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. 

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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. 

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Islamic Social Services Association is granted charitable status in the U.S. 

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On April 21-23, the First Annual International Conference on Muslim Social Issues is held in Toronto, Ontario. 

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The First ISSA Fundraiser is held in Toronto, Ontario. 

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Five Annual International Conferences on Muslim Social Issues are convened in Toronto, Montreal, Detroit, Toledo and Tempe. 

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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. 

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ISSA splits into two sister and independent organizations: one in the U.S. and one in Canada. 

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ISSA is granted charitable status in Canada. 

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ISSA is offered shared space at 412 McDermot Avenue with the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg. 

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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. 

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2006 – First ISSA staff member is hired. 

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2007 – AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM/SUMMER CAMP FOR MUSLIM YOUTH is launched. 

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2008 – 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. 

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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). 

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2009 – On April 3, 2009, ISSA celebrates its 10th Anniversary Dinner, honoring Richard Frost, CEO of the Winnipeg Foundation, with the Ihsan Award. 

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2010 – ISSA moves to a new location: 201 – 72 Princess Street. 

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2010 – ISSA initiates the establishment of the CANADIAN MUSLIM LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (CMLI). 

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2012-2013 – 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. 

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2014 – October 26, 2014: First Multicultural Tea Fest is held at the Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre. 

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2014 – 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. 

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2015 – In August, PREVENTATIVE FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES (PFSS) is launched. 

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2015 – ISSA rebrands itself with a new logo and website. 

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2015 – November 28-29, Youth Digital Storytelling Workshop, Youth Cross Cultural Conference “Building Bridges Through Our Stories” 

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2015 – Bi-Annual Fundraising Dinner – Honoring recipients: Saul Simmonds & Frank Lavitt. 

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2015 – October 4th - 2nd Multicultural Tea Fest is held at the Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre. 

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2016 – 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. 

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2016-2017 - Ihsan Awards are presented honouring Tom Denton, Rick Frost, Terry McLeod, Carol Sanders, Brenda Suderman, and the Bear Clan Patrol. 

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2016 - October 16 - 3d Multicultural Tea Fest is held at the Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre. 

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2017 – March 18, Family Night at Winnipeg Grand Mosque: Canadian Muslim Identity.

 

2017 – March 21-22, At the Heart of Human Rights is Human Dignity National Conference 

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2017 – October 15, 4th Tea Fest is held at the Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre. 

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2017 – October 17, Our Canada, One Canada: Winnipeg Rally for Unity against Fear 

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2017 – November 16, Free Public Forum on Islamophobia: Recognize, Resist, Respond: Unveiling the Truth Quebec’s Religious Law & Islamophobia.

 

2018 – March 10, Fundraising Dinner: Clinic in Uganda 

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2018 – October, 5th Tea Fest is held at the Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre. 

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2019 – ISSA moved office to a new location in 191 Lombard Avenue. 

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2019 – March 14-15, Striving for Human Dignity National Conference 

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2019 – September 19, ISSA Canada’s 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner 

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2019 – October 27, October 23, 6th Tea Fest is held at the Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre. 

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2021 – September 31-October 1, Breaking the Shackles of Racism – National Conference on Human Rights, Justice, Policing & Media 

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2020 – Indigenous – Muslim Women Luncheon “Sister to Sister” 

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2022 – January 29, Vigil: Commemoration, National Day of Remembrance & Action against Islamophobia 

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2022 – February 22, Open Conversation: Rights & Freedom in a Time of Occupation & Protest. Democracy: Freedom, Human Rights, Rule of Law. 

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2022 – June 7, Defeat Hate with Knowledge & Compassion – Full day workshop with the public about Islam and Muslims 

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2022 – October 23, 7th Tea Fest is held at the Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre. 

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2022 – November 2022: First Mental Health Conference and launching of Institute for Muslim Mental Health (IMMH) 

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2023 – January 29, Vigil: Commemoration, National Day of Remembrance & Action against Islamophobia 

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2023 – February, Fundraising Dinner for Turkiye and Syria: Help, Hope, Heal 

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2023 – March 16-17, Anti-Racism training for Educators: Reject and Respond 

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2023 – July 15-16, 2 Day Training: Building Resistance to Islamophobia, Defeat Hate with Knowledge & Compassion 

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2023 – September 23-24, Human Rights & Islamophobia National Conference 

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2023 – October 22, 8th Tea Fest is held in Assiniboine Downs