Real Lives

A collection of 80 posts

Real Lives

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

Real Lives

Celebrating Scarborough Hospital's Dr. Aleem Hussain: Regional Family Physician of the Year

SHN physician Dr. Aleem Hussain has been recognized as one of six Regional Family Physicians of the Year for 2024-25 by the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP). This prestigious award is presented by OCFP annually to family physicians across the province who exemplify exceptional care for their patients and

Real Lives

Lives Lived: The Honorable Murray Sinclair

Statement from the family of Murray Sinclair on his passing TREATY 1 TERRITORY/WINNIPEG — Peacefully and surrounded by love, The Honorable Murray Sinclair passed away early this morning, Monday, November 4, 2024. Mazina Giizhik (the One Who Speaks of Pictures in the Sky) committed his life in service to the

Real Lives

Dr. Lamia Ben Jamaa's Waqf Legacy: A Gift to the Community

Imagine a world where knowledge is freely available, regardless of wealth or social status. This was the dream behind waqf, a unique charitable tradition in Islam. Dating back to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, himself, waqf allowed people to donate assets, like land or buildings, to fund education and

Real Lives

Lives Lived: The Very Reverend, the Honourable Lois M. Wilson

A reflection by the Rev. Dr. Karen A. Hamilton, CCC General Secretary (2002-2017). “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice,  to undo the thongs of the yoke to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6 NRSV) This

Real Lives

Lives Lived: Masood Chowdhry - An inspiring Canadian Muslim lawyer

By Affan Chowdhry  It has been a month since my father, Masood Qadir Chowdhry, passed away. Thanks to everyone for your kind words and prayers. I am forever grateful. My father was born on this day in 1932 in British India in a small village in Punjab between the rivers

Real Lives

Lives Lived: Pervez Nasim - a Canadian Muslim pioneer

Pervez Nasim, a pioneering Canadian Muslim leader, passed away on Wednesday May 1, 2024  in Toronto. He was renowned across North America for founding the first interest-free housing cooperative and spearheading other Islamic financial institutions - Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji`un - We belong to Allah and to

Real Lives

Dr. Dhun Noria’s inspiring journey as a leader devoted to giving back

As a new bride, with just $8 in her pocket and dreams of a brighter future, Dr. Dhun Noria and her husband Farokh embarked on a journey from India to Canada that would see her become a pivotal figure in healthcare. Today, as the Chief of Laboratory Medicine at Scarborough

Real Lives

Lives Lived: Hafiz Ishtiaq - a beacon of spiritual leadership

By Javed Akbar The city of Toronto mourns the loss of a true pioneer in the establishment of Taraweeh Salah - Hafiz Ishtiaq, known for his soft and captivating style of reciting the Qur'an. He held a unique place in the hearts of those who gathered for nightly

Real Lives

Lives Lived: Ali Muhammad

By Umar Muhammad In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. To God we belong and unto Him we return. My father Ali Muhammad, returned to his Lord at the age of 81. He was perfectly healthy with no history of comorbidities, but a sudden heart attack followed by

Real Lives

Lives lived: Zora Moneer

By Umar Nasir Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuhu. We gather today to remember the remarkable life of a woman whose love and warmth touched us all deeply. Our beloved grandmother always wore a smile that could brighten the darkest of days. She had an incredible talent for bringing joy into

Real Lives

TMU President Lachemi receives Order of Ontario

Toronto Metropolitan University President Mohamed Lachemi has received the Order of Ontario. The honour was bestowed upon him by Lieutenant Governor Edith Dumont at a special ceremony on November 27.  Lachemi, who has presided over TMU since April 2016, says the award is a testament to the incredible work of

Real Lives

Dr. Abdullah Hakim Quick awarded Lifetime Achievement Award

The Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) has awarded Dr. Abdullah Hakim Quick a Lifetime Achievement Award at their recently concluded convention that took place from September 2nd to 4th, 2023 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. "It is an honour to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award from Muslim Association

Real Lives

A life imbued with generosity, compassion and resilience

It is with a heavy heart and a profound sense of loss, we announce the passing of a true humble friend to humanity, Abdul Hameed Shaikh (husband to Saleha, father of Shahid and Wajeda), who returned to the embrace of the Most Merciful on Friday August 25, 2023. Hameed Shaikh&

Real Lives

Eulogy for Sister Shuhada Sinéad O’Connor

Delivered by Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri - Imam, Islamic Centre of Ireland August 8, 2023. For Muslims, death denotes a gift greater than the gift of life. While our births deliver us into this ephemeral world, our deaths deliver us into an eternal abode. Our Prophet, peace be upon him,

Real Lives

In Memoriam: Dr. Shabbir Akhtar - respected British Muslim Philospher dies aged 63

Tributes are pouring in for British Muslim academic Dr Shabbir Akhtar, who died last week at age 63. The philosopher and intellectual was known as a staunch defender of Islam and the Prophet (SAW). Dr Shabbir was also renowned for looking at the Bible and critiquing it from his considerable

Real Lives Featured

Dr Jamal Badawi receives the Annual Ummah Society Community Award 2023

Congratulations to Dr Jamal Badawi for receiving the Ummah Society Community Award 2023 for his outstanding service to the community! His Honour the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, The Honourable Arthur LeBlanc, presented the prestigious award to Dr Badawi, in the presence of distinguished leaders of the city of Halifax

Real Lives

6 ways to approach Ramadan like a garden

By Michael Rashid Taylor This year, the beginning of Ramadan coincides with the start of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere. This part of the year is generally seen as a time of renewal after the long dark winter, inspiring thoughts of regrowth and rejuvenation. Some of us might even consider

Real Lives Featured

How my faith helped me after the loss of loved ones in the earthquake

The author of this moving reflection, Associate Professor Salih Yucel based in Melbourne lost six of his close relatives, including his sister Remziye Yucel and 19 distant kin, due to the catastrophic earthquake in Turkiye. I remember where I was when I got news of the earthquake. I was about

Real Lives

Imam Abu Noman Tarek honored with Grand Erie District School Board's Learn, Lead, and Inspire Award: A Proud Moment for the Muslim Community

The Muslim community in Brantford is proud to announce that their religious leader, Imam Abu Noman Tarek, was honored this week with the Grand Erie District School Board's Learn, Lead and Inspire award. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their school communities and

Real Lives Featured

Rabia Khedr receives Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Award

On the 60th anniversary of the enactment of Ontario’s Human Rights Code, in a YouTube premiere, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) presented the first-ever Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards, and honoured four recipients who have each made significant contributions to advance human rights in Ontario and beyond.

Real Lives Featured

Alia Hogben and Tanya Talaga to receive honorary degrees

Two women who have empowered under-represented groups throughout their careers will receive Honorary Degrees from Victoria University in The University of Toronto. The degrees will be conferred on journalist and award-winning author Tanya Talaga, who has reported extensively on Canada’s treatment of Indigenous people, and Alia Hogben, who, through

Real Lives Featured

Real life hero honoured by City of Mississauga

“It's not every day you meet a real life hero,” tweeted Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie as she recognised Adam Attalla for springing into action to save 3 young people from a home fire last month. “Proud to join @derynrizzi [https://twitter.com/derynrizzi], @MississaugaFES [https://twitter.com/MississaugaFES]

Real Lives Featured

McGill student wins Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec Memorial Award

McGill University graduate student Sarah Abou-Bakr is this year’s recipient of the Centre culturel islamique de Québec (CCIQ) Memorial Award [https://www.mcgill.ca/seedsofchange/project/cciq-memorial-award-enduring-legacy] , for her efforts to promote awareness and understanding of the Muslim experience in Quebec and Canada. Each year, the CCIQ Memorial Award

Real Lives

Adam Attalla commended for helping children escape Mississauga fire

Last Saturday morning, 18-year-old Adam Attalla noticed a burning smell and then his mother saw a neighbour’s house on fire. Two girls were on the roof of the Mississauga semi-detached house with another girl trapped inside. Adam Attalla leapt into action. "There was a lot of smoke. So,