Muslim Link is starting a series of profiles about ethno-cultural Muslim community associations across Canada. We feel this is a great way to help our community become more informed about our diversity and complexity.

Here we interview Yoruba Nigerian Canadian Suliya Mazou about her involvement in the Nigerian Canadian Muslim Association in Toronto.

Toronto-based Somali Canadian youth activist Habon Ali was appointed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Youth Advisory Council in June.

Muslim Link interviewed Habon about her activism and what challenges facing youth in Canada that she hopes to raise with the Prime Minister.

LUMINOUS A Black Muslim Arts Festival will be taking place on Saturday, June 16th. An Arts Festival mixed with an Eid Festival, the event aims to celebration Toronto's Black Muslim presence.

Muslim Link interviewed the visionary behind LUMINOUS, Timaj Garad, about her hopes for the festival.

On April 25, four young Somali Canadian researchers launched the report "Another Day, Another Janazah", about the disproportionately high homicide rates among young Somali men in Ontario.

As Youth LEAPS Executive Director Liban Abokar, states "I'm moved by the attendance here today. For those policy makers in the room, I ask you to look around, the attendance today signals that the issue we are here to discuss is not one that has defeated us, but one that has actually galvanized us to action."

Being ME Toronto is an annual conference for Muslim women. This year the conference takes place on Saturday, March 31st. Being ME Toronto is trying to gather Muslim women from across Southern Ontario by organizing buses to the conference in several cities. 

Muslim Link interviewed the team behind Being ME Toronto about this year's conference. 

During January's City Council meeting, Councillor Neethan Shan will introduce a motion declaring January 29 as a Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia in the City of Toronto.

Muslim Canadians are rallying across the country to support the Rohingya in Myanmar/Burma and Rohingya refugees who have fled to Bangladesh.

On September 13th, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of Myanmar.  "The Prime Minister conveyed his deep concerns over the situation in Rakhine State for Rohingya Muslims and other ethnic minorities. He stressed the particular importance of the State Counsellor as a moral and political leader.  The Prime Minister also emphasised the urgent need for Myanmar's military and civilian leaders to take a strong stand in ending the violence, promoting the protection of civilians and promoting unimpeded access for the UN and international humanitarian actors. The Prime Minister and the State Counsellor discussed the need to defend and protect the rights of all minorities. The Prime Minister offered Canada’s support to help build a peaceful and stable society in Myanmar that is respectful of the rights of all ethnic minorities. The State Counsellor expressed appreciation for Canada’s contribution to humanitarian efforts."

CityNews Toronto reporter Ginella Massa will be speaking at the season premiere of the Women of Influence Evening Series on Wednesday September 6 in Toronto. She will be exploring the topic of Breaking Barriers: How to Defy Expectations and Develop the Career of Your Dreams.

Muslim Link interviewed Ginella about becoming a role model for so many Muslim women and how her experience as an “outsider” within Muslim Canadian communities is an advantage when it comes to doing a better job of covering new stories that explore the complexity of the Muslim Canadian experience.

Have you ever noticed how acts of hate can spur acts of love? With the establishment of the Toronto chapter of the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, thirty-four Muslim and Jewish women have come together to support each other against hostile acts directed toward both groups. One of the Sisterhood’s largest chapters and the first chapter in Canada, the Toronto group meets regularly to talk, share rituals, and to build relationships across religious lines.

TorontoMuslims, a project of the Muslim Canadian non-profit organization Dawanet, launched a brand new environmental campaign aimed at promoting sustainable practices within Mosques and Islamic centres. #WasteFreeRamadan has distributed 10,000 free Eco-friendly reusable drinking containers across Muslim places of worship. Participating Masjids have discouraged salat-goers from bringing disposable plastic bottles, instead opting for the colourful range of BPA-free bottles provided by the campaign.