Thank you Gill!

You are so kind! Thank you, I hope to meet and speak with you soon too! Peace! xx

Hello, and thank you so much for your kind and interesting response! I am right in the middle of a professional deadline, but hope to reply to your message very soon. Thank you and best wishes! Fran

Hello and thank you so much for your warm greetings, which I return to you from Canada! I also appreciate your questions about being a progressive Muslim. I converted to Islam 15 years ago, and after 8 years, felt that I could no longer participate in the often patriarchal, misogynistic and homopobic practices exhibited in my Mosque. After much thought and prayer, I created the K-W Unity Mosque (K-W stands for Kitchener-Waterloo). Our warm and welcoming Mosque is gender equal in principle and practice. We are also firmly LGBTIQ+ inclusive and affirmative. We offer a safe space where Muslims as well as other spiritual seekers are free to spiritually explore, and be authentic to themselves and to God.

I studied Buddhism before converting to Islam. It is a great honour to learn from dear Alistair - isn't he amazing?!! I believe that studying and practicing minduflness and meditation definitely enhances my ability to focus on my prayers, and on kindness and compassion! I facilitate and administer the Mosque, and feel that my ability to let minor problems and irritants go has really been enriched by studying Buddhism. Now there are definite differences between the two religions, but I am not fixating on those differences, but celebrating the common principles. I hope that I have not rattled on too long here! Feel free to send along any other questions that you might have, and blessings and peace to you!! Fran