Building Bridge, Breaking Barriers, Facilitating Access
About ISSA
ISLAMIC SOCIAL SERVICES ASSOCIATION INC, CANADA (ISSA) is a not for profit community based charitable organization that serves as a network for addressing the multifaceted needs and concerns of Canadian Muslims and their families and is guided by the teachings of justice, equality, and respect for human rights as laid out in the Islamic tradition and bound by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. ISSA’s mission is to promote awareness of the mental health, social welfare and general family issues impacting Muslims and the larger society.
ISSA Mandate
In collaboration with and integrated into mainstream human services, we provide family, health and social welfare services, inclusive of the many cultural and ethnic groups that comprise our Muslim communities in Manitoba and Canada. ISSA helps facilitate, bridge, navigate, advocate, collaborate, educate and build awareness and provide direct service and support to individuals and communities by collaborating and integrating into mainstream health and social services of our community.
ISSA Mission
Canadian society is inclusive and has a strengthened Muslim community, where cultural and ethnic groups and their members' social, cultural, spiritual and economic well-being is fundamental. Each persons' potential is achieved by accessing and receiving culturally, linguistically and spiritually appropriate health, social and economic services and supports.
Over 2 decades of services and impact
Supporting Muslim Communities across Manitoba and Canada
Collaborating and integrating into mainstream health and social services of our community.
ISSA Story
ISSA was established in 1999 at a meeting of 60 Muslim social workers, mental health professionals and counsellors in Washington D.C. Visionary founders of ISSA are: the late Dr. Maryam Funches, Dr. Aneesah Nadir, Dr. Bilquis Eltarab and Shahina Siddiqui.
In 2003 ISSA split into 2 sister and independent organizations: one in the USA and one in Canada. ISSA Canada operates as a non-profit, charitable organization and carries a mission to provide family, health, and social welfare services inclusive of the many cultural and ethnic groups that comprise the Muslim community in North America.
1999
Islamic Social Services Association Inc. (ISSA) is established at a meeting of approximately 50 Muslim social workers, mental health professionals and counsellors in Washington, D.C.
2000s
-
ISSA launches a CULTURAL COMPETENCY TRAINING SERIES, designed for a specific sectors in response to the influx of Syrian refugees.
-
24 Intern and Practicum Students hosted
-
ISSA is most noted for its Cultural Competency Training, which is specifically designed for various social services and educational sectors.
-
To date, ISSA has published 29 information guides, brochures and booklets.
-
ISSA conducts Summer Camps for Muslim Kids & Youth.
-
CMWI is now an independent organization with its own governing board.
-
ISSA now has one full-time volunteer Executive Director, two part-time employees, two full-time employees, numerous volunteers and a governing board.
Links You Don't Want to Miss.....
Current
Click below to learn ISSA impact over the years
ISSA Founders
Shahina Siddiqui, BA. LLD.
Executive director of ISSA Canada, Co-Founder
Shahina Siddiqui is a freelance writer, author, spiritual counsellor, speaker, and educator who has spent decades building bridges between faith and cultural communities,​ promoting human rights,
and fostering cultural understanding. Originally from Pakistan, she moved to Winnipeg in 1976 and holds a Bachelor of Arts with honours in English and Philosophy from the University of Karachi. In 1999, she co-founded Islamic Social Services Association (ISSA) Canada and continues to serve as its volunteer Executive Director. Through ISSA, she has led initiatives addressing Islamophobia, anti-racism, extremism, and cultural competency, while developing educational programs and resources for professionals and communities.​
Dr. Nadir is a trailblazing leader in the Healthy Muslim Marriage Movement. She raises awareness about the impact of healthy marriage and dysfunctional marriage on mental health and well-being. She has developed and provides the Before the Nikah® Marriage Preparation Course and other premarital education programs through the Before the Nikah Institute. She is also the author of the book, Before the Nikah: Proven Principles to Help Single Muslims Choose Wisely and Build Strong Marriages.
