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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, October 20, 2016 | 36 Ladies Culture Night hosted in Islamic Heritage Month by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff An annual cultural event that brings together women of all faiths under one roof is set for Saturday (Oct. 22). Ladies Cultural Night, now in its sixth year, takes place at OE Banquet Hall & Conference Centre, 2245 Speers Rd., from 4-9 p.m. Tickets for Muslim women cost $45 in advance or $55 at the door. Complimentary tickets for guests of other faiths are available by reservation. Oakville resident Ghada Halim, who co-founded the event with Aliaa ElSwify, describes the event as a way for people to connect, communicate and celebrate while sharing tradition, culture and faith. Over the years, it has grown to bring together Muslim women with other women from the Halton community and beyond to learn about Islam and the rich Arab traditions and heritage, she said. In its first year, more than 100 people were in attendance, although mostly Muslim, and last year, more than 300 people took part in the festivities, of which, nearly half were non-Muslim women. Halim noted the women have really "built a trust within the community." As people come to know one another, she noted barriers are broken down, and misconceptions and misunderstandings are removed. She added they also discover Dr. Aliya Khan common interests, reaffirming they aren't all that different. The Ladies Cultural Night includes exhibits, costumes presentations and a Middle Eastern buffet. There will be a bedouin tent, henna tattooing, folklore dance and Dr. Aliya Khan will present her talk on Mercy and Compassion: Foundations of Islam. Local Syrian refugees and the people and organizations that have sponsored them have also been invited as special honoured guests. "We want to honour their efforts for supporting Syrians because they are doing a big job, a really big job in the community," she said, adding they'd like to give a warm welcome to Syrian refugees to the community. Meanwhile, as October has been designated Islamic Heritage Month in Ontario, the World Islamic Mission Canada is also hosting a celebration of the Islamic New Year Saturday (Oct. 22). It takes place at Oakville Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Rd., from 2:304:30 p.m. World Islamic Missions Canada Secretary General Abdul-Ahad Ruhomaun said it will be a familyfriendly event. "The intent of the gathering is to create awareness about the Islamic New Year and to also bring the community together," he said. Members of Oakville Town council will be in attendance as well as local MPs, MPPs and the High Commissioners of Turkey and Pakistan. Leaky Basement? Call Us! Impression Collection® doors have been magnificently engineered with an artfully molded wood-grain fiberglass surface concealing durable steel construction. Overhead Door (Hamilton-Burlington) Ltd. Impression Collection Call Us... 905-510-9739 Showroom: 5450 HARVESTER RD. (West of Burloak) BURLINGTON 905-333-1772 · www.overheaddoorburlington.ca Professional, Cost Effective Solutions for Wet wayne@wisecracks.com Basements w w w. H a l t o n Wi s e C ra c k s . co m R0023925262 2376 Parkhaven Blvd, Oakville 2376 Parkhaven Blvd, Oakville · 905-257-5880 905-257-5880 maximekitchens.ca maximekitchens.ca