Fatima

“My biggest hope is attaining peace: with the creator, with other humans, with plants, with oceans, and with the ecology.”

Fatima is 58 and a certified hike leader for the outdoor council of Canada based in Halifax, NS. She is passionate about being in the woods and connecting with nature. She once even hiked 110 km on the Harvest moon trail in 6 days with a backpack. She is also a freelance presenter and workshop instructor on the topics of Islam, Muslim women, and peace. After living in South Africa’s apartheid system, she is very passion about bringing the “human family together, with love,” and sharing the importance of us recognizing each other’s humanity. When I asked Fatima what her own favourite quality is she told me, “I am acutely aware of lonely people, or people who are alone. I always invite people over to my home. There are way too many lonely people around, and connection makes people’s hearts happy. Happy people make our world a better place.” She told me one thing she knows for sure is that a smile is the most powerful thing - “it’s free and has the potential to change the world.” When I asked her to share one inspiring message she told me, “We all belong to one family, the human family. We all have strengths and weaknesses. Let me be enriched by your strength and you by mine. Let’s take care of one another. Let’s spread love and peace.”

Q&A Feature:

How do you want to be perceived?

"One human among many with strengths and weaknesses who spreads peace justice for all the inhabitants of the earth."

What has been the most challenging experience of your life and why?

"Moving from South Africa to Canada. I was humbled to the core and learnt humility."