, students are expected to wear boots.When snow is on the ground, students are expected to wear boots.

• Students in grades KStudents in grades KStudents in grades KStudents in grades K----6 6 6 6 are expected to wear snow pants as a great deal of their winter play involves playing in the snow.

• Students in grades 7 & 8Students in grades 7 & 8Students in grades 7 & 8Students in grades 7 & 8 are required to wear snow pants if their re-cess activities involve playing directly in the snow.

• We will be going outside in cold weather and proper clothing will make this activity most enjoyable for our students.

Ahlul Bayt Islamic School community values a safe and caring school for everyone. Please review the following expectations with your children.

During the winter months we need to remember:

• Dress warmly wearing a winter coat, boots, mitts, and toques.

• Brush snow off your clothing before you enter the building.

• Bring an extra pair of shoes to wear inside.

Special Rules for When We Have Snow Special Rules for When We Have Snow Special Rules for When We Have Snow Special Rules for When We Have Snow Going out for recess when it’s snowing is part of our everyday lives!

In order to make sure students are safe, please follow our winter rules.

• Keep your hands, feet and objects to self.

• No playing/sliding on the ice

• No throwing, kicking snowballs or ice EVER!

• Building snowmen and snow sculptures is permitted and encouraged!

• Rock salt might be used to make our playground safe.

Please do not pick it up!

• Stay dry! Stay out of standing water or large puddles.

• All the other recess rules still apply!

Cold Weather Reminder...Cold Weather Reminder...Cold Weather Reminder...Cold Weather Reminder... At this time of the year the weather can change drastically from morning to afternoon or from day to day. Students are expected to go outside at recess unless it is raining or the temperature condition reaches -20 de-grees, with the wind chill factor included.

We will go outside in cold weather as long as the tem-We will go outside in cold weather as long as the tem-We will go outside in cold weather as long as the tem-We will go outside in cold weather as long as the tem-perature wind chill effect is above perature wind chill effect is above perature wind chill effect is above perature wind chill effect is above ----20.20.20.20.

Going outside and getting a little fresh air is a nice change for the stu-dents’ classroom activities. Students are expected to dress appropriately for the weather. Please help keep your child safe by sending winter gear with them and if possible pack an extra set of mitts and hat in their back packs.

Thresholds set by Environment Canada:

• Risk of frostbite in prolonged exposure occurs when wind chill is below -25

• Frostbite possible in 10 minutes at -35

• Frostbite possible in less than 2 minutes at -60

KEEP CALM � WINTER IS HERE

Achieving Student for November:

Students of the Week:

JK: Mohamed Lila, Aleena Al-Roumi

SK: Mariam Atwi, Zahraa Badra

Gr. 1: Ahmad Kmaiha. Rayan Hamam

Gr. 2: Ali El-Hadi Zeidan, Rokaya Kazan

Gr. 3: Zahra Farhat, Aya Kassira

Students of the Month:

Gr. 4: Hiba Rashid

Gr.5: Siham Srour

Gr. 6: Zainab Mirjan

Gr. 7: Nizar Hamam

Gr. 8: Hiba Lezzaik

Parent/Teacher Inter-Parent/Teacher Inter-Parent/Teacher Inter-Parent/Teacher Inter-viewsviewsviewsviews On behalf of the teaching staff I would like to thank all of the parents who were able to make the Parent/Teacher conferences.

Please continue to stay involved. Please continue to stay involved. Please continue to stay involved. Please continue to stay involved.

The success of our students is reflective upon supportive parents.

Anytime you have a question, concern or just want to share information, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher.

December’s Character Trait isDecember’s Character Trait isDecember’s Character Trait isDecember’s Character Trait is

GenerosityGenerosityGenerosityGenerosity Generosity is the willing to share with others.

It is giving freely of yourself and your possessions without expecting anything in return.

“Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need”. - Kahlil Gibran

November’s Character Trait wasNovember’s Character Trait wasNovember’s Character Trait wasNovember’s Character Trait was

CitizenshipCitizenshipCitizenshipCitizenship Students, who demonstrated this character trait throughout the past month were awarded charac-ter awards.

Congratulations to the recipients of this character award:

JK: Jad Srour SK: Malak Kabbout Gr. 1: Ali Al-Sayed Ali Gr. 2: Ali Ajaa

Gr. 3: Hawraa Jomaa Gr. 4: Raneem Zeitoun Gr. 5: Ali Abdul Amir Gr. 6: Serene Cheaito

Tuition Discount Referral Initiative [ UPDATED ]

Introduce new students and receive $125 for every referred student!

Any family, with students in our school, can receive $125, in tuition fee discount, for every re-ferred student, when they introduce a new family to our school.

This initiative is subject to the following conditions: - Referred family must be new to our school; returning families do not qualify. - Referred students must complete one full school year. - Referral fee is provided in the form of a tui-tion fee discount. - This discount is awarded at the end of the completed school year. - $125 in discount is awarded for every re-ferred student.

Please spread the good word about your school. Help make it better for our community and our children.

www.abischool.com

Enrichment MiniEnrichment MiniEnrichment MiniEnrichment Mini----Courses Program (EMCP) Courses Program (EMCP) Courses Program (EMCP) Courses Program (EMCP) EMCP is a unique annual event in the world of Canadian education.

Students from grade 8 to 11 are given the opportunity of exploring a field of study or area of interest in a university or college setting. Students acquire knowledge and skills that will help them achieve academic success and stimu-

late their interest in pursuing post-secondary studies.

The mini-course runs during the first full week of May.

Participating post-secondary institutions offer information/orientation sessions for parents and students on the week before the program begins.

Who is Eligible?Who is Eligible?Who is Eligible?Who is Eligible?

* A student who demonstrates excellent academic achievement in all sub-

jects covered in the school year or term.

* A student who demonstrates excellent behavior.

* A Student who demonstrates good citizenship towards the school, staff,

and fellow students.

Four students from grade 8 have been selected, by the school, according to

the program’s qualifying criteria and the school’s selection criteria.

We are proud to announce the names of the students se-

lected to participate in the program:

Mahdi Al Hussein, Lillian Chahrour, Hiba Lezzaik, Mahdi Al Hussein, Lillian Chahrour, Hiba Lezzaik, Mahdi Al Hussein, Lillian Chahrour, Hiba Lezzaik, Mahdi Al Hussein, Lillian Chahrour, Hiba Lezzaik,

Fatima Hussein ZeidanFatima Hussein ZeidanFatima Hussein ZeidanFatima Hussein Zeidan

Art, Poetry and EssayArt, Poetry and EssayArt, Poetry and EssayArt, Poetry and EssayArt, Poetry and EssayArt, Poetry and EssayArt, Poetry and EssayArt, Poetry and Essay Competition atCompetition atCompetition atCompetition atCompetition atCompetition atCompetition atCompetition at

AhlulAhlulAhlulAhlulAhlulAhlulAhlulAhlul--------Bayt Islamic SchoolBayt Islamic SchoolBayt Islamic SchoolBayt Islamic SchoolBayt Islamic SchoolBayt Islamic SchoolBayt Islamic SchoolBayt Islamic School

Congratulations to students from grades 1 through 8 who participated in Art, Poetry and Essay competition.

To recognize their efforts, certificates of participation were presented at our School Assembly on Friday November 29.

First, second and third place winners were recognized and awarded engraved medallions in our school assembly.

First Place Winners:

Batoul Jomaa (Gr. 5)Batoul Jomaa (Gr. 5)Batoul Jomaa (Gr. 5)Batoul Jomaa (Gr. 5)

Zeinab Issa (Gr.6)Zeinab Issa (Gr.6)Zeinab Issa (Gr.6)Zeinab Issa (Gr.6)

Rayan Beydoun (Gr.8)Rayan Beydoun (Gr.8)Rayan Beydoun (Gr.8)Rayan Beydoun (Gr.8)

Batoul Elcheikh (Gr.10)Batoul Elcheikh (Gr.10)Batoul Elcheikh (Gr.10)Batoul Elcheikh (Gr.10)

Second Place Winners: Amasi Hamed (Gr.5)Amasi Hamed (Gr.5)Amasi Hamed (Gr.5)Amasi Hamed (Gr.5)

Rayan Turki (Gr.6)Rayan Turki (Gr.6)Rayan Turki (Gr.6)Rayan Turki (Gr.6)

Fatima Hussein Zeidan (Gr.8)Fatima Hussein Zeidan (Gr.8)Fatima Hussein Zeidan (Gr.8)Fatima Hussein Zeidan (Gr.8)

Mohamad Hadi El Hage Ali (Gr.10)Mohamad Hadi El Hage Ali (Gr.10)Mohamad Hadi El Hage Ali (Gr.10)Mohamad Hadi El Hage Ali (Gr.10)

Third Place Winners: Mohamed Ali El Hage Ali (Gr.5), Mohamed Ali El Hage Ali (Gr.5), Mohamed Ali El Hage Ali (Gr.5), Mohamed Ali El Hage Ali (Gr.5), Janah Choucair &Janah Choucair &Janah Choucair &Janah Choucair &

Zaynab ElKhansa (Gr.6)Zaynab ElKhansa (Gr.6)Zaynab ElKhansa (Gr.6)Zaynab ElKhansa (Gr.6) , Ahmed Abdul Amir (Gr.10)Ahmed Abdul Amir (Gr.10)Ahmed Abdul Amir (Gr.10)Ahmed Abdul Amir (Gr.10)

Islamic Studies Competition Islamic Studies Competition Islamic Studies Competition Islamic Studies Competition Islamic Studies Competition Islamic Studies Competition Islamic Studies Competition Islamic Studies Competition / 2013 Ashura Competition / 2013 Ashura Competition / 2013 Ashura Competition / 2013 Ashura Competition / 2013 Ashura Competition / 2013 Ashura Competition / 2013 Ashura Competition / 2013 Ashura Competition

Students from grades 5 through 8 were given the opportunity to participate in Ashura Competition, as part of the Islamic studies curriculum.

Students were recognized for completing the book-lets and for answering the questions correctly.

Students who received $50 cash prizes:

Fatima Hussein Zeidan (Gr. 8)Fatima Hussein Zeidan (Gr. 8)Fatima Hussein Zeidan (Gr. 8)Fatima Hussein Zeidan (Gr. 8)

Ali AlAkbar Hussein Zeidan (Gr. 7)Ali AlAkbar Hussein Zeidan (Gr. 7)Ali AlAkbar Hussein Zeidan (Gr. 7)Ali AlAkbar Hussein Zeidan (Gr. 7)

Students who received glass trophies:

Hiba Lezzaik (Gr. 8) Hiba Lezzaik (Gr. 8) Hiba Lezzaik (Gr. 8) Hiba Lezzaik (Gr. 8)

Nizar Hamam (Gr. 7)Nizar Hamam (Gr. 7)Nizar Hamam (Gr. 7)Nizar Hamam (Gr. 7)

The following students were each awarded $10 cash prize for answering correctly most of the questions:

Grade 6: Mayah Matar, Rawan Zibara Mayah Matar, Rawan Zibara Mayah Matar, Rawan Zibara Mayah Matar, Rawan Zibara

Grade 5: Ali Abdul Amir, Batoul Jomaa, Zeinab Ali Abdul Amir, Batoul Jomaa, Zeinab Ali Abdul Amir, Batoul Jomaa, Zeinab Ali Abdul Amir, Batoul Jomaa, Zeinab Hamam, & Hadi AtwiHamam, & Hadi AtwiHamam, & Hadi AtwiHamam, & Hadi Atwi

Why?

You sent the letters

Saying you’ll be with him

Where were you?

Asked Sayada Zeinab.

Why didn’t you sacrifice?

Why didn’t you fight?

You’re the ones to blame.

The arrows, the blood, the bodies

Are you proud with who you are?

Did you have fun?

Are you happy?

Did you hear the news?

He is gone, they’re gone.

They left me alone.

You took them from me.

Why?

Rayan Turki, Grade Six

Please view participating art on the following

page �

����� �� �� � �� � �������� Ahlul-Bayt Islamic School

Web www.abischool.com Phone (613) 526-0774 Address 200 Baribeau Street، Ottawa، Ontario K1L7R6

Email info@abischool.com Fax (613) 526-1941 Principal Mrs. Leila Rahal principal@abischool.com

���� FullFullFullFull----day JK & SK programs.day JK & SK programs.day JK & SK programs.day JK & SK programs. ���� Small class sizes for all grades.Small class sizes for all grades.Small class sizes for all grades.Small class sizes for all grades.

���� Individual attention for each child.Individual attention for each child.Individual attention for each child.Individual attention for each child. ���� Private school discipline and work ethics.Private school discipline and work ethics.Private school discipline and work ethics.Private school discipline and work ethics.

���� Arabic Language taught by native speakers.Arabic Language taught by native speakers.Arabic Language taught by native speakers.Arabic Language taught by native speakers. ���� French as a 2French as a 2French as a 2French as a 2ndndndnd language starting from JK.language starting from JK.language starting from JK.language starting from JK.

���� Weekly group prayer (salaat Jamaah).Weekly group prayer (salaat Jamaah).Weekly group prayer (salaat Jamaah).Weekly group prayer (salaat Jamaah). ���� Enrichment & remediation as field trips.Enrichment & remediation as field trips.Enrichment & remediation as field trips.Enrichment & remediation as field trips.

���� Continuous monitoring of student progress.Continuous monitoring of student progress.Continuous monitoring of student progress.Continuous monitoring of student progress. ���� A variety of activities & learning experiences.A variety of activities & learning experiences.A variety of activities & learning experiences.A variety of activities & learning experiences.

���� Innovative holistic education programs.Innovative holistic education programs.Innovative holistic education programs.Innovative holistic education programs. ���� QualifiedQualifiedQualifiedQualified, dedicateddedicateddedicateddedicated, & caring teachers.& caring teachers.& caring teachers.& caring teachers.

���� High academic performance standards.High academic performance standards.High academic performance standards.High academic performance standards. ���� Ontario Ministry of Education inspected school.Ontario Ministry of Education inspected school.Ontario Ministry of Education inspected school.Ontario Ministry of Education inspected school.

���� Ongoing academic monitoring and assessment via ministry and other standardized exams.Ongoing academic monitoring and assessment via ministry and other standardized exams.Ongoing academic monitoring and assessment via ministry and other standardized exams.Ongoing academic monitoring and assessment via ministry and other standardized exams.

���� Ontario academic curriculum that starts at JK, covers Junior high school, and into high school.Ontario academic curriculum that starts at JK, covers Junior high school, and into high school.Ontario academic curriculum that starts at JK, covers Junior high school, and into high school.Ontario academic curriculum that starts at JK, covers Junior high school, and into high school.

���� Islamic environment promoting good morals & behavior.Islamic environment promoting good morals & behavior.Islamic environment promoting good morals & behavior.Islamic environment promoting good morals & behavior.

���� Islamic Studies including Quran & Fiqh (Jurisprudence).Islamic Studies including Quran & Fiqh (Jurisprudence).Islamic Studies including Quran & Fiqh (Jurisprudence).Islamic Studies including Quran & Fiqh (Jurisprudence).

Please check our website, or call us, for more information.

We are happy to provide a guided tour of our school.

Call us for an appointment.

Message from the School BoardMessage from the School BoardMessage from the School BoardMessage from the School Board Regarding School Cancelation duringRegarding School Cancelation duringRegarding School Cancelation duringRegarding School Cancelation during

Severe Weather ConditionsSevere Weather ConditionsSevere Weather ConditionsSevere Weather Conditions

Salam alaikum Dear Parents,

We have noticed, over the years, that a good majority of parents do not bring their children to school during major snow storms and severe weather conditions. This has lead to low attendance numbers on such days and, hence, teaching was not effective.

To avoid unsafe driving conditions for our parents and staff, therefore, the school administration has been try-ing to be proactive by announcing cancelation of the school day prior to storm arrival. This allows the par-ents to make appropriate childcare arrangements.

This practice has been in place for many years, and our group decision is based on the latest clear forecast and only when extreme weather conditions are determined.

If this practice is causing difficulty, please do not hesitate to raise your concern by emailing the school board directly schoolboard@abischool.comschoolboard@abischool.comschoolboard@abischool.comschoolboard@abischool.com. You may, also, contact the office and leave your contact info so that a member of the school board will contact you at a later time.

Sincerely,

Ahlul-Bayt Islamic School Board