IMO of Toronto

10/21/2026

October in Canada is a special time—it’s both Islamic History Month and Women’s History Month! 🌿✨

​It’s an incredible intersection to celebrate the Muslim women whose visionary leadership, compassion, and intellect have shaped our world for centuries—and continue to inspire today.

​Did you know?
​Fatima al-Fihri used her inheritance to establish the University of al-Qarawiyyin in 859 CE, laying early foundations for higher education globally.

​Rufayda al-Aslamia is celebrated as an early pioneer in nursing and public health, establishing mobile field clinics and mentoring others in medical care.

​Today across Canada, Muslim women are breaking barriers in entrepreneurship, tech, community building, grassroots advocacy, and the arts—enriching our communities every day.

​Heritage isn’t just about looking back; it’s about honouring the roots that empower today's trailblazers. Wishing everyone a reflective and inspiring month of celebration and learning!

10/14/2026

When we think about early Canadian history, the fur trade and northern frontier usually bring to mind European voyagers and Indigenous trappers. But an often-overlooked chapter of that story belongs to the early Muslim pioneers who made their homes in the Canadian North.

​For Canadian Islamic History Month, here is a look back at the trail they blazed:

​From the Mediterranean to the Mackenzie River

​In the late 1800s and early 1900s, young immigrants from the Beqaa Valley (modern-day Lebanon) arrived in Canada seeking opportunity. Starting out as pack peddlers across the Prairies, a number of them pushed further north into northern Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and the sub-Arctic.

​Equipped with pack horses, canoes, and dog sleds, these pioneers established trading posts along the Athabasca, Peace, and Mackenzie Rivers. They built relationships with local First Nations, Inuit communities, and fellow frontier trappers, trading dry goods, fabrics, and essential tools in exchange for pelts.

​Pioneers Who Shaped the North

​Ali Hamdon: Arrived in the early 1900s and ran trading outposts in Fort Chipewyan and Fort Fitzgerald. Like many early traders, he spent months on the trap lines and riverways, enduring brutal sub-zero winters while building long-term community ties in the region.

​Peter Baker (Bedouin Ferran): Born in Greater Syria, he arrived in Canada in the early 1900s and headed north to trade furs along the Mackenzie River. Baker spent over four decades in the North, learning Indigenous languages and integrating deeply into regional life. In 1964, he made Canadian history when he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories as its first Muslim member.

​Building Roots That Lasted

​These northern fur traders didn’t just survive the elements—they helped lay the foundations for lasting communities.

10/01/2026

October is Canadian Islamic History Month (CIHM)! 🍁✨

​Designated by the Parliament of Canada in 2007, this month recognizes the significant contributions of Muslim Canadians in science, education, medicine, the arts, philanthropy, and community building across our country.

​Muslims in Canada represent a rich tapestry of cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds. Here is a look at the community by the numbers, based on data from Statistics Canada (Census):

​📊 Canada-Wide:

​1,775,715 people in Canada report Islam as their faith, making up 4.9% of the national population (up from 2.0% in 2001).

​📍 By Province & Territory:

​🟢 Ontario: 942,990 (6.7% of the province)

​🟢 Quebec: 421,710 (5.1%)

​🟢 Alberta: 202,535 (4.8%)

​🟢 British Columbia: 125,910 (2.6%)

​🟢 Manitoba: 26,430 (2.0%)

​🟢 Saskatchewan: 25,455 (2.3%)

​🟢 Nova Scotia: 14,715 (1.5%)

​🟢 New Brunswick: 9,190 (1.2%)

​🟢 Newfoundland & Labrador: ~4,000 (0.8%)

​🟢 Prince Edward Island: 1,720 (1.1%)

​🟢 Territories (NWT, Yukon, Nunavut): Over 1,050 residents

10/01/2026

08/11/2026

The Crown of Creation ✨

Join IMO of Toronto and Qibla Foundation for a beautiful evening of reflection, inspiration, and community on August 22, 2026 at 6:00 PM at the IMO of Toronto, 65 Rexdale Blvd, Toronto, ON.

Featuring:
Shaykh Jamal Zahabi
Ustadha Leasha Prime
Shaykh Mahdi Lock
Imam Yama Niazi

This is a free event with dinner included, plus family-friendly activities like a bouncy castle and ice cream truck.

Register here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/mawlid-with-imo

07/22/2026

As we approach the blessed birthday of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Mawlid an-Nabi (Milad un Nabi), which this year falls on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 (12 Rabi al-Awwal 1448 AH), this is our chance to reconnect with his mercy, character, and teachings.

The Prophet ﷺ said, “The best of you are those who have the best character,” so let this special day be about purifying our hearts and improving our manners with family, friends, and our communities.

In preparation for Mawlid:
Spend more time in salawat (sending peace and blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ).
Read or listen to his seerah (life story) and reflect on how you can apply one lesson right away.
Give charity, even a small amount, and support local masjids or community projects.
Mend relationships: forgive, reconnect, and spread kindness in your home and online.
Plan to attend a Mawlid gathering, lecture, or dhikr circle and bring someone with you.

On the day itself, keep your tongue busy with dhikr, your heart filled with gratitude, and your actions aligned with the sunnah. May Allah allow us to walk in the footsteps of His beloved, and may this Mawlid inspire lasting change in our lives. 🌙✨

07/12/2026

Thank you for joining us for the BBQ.

07/11/2026

Join the IMO of Toronto for a Free BBQ today from 12pm to 4pm. Food provided by Zabiha Halal !

06/23/2026

⚽✨ **The Beautiful Game & a Beautiful History** ✨⚽
Did you know that the roots of football's incredible global community share a deep connection with Islamic history and values? Long before stadiums were filled with millions of fans, the principles of teamwork, community, and respect were being woven into the fabric of the Islamic golden age and beyond.

Here are 3 fascinating connections between the pitch and history:

1. The Spirit of Community (*Ummah*) 🌍
Football is the ultimate universal language. It breaks down borders, unites people of all backgrounds, and creates an instant brotherhood and sisterhood. In Islamic history, the concept of *Ummah*—a global, interconnected community built on mutual support—mirrors this exact energy. Whether you're in a stadium in Canada, the USA or Mexico, we all speak the same language when the ball is at our feet.

2. Fair Play & Character (*Akhlaq*) 🤝
Islamic tradition places immense value on *Akhlaq* (good character, integrity, and sportsmanship). Long before modern "Fair Play" trophies, historical Islamic scholars wrote about the importance of physical fitness, healthy competition, and respecting one's opponent. Winning with humility and losing with dignity is a masterclass in both faith and football.

3. Inspiring the Next Generation 🌟
From historical figures who championed physical excellence and health, to modern-day icons like Mo Salah, Sadio Mané, and Karim Benzema, Muslim footballers continue to make history. They use their global platform to break stereotypes, give back to charity, and show the world that faith and peak performance go hand in hand.

*"The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both."* – Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Physical strength, mental fortitude, and a unified community—football isn't just a game; it's a reflection of a beautiful, global heritage. 🙌💚

06/09/2026

Upcoming important dates:

June 16, 2026 is expected to be 1 Muharram 1448, the Islamic New Year. It marks the start of the Hijri calendar and is linked to the Hijra, the migration of Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Madinah, which became the basis for the Islamic dating system. In many communities, it is a time for reflection, renewal, and setting spiritual intentions for the year ahead.

June 25, 2026 is expected to be 10 Muharram 1448, the Day of Ashura. Ashura is one of the most significant days in the Islamic calendar, and many Muslims observe it through fasting and remembrance. In Sunni tradition, it is associated with the deliverance of Prophet Musa and the Israelites, while in Shia tradition it is a day of mourning for Imam Hussain and the tragedy of Karbala.