Muslim community mourns loss of inspirational leader: a tribute to Omar Zia

By Taha Ghayyur

Not very often do we come across people who live a life of significance that its ripples of impact inspire others to rise to their greatest potential. Such was the life of Br. Omar Zia, a trailblazing educator, mentor, and leader who devoted his life to making a positive difference in the world.

"How will you make a positive impact today?"

This powerful question wasn’t just part of Br. Omar Zia’s email signature; it was his daily mantra, a guiding star that shaped every interaction, decision, and effort he undertook. His unwavering commitment to this ethos is a legacy that challenges us all to live with intention, purpose, and an indomitable spirit of service.

On December 4, 2024, Br. Omar Zia returned to his beloved Allah, the Creator and Lord of the worlds, at the age of 49. Indeed, to Him we belong, to Him alone we return.  He leaves behind a grieving wife, two daughters, two brothers, and parents, along with thousands of beneficiaries of his knowledge, advice, wisdom, and time.

Education Leader

Br. Omar Zia’s 25-year professional journey was a testament to his dedication to education and social justice. As a principal with the Peel District School Board and a part-time instructor at Queen’s University, he was more than a leader—he was a beacon of hope for students, teachers, and families alike. He championed equity and inclusion, actively working to dismantle Islamophobia, systemic racism, and colonial practices in education. His work was a reminder that true leadership involves challenging the status quo to build a better, fairer world for all.

Servant Leader

Outside of his professional work hours, he served on the council for the Muslim Educators Network of Ontario and chaired the Muslim Employees Association of Peel. He was also engaged in community programs supporting Muslim-identifying youth and spoke at conferences on topics like equity, anti-Islamophobia, character development, and faith.

In the Muslim community, Br. Omar Zia was known for his structured classes and Halaqas for Muslim youth, which hundreds of young Muslims in the greater Toronto area benefited from. In every school that he worked, Br. Omar was the go to leader and counselor for Muslim students, whether it involved career guidance, Friday prayer accommodation, navigating bullying, family counselling, or matters of faith.  

Parenting Educator

Br. Omar Zia pioneered the Muslim parenting program in Canada, which included a series of workshops for Muslim parents that were inspired by Islamic teachings and grounded in science and best parenting practices. Parenting education was perhaps Br. Omar’s most unique contribution, which made him a sought after presenter at Masjids and Muslim conferences.  He would also deliver Khutbahs (sermons) on Fridays at schools or at Masjids. There is perhaps hardly a community in the greater Toronto area that has not benefited from his engaging educational offerings.

Not-for-Profit Leader

For several years, Br. Omar Zia also diligently served on the board of DawaNet, a community development organization that runs impactful projects such as TorontoMuslims.com, Canada Zakat, Understanding Islam Academy, and MuslimFest. It was at Understanding Islam Academy that he found a home for his signature workshops and trainings for youth and parents alike for over 15 years.  He also served as a mentor, leadership trainer, and motivational speaker for 300 plus MuslimFest volunteers annually over the years. 

Lover of Family

Above all these accomplishments and accolades, Br. Omar Zia was a lover of his beautiful family. He was intentional about investing time and training in his two daughters. To him, spending quality time with his wife, children, parents, and siblings was not optional. He believed and preached that parenting and Tarbiyyah cannot be delegated to others. He was an advocate of homeschooling and proudly homeschooled their daughters for several years. He was an exemplary father, husband, and son.  

Irreplaceable Friend and Mentor

Canadian Muslims have lost an irreplaceable mentor, counselor, and a master educator.

I had the honour of knowing Br. Omar Zia for at least 20 years, Alhamdulillah, as he came into my life as a mentor in my early university years. Growing up, I hardly had such “big brother” figures, until I came to know people like him. Over the years we crossed paths in several community spaces. Like countless youth, parents, and leaders in the community, he became my go to person for many personal and community life situations you can imagine: career advice, parenting counseling, workshops on family, youth, and parenting issues, navigating challenges in public schools, marriage officiations, and staff training, to name a few.

Br. Omar was a man of interesting contracts, which made him unforgettable. He had a commanding presence, yet was super gentle. He used to speak at the speed of light, but took a lot of time to listen to people. He was hard on principles, but soft on people. 

Here are a few comments I recently heard from Br. Omar’s beloved friends and students: 

• “He was a legend”
• “He was a giver”
• “I can’t get his contagious smile out of mind”
• “He was the equivalent of Shk. Muhammad Al-Sharif for me”
• “He was my go-to for everything”
• “He is leaving behind big shoes for our community to fill”
• “I learned the best parenting practices from Br. Omar 10 years ago, which I still practice today.”
• “I didn’t experience this much grief and a sense of loss at my own brother’s death, as I have today with Br. Omar’s departure.”

Lessons from a Life Well-Lived

As I reflect on the life and legacy of this exceptionally beautiful human being and hear multitudes of grieving friends and beneficiaries, here are seven lessons that Br. Omar Zia has left as a legacy for us to practice:

1. Integrity Above All

Br. Omar Zia exemplified unwavering honesty and principled leadership in his personal, professional, and community roles. He was the same Br. Omar at home as he was in the Masjid. He was the same leader in a public school as he was in the Muslim community. He didn’t pretend to be a celebrity, nor was he a shallow influencer. He rarely posted his content online, nor did he post selfies on social media. He cared about his integrity more than his reputation, in a world where  people are obsessed with building their brand, status and followers, at the expense of their character (Khuluq). It is this paramount quality that won the hearts and trust of thousands of lives he touched over the years.

2. Humility as Strength

Br. Omar's humility shone through in his approach to teaching and mentorship. Despite his knowledge and research, he was approachable and genuinely interested in learning from others. He possessed amazing listening skills. He prioritized collaboration and focusing on collective success rather than individual recognition. His humility allowed him to connect deeply with his students and community members. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: “...No one humbles himself for the sake of Allah but that Allah raises him in status” (Muslim # 6254). Allah chooses such humble leaders to be elevated in this life and the next.

3. Consistency Compounds

Known for his dependability, Br. Omar Zia dedicated himself to every role he took on, whether as an educator, mentor, or community leader. I was intrigued by his discipline to consistently teach and counsel people day in and day out regardless of apparent or immediate outcomes. He taught us that positive change requires sustained, intentional effort over time.  This is the Barakah (blessing) factor, which is not always quantifiable, and which is something Allah gifts only to His select servants. He lived the Hadith of the Prophet, peace be upon him, “....The most beloved of deeds to Allah are the most regular and consistent, even if it were little" (Bukhari # 6464).

4. Generosity of Spirit

Br. Omar was profoundly generous with his time, knowledge, and energy. He devoted himself to empowering youth, supporting families, and mentoring colleagues. His acts of service stemmed from a genuine desire to help others thrive. He possessed an “abundance mindset”. He never held back on sharing advice, or resources, or his presentation decks. I still have links and resources he shared with me 10 years ago. He never felt threatened by sharing with others his proprietary content. He was a river, not a reservoir.  When I think of his spirit of generosity, I am reminded of the Prophet’s saying: “The generous one is near to Allah, near to Paradise, near to the people, and far from the Hellfire. The miserly one is far from Allah, far from Paradise, far from the people, and near to the Hellfire. An ignorant generous person is more beloved to Allah Almighty than a stingy scholar” (Tirmidhī # 1961).

5. Commitment to Growth

Br. Omar Zia believed in the transformative power of education and personal development. He believed in everyone’s capacity to grow to one’s God-given potential. His growth mindset encouraged individuals and communities to embrace lifelong learning and self-improvement. His innovative programs, inspired by both faith and best practices, highlighted the importance of evolving to meet changing needs while staying true to core values. To the Muslim community, he introduced the idea that in order for us to deal with our family and parenting challenges, we need to LEARN new skills and grow out of our bad habits, both of which are teachable. He showed us that change begins within. It starts with personal growth, which is directly related to the Islamic concept of Tarbiyyah (moral training) and Tazkiyyah (spiritual development).

6. Teaching vs. Soundbites

Real transformation requires real commitment to learning Islam. It requires investing in the foundations of your faith, without which your faith would be insecure. Br. Omar Zia was an avid proponent of teaching and learning that was grounded in Islamic tradition and academic rigour. He believed in teaching people substance, not airing soundbites on social media. His approach to learning was more personal and structured, that was not dependent on the celebrity status of the giver of knowledge. He empowered his students with tools and resources so they could not only change their own lives, but the lives of others as well. I can’t recall how many times Br. Omar would pause to explain to his workshop attendees a teaching method or a pedagogy that he was using in the class. He believed in training the trainers, including everyday students and parents. This is a trait of a truly transformative leader.

7. Sense of Urgency & Productivity

Working with Br. Omar Zia, I always found a sense of urgency in making a positive impact and a meaningful contribution, which defined his life’s mission. He understood the value of Prophet’s words and acted accordingly: “There are two blessings which many people waste: health and free time” (Bukhari # 6412). I always wondered how some great leaders and scholars had a brief presence in this world, yet their impact outlived them for generations, including Imam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya, Imam Yahya Bin Sharaf Al-Nawawi, Imam Fakhruddin Ar-Razi, and the legendary el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz Malcolm X, to name a few. Br. Omar’s intentional living teaches us that you may live a short life, but you can choose to leave a legacy that lives on.

I wish I had the opportunity to learn more from Br. Omar, but the lessons that his legacy taught me are timeless.

A Call to Action

Br. Omar Zia’s life was a powerful reminder that one person, driven by faith and purpose, can change the lives of thousands. His journey challenges us to ask ourselves:

• How will I make a positive impact today?
• How can I serve others with humility and generosity?
• What steps can I take to grow into the best version of myself?

Let Br. Omar Zia’s story inspire us to rise above complacency, to act with courage and conviction, and to dedicate our lives to causes greater than ourselves. 

May His Light Continue to Shine

As we grieve and heal from this sudden departure of the beloved, we should be relieved that Br. Omar Zia is in a better place today and in better Hands today Inshaa' Allah.

May Allah grant him eternal peace in Jannatul Firdaws, Ameen.

May Allah count him among the Saaliheen, Saadiqeen, and Saabireen, Ameen

May Allah grant his beloved wife, children, parents, and siblings Sabrun Jameel upon this tragic separation, Ameen.

May Allah count every lecture he gave, every Khutbah he delivered, every Nasiha (advice) he offered, every youth he saved from misguidance or destruction, every parent he counseled, every community member he consoled, every soul he touched, a souce of Sadaqah Jariyah (perpetual charity) for him, Ameen.

*[Taha Ghayyur is a human rights advocate, a personal growth and leadership trainer, and a writer, based in Toronto, Canada].