Voices From the Crowd

Launched on Canada's Sesquicentennial Anniversary to capture Canada's stories of faith from coast to coast, the Voices from the Crowd initiative serves as a powerful collection of unique narrative. We continue to collect stories that reveal the depth and diversity of Canada's unique landscape of faith. Do you have a story to share? Add your voice to the collection today!

Prominent Toronto Synagogue Hosts Iftar

IQRA repost

June 15, 2016

Holy Blossom Temple, one of Canada’s most influential synagogues, hosted an Iftar gathering that brought Muslims and Jews together to learn about each other’s traditions of fasting and to share in the fast-breaking meal.

“Every year Intercultural Dialogue Institute GTA hosts a series of Community Iftar Dinners during the month of Ramadan,” explained Fatih Yegul, Executive Vice-President – GTA East of the Intercultural Dialogue Institute, in his welcoming remarks ...

The Sacred Art of Fasting

Muneeb Nasir

June 14, 2016

On June 27th, 2014 the Intercultural Dialogue Institute (IDI – GTA) held a Pre-Ramadan Dinner at the Art Gallery of Mississauga as part of its annual series of “Community Iftar (fast-breaking) Dinners” during the month of Ramadan. Read the address by Muneeb Nasir here.

In the month of Ramadan, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him, first began to receive the divine revelations from God that would then continue for the remaining 23 years of his life, and which would subsequently be compiled by his followers as the holy Qur'an, which Muslims revere as the actual Wor...

30 Canadian Mosques in 30 Days

IQRA repost

June 9, 2016

Himy Syed is looking to answer the question, ‘Is there one Muslim Canadian Identity? Or many?’ He's travelling Canada to visit 30 Mosques in 30 days.

“InshaAllah, embarking on this trip can build upon those findings by adding an on-the-ground, point-of-view of the Canadian Muslim identity gleaned from visiting Muslim communities Canada-wide during their most active time of the year, Ramadan ...

Women of Faith Build Hope and Homes

Raheel Raza

June 7, 2016

"Since I came to Canada twenty eight years ago, there has always been an urge to give back to this wonderful country that is my adopted land and that has given me and my family a roof over our heads, jobs, security and most of all freedom. I realize that many people don't have these luxuries in their native lands or take them for granted in Canada" Raheel Raza

Early in 2008 when Judy Csillag, a personal friend and long time interfaith advocate asked me if I would like to participate in a Women of Faith build for Habitat for Humanity, I said yes with no idea of what this would entail Barbara Wilson, family outreach coordinator for Habitat informed me that...

A Calling at Oxford

Peter Stockland

June 6, 2016

Thana de Campos, Brazillian academic living in Ottawa, Ontario, discovered God while studying at Oxford. Read her story here.

There are little things I can do to open eyes a bit to faith and God Thana de Campos came home to God by travelling thousands of miles from her home in Brazil to complete a PhD at the University of Oxford in England ...

Positive in Spirit

Stephanie Schoenhoff

June 3, 2016

Stephanie Schoenhoff sat down with Andrea Nemtin, Executive Director of Inspirit Foundation to talk about religious pluralism in Canada. Read the interview here.

Through media and arts, support for young change leaders and impact investing, Inspirit Foundation works “to challenge prejudice and discrimination based on ethnicity, race and religion, and to promote inclusion and pluralism We believe that through working with media and arts for change, we can act...

Walking Home

Stephanie Schoenhoff

May 30, 2016

Himy Syed has been involved in Jane’s Walks since its beginning in 2007. This December he led a public walk on the history of Muslims in Toronto.

Himy hopes that public efforts like the tour will help curb assaults like those faced by the woman outside her Toronto home, and others continually faced by Torontonians For Himy, long involved in the effort, a Jane’s Walk would be the perfect platform to share the history of his Muslim faith to fel...

Henri Nouwen's Journey to Toronto

Stephanie Schoenhoff

May 27, 2016

Henri Nouwen's spiritual walk was travelled on the road to Richmond Hill after two decades teaching in the Ivy Leagues. Learn more about his life and works through the words of Karen Pascall, Executive Director of the Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto.

Help other people discover the love of God that Henri Nouwen had discovered in his life,” says Karen The Henri Nouwen Society is hosting Way of the Heart, an international conference on the life and work of Henri at University of Toronto Mississauga campus from June 9-11 ...

A banquet of hospitality for Fort McMurray evacuees

Peter Stockland

May 24, 2016

Upon hearing news of the Fort McMurray fire, Suzanne Gross thought evacuees needed a meal fit for a banquet- so she gave them one. Read Peter Stockland's report here.

On what she calls “Inferno Day,” Suzanne Gross was planning to attend a reception and banquet at the very centre in Edmonton where evacuees from Fort McMurray were being given emergency shelter Gross and her colleagues set up shop at the University of Alberta’s Lister Hall, and plunged into the enor...

Al Rashid: Mosque and Refuge

Peter Stockland

May 24, 2016

Peter Stockland visits Al Rashid in Edmonton, Canada's first Mosque, to talk about their efforts to rebuild community and offer support to evacuees of Fort McMurray.

She points out that those who found shelter at Al Rashid in the first week after the evacuation of more than 80,000 people from Fort McMurray were almost entirely working people with financial means For Jaffar Pathan, a volunteer from the Islamic Circle of North America working with the Edmonton Eme...