ABOUT
MISSION & GOVERNACE
INCLUSIVITY & OUR COMMUNITY
OUR RELIGIOUS ORIENTATION
OUR VALUES
What is risalah?
Risalah Foundation was established in 2008 and became a Canadian registered charity in 2018. The charity's leadership has a unique perspective and capacity to develop and manage locally relevant initiatives in the field of Islamic education, spiritual mentorship and religious services for the growing Muslim population of the Greater Toronto Area. Over the years, Risalah Foundation has developed key community partnerships with other mainstream Muslim organizations within North America and is recognized by governmental agencies and social welfare institutions across Ontario for its exceptional contribution to national efforts in countering violent extremism. The foundation's initiatives engage Canadian Muslims in an authentic manner providing them with the inspiration and religious basis to live their faith respectfully and peacefully with other communities within our diverse multicultural context.
MissioN
Risalah Foundation aims to develop, operate and govern the finest educational and religious initiatives for Muslim communities in Canada in the most authentic and relevant manner.
GOVERNANCE
The charity is guided by internal policies and by-laws that promote good governance and ensure accountability. The elected board of directors govern in the charity's best interest, and offer oversight, support and direction to the executive team by providing regular and critical feedback. Currently, the leadership of Risalah Foundation comprises the following individuals: Shaykh Mohamed Mahmoud, Omair Syed, Ramy Elhamalawy, Shaykh Ramzy Ajem, Syed Mubeen Alam and Ahmad Khawaja. Additionally, each community initiative is assigned an advisory board who provide strategic advice to the management team of the respective initiative.
inclusivity & OUR COMMUNITY
Risalah initiatives are largely supported by individuals of the Sunni Muslim community who are 2nd and 3rd generation Canadians of diverse ethnic heritage. Most of the charity's funding comes from this particular community of donors, and in part from other streams of revenue generated through programs and services that are in line with the charity's objectives. Although our community shares the same fundamental beliefs and practices, differences within our sacred spaces do arise and are not a point of contention. The charity is governed by principles of inclusion, accountability and transparency, and hence its projects serve the Muslim community without prejudice, and in a an open manner. Supporters and donors who wish to know more about the organization, or desire to forward any feedback or suggestions regarding its projects, are encouraged to contact Risalah Foundation via email or phone.
RELIGIOUS ORIENTATION
OUR CREED
Risalah's leadership share the same fundamental Islamic beliefs outlined in the Quran and Sunna, and as articulated by the two great Sunni Imams of Theology; Imam Abu al-Hasan Al-Ash`ari (c. 874–936) and Abu Mansur al-Maturidi (c. 853–944).
Click here to view our core religious beliefs as articulated by the Great Imam Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghazali (c.1056-1111).
Click here to view our core religious beliefs as articulated by the Great Imam Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghazali (c.1056-1111).
OUR Jurisprudence
Risalah's leadership is non-sectarian and acknowledges the validity of following any one of the four great schools of Sunni canonical law, namely that of Imam Abu Hanifa (c. 699–767) , Imam Malik (c. 711–795), Imam al-Shafi`i (c. 767–820) and Imam Ahmad (c. 780–855), may God have mercy on them all.
OUR SPIRITUAL AFFINITY
While acknowledging the need for spiritual mentorship and guidance, Risalah's leadership is not bound by a particular spiritual order (tariqa) or spiritual guide (murshid). Nor is it a prerequisite for members to be affiliated with a spiritual order, but it is encouraged for all to understand the true teachings of tasawwuf as espoused by its early scholars such as Imam al-Junayd (c. 830–910) and Imam Abd al-Karim al-Qushayri (d. 986 ).
APOLITICISM
Risalah Foundation is apolitical, and is bound by policies that prevent its leadership and staff from issuing official statements that are political in nature, whether it be in reference to political movements or trends locally or abroad. It also is a prerequisite that the charity's leadership, staff, invited guests and partners are not affiliated with Islamic political movements, parties or extremist groups.
OUR Values
SINCERITY
“Actions are lifeless forms, but the presence of an inner reality of sincerity within them is what endows them with a life-giving spirit."
– Ibn ʿAta Allah Al-Iskandari d. 1310 رحمه الله تعالى
ASPIRATION
“Aspire to achieve goals that are high and noble! And beware of goals that are low and pointless; for God Most High loves lofty matters and dislikes those that are meaningless."
– Imam Malik Ibn Anas d. 795 رحمه الله تعالى
SCHOLARSHIP
"Verily this knowledge is religion, so carefully examine those from whom you take your religion."
– Muhammad ibn Sireen d. 729 رضي الله عنه
EXCELLENCE
“Verily, God has prescribed excellence in everything.”
– The Prophet ﷺ
HUMILITY
“Verily, God has revealed to me that you must be humble towards one another, so that no one oppresses another or boasts to another.”
– The Prophet ﷺ
RESPECT
"The Messenger of God ﷺ ordered us to treat people according to their due rank.”
– Our Mother Aisha رضي الله عنها
EMPATHY
“None of you truly believe until you wish for your fellow human what you wish for yourself.”
– The Prophet ﷺ
“Actions are lifeless forms, but the presence of an inner reality of sincerity within them is what endows them with a life-giving spirit."
– Ibn ʿAta Allah Al-Iskandari d. 1310 رحمه الله تعالى
ASPIRATION
“Aspire to achieve goals that are high and noble! And beware of goals that are low and pointless; for God Most High loves lofty matters and dislikes those that are meaningless."
– Imam Malik Ibn Anas d. 795 رحمه الله تعالى
SCHOLARSHIP
"Verily this knowledge is religion, so carefully examine those from whom you take your religion."
– Muhammad ibn Sireen d. 729 رضي الله عنه
EXCELLENCE
“Verily, God has prescribed excellence in everything.”
– The Prophet ﷺ
HUMILITY
“Verily, God has revealed to me that you must be humble towards one another, so that no one oppresses another or boasts to another.”
– The Prophet ﷺ
RESPECT
"The Messenger of God ﷺ ordered us to treat people according to their due rank.”
– Our Mother Aisha رضي الله عنها
EMPATHY
“None of you truly believe until you wish for your fellow human what you wish for yourself.”
– The Prophet ﷺ