About Us | Islamic Humanitarian Service

About Us

The Islamic Humanitarian Service (I.H.S.) was founded in 1984 with various goals in mind — however, at the heart of it, our principal aim is best conveyed through our motto, "To Serve the Lord and Mankind."

Shortly after our founding, the organization was registered with the Federal Government of Canada as a non-profit charity — and as all such organizations are required to do, the I.H.S. submits financial statements and yearly reports of all work undertaken to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) — the governmental ministry responsible for overseeing all non-profit entities.

Located just 15 minutes from downtown Kitchener and on a bus route, our full-time drop-in centre was officially inaugurated in October of 2001 in the presence of hundreds of friends and supporters from the Muslim community, interfaith community, local community leaders, and government officials from local, provincial and federal levels.

In addition to being the global headquarters for the Islamic Humanitarian Service and its administrative offices, our centre has two large halls for religious and cultural functions which accommodate around 250 people in total.

Our office is open during normal business hours on weekdays, and with appointments available on evenings and weekends. Our staff and volunteers are fluent in six languages — English, French, Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, and Gujarati — and they are always available to answer questions about Islam, assist with family issues and individual counselling, and to offer advice, problem solving techniques, and marriage solemnizing. They can also help with filling out government forms and documents for visas and passports.

Youth who want to come and study in a peaceful atmosphere can use our library and other areas of the building, and access resources on the Internet with one of our computers that they can use for research and other purposes. Our relaxation section offers a ping-pong table and a gaming console with a wide selection of games — permitting our youth to meet, interact and spend quality time with one another in a friendly environment.

During the 40+ years of our existence, with the ever-changing demographics of our region and the growing needs and requirements of society, we have expanded out services to be as inclusive as possible. More than your average faith-based community, we are:

A worship centre: Ministering to the spiritual, moral and religious needs of the Muslim community of Waterloo Region and beyond.
A community centre: Building a community of kindred spirits, pursuing common goals and sharing a common ethos.
An education centre: Providing religious instructions to children and continuous education programs.
A human resources centre: Providing assistance to individuals who need social, medical or financial help.
A community service centre: Carrying out social action to improve the quality of life for everyone in the society.
A family substitute centre: Providing a larger family sense to members whose families have broken up or are dysfunctional.

Our Activities

Some of our specific activities include the following:

Publication of a quarterly newsletter titled 'Al-Haqq Newsletter' (meaning 'The Truth') to further enhance the knowledge of its subscribers by providing articles written by contemporary Muslim scholars on various topics of Islamic studies from around the world. Readership is estimated at over 10,000 in almost 30 countries, and subscription to the newsletter is free of charge. In order to conserve resources and protect the environment, all issues are also available in PDF on our website.
Books For the Needy Fund (BFNF) sends out religious literature to Muslims and non-Muslims about Islam. Through the BFNF, the faith of many people continues to be strengthened, while others are introduced to Islam and its teachings. In addition, we send public libraries, public institutions and government officials relevant books outlining Islam and various aspects of its moral and social code to better acquaint them with the universal message of Islam.
The I.H.S. keeps the doors of communication open with individuals, organizations and various levels of government through regular correspondence and dialogue on a national and international level, and with other faith-based organizations (both Islamic and non-Islamic).
United Muslim Women of Canada (U.M.W.C.) addresses the needs of Muslim women of Canada, and they are proactive in guiding the material and spiritual progress of women through the promotion of education and literacy, and the eradication of poverty.
Muslim Youth Association (M.Y.A.) plays its role within Canadian society by ensuring that Muslim youth are well-educated in how to lead a wholesome life, and ensures that they are given a correct understanding about the faith of Islam.
Religious scholars and lecturers are sent to public schools, universities and other educational institutions, religious and cultural centres, and prisons to teach people about Islam's values, morals, and way of life in order to instill awareness about our faith. In addition, interviews and discussions are carried out at interfaith gatherings across Canada and on local radio, TV programs and newspapers.
Our book publication department has taken a proactive role in the writing, translation, and publication of Islamic literature on a wide variety of topics for various age groups. To date, the I.H.S. has published or co-published over 40 full-length books. All titles are available for sale at the head office and branch offices, and some are even available for free download in PDF from our website.
A Sunday religious school is operated by the I.H.S. for people of the Waterloo Region, providing children and young adults with basic religious education. Volunteer teachers follow a specially designed syllabus geared towards the Muslim youth living in the pluralistic society of Canada, teaching them how to be honest and upright Muslims and productive members of the society just as the religion of Islam instructs us.
More than 1,200 books make up our Islamic Research Centre library, which is open to all. Literature is available in English, French and over eight other languages on a wide range of subject matters, ensuring that there is something of interest for everyone of all ages. The I.H.S. also operates a Shi'a-based full-time bookstore with over 1000 titles covering a wide variety of topics, including Qur'anic sciences, theology, jurisprudence, Islamic philosophy, history, ethics and sociology, devotions, children's books and a selection of non-English books in various other languages. All titles sold are screened for accuracy and content before being made available to the general public.
Individuals experiencing temporary financial challenges are assisted under the Social Welfare division of the I.H.S. through which rent, grocery, or medical subsidies are allocated to those hurt by the current economic realities. A careful and thorough screening process is in place, as is required by the Provincial Government, which ensures that each case which is approved is genuine.

The Support Base of the Islamic Humanitarian Service
At the Islamic Humanitarian Service, we perform spiritual labour with our feet firmly planted in the material and economic realities of the day — and as such, our programs and activities are carried forth through the donations of the community at large. We are an independent organization not affiliated with any other organizations, government or political ideologies. All donations made in Canada entitle the donor to a tax-deductible receipt.

Please consider supporting our activities by making your contribution to the Islamic Humanitarian Service in any way possible with your time or money. All administrative costs are kept to a minimum, with care taken to ensure the most competitive price for all expenditures. In addition, friends of the Islamic Humanitarian Service donate lots of stationary, office equipment and other requirements, helping us to ensure that 100% of the donations that come in make their way directly to our activities.

Donations can be sent directly to any of our offices with a note for which fund it is intended, OR can be processed here by either Visa or MasterCard through CanadaHelps - a nonprofit organization helping charities maximize their potential.