Black abaya a must-have for fashionable Muslim women | Toronto Star

I attend a pretty happening mosque, where congregants dress to impress. Recently, I noticed a trend: more than half the women were sporting black abayas. An abaya (pronounced "ah-BYE-a") is a long, loose dress worn over clothes. It comes in many different colours, but the most common is black.

The three rules of the Hijab Club, according to a Muslim mom | Toronto Star

"We should walk to school more," I tell my kids. "It's good for the environment, and I'll save money on gas." Their school is just on the brink of too far. Every fall and spring, I contemplate hoofing it, then end up taking the car instead. I decide a change is in order.

Jalaluddin: My 10-year-old schooled me in chess | Toronto Star

My older son plays chess at school with his friends. Dreaming of chess championships, I buy him a set from Walmart. Every time either of my sons shows an interest in a hobby I approve of like reading, Lego, science or art, I think - this is it!