"I grew up in a small, rural village in India. And at the time, education was not easily available. We had to struggle, walk long distances and work hard. Our parents supported us very much. And then, I made it to study at Aligarh Muslim College, a prestigious university in India, and the day before I graduated, my father died. It was so difficult because I had so many plans. I was always thinking of what was after my school so I could support and help them like they did for me in my education. It was very difficult.

When I left India, I was flying to New York City. This was my first time coming to North America. Sitting next to me was an American and an Irishmen. The plane was descending and we could see the cars on the streets as we came close to landing. They asked me what I thought about America. We hadn't landed yet and I had never been to America before but I saw that the cars were driving on the right side of the road. In India, the direction is from the left. So I told them, 'America is always right'!"

~ Mazhar at the Intercultural Dialogue Institute

“I have a farm here in Ottawa where I have Arabian horses. You should come visit me and take a picture of me on the horses!”

~ Abu Ahmed - community elder

"Growing up I was actually clinically shy. It wasn’t until high school when I attended a leadership workshop, that I was able to really harness my confidence, skills and communicate at a different level. Growing up as the eldest, as a second generation Pakistani-Canadian female, it was challenging. I think what’s helped has really been growing into and discovering my identity - to feel confident in my skin has been important to be able to do what I do and help others get there as well."

~ Urooj at the Intercultural Dialogue Institute

"How old are you?"
“Twelve."
"What do you like to do for fun?"
"I don’t know. Play with my friends."
"What do you want to be?"
[Mother, grandmother and sister whisper excitedly from behind the camera]: “A pharmacist!"
"Why in pharmacy?"
"I don't know, I want to help people.”

Absane, aspiring pharmacist

"I don’t know want to get political. I don’t like the mentality of my community. I was married young and divorced young. I felt ashamed, and traumatized about what society thought of me after that. I struggled a lot. But I finally came out of that phase, with God’s support. I feel like now I stand with confidence. Like, I’ve been divorced and I accept it. I mean, the Prophet married women who had been divorced. Now I walk into community events with a different mindset. I don’t care what people think anymore."

“Have you thought of re-marrying?”

“Maybe when I’m 40 [laughing]! I’m happy now, and I want to empower myself as a single individual first before even thinking about that.”

~ Sarah

On Wednesday evening, leaders of local mosques and Muslim organizations came together to draft a statement in response to the recent tragic events which took place in Ottawa and St. Jean-sur-Richelieu.

"This is a very precious time for the entire Muslim community but it’s also very special for me and my family. It’s an opportunity to contribute. To contribute just a little more. I always try to give a lot, but it’s always good to give a little more. Alhamdulillah two of my kids are volunteering here today."

~ Haji Ibrahim Noor at MAC Eid Festival

What do you want for Eid?
Anything. Actually, toys!

~ Siraj, Salahuddin, Zaid, Ibrahim, et al. at MAC Eid Festival

I want to make a new biomedical device that’s not available anywhere.  I’m trying to work on non-invasive blood pressure modelling, to do something optical instead of those cuffs, something you can wear that will tell you your blood pressure. That’s what I’m researching and maybe I’ll wind up making something like that.  

It’s about being happy. Because Muslims are happy too. And we love to meet people from all over the world.

~ Aisha and Aisha at the MAC Eid Festival speaking about  Eid Al-Adha