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Honoring Sister Rafia Haniff Cleofas A Sadaqah Jaariyah Legacy: Support Muslims with Disabilities in Scarborough
Support Sister Rafia’s dream of building a home for brothers and sisters with disabilities in Scarborough.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.
With deep sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved Sr. Rafia Haniff Cleofas, a pillar of the Toronto Muslim community, co-founder of DEEN Support Services, and a tireless advocate for disability rights and inclusion.
Sr. Rafia dedicated her life to serving others. She was a co-founder of DEEN Support Services, and played a pivotal role in programs such as the Peer Support Network and DEEN’s Global Conference on Disability and Islam. She was also a founding member of the Ethno Racial People with Disabilities Coalition of Ontario (ERDCO), a leader in employment outreach with the City of Toronto, and an international humanitarian who supported projects in Gaza, Uganda, and the Philippines, including establishing Madrasah Rafia Umm Ahmad in the Philippines.
Despite living with disability herself, she turned her challenges into strength and becoming a source of empowerment, advocacy, and compassion for thousands. Her vision, and the dream closest to her heart, was to establish a home in Scarborough for brothers and sisters with disabilities, where they could live with dignity, safety, and care. In her memory, her family and community have come together to launch this Sadaqah Jaariyah Campaign, ensuring her legacy of service and love continues even after her return to Allah ﷻ.
Why This Matters:
Sr. Rafia’s life was defined by service, advocacy, and compassion. This project will directly support the Scarborough home for individuals with disabilities through DEEN Support Services. Every donation is sadaqah jaariyah, a continuous charity that will benefit her in the Hereafter and serve generations to come.
How can you Help?
Please give generously and share this campaign widely. Together, we can honor Sr. Rafia’s legacy, fulfill her dream, and turn her vision into reality, inshaAllah.
“When a person dies, their deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them.” – Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
