We can therefore either shy away from diversity and continue to foster our fears about 'the other', or alternatively, we can attempt to understand our differences, however petty or large, by getting to know one another better. Thus, as part of our on-going effort to achieve this goal, our organization, Muslims Against Terrorism (MAT), has participated in a number of inter-faith outreach activities in the GTA area, involving members of all faiths, but mostly Jews and Christians.

MAT, therefore, has organized several seminars and workshops in the past year in order to promote a better understanding of issues such as Jihad and inter-faith relations. Jihad, mistakenly translated as 'holy war', remains to date, a concept widely misunderstood by both Muslims and non-Muslims. We have tried to impress upon our audiences that first and foremost, Jihad is an inner struggle to obey God's commandments and to maintain the highest level of conduct towards all of humanity.

We have advocated the view that war should only be a last resort in self-defense, or a means to fight oppression. Even as a last resort, rules of warfare prescribed by the prophet of Islam must never be violated and innocent people never attacked. Some of our other topics have included 'Jesus in the Qur'an', 'The rights of Muslim women' and 'Islam in North America'.

Again, our audiences have reflected the rich cultural diversity of this city and we have all benefited from this valuable interaction.

We would not have been able to achieve our objectives had it not been for the support and good-will of the Sheridan Branch Library. I would therefore like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the library.

Since April of last year, we have actively participated in the meetings of the Canadian Association of Jews and Muslims, a group committed to overcoming religious and political barriers.

Dr. Barbara Landau and Mr. Shahid Akhtar as co-chairs, have demonstrated effective leadership by providing meaningful direction to our respective communities.

Perhaps I should mention a famous Mississauga Rabbi, Larry Englander, who is also an enthusiastic member of the association. Our joint commitment to peace and tolerance has resulted in public statements denouncing anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and racism in general.

Although we meet once a month to discuss religio-political issues in a friendly and non-threatening manner, we also participate in each other's religious and cultural holidays such as the Seder, Hanukkah, Ramadan and Eid. We hope that the warmth and reciprocity generated through these interchanges will some day prove to be infectious, and similar groups committed to peace and racial harmony will soon be established.

We have also participated in the activities of Erin Mills United Church in Mississauga, by supporting their project to build a youth centre here.

Gracious as the United Church community is, we have been able to establish deep friendships and trust by discovering that below the skin, we are really not all that different. As a return gesture, we have extended invitations to our Christian friends, to visit the ISNA mosque and observe Maghrib (Evening prayer) services there.

Indeed it has been a busy and productive year for MAT.

Most importantly we have come to realize that it does not require a lot of effort to reach out to one another, and by doing so, discover our common sensibilities and aspirations. We understand more than ever that building bridges is about acknowledging each other's humanity, about respecting each other's differences and about breaking unfair stereotypes.

What I love most about Canada is its thriving multiculturalism, as I feel enormously enriched by it. One can therefore only conclude that variety is truly the spice of life. It is not something to be feared or shunned, but rather to be welcomed and embraced.

For more information on MAT, please e-mail us at matontario@m-a-t.org.

Farzana Hassan Shahid is president of Muslims Against Terrorism, Canadian Chapter.