Support the Dr. Lamia Ben Jemaa Endowment Fund
It is with deep sorrow that we, the family of Dr. Lamia Ben Jamaa (Allah Yirhamha), bid farewell as she returned to Allah SWT on September 27, 2023, after a brave battle with cancer. She leaves behind her cherished husband Mourad M’Hiri, her four loving children Iman, Mohammed, Omar, and Ibrahim, a grandchild Hamza, and three dear children-in-law.
According to the Muslim Association of Canada (MAC): "Dr. Lamia Ben Jemaa’s journey began when she arrived in Canada from Tunisia in 1986, at the young age of 18, with a scholarship from the Canadian International Development Agency’s (CIDA) Technology Transfer program. This prestigious award was given to only 30 students in Tunisia, marking the beginning of her academic and professional career. Dr. Ben Jemaa excelled in her studies at the University of Toronto, where she earned both her Master’s and PhD in Electrical Engineering, later becoming a Professor at Seneca College. Dr. Ben Jemaa’s impact stretched well beyond her academic distinctions, dedicating 35 years to the development of the Muslim community in Canada. Her efforts spanned numerous areas, with a strong focus on community development, the empowerment of women, and the advancement of education. She was a leader in these realms, serving as the Chairperson of the Managing Board at Olive Grove School and as the Manager of MAC’s Al-Huda Schools. Through countless hours of volunteer work, she was instrumental in ensuring the delivery of high-quality Islamic education to thousands of children throughout the country."
Dr. Lamia led a life marked by exceptional achievement and community leadership. Her dedication to service was most evident in her commitment to Islamic education, a cause close to her heart and central to her life's work.
In keeping with her lifelong dedication to education and her deep-rooted faith, Dr. Lamia generously allocated $840,000 from her estate to support Muslims seeking education. In support of her wish we have established an endowment fund in her name designed to support Muslims in their educational pursuits, honoring the tradition of "waqf" in Islamic history.
The concept of a waqf, particularly those focused on education, has significantly shaped our ummah, supporting the creation and maintenance of educational institutions and ensuring access to learning for generations. Notable examples include University of Ez-Zitouna in Tunis, Al-Azhar University in Cairo and numerous universities across the Islamic world.
Dr. Lamia's endowment will Inshallah act as a "sadaqa jariya," an ongoing charity that continues to benefit the community and accrue blessings for her in the hereafter.
Managed by our family, this waqf will be invested in Shariah-compliant funds to ensure sustained, long-term financial aid for Muslim students that will be provided as a yearly contribution to the Muslim Association of Canada (MAC).
We are pleased to share that Dr. Mohamed Lachemi and Dr. Aliya Khan have graciously agreed to serve as advisors for the endowment fund.
In honoring Dr. Lamia's legacy and generous spirit, we aspire to match her donation of $840,000, through contributions from the broader community. We invite you to be part of her legacy.
May this waqf serve as a testimony of Dr. Lamia's enduring commitment to education and her profound impact on the lives of many. We extend our deepest thanks for your support and prayers during this time.
The Waqf (Endowment): A minimum of 5% of the Waqf will be donated each year as long as the Fund capital less the donation remains higher than Lamia's base amount of $840,000.
All receipts are issued by the Charitable Gift Funds Canada Foundation (Gift Funds Canada). The Charitable registration number is 89671 3500 RR0001.
For those who wish to contribute, please visit: https://www.easydonate.com/benjemaa/donations