1st Shawwal 1447 – Friday March 20, 2026
Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim.
Dear respected scholars, elders, brothers, sisters, and dear youth
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
On behalf of the Executive Committee, the Board of Ladies, the Board of Directors and Trustee, Board of Education and all the volunteers of Shiane Haidery, I extend our warmest greetings to everyone gathered here today. Eid Mubarak to you are your families. May Allah accept our fasting, our prayers, our duas, and all our acts of worship during this blessed month of Ramadan.
Eid is a day of gratitude, a day when we thank Allah for giving us the opportunity to complete the month of Ramadan, a month of discipline, reflection, generosity, and spiritual growth. It is also a day of unity, when families and communities come together to celebrate the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon us.
But as we celebrate today, we cannot forget that many members of our Ummah are not experiencing the joy of Eid in the same way. Across different parts of the Muslim world, innocent men, women, and children continue to suffer from war, violence, and injustice. Lives are being lost, families are being displaced, and communities are being devastated. At the very minimum, it is our duty not to forget them.
At the same time, we must also remain attentive to the challenges that our community faces here at home. Over the coming months, there will be important developments that affect our rights and our future in this country.
As many of you know, elections are approaching in October, and there are ongoing discussions about policies that impact our community. My team has been working closely with the National Council of Canadian Muslims to ensure that the voices and rights of Muslims are protected and represented.
In fact, this Monday the Supreme Court of Canada will be hearing the case challenging Bill 21. This is an important moment for many members of our community, as this legislation affects fundamental freedoms and the ability of people to live their faith openly. It is important that we demonstrate our concern and engagement as responsible citizens.
The information has been shared with the community, and we encourage those who are able to participate and show their support.
Another challenge we must be mindful of is the increasing pressure that many of our youth are facing today. Our young people are growing up in a complex environment where they are exposed to many influences, expectations, and sometimes confusion about their identity and values.
As a community, we have a responsibility to provide them with a strong foundation, a safe and welcoming environment where they can grow spiritually, intellectually, and socially. Our mosque plays a crucial role in this effort.
Over the past months, my team has worked hard to prepare a full calendar of programs for the rest of the year. We will be hosting several guest scholars, educational programs, and community events aimed at strengthening our faith and supporting our families and youth. But the success of these initiatives depends on all of us. We hope to see greater participation from the community so that our mosque continues to remain a vibrant center of learning, faith, and unity.
My dear brothers and sisters, if there is one message we should carry forward after Ramadan, it is the message of unity. Our strength as a community comes from standing together, supporting one another, and working collectively for the good of our families and our future.
Before concluding, I would also like to take a moment to sincerely thank all of our volunteers. Throughout the month of Ramadan, from organizing programs, preparing iftars, managing logistics, cleaning the center, and ensuring that every gathering runs smoothly, countless brothers and sisters have dedicated their time and energy to serve this community. Their efforts often happen quietly behind the scenes, but they are essential to everything that we do. We are truly grateful for their commitment and dedication. Let’s all recite a loud salawat for their protection.
Our mosque belongs to all of us. It is a place where we pray together, learn together, raise our children, and support one another during both joyful and difficult times. Maintaining and strengthening this institution requires the continued support of the community. I therefore encourage everyone, according to their ability, to contribute and support the mosque so that we can continue serving the community throughout the year.
Finally, on this blessed day of Eid, let us remember our marhumeen, our parents, relatives, community members, and all the believers who are no longer with us today. We ask Allah to shower them with His mercy and grant them the highest ranks in Jannah.
We ask Allah to accept our Ramadan deeds, to strengthen the unity of this community, to protect our scholars and our youth, to hasten the reappearance of the Imam of our time, and to bring relief to all the oppressed around the world.
I invite everyone to please recite Surah Al-Fatiha for the souls of all our marhumeen.
Wassalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.