Muneeb Nasir Honored with Lifetime Community-Builder Award

A pillar of the Canadian Muslim community, Muneeb Nasir, Chair of the Olive Tree Foundation, was presented with the prestigious Ihsan Lifetime Community-Builder Award at Sound Vision Canada's annual Ihsan Gala on September 28th, 2024 held in Mississauga.

The award citation reads, "For his decades of dedication and leadership to the Canadian Muslim and interfaith communities." This aptly summarizes Muneeb's remarkable public service career, marked by a continuous effort to build bridges, empower Muslims, and foster understanding.

The Ihsan Gala, themed "Elevating the Muslim Presence," celebrated excellence within the Canadian Muslim community. Sound Vision Canada is a leading North American organization providing professional development and skill-building resources for Canadian Muslims.

The keynote address at the gala was delivered by Haroon Siddiqui, Editorial Page Editor Emeritus of the Toronto Star, Canada's largest newspaper. Siddiqui, who recently released his memoir, "My Name is Not Harry", spoke about his experiences as a Muslim in Canada. Award-winning broadcaster Ginella Massa also graced the event.

A Founding Force in Canadian Muslim Life

Muneeb Nasir’s impact goes far beyond titles. He played a pivotal role in establishing several key Muslim institutions in Canada. He founded the Olive Tree Foundation, one of Canada's first Muslim endowment foundations (WAQF).

He was instrumental in establishing major Muslim institutions, including the Islamic Institute of Toronto (a founder and first president), the Muslim Chaplaincy at the University of Toronto (founding Board Member), and Masjid Toronto (founding member).

His dedication extended beyond leadership roles, as evidenced by his two decades as Program Chair at the Islamic Foundation of Toronto. His work as the administrator with Jami Mosque’s Islamic Summer School led to the creation of the ISNA Elementary School. Additionally, he chaired the ISNA Canada Conference in the 1990s.

Inspiring Generations Through Faith and Service

For over 40 years, Muneeb's voice has resonated through mosques in the Greater Toronto Area, including the University of Toronto's Muslim Students Association. His inspiring sermons have guided generations of Muslims in downtown Toronto including university students on matters of faith and civic responsibility.

Building Bridges Beyond Faith

Muneeb's leadership extends beyond the Muslim community. He served as Co-Chair of the National Muslim Christian Liaison Committee, fostering dialogue and cooperation between Canadian Christians and Muslims. He was also a member of the Toronto Steering Committee of the Parliament of the World's Religions.

Muneeb's dedication to interfaith understanding translates to action through his role as Executive Director of the Cordoba Centre for Civic Engagement and Leadership. The Centre promotes service, dialogue, and understanding among diverse cultures and faiths. Notably, the Centre runs programs like the Muslims For White Ribbon Campaign (combating violence against women), Bridges of Mercy (supporting refugees), and the Indigenous-Muslim Forum (building bridges with Indigenous communities).

Muneeb has a long history of media engagement. He founded and led print publications like IMPRINT Newspaper (2000s), Al-Bashir Magazine (1990s), and An-Nur Magazine (1980s) as News Editor. Currently, he continues to serve the online community as Founder and Managing Editor of IQRA.ca, a Canadian Muslim magazine. He also previously brought Canadian Muslim perspectives to the world as a correspondent for AboutIslam.net.

A Recognized Leader

Muneeb's contributions haven't gone unnoticed. He has been profiled in a number of interfaith publications including the Religion Geeks as ‘An Inspiring Man.’ He is the recipient of the Canada 150 Medal for outstanding service, the National Muslim Christian Liaison Committee 2023 Award for Interfaith Collaboration, and the Masjid Toronto Award for Community Service. 

Muneeb Nasir is more than just an award recipient; he's a role model whose relentless efforts have strengthened the Canadian Muslim community while promoting interfaith cooperation and a more harmonious Canada.

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Remarks by Muneeb Nasir at Sound Vision Canada Ihsan Gala held on September 28, 2024

I am deeply honored to receive this award from Sound Vision Canada. Your recognition is truly humbling.

Let me share three guiding principles that have shaped my community service over the years, particularly within the Muslim community. I believe these are essential for effective public service:

1. ALWAYS WORK WITH PURE INTENTION AND SINCERITY:

As the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, taught, "Actions are judged by intentions." 

Our actions must be rooted in faith and sincerity. 

A building without a strong foundation is destined to crumble.

Constructing any structure on top of a shaky foundation would be of no benefit to you.

Properly construct the foundation of your good works with the pillar of belief in Allah and with true sincerity.

Do not exhaust yourselves in offering deeds without soul.

Actions have souls and the soul of actions is sincerity.

2.  BE HUMBLE IN All THAT YOU DO: 

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, emphasized the importance of humility, saying, “Verily, Allah has revealed to me that you must be humble towards one another, so that no one oppresses another or boasts to another.”

In this social media infused world where hype, branding and one-up-manship even in community service is the order of the day, remember that arrogance is a poison that can destroy even the most noble efforts.

3. KNOW YOUR MISSION - KNOW YOUR WHY: 

Many of us struggle to define our life's purpose. 

Let us ask ourselves, "Why has Allah placed us here at this time, in this land, at this moment in history?”

We have been defining our mission as one of recreating ethnic, national, ideological silos and we preach to ourselves that Islam is 'guidance for humanity'; that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is 'mercy to the worlds' and that we are 'witnesses to humanity’ of the final divine message.

But my dear beloved community, we are not here to recreate a village Islam.

Our mission is to bear witness to the timeless moral and ethical values of Islam.

In conclusion, I leave you with the words of the late Shaikh Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi offered while visiting North America in the 1970s to the Muslims here:

“Brothers and sisters, you are not here to earn and spend.

This any community can do.

You are here to earn according to your need, but you must, also, know your mission and present before the people a new way of living.

Practice moderation so that a realization may come to people of the folly of excessive over indulgence.

Free yourself from the ruthless domination of machines, live in a cool, calm and collected manner in order that people may know where peace lies.

Rediscover the world that lies within you and develop the spirituality which might be felt by those who might come into contact with you.

I wish that the devout bondsmen of the Lord, men and women with illumined hearts, may come to live here and teach people who are disgusted with life that, ‘truly it is in the remembrance of God that hearts find peace’ (Qur’an, 13:28).”

May Allah reward Sound Vision Canada with all that is good and may He bless your work.