Proud to be a Canadian Muslim

2007 was the year the Canadian government dedicated October to commemorate the contributions of the Muslim community, Islamic heritage, culture and history. This month, National Zakat Foundation is celebrating Islamic Heritage Month by featuring the achievements of exceptional Black Canadian Muslims and shedding light on how they were game changers in our community.  

Ginella Massa – Ginella made history and international headlines in 2016, when she became the first news anchor ever to wear hijab on a Canadian newscast. As a young adult, Ginella worried that she would have to compromise on her career aspirations of becoming a journalist and news anchor because of her faith and dedication to her hijab. In addition to the challenges that come along with being a person of colour, breaking through the barriers of becoming a hijab-wearing news anchor seemed impossible. However, her mother taught her to be confident and never surrender to social norms and pressures. With that in mind, Ginella pursued her dreams, and now serves as an inspiration to many, to never give up your principles to pursue your dreams.  

Boonaa Mohammed – Mohammed is a famous Canadian poet and performer who has captured young audiences by his clever wit and vibrant persona. In 2007, Mohammed won the CBC Poetry Face-off Best New Artist award, and since then, has gone on to appear in TedX Toronto, published short stories, and is also the founder of an Islamic media production company. Known worldwide as being the ‘voice of the generation’, Mohammed’s work addresses critical Islamic arguments and captures the true essence of being a young Muslim in today's society.  

Rahma Mohamed - Mohamed is an award-winning author and storyteller, and a true advocate for diversity and inclusion. She immigrated to Canada as a child who couldn’t speak English, and endured years of bullying. Rising above her personal trauma, she eventually became the first in her family to graduate from university and mastered in both English and French. After becoming a mother, she realized there was a lack of Black Muslim girls and Muslim characters in storybooks, and so she set out to self-publish children’s stories that featured Black Muslim characters. Mohamed’s struggles as a Black Muslim immigrant growing up in Canada offers a true lesson in resilience and self-confidence, and her dedication to championing diversity will help set an example for Muslims everywhere. 

Master Abdullah Sabree - Recipient of the Max Gala 2017 lifetime achievement award and founder of Umma Martial Arts, Sabree is a pioneer in developing the martial arts within the Islamic community. A 7^th degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and a past member of the Canadian National Team, Sabree’s life mission has been to empower at-risk teenagers and young adults and assist them to excel both academically and athletically through martial arts and self-defense. His program is based on the Islamic principles of cooperative learning and character development, and has helped motivate thousands of children to be disciplined, confident, and strong. Sabree is also a board member of Canadian Imams Against Domestic Violence committee which calls to end domestic violence.  

Timaj Garad - The talented voice of Black Muslim women everywhere, Garad is an award-winning artist and poet, whose work focuses on Black Muslim women challenging injustice, unearthing truths, and healing. In 2010, Garad co-founded the Kitchener-Waterloo Poetry Slam and was named one of Waterloo, Ontario’s Top 40 Under 40 for her community leadership and work in arts-based community building. Garad is involved in numerous initiatives within the Muslim community and uses art, poetry and theatre to challenge injustices, encourage spiritual healing, and advocate for mental health. Garad has shared the stage with world-renowned poets and has proven her resilience in fighting stereotypes and encouraging spiritual well-being. 

Sheikh Abdalla Idris Ali - Sheikh Abdalla has been serving the Muslim community since he first arrived in Canada, and is one of the founding fathers of the Muslim social and cultural presence in Canada.  While earning his Ph.D at the University of Toronto, he founded the first Muslim Students Association (MSA) in Canada, and in 1982, he founded the first full-time Islamic school in Toronto. He has served as the former president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), and is a prominent member of several initiatives such as Canadian Islamic Banking Conferences, Majlis Ash-Shura, ISNA Education Forum, Youth and Education Committee and Islamic Media Foundation to name a few.  His passion for the initiatives he is involved with has advanced and improved the quality of life of Canadian Muslims for decades. 

Black Muslim men and women across Canada prove every day that they have an abundance of talent and strength that inspires people from all over the Muslim world and beyond. Although mainstream achievements are often measured in scientific research and medical breakthroughs, our featured guests prove that cultural and social influences may have deeper impacts on Muslims in our contemporary Canada.