"I was born in Georgetown, Guyana. I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis since the age of 6 and was diagnosed at age 10. I grew up with a condition but it never held me back. I like studying and education – I have a degree in psychology, I'm continuing with another degree and I'm working full time in the government [laughing]! I'm pursuing my second degree in sociology and anthropology and I'm really enjoying it. I'm a strong advocate for education. I have never felt held back by my condition and I hope I can be an example for others. Like they say, if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything!... Make sure you tell them that I'm a very independent person!"

~ Bibi Majeed

“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

"Since you’ve become Muslim, what do you enjoy most about Islam?"

“I enjoy being around family and the community. And when you see any Muslim, you can say ‘salam’, which means ‘peace’ and you can strike a conversation with people you don’t even know. I love that."

"What has been the most difficult time in your life as a Muslim?"

“Losing my father was one of the saddest things I’ve experienced. He wasn’t Muslim, but he had a need to know what happens after death and I didn’t have the opportunity to talk to him about it from my perspective. He was looking for someone to talk about it, but I was too afraid and whenever it came up, I kept changing the subject. Death scared me and I still think about that."

~ Nicole

"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 love the math, bro."
"Why?"
"Because, you know, I love to problem solve. Its what I feel I'm made for."

~ Abdul Rahman, electrical engineering student

"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

"We met at Brock University in residence in our first year. I thought he was Spanish or from some other country, definitely not from Singapore. And I was the only person there from Macao. Marriage has its moments. Its ups and downs. But now I really understand why marriage is half your faith. I love that he does all the groceries and has done most of the cooking for the last three years. Even after 30 years and all that I know [laughs], I wouldn’t change him."

~ Amelia (with Zainudeen) at the Intercultural Dialogue Institute

"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

"What do you like about life in Canada?"

"Quite honestly, it's the peace and security. Knowing that our kids and our families are living in a safe place is what we can be thankful for. We lived through all the devastating wars. It's peace we are happy with." [translated from Arabic]

~ Um Naeem and Um Imad, Iraqi community elders

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

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