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The 2019 Canadian Federal Election is taking place on Monday, October 21, 2019.
For information about voting this election, click here.
Muslim Link has compiled an INCOMPLETE list of Muslim Canadians running in the federal election.
So far, I have found that there are people who identify as Muslim running in the Conservative Party, the Liberal Party, the 
, and the People's Party as well as two candidates running as Independents.
THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE LIST OF CANDIDATES.
Why does Muslim Link compile lists of Muslim Canadian political candidates? Well, it's interesting. It is a great way to showcase the diversity of Muslims in Canada. Clearly, we do not all think alike nor agree if we are drawn to such a wide range of political perspectives.
As the Editor in Chief, I always enjoy compiling these lists as I get to know more about quite interesting people and I get to learn more about what is happening in Canadian cities other than my own, which is the Nation's Capital, Ottawa.
This is the first list I compiled where so many of the candidates had been in office already so it was interesting to be able to also include some information about just what they have been doing since 2015. To learn more about what the incumbent candidate in your riding has been up to for the last four years, I recommend visiting ourcommons.ca.
OpenParliament.ca is another site that is particularly interesting as you can search what any Member of Parliament or anyone who has testified before a parliamentary committee has said. The site was built by a computer programmer with time on his hands and is a completely volunteer run effort supported by the Canadian non-profit OpenNorth.ca which focuses on using open data for civil society. You can also just search for any word on the site.
Click on these OpenParliament.ca links to see what comes up if you search for the words Islam, Muslim, Islamophobia, Immigration, or Refugees. Interesting isn't it?
I have also including information from DiversityVotes.ca about the immigrant and visible minority populations living in each riding the candidates are running in.
Also, based on the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", I have noted if a particular federal riding has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE LIST OF CANDIDATES. Feel free to send me suggestions for other candidates to add to the list at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Abdul Abdi, Conservative Candidate for Ottawa West-Nepean
Somali Canadian Abdul Abdi has worked as an officer with the the Ottawa Police Service. He previously ran as the Conservative candidate for Ottawa West-Nepean in the 2015 Federal Election.
Interesting Fact: Abdul Abdi also worked with the RCMP on their National Security and Community Outreach initiatives.
About Ottawa West-Nepean: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Ottawa West-Nepean is 111,837. Immigrants make up 28% of the population and visible minorities 29%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Black, Chinese, Arab, and South Asian. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Italian. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include China, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, and Italy.
According to Feed Ontario, the provincial riding of Ottawa West Nepean ranks among the top 10 provincial electoral ridings with the highest per capita concentration of food bank use in Ontario in 2018.
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Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative Candidate for Edmonton Manning
Lebanese Canadian Ziad Aboultaif co-managed Axxess Furniture Inc., an Edmonton-based furniture distribution business, for 12 years.
Elected in 2015, Ziad Aboultaif proposed the failed Private Member's Bill C-223 aimed at establishing a Canadian Organ Donor Registry. Since 2017, he has served as the Official Opposition Shadow Minister for International Development. In this role, he has had the opportunity to travel to many countries that receive development assistance from Canada, such as Nicaragua, Lebanon, Jordan, Senegal, Nigeria, and Bangladesh (as seen in the photo above).
Interesting Fact: In 2003, Aboultaif made a partial-liver donation.
To learn more about what Ziad Aboultaif said while in office on openparliament.ca, click here
About Edmonton Manning: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of Edmonton Manning is 121,048 with a population density of 767.4 per km2. Immigrants make up 31% of the population and visible minorities 40%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Black, South Asian, Chinese, and Arab. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Cantonese, Punjabi, Arabic, and Spanish. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the Philippines, India, Vietnam, and China.
Omar Alghabra, Liberal Candidate for Mississauga Centre
Syrian Canadian Omar Alghabra graduated from Ryerson University with a degree in engineering and in 2000 received his Master of Business Administration from York University. He was the Member of Parliament for the riding of Mississauga Erindale from 2006 to 2008.
Re-elected in 2015, Omar Alghabra served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade Diversification.
Interesting Fact: Omar Alghabra gifted a pair of Halal Socks, a Canadian Muslim company, to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (as photographed above). Days later, the socks were all over international news as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wore them at the Pride Parade in Toronto.
To learn more about what Omar Alghabra said while in office on openparliament.ca, click here
About Mississauga Centre: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of Mississauga Centre is 124,849. Immigrants make up 62% of the population and visible minorities 71%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Chinese, Arab, and Black. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Mandarin, Arabic, Urdu, and Cantonese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include India, Pakistan, China, and the Philippines.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Mississauga Centre has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
According to Canadian Muslim Vote, this is a swing riding where the number of Muslim voters surpasses or is close to the predicted number of votes the riding will be won by based on the latest projections from 338Canada.com.
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Zaff Ansari, NDP Candidate for Nepean
Zaff Ansari is an IT entrepreneur who studied computer science at the University of Ottawa before settling in Nepean’s Barrhaven with his wife, who is an early childhood educator, and his four children.
Interesting Fact: Zaff Ansari ran for the Ontario NDP in the 2018 Provincial Election.
About Nepean: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Nepean is 119,110. Immigrants make up 27% of the population and visible minorities 33% . The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Chinese, Black, and Arab. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, and Spanish. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include China, India, United Kingdom, and the Philippines.
Sarah Bokhari, Conservative Candidate for London North Centre
Sarah Bokhari is a political scientist, academic, journalist, and women rights activist. She received her Masters in Political Science from the University of Toronto along with her M.Sc. in International Relations, and an M.Phil. in Strategic Studies. Prior to coming to Canada, Sarah attended the International School of Disarmament and Research on Conflict and was a Track II Diplomat. While with the Diplomatic corps, she engaged in confidence building measures between India and Pakistan. She participated in the Harvard Project for Asia and International Relations and was a fellow at the Institute of Disarmament and Research on Conflicts ISODARCO, Italy.
Interesting Fact: Sarah Bokhari hosted the current affairs show ‘Power Dilemma on TAG TV.
About London North Centre: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of London North Centre is 125,362. Immigrants make up 23% of the population and visible minorities 23%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Chinese, South Asian, Black, and Arab. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish, and Korean. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include United Kingdom, China, India, and the United States.
According to Feed Ontario, the provincial riding of London North Centre ranks among the top 10 provincial electoral ridings with the highest per capita concentration of food bank use in Ontario in 2018.
Tariq Chaudary, Liberal Candidate for Edmonton Riverbend
Tariq Chaudary has four Masters’ degrees [Physics, Math & Computer Science, and Business Administration in Financial Management] and has worked as an educator at Adelphi University in New York. Tariq has worked for both the private and public sector, spending the last 15 years at Agriculture Financial Services Corporation. Tariq has been an executive member of the Whitemud Hills Homeowners’ Association, Oak Hills Community League, Terwillegar Riverbend Advisory Council, and South West Advisory Council.
Interesting Fact: Tariq Chaudary also ran for the Liberals in the 2015 Federal Election.
About Edmonton Riverbend: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Edmonton Riverbend is 120,863. Immigrants make up 33% of the population and visible minorities 41%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Chinese, South Asian, Filipino, and Black. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Tagalog. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include China, India, Philippines, and South Korea.
Irshad Chaudhry, Conservative Candidate for Scarborough Centre
Irshad Chaudhry has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from UET Lahore, Pakistan and studied Business Analysis Leadership from the University of Toronto. He established a successful energy equipment export business in Toronto.
Interesting Fact: In May, Irshad Chaundhry attended the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Pontian Greek Genocide with Greek Canadian Conservative Provincial Member of Parliament Christina Mitas. There has been a campaign to get the Pontian Greek Genocide officially recognized by the Canadian federal government and May 19th declared as a national Remembrance Day. Members of the Canadian Senate, including Greek Canadian Conservative Senator Leo Housakos, put forward a motion in 2017 in the senate to recognize this genocide. The motion was rejected by the Senate in 2018 after "intensive diplomatic efforts" by the Turkish government. In 2018, Laval, Quebec became the first Canadian city to officially recognize the Pontian Greek Genocide.
About Scarborough Centre: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of Scarborough Centre is 112,603. Immigrants make up 56% of the population and visible minorities 70%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Filipino, Black, and Chinese. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Tamil, Tagalog, Mandarin, and Cantonese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, and China.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Scarborough Centre has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
According to Canadian Muslim Vote, this is a swing riding where the number of Muslim voters surpasses or is close to the predicted number of votes the riding will be won by based on the latest projections from 338Canada.com.
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Ali Ehsassi, Liberal Candidate for Willowdale
Born in Switzerland, Ali Ehsassi is the son of a former Iranian diplomat who, like many Iranian Canadians, immigrated to Canada "with a couple of suitcases" after the Iranian Revolution. Ehsassi obtained his LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School. He also pursued a masters of international trade and arbitration law from Georgetown University. Ehsassi worked as a civil servant with the Ontario Department of Economic Development and International Trade and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Elected in 2015, Ehsassi has been an active member of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
Interesting Fact: Ali Ehsassi, along with Majid Jowhari, is one of the first Iranian Canadians elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 2015.
To learn more about what Ali Ehsassi said while in office on openparliament.ca, click here
About Willowdale: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Willowdale in Toronto is 118,801. Immigrants make up 61% of the population and visible minorities 67%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Chinese, West Asian (Iranian), Korean, and South Asian. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Mandarin, Persian, Korean, and Cantonese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include Iran, China, South Korea, and the Philippines.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Willowdale has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
According to Canadian Muslim Vote, this is a swing riding where the number of Muslim voters surpasses or is close to the predicted number of votes the riding will be won by based on the latest projections from 338Canada.com.
Zahia El-Masri, NDP Candidate for Ahuntsic-Cartierville
Palestinian Canadian Zahia El-Masri graduated from Concordia University with a Masters in Public Administration and Political Analysis. El-Masri has worked for over ten years as a Communications and Training Manager, at a non-profit organization specializing in social housing and integration.
Interesting Fact: Zahia El-Masri was the candidate for the NDP in the Quebec riding of Laval−Les Îles during the 2008 Federal Election.
About Ahuntsic-Cartierville: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Ahuntsic-Cartierville in Montreal is 117,447. Immigrants make up 41% of the population and visible minorities 38%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Arab, Black, South Asian, and Latin American. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Arabic, Spanish, Armenian, and Greek. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include Algeria, Morocco, Syria, and Lebanon.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Ahuntsic-Cartierville has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
Naiima Farah, NDP Candidate for Etobicoke North
Somali Canadian Naiima Farah has a Masters of Social work from York University. Growing up in social housing, she became driven at an early age to work to end poverty, racism, and violence.
Interesting Fact: Naiima Farah previously ran for City Councillor in Etobicoke North in 2018.
About Etobicoke North: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Etobicoke North in Toronto is 118,040. Immigrants make up 58% of the population and visible minorities 76%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Black, Latin American, and Filipino. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Punjabi, Gujarati, Spanish, and Somali. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include India, Jamaica, Iraq, and Guyana.
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Tahir Gora, People's Party of Canada Candidate for Mississauga-Malton
Tahir Gora is the founder and CEO of TAG TV and the Canadian Thinkers’ Forum (CTF), and the Muslim Reform Movement. He is a journalist and writer of fiction and non-fiction. He is also an English to Urdu translator.
Interesting Fact: Tahir Gora is a recipient of the Queen Diamond Jubilee Medal.
To learn more about what Tahir Gora has said while testifying at parliamentary committees on openparliament.ca, click here
About Mississauga-Malton: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Mississauga-Malton is 118,240. Immigrants make up 61% of the population and visible minorities 78%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Black, Chinese, and Filipino. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Punjabi, Urdu, Cantonese, and Tamil. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and China.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Mississauga Centre has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
According to Canadian Muslim Vote, this is a swing riding where the number of Muslim voters surpasses or is close to the predicted number of votes the riding will be won by based on the latest projections from 338Canada.com.
Hassan Guillet, Independent Candidate for Saint-Leonard–Saint-Michel
Lebanese Canadian Hassan Guillet is a former imam and retired engineer with a Bachelor and Master degrees in Aerospace Engineering from Concordia University. He speaks Arabic, French, English, and Italian. He led the funeral prayers and spoke at the funeral of some of the victims of the Quebec City Mosque Attack which took place on January 29, 2017.
Interesting Fact: J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter Series, re-tweeted Guillet's speech from the funeral of some of victims of the Quebec Mosque Attack.
About Saint-Leonard-Saint-Michel: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Saint-Leonard-Saint-Michel in Montreal is 113,212. Immigrants make up 49% of the population and visible minorities 50%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Arab, Black, Latin American, and Southeast Asian. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Italian, Spanish, Arabic, and Creole. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include Italy, Haiti, Algeria, and Morocco.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Saint-Leonard-Saint-Michel has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
Mohamed Hammoud, Liberal Candidate for London-Fanshawe
Lebanese Canadian Mohamed Hammoud has a Master’s in Comparative Literature from the University of Western Ontario, with a focus in Mysticism and Hispano-Arabic Literature, a Bachelor of Arts in French and Spanish with Honors from the University of Western Ontario, a Diploma of Hispanic Studies from the University of Salamanca, Spain, and various certificates in Adult Education, Learning and Development, and Leadership Development.
Interesting Fact: Mohamed Hammoud participated in TEDxTraverseCity in Michigan where he delivered a talk entitled "Reclaiming My Name" which explored the issue of Islamophobia.
About London-Fanshawe: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of London-Fanshawe is 119,467. Immigrants make up 22% of the population and visible minorities 19%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Arab, Black, Latin American, and Southeast Asian. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Arabic, Spanish, Polish, and Portuguese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include United Kingdom, Portugal, Poland, and Iraq.
According to Feed Ontario, the provincial riding of London-Fanshawe ranks among the top 10 provincial electoral ridings with the highest per capita concentration of food bank use in Ontario in 2018.
According to Canadian Muslim Vote, this is a swing riding where the number of Muslim voters surpasses or is close to the predicted number of votes the riding will be won by based on the latest projections from 338Canada.com.
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Farina Hassan, NDP Candidate for Milton
Farina Hassan is a community builder who fought for years on numerous local projects with organizations like Carassauga, United Way Peel, and Sick Kids Hospital to create awareness about social issues like health, discrimination, the environment and affordable housing. She has a degree in Human Rights and Equity from York University. She has 15 years of work experience in the finance industry, which includes working as a mortgage agent.
Interesting Fact: Farina is a single mother to a 12 year old son with special needs.
About Milton: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Milton is 114,093. Immigrants make up 35% of the population and visible minorities 42%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Black, Filipino, Arab. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Urdu, Spanish, Arabic, and Punjabi. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include Pakistan, India, United Kingdom, and the Philippines.
According to Canadian Muslim Vote, this is a swing riding where the number of Muslim voters surpasses or is close to the predicted number of votes the riding will be won by based on the latest projections from 338Canada.com.
Ahmed Hussen, Liberal Candidate for York South-Weston
Somali Canadian Ahmed Hussen has a Law Degree from the University of Ottawa.
Elected in 2015, Hussen has served as the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
Interesting Fact: In 2017, Hussen delivered at talk at TEDxToronto entitled "Two Canadas: My story of generosity and systemic racism".
To learn more about what Ahmed Hussen said while in office on openparliament.ca, click here
About York South Weston: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of York South Weston is 116,686. Immigrants make up 52% of the population and visible minorities 55%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Black, Latin American, Filipino, and South Asian. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and Vietnamese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include Portugal, Jamaica, Italy, and the Philippines.
According to Canadian Muslim Vote, this is a swing riding where the number of Muslim voters surpasses or is close to the predicted number of votes the riding will be won by based on the latest projections from 338Canada.com.
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Aisha Jahangir, NDP Candidate for Guelph
Aisha Jahangir is a registered nurse who held leadership roles in the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA), Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), and Ontario Health Coalition (OHC). Aisha has lived in Guelph her whole life and is married with two children.
Interesting Fact: As a registered nurse, Aisha Jahangir is now employed as a mental health nurse at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre.
About Guelph: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Guelph is 131,794. Immigrants make up 22% of the population and visible minorities 19%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Chinese, Black, and Filipino. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Mandarin, Vietnamese, Punjabi, and Cantonese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include United Kingdom, India, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Faiz Kamal, NDP Candidate for Scarborough Centre
Bangladeshi Canadian Faiz Kamal works as a business operations analyst at IBM Headquarters and was previously a project executive at LGFG with a focus on business operations expansion in Estonia, the Philippines, the USA, and the UK.
About Scarborough Centre: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of Scarborough Centre is 112,603. Immigrants make up 56% of the population and visible minorities 70%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Filipino, Black, and Chinese. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Tamil, Tagalog, Mandarin, and Cantonese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, and China.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Scarborough Centre has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
According to Canadian Muslim Vote, this is a swing riding where the number of Muslim voters surpasses or is close to the predicted number of votes the riding will be won by based on the latest projections from 338Canada.com.
Salim Mansur, People's Party of Canada Candidate for London North Centre
Salim Mansur is a Professor Emeritus in Political Science at the University of Western Ontario. He is the author of numerous books including The Qur’an Problem and Islamism (2017), Delectable Lie: A liberal repudiation of multiculturalism (2011), and Islam’s Predicament: Perspectives of a Dissident Muslim (2009). Mansur is the vice president of the Council of Muslims Facing Tomorrow.
Interesting Fact: In 2017, Mansur received a Canada Senate 150th Anniversary Medal for his work promoting interfaith understanding.
To learn more about what Salim Mansur has said while testifying at parliamentary committees on openparliament.ca, click here
About London North Centre: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of London North Centre is 125,362. Immigrants make up 23% of the population and visible minorities 23%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Chinese, South Asian, Black, and Arab. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish, and Korean. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include United Kingdom, China, India, and the United States.
According to Feed Ontario, the provincial riding of London North Centre ranks among the top 10 provincial electoral ridings with the highest per capita concentration of food bank use in Ontario in 2018.
Cyma Musarat, Conservative Candidate for Pickering-Uxbridge
Pakistani Canadian Cyma Musarat holds a masters degree in Child Development and Psychology from the University of Punjab. She is a successful entrepreneur in the construction industry. As a president of Friends of SOS children’s villages, Canada Cyma has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for disadvantaged and orphaned children throughout the world. She is also a recipient of Diamond Jubilee Medal. She is married and the mother of two sons.
Interesting Fact: Cyma Musarat ran for the Ontario Conservatives during the 2018 Provincial Election.
About Pickering-Uxbridge: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Pickering-Uxbridge is 112,947. Immigrants make up 30% of the population and visible minorities 36%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Black, Filipino and Chinese. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Urdu, Tamil, Persian, and Tagalog. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include United Kingdom, Jamaica, India, and Guyana.
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Nadirah Nazeer, Conservative Candidate for Beaches-East York
With roots in Mauritius, Nadirah Nazeer has 21 years of corporate IT experience and currently holds the position of a Global Business Development Manager for a Fortune 500 company. She is the host of "Tag Talk with Nadirah Nazeer” on TAG TV.
Interesting Fact: In 2019, Nazeer wrote about being a single mom to three sons, a Muslim, an immigrant, and a Conservative in an opinion piece for the National Post.
About Beaches East York: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Beaches East York in Toronto is 109,468. Immigrants make up 32% of the population and visible minorities 34%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Black, Chinese and Filipino. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Bengali, Cantonese, Urdu, and Greek. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include Bangladesh, United Kingdom, the Philippines, and China.
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Majid Jowhari, Liberal Candidate for Richmond Hill
Iranian Canadian Majid Jowhari was formerly a professional engineer and he obtained an M.B.A. from York University’s Schulich School of Business.
Elected in 2015, Majid Jowhari founded and served as the Chair of the Liberal Mental Health Caucus which was later expanded into the All-Party Parliamentary Mental Health Caucus. Informed by the work of the Caucus, Jowhari introduced Private Member's Bill C-375, aimed at changing the criminal code to taking mental health information into account in presentencing. In 2018, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) named Majid Jowhari as a Parliamentary Mental Health Champion.
Interesting Fact: Majid Jowhari, along with Ali Ehsassi, is one of the first Iranian Canadians elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 2015.
To learn more about what Majid Jowhari said while in office on openparliament.ca, click here
About Richmond Hill: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Richmond Hill in Toronto is 110,177. Immigrants make up 60% of the population and visible minorities 62%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Chinese, West Asian (Iranian), South Asian and Korean. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Cantonese, Mandarin, Persian and Russian. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include China & Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, and South Korea.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Richmond Hill has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
According to Canadian Muslim Vote, this is a swing riding where the number of Muslim voters surpasses or is close to the predicted number of votes the riding will be won by based on the latest projections from 338Canada.com.
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Kamal Kadri, Liberal Candidate for Edmonton-Manning
Kamal Kadri immigrated to Canada at the age of 15, first settling in the Northwest Territories, where he became an accomplished athlete winning three consecutive Western Canadian broomball league championships, playing for the Fort Smith Can Am Broomball Team. He eventually relocated to Edmonton. He has over 35 years of successful business experience.
Interesting Fact: Kadri has sponsored 19 refugee immigrants to Canada.
About Edmonton Manning: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of Edmonton Manning is 121,048 with a population density of 767.4 per km2. Immigrants make up 31% of the population and visible minorities 40%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Black, South Asian, Chinese, and Arab. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Cantonese, Punjabi, Arabic, and Spanish. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the Philippines, India, Vietnam, and China.
Iqra Khalid, Liberal Candidate for Mississauga-Erin Mills
Pakistani Canadian Iqra Khalid graduated from York University with a degree in criminology and professional writing in 2007. While at York, she was the president of the Pakistani Students Federation. Khalid obtained a Juris Doctorate at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.
Elected in 2015, Khalid introduced private member's motion M-103 asking the government to develop a strategy to tackle systemic racism and religious discrimination. The motion was developed in response to a petition condemning Islamophobia in Canada, which was sponsored by Quebec Liberal MP Frank Baylis. As a result of M-103, a study was commissioned by the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage which resulted in $23 million being allocated towards addressing anti-racism and anti-discrimination initiatives.
In 2018, Khalid sponsored petition E-1566 calling on the Prime Minister to appoint a Minister or special advisor on Seniors Affairs. As a result of the petition, the Government of Canada appointed Filomena Tassi as the Minister for Seniors.
Interesting Fact: Iqra Khalid was named as one of Chatelaine's Women of the Year in 2017.
To learn more about what Iqra Khalid said while in office on openparliament.ca, click here
About Mississauga Erin Mills: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Mississauga Erin Mills in Toronto is 122,560. Immigrants make up 55% of the population and visible minorities 64%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Chinese, Arab and Black. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Urdu, Mandarin, Arabic, and Cantonese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include Pakistan, India, China, and the Philippines.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Mississauga Erin Mills has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
According to Canadian Muslim Vote, this is a swing riding where the number of Muslim voters surpasses or is close to the predicted number of votes the riding will be won by based on the latest projections from 338Canada.com.
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Habiba Mohamud, Liberal Candidate for Edmonton-Griesbach
Somali Canadian Dr. Habiba Mohamud is a researcher with the Alberta Women's Science Network who also teaches at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta.
Interesting Fact. Dr. Mohamud was a volunteer with the Edmonton Mogadishu Crisis Response Team which fund-raised over 100,000 to support the victims of the Oct. 14 bombing in Somalia’s capital of Mogadishu in 2017.
About Edmonton-Griesbach: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Edmonton-Griesbach is 112,287. Immigrants make up 27% of the population and visible minorities 31%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Black, Chinese, Arab and Filipino. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Arabic, Cantonese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the Philippines, Vietnam, China, and Somalia.
Maryam Monsef, Liberal Candidate for Peterbourgh-Kawartha
Afghan Canadian Maryam Monsef has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Trent University.
Elected in 2015, Maryam Monsef was appointed as the Minister of Democratic Institutions in 2015 and then in 2017 she became the Minister of Status of Women later changed to Minister for Women and Gender Equality.
Interesting Facts: Maryam Monsef was the first Afghan Canadian elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 2015 and the first Muslim to serve in Cabinet.
To learn more about what Maryam Monsef said while in office on openparliament.ca, click here
About Peterborough-Kawartha: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Peterborough-Kawartha is 118,176. Immigrants make up 9% of the population and visible minorities 5%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Chinese, Black, and Filipino. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Mandarin, Arabic, Polish, and Korean. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands.
According to Canadian Muslim Vote, this is a swing riding where the number of Muslim voters surpasses or is close to the predicted number of votes the riding will be won by based on the latest projections from 338Canada.com.
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Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal Candidate for Vancouver-Granville
Taleeb Noormohamed, an Ismaili Canadian, is a graduate of Princeton University who is a tech entrepreneur and investor.
Interesting Fact: Noormohamed served as Vice-President for Strategy and Partnerships for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.
About Vancouver Granville: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Vancouver Granville is 103,456. Immigrants make up 41% of the population and visible minorities 48%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Chinese, Filipino, South Asian, and Japanese. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, and Japanese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the China & Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom.
According to Canadian Muslim Vote, this is a swing riding where the number of Muslim voters surpasses or is close to the predicted number of votes the riding will be won by based on the latest projections from 338Canada.com.
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Imtiaz Popat, Independent Candidate for Vancouver Centre
Imtiaz Popat is a media producer working in video production and radio. He produced and directed a short documentary called Hate Can Kill, about the murder of the caretaker of a Sikh Temple in Surrey by white supremacist Skinheads. He produced Stolen Memories with Kagan Goh about a lost photo album that that belonged to a Canadian-Japanese family that was interned for OMNI TV. He founded the Coalition Against Bigotry-Pacific to challenge the rise of bigotry on the Pacific Coast.
Interesting Fact: Imtiaz Popat ran for Mayor of Surrey, BC in 2018.
About Vancouver Centre: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Vancouver Centre is 116,443. Immigrants make up 37% of the population and visible minorities 36%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Chinese, West Asian (ie Iranian), South Asian, and Korean. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Mandarin, Persian, Korean, and Cantonese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include Iran, China, United Kingdom, and the United States.
Wasai Rahimi, NDP Candidate for Kitchener South–Hespeler
Afghan Canadian Wasai Rahimi graduated with a diploma in Electrical Engineering from Conestoga College.
Interesting Fact: Rahimi is also president of the Afghan Association of Waterloo Region.
About Kitchener South-Hespeler: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Kitchener South-Hespeler is 105,309. Immigrants make up 25% of the population and visible minorities 22%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Black, Latin American, and Chinese. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Spanish, Arabic, Punjabi, and Serbian. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the United Kingdom, India, Romania, and Poland.
According to Canadian Muslim Vote, this is a swing riding where the number of Muslim voters surpasses or is close to the predicted number of votes the riding will be won by based on the latest projections from 338Canada.com.
Yasmin Ratansi, Liberal Candidate for Don Valley East
Born in Tanzania, Yasmin Ratansi, an Ismaili Muslim, is a Certified General Accountant and fellow of the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada.
Re-elected in 2015, after having previously been the Member of Parliament for Don Valley East from 2004 to 2011, Ratansi has served as the chair of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (as photographed above).
Interesting Fact: Yasmin Ratansi was the first Muslim woman elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 2004.
To learn more about what Yasmin Ratansi said while in office on openparliament.ca, click here
About Don Valley East: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Don Valley East is 94,579. Immigrants make up 53% of the population and visible minorities 58%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Black, Chinese, and Filipino. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Persian, Mandarin, Tagalog, and Arabic. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the Philippines, India, China, and Pakistan.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Don Valley East has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
According to Canadian Muslim Vote, this is a swing riding where the number of Muslim voters surpasses or is close to the predicted number of votes the riding will be won by based on the latest projections from 338Canada.com.
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Shah Rukh, Liberal Candidate for Saskatoon West
Pakistani Canadian Shah Rukh is a Business Development Officer with SSG Safe Security.Under his tenure, SSG had been recognized by the Open-Door Society for their work with newcomers to Canada. He served as Vice President of the Centennial College Student Union while pursuing his Engineering degree. He is married with two daughters.
Interesting Fact: Shah Rukh previously ran for the Saskatchewan Liberals in 2017 during the by-election for the riding of Saskatoon Fairview.
About Saskatoon West: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Saskatoon West is 83,711. Immigrants make up 20% of the population and visible minorities 22%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Filipino, South Asian, Black, and Chinese. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Tagalog, Urdu, Punjabi, and Bengali. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the Philippines, Pakistan, India, and Vietnam.
Marwan Tabbara, Liberal Candidate for Kitchener South-Hespeler
Lebanese Canadian Marwan Tabbara earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from the University of Guelph.
Elected in 2015, Marwan Tabbara put forward private member's motion M-73 successfully designating October as German Heritage Month in 2016.
Interesting Fact: Tabbara was inspired to enter public service by his mother, who raised him and his two brothers on her own.
To learn more about what Marwan Tabbara said while in office on openparliament.ca, click here
About Kitchener South-Hespeler: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Kitchener South-Hespeler is 105,309. Immigrants make up 25% of the population and visible minorities 22%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Black, Latin American, and Chinese. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Spanish, Arabic, Punjabi, and Serbian. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the United Kingdom, India, Romania, and Poland.
According to Canadian Muslim Vote, this is a swing riding where the number of Muslim voters surpasses or is close to the predicted number of votes the riding will be won by based on the latest projections from 338Canada.com.
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Salman Tariq, NDP Candidate for Mississauga-Erin Mills
Salman Tariq works as a consultant connecting foreign students with Canadian education opportunities, because he wants to give people with a sense of hope in the future.
About Mississauga Erin Mills: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Mississauga Erin Mills in Toronto is 122,560. Immigrants make up 55% of the population and visible minorities 64%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Chinese, Arab and Black. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Urdu, Mandarin, Arabic, and Cantonese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include Pakistan, India, China, and the Philippines.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Mississauga Erin Mills has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
According to Canadian Muslim Vote, this is a swing riding where the number of Muslim voters surpasses or is close to the predicted number of votes the riding will be won by based on the latest projections from 338Canada.com.
Arif Virani, Liberal Candidate for Parkdale–High Park
Arif Virani, an Ismaili Muslim, came to Canada as a Ugandan Asian refugee. He has an Honours B.A. in History and Political Science from McGill University, and completed his LL.B at the University of Toronto. He has worked as an analyst with the Canadian Human Rights Commission in Ottawa.
Elected in 2015, Virani has served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and to the Minister of Democratic Institutions.
Interesting Fact: In 2018, Virani led a Canadian delegation to Ukraine to visit the Holodomor Victims Memorial commemorating the victims of the genocide against Ukrainians orchestrated under Stalin. Virani is photographed above lighting a candle at the Holodomor Victims Memorial Altar of Memory.
To learn more about what Arif Virani said while in office on openparliament.ca, click here
About Parkdale-High Park: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of the federal riding of Parkdale-High Park in Toronto is 108,805. Immigrants make up 32% of the population and visible minorities 26%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as Black, South Asian, Chinese, and Filipino. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Polish, Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include Poland, the United Kingdom, India, and the Philippines.
According to Canadian Muslim Vote, this is a swing riding where the number of Muslim voters surpasses or is close to the predicted number of votes the riding will be won by based on the latest projections from 338Canada.com.
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Sarah Walji, NDP Candidate for Mississauga Centre
Sarah Walji is a registered nurse in the mental health field, a graduate of the McMaster University School of Nursing, who also works with several organizations assisting youth and engages in dialogues about issues such as health, poverty and education. Sarah Walji was recently profiled by the McMaster University School of Nursing about her work advocating for the nursing profession at a global level.
Interesting Fact: Sarah Walji ran for Ward 5 Trustee in Mississauga during the 2018 Municipal election.
About Mississauga Centre: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of Mississauga Centre is 124,849. Immigrants make up 62% of the population and visible minorities 71%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Chinese, Arab, and Black. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Mandarin, Arabic, Urdu, and Cantonese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include India, Pakistan, China, and the Philippines.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Mississauga Centre has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
According to Canadian Muslim Vote, this is a swing riding where the number of Muslim voters surpasses or is close to the predicted number of votes the riding will be won by based on the latest projections from 338Canada.com.
Salma Zahid, Liberal Candidate for Scarborough Centre
Pakistani Canadian Salma Zahid holds a Masters in Educational Management and Administration from the University of London’s Institute of Education, and an MBA from Quaid e Azam University in Pakistan.
Elected in 2015, Salma Zahid's put forward private member's motion M-155, successfully designating June as Filipino Heritage Month across Canada in 2018.
Interesting Fact: She became the first elected official to wear hijab on Parliament Hill as she decided to wear hijab while recovering from cancer treatments and chemotherapy.
To learn more about what Salma Zahid said while in office on openparliament.ca, click here
About Scarborough Centre: According to DiversityVotes.ca, the population of Scarborough Centre is 112,603. Immigrants make up 56% of the population and visible minorities 70%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Filipino, Black, and Chinese. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Tamil, Tagalog, Mandarin, and Cantonese. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, and China.
According to the research of Pakistani Canadian Daood Hamdani in "Canadian Muslims: A Statistical Review", the federal riding of Scarborough Centre has a population where over 10% of people identify as Muslim.
According to Canadian Muslim Vote, this is a swing riding where the number of Muslim voters surpasses or is close to the predicted number of votes the riding will be won by based on the latest projections from 338Canada.com.
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Sameer Zuberi, Liberal Candidate for Pierrefonds-Dollard
Sameer Zuberi, a 39-year old father of two, holds degrees in law from Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and mathematics from Concordia University. He has worked in the areas of university administration, law, media relations, human rights, and served in the Canadian Forces Reserves.
Interesting Fact: Sameer is of mixed race Pakistani-Italian-Scottish heritage.
To learn more about what Sameer Zuberi has said while testifying at parliamentary committees on openparliament.ca, click here
About Pierrefonds-Dollard: According to DiversityVotes.ca the population of Pierrefonds-Dollard is 108,587. Immigrants make up 38% of the population and visible minorities 38%. The top four visible minority communities in the riding identify as South Asian, Black, Arab, Filipino. The top four languages spoken in the riding after English and French are Arabic, Spanish, Tamil, and Romanian. The countries of origin of immigrants in this federal riding include the India, Philippines, Egypt, and Lebanon.
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