Canadian Muslims have made significant contributions to society across various fields, including politics, business, arts, and social services.
They have contributed to Canada’s history through military service and the establishment of landmarks like the first mosque in Edmonton, and continue to drive innovation, excel in science and academia, and support their communities through social and charitable initiatives.
Politics and Civic Life
Political leadership: Muslim leaders, such as former cabinet minister Ahmed Hussen and Member of Parliament Iqra Khalid, have influenced national policy.
Early activism:
Figures like Bedouin Ferran were among the first Muslims to be elected to public office in the Northwest Territories.
Community involvement:
Muslims participate in a wide range of civic activities, including local anti-hate initiatives and serving as public servants.
Business and Economy
Entrepreneurship: Muslim entrepreneurs are driving innovation and building successful businesses across various sectors, such as the well-known “Peace by Chocolate” company.
Economic development:
The community contributes to the economy through business, and Islamic philanthropy aims to build community wealth through reinvesting savings.
Skilled workforce:
Muslim Canadians are highly educated and contribute a wealth of skills and talent to the workforce.
Arts, Culture, and Media
Cultural enrichment: Muslim artists, writers, and filmmakers enrich Canadian society through their work, challenging stereotypes and fostering cultural dialogue.
Historical narratives:
The contributions of Muslims are being increasingly documented, with initiatives like the Muslim in Canada Archives (MiCA) at the University of Toronto working to safeguard historical materials.
Science and Academia
Scientific breakthroughs: Muslims have made notable contributions to science, such as Dr. Naweed Syed, who was the first to connect brain cells to a computer chip.
Research and innovation: Muslim researchers and scientists continue to contribute to scientific learning and innovation.
Social Services and Philanthropy
Charitable work: Canadian Muslims are active in giving back to the community through various initiatives, such as supporting food banks and providing disaster relief.
Islamic philanthropy: Islamic giving, or zakat, involves a commitment to supporting the poor and needy, which translates into significant community support both locally and internationally.
Community support: Muslim organizations and individuals are involved in supporting vulnerable populations through programs that address social needs.
History and Heritage
Early history: The history of Muslims in Canada goes back to early settlers who contributed to the building of infrastructure like the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Landmarks: The presence of early Muslim communities is marked by landmarks such as the Al Rashid Mosque in Edmonton, Canada’s first mosque.
Recognition: The significant contributions of the Muslim community were formally recognized in 2007 when the Parliament of Canada proclaimed October as Canadian Islamic History Month.
Source: AI Overview
List of Canadian Muslims
This is a list of notable people who are Muslims and reside in, or are citizens of, Canada.
Academic figures:
Law, Faisal Kutty – lawyer and law professor
University Administration: Mohamed Lachemi – President and Vice Chancellor of the Toronto Metropolitan Univ. since 2016
Business, Retail : Obby Khan – founder and owner of Shawarma Khan, a Winnipeg-based halal shawarma restaurant, has at least four locations within the city of Winnipeg
Journalism: Omar Sachedina – anchorman and journalist, CTV
Haroon Siddiqui – Indo-Canadian
newspaper journalist, columnist, and a
former editor of the Toronto Star
Farah Nasser – anchor and journalist, Global News
Ginella Massa – news anchor, CBC News
Hodan Nalayeh – Somali-Canadian media executive, marketing consultant, social activist and entrepreneur
M. Naseer Pirzada, Miracle Media, BC. since 25 Yrs serving the community
Military: Hasan Amat – Singaporean-Canadian WW1 soldier, served as a private in the Royal Canadian Regiment,
Lt. Commander Wafa Dabbagh – Palestinian-Egyptian-Canadian military officer of the Canadian Armed Forces, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal holder
Physicians: Alaa Murabit M.D. – Libyan-Canadian physician, director of global health advocacy and communications at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Politicians Federal:
Ali Ehsassi – Liberal MP for Willowdale (2015–present)
Omar Alghabra – Saudi-born Syrian-
Canadian Liberal MP for Mississauga—
Erindale (2006–2008) and Mississauga Centre (2015–present).
Salma Ataullahjan – Conservative Senator for Ontario (2010–present).
Mobina Jaffer – Liberal Senator for British Columbia (2001–2024).
Rahim Jaffer – Conservative MP for Edmonton–Strathcona (1997–2008); first Muslim MP elected in Canada.
Wajid Khan – Conservative MP for Mississauga—Streetsville (2004–2008).
Maryam Monsef – Afghan-Canadian Liberal MP for Peterborough—Kawartha (2015–2021); first Muslim Cabinet Minister.
Taleeb Noormohamed – Liberal MP for Vancouver Granville (2021–present)
Ahmed Hussen – Liberal MP for York South-Weston (2015–present)
Iqra Khalid – Liberal MP for Mississauga-Erin Mills (2015–present)
Shafqat Ali – Liberal MP for Brampton
Centre (2021–present)
Yasir Naqvi – Liberal MP for Ottawa Centre (2021–present)
Salma Zahid – Liberal MP for Scarborough Centre (2015–present)
Sameer Zuberi – Liberal MP for Pierrefonds-Dollard (2019–present)
Provincial
Moe Amery – Alberta Conservative MLA for Calgary-East (1993–2015).
Peter Baker – Lebanese-born Canadian Northwest Territories Independent MLA for Mackenzie North (1964–1967).
Muhammad Fiaz – Saskatchewan SP MLA for Regina Pasqua (2015–2024).
Amir Khadir – Quebec Québec solidaire MNA for Mercier (2008–2018).
Stephen Khan – Alberta Conservative MLA for St. Albert (2008–2015).
Yasir Naqvi – Ontario Liberal MPP for
Ottawa Centre (2007–2018).
John Nuraney – British Columbia Liberal MLA for Burnaby-Willingdon (2001–2009).
Shafiq Qaadri – Ontario Liberal MPP for Etobicoke North (2003–present).
Doly Begum – Ontario NDP MPP for Scarborough Southwest (2018–present).
Sohail Quadri – Pakistani-Canadian Alberta Conservative MLA for Edmonton-Mill Woods (2012–2015).
Khalil Ramal – Ontario Liberal MPP for London-Fanashawe (2003–2011).
Irfan Sabir – Alberta NDP MLA for Calgary-McCall (2015–present).
Larry Shaben – Alberta Conservative MLA for Lesser Slave Lake (1975–1989).
Shiraz Shariff – Alberta Conservative MLA for Calgary McCall (1995–2008).
Muhammad Yaseen – Alberta United Conservative MLA for Calgary North (2019–present)
Adil Shamji – Ontario Liberal MPP for Don Valley East (2022–present)
Obby Khan – Manitoba Conservative MLA for Fort Whyte (2022–present),
First Muslim MLA elected into the MB
Ch. Ijaz Chatah, Surrey school trustee 2011-2013
Amna Shah, Surrey City Centre MLA (2024-present)
Religious leaders
Jamal Badawi – Egyptian-Canadian author, preacher and speaker on Islam
Zijad Delic – Bosnian-Canadian imam and community leader
Qari Abdul Wahab- Khateeb and Head Imam-BCMA- Surrey , served 40 years
Syed Azaam Badiuddin Soharwardy, founder and current president of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada. 1998-present
Maulana Abdul Latif Nomani, Surrey, BC. Imam and Khateeb Fiji Islamic Centre(25 Yrs)
Amir Hussain – editor of the Journal of the American Academy of Religion
Ahmad Kutty – religious scholar
Hamid Slimi – imam, founder of the Sayeda Khadija Islamic Center in Mississauga, On
Imam Hamid Slimi
T. B. Irving – (1914–2002), was a Canadian-American Muslim author, known for producing the first American English translation of the Qur’an
Shabir Ally – Guyanese-born Canadian Islamic Scholar, President of the Islamic Information & Dawah Centre International in Toronto
Mustafa Khattab BA, MA, PhD – Canadian-Egyptian Islamic scholar and author, known for publishing ‘The Clear Qur’an,’ which is the Canadian English translation of the Qur’an
Mohammed Omar Subedar – Canadian Islamic Scholar, Imam, & Author, born in Toronto, teacher at Bukhari Academy and Mathabah Institute.
Ibrahim Hindy – Canadian Islamic Scholar, Imam, Religious Director of Yaqeen Canada, born in Mississauga.
Leaders
Omar Khamissa – COO of the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM)
Mustafa Farooq J.D. – Lawyer, Former CEO of the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM)
Stephen Brown – CEO of the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM)
Ahmed Hussen – lawyer and National President of the Canadian Somali Congress
Faisal Kutty – community leader, activist and law professor
Hamid Slimi – imam and community leader
Hilwie Hamdon – (1905–1988), was a Muslim woman in Edmonton, Alberta, who organized support and funding to build the first mosque in Canada, the Al-Rashid Mosque
Entertainment
Belly – Palestinian-Canadian rapper
Ali Hassan – comedian Hassan in 2022
Tariq Hussain – singer-songwriter, broadcaster
Ladan Hussein – Somali-Canadian musician also known as Cold Specks
K’naan – Somali-Canadian singer-songwriter
Nabil Rajo – Eritrean-Canadian actor
Narcy – Yaseen Al Salman, Iraqi-Canadian hiphop singer and journalist with ancestors K-Maro — Lebanese-Canadian rapper
Massari — Lebanese-Canadian singer
Zarqa Nawaz – created Little Mosque on the Prairie
Dawud Wharnsby – singer-songwriter, poet
Imane Anys – streamer, YouTuber
Nemahsis – TikToker, musician
Bilal Baig – writer and actor
Karl Wolf — Lebanese-Canadian singer
Literature
Mohamed Abdulkarim Ali – memoirist
Samra Habib – artist, memoirist
Hasan Namir – novelist, poet
Kamal Al-Solaylee – journalist, memoirist’
Lena Khan – film director, writer
Shireen Ahmed – Writer, public speaker, sports activist
Sports and athletics
Nazem Kadri – ice hockey player, 2009 draft pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs, first Muslim to win the Stanley Cup.
Sami Zayn – WWE Wrestler
Asmir Begović – Bosnian professional football player, raised in Edmonton, and played for the Canada men’s national under-20 soccer team.
Ali Ahmed (soccer) – soccer player, Whitecaps FC, Canada men’s national soccer team
Mohamed Farsi – soccer player, Columbus Crew, Major League Soccer
Fardaws Aimaq – basketball player
Aiemann Zahabi – mixed martial artist, bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Firas Zahabi – martial artist, owner and head coach at Tristar Gym
Yassine Bounou – Canadian-born Moroccan footballer, goalkeeper for Saudi
Pro League club Al Hilal and the Morocco national football team
Ali Mahmoud – Canadian-born Lebanese basketball player, Beirut Club, Lebanese Basketball League
Mohamed Omar (soccer, born 1999) – soccer player, San Antonio FC, USL Championship
Mohamed Omar (soccer, born 1999)
Mohammed Ahmed (runner) – Somali-born Canadian long-distance runner, 3-time Olympian, Canada’s most successful athlete in long-distance racing, the first to medal in the 5000 metres at both the World Athletics Championships (bronze in 2019 World Athletics Championships) and the Olympic Games (silver in 2021)
Obby Khan – former Canadian football centre, played for 9 seasons in the Canadian Football League with the Ottawa Renegades, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Calgary Stampeders
Farhan Zaidi – baseball executive, president of baseball operations for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball
Rana Hamdy – Saudi-born Canadian soccer player, plays for Burlington Soccer Club in League1 Ontario
Rayyan Pathan – cricketer, born in Toronto, plays for the Canada national cricket team
Shahid Ahmadzai – Afghan-born Canadian cricketer
Salman Nazar – Pakistani-born Canadian cricketer
Kaleem Sana – Pakistani-born Canadian cricketer
Junaid Siddiqui – Pakistani-born Canadian cricketer
Saad Bin Zafar – Pakistani-born Canadian cricketer, captain of the Canadian national cricket team
Mfiondu Kabengele – Canadian professional basketball player for Dubai Basketball of the ABA League and Euro League….
Source: ./en.wikipedia.org/wiki
Miracle’s Note:
The list of prominent Canadian Muslim figures has been taken from the website mentioned above. If any names are missing, please feel free to send them to us — we would be happy to include them in Miracle’s October 31st edition. Naseer Pirzada
