Who We Are
Building Bridge, Breaking Barriers, Facilitating Access
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.
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.
Links You Don't Want to Miss.....
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. Siddiqui also co-founded Al-Hijra Islamic School, the Canadian Muslim Women’s Institute, the Canadian Muslim Leadership Institute, and the Interfaith Council of Women–Manitoba. A respected writer, speaker, and advocate, she has worked extensively to combat racism and discrimination and to strengthen dialogue among diverse communities.
​
Her contributions to social justice and community development have been recognized with numerous honours, including the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year Award (2016), and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Manitoba (2019). Now a grandmother of three, she continues to work toward a hate-free and more inclusive Canada.
Dr. Aneesah Nadir
Immediate Past-President of ISSA USA, Co-Founder
Dr. Aneesah Nadir is a retired Arizona State University social work professor. She has enjoyed a fulfilling career as a social worker for over 40 years and continues to mentor students in social work and other human service professions. She is an award-winning pioneer in the field of Muslim mental health and provides diversity education and training.
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.
Dr. Nadir serves as the President and is a cofounder of the Islamic Social Services Association-USA (ISSA-USA), a national nonprofit headquartered in Arizona which provides mental health education and advocacy. ISSA-USA's Sakinah Healthy Marriage Initiative and the Annual National Healthy Muslim Marriage Week raises awareness about the importance of Healthy Marriages and Families in the Muslim Community.
Dr. Maryam Funches
Co-Founder.
ISSA History
Image Source: ISSA Workshop
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.
-
Visionary founders of ISSA are the late Dr. Maryam Funches, Dr. Aneesah Nadir, Dr. Bilquis Eltarab and Shahina Siddiqui.
​​
-
Shahina Siddiqui is nominated volunteer Executive Director for U.S. and Canada
-
Owing to limited funds, ISSA’s first office is located at the home of ISSA President, Shahina Siddiqui.
-
ISSA operations begin after that with one full-time volunteer and a governing board.
2000
-
​Islamic Social Services Association is granted charitable status in the U.S.
-
April 21-23: The First Annual International Conference on Muslim Social Issues is held in Toronto, Ontario.
-
he First ISSA Fundraiser is held in Toronto, Ontario.
2000-2005
-
Five Annual International Conferences on Muslim Social Issues are convened in Toronto, Montreal, Detroit, Toledo and Tempe.
2003
-
October: First ISSA Open House is held at the University of Winnipeg: Launch of ISSA’s Public Awareness project.
-
ISSA unveils seven publications for each sector of service.
2005
• ISSA is offered shared space at 412 McDermot Avenue with the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg.
​
2006
-
Recognizing the needs for Muslim Women to have an organization to direct services – and after four years of planning and organizing – ISSA founds and launches the CANADIAN MUSLIM WOMEN INSTITUTE (CMWI).
-
ISSA shares office space with CMWI at the McDermot location.
-
First ISSA staff member is hired.
-
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM/SUMMER CAMP FOR MUSLIM YOUTH is launched.
2007
-
ISSA splits into two sister and independent organizations: one in the U.S. and one in Canada.
-
ISSA is granted charitable status in Canada (CRA 86928 8787 RR 0001)
-
Multimedia Campaign is funded through the Welcoming Communities Initiative and Government of Manitoba (Labour and Immigration). This campaign is launched to educate Manitobans and to address racism against Muslims through informational billboards, school posters and bus ads.
2008
-
ISSA hosts its first Open House to celebrate Eid ul-fitr at the shared office space with Social Planning Council of Winnipeg (412 McDermot Avenue location).
2009
-
April 3rd, ISSA celebrates its 10th Anniversary Dinner, honoring Richard Frost, CEO of the Winnipeg Foundation, with the Ihsan Award.
-
ISSA initiates the establishment of the CANADIAN MUSLIM LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (CMLI).
2010
-
ISSA undertakes Public Education Campaign and Multicultural Bridge Building events, which include: “Multiculturalism in Theory and Practice;” a seminar entitled, “Manitoba Muslims and Jews: Standing Together for an Inclusive & Just Canada;” and a “Public Square Series: Four Conversation Cafes” designed to connect Muslim and newcomer communities with Indigenous, Japanese, Filipino and Mennonite communities.
With the growth of its operations and programs, ISSA makes a parallel move into a larger office space at the same location to 200-72 Princess Street. -
In August: PREVENTATIVE FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES (PFSS) is launched.
2012-2013
-
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.
2012-2013
-
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.