Who We Are

Our Vision, Mission And Values

Vision: We envision a world where there is no abject poverty and people are living dignified lives.

Mission: We deliver support to the most vulnerable in our society – women and children facing domestic violence, the elderly facing hunger, and the destitute around the world suffering poverty. We are here to uplift them, empower them and help them live dignified lives.

The values that drive us

Partnership and Community

We are deeply connected with our work through partnership and community. We collaborate with stakeholders and build community through partnerships founded on integrity and trust.

Open and Accountable

We hold ourselves and others to account in an open and transparent manner. This is to ensure we arrive at the best decisions for the organization and those we serve.

Inclusive and Empowering

We respect all people and appreciate our differences. We support support people of all backgrounds to increase their confidence and to change their own lives. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential.

What we do

Muslim Welfare Canada is a national organization working to tackle the root causes of poverty first here in Canada, and then aborad in places where our strengths are. We provide shelter, feed the hungry, support the elderly and work with local populations to strengthen the communities we work in.

Our History

For the most part, the history of the organization has remained inseparable from the history of its founders; Major Muhammad Abbas Ali, a retired officer of the Pakistan army and his wife Sarwar Jahan Begum. The elderly couple were two very dedicated and selfless members of a close knit community when they arrived in Canada, as visitors in the late 1980s. Immediately after their arrival, they busied themselves in the community raising awareness of the importance of supporting local charitable causes. To lead the way, Major Abbas undertook several charity walks (Toronto to Ottawa, Toronto to Niagara Falls, among many) to raise donations for the Canadian Arthritis Society.

In 1993, Major Abbas and Sarwar Jahan Begum (Uncle and Aunty as the senior couple was lovingly known) established a small Halal Food Bank in Scarborough, Ontario under the banner of the Muslim Welfare Centre of Toronto, with the motto: Service to humanity is service to Allah (God). This achievement was made possible through a loan provided by a good friend and well wisher. The couple devoted their time, money and energy in development of this charity such that it would benefit those in need for

generations to come. This food bank began in a small (10×10 foot) room by providing groceries and other essential household items to anyone in need, irrespective of religion, nationality, caste or creed. Within just a few of years of its inception, thanks to the great generosity of its dedicated supporters and volunteers, the centre was able to greatly enhance its services. A new goal was set to provide a safe haven for needy women and their children, to fill a critical need in the community. With their tireless efforts and zeal, the duo was able to realize this goal in 1996, naming this facility in Whitby, Ontario, “Muslim Welfare Home for Needy Women and Children.”

Other pioneering services were introduced within the next few years. International programs such as, support a child, free clinics, water exploration and disaster relief in 2000, and local programs such as halal meals on wheels, halal food banks in Montreal and Mississauga in 2005, and a free medical clinic for the uninsured in Scarborough in 2009.

Planning and effective operation of these services kept the revered couple busy until their very end. Major Muhammad Abbas Ali breathed his last on Friday, April 17, 2009 after a brief illness while on a visit to Pakistan to monitor Muslim Welfare Canada’s international projects. He was 87. In honour of his exemplary service to the cause of humanity, the City of Toronto renamed a park in Scarborough as Major Abbas Ali Park. Appropriately, this park is located very close to Muslim Welfare Canada’s head office – the same place where he began the charity in 1993. After the passing of Major Abbas, Sarwar Jahan Begum remained a beacon for the organization as its President and guided it through the establishment of the Public School Nutrition Program and the planning for the Village Reconstruction Project in Pakistan. Sadly, she passed away on March 18, 2013 at the age of 84 years, having spent over 20 years of her life in Canada in the service of others. Muslim Welfare Canada acknowledges the strong faith and herculean efforts of the founders, along with the support of so many well wishers and volunteers as it marches forward purposefully in service to the most vulnerable amongst us. May Allah (SWT) give us all the strength and wisdom to continually strive in the spirit of our motto; Service to Humanity is Service to Allah (God). Ameen!

Meet The Team

The Founders

Major Muhammad Abbas Ali (1921-2009)

Muhammad Abbas Ali was born in Bombay, India on November 15, 1921 and spent most of his school years in Calcutta. He was commissioned in the British Indian Army in 1943 and served in the Hyderabad State Army until 1948. After the partition of the Indo-Pak subcontinent and the creation of Pakistan, he joined the Pakistan Army and continued his services as a Major in the infantry until his retirement in the early 1970s. After his retirement, he combined his adventurous lifestyle with his strong desire to help the poor and downtrodden masses in whatever way he could. He soon started fundraising through charity walks for various national and international charities. In the mid to late 1980s, he was involved in marathon walks in the UAE for international charities such as, UNICEF, World Health Organization, Sports Aids and Islamic Mission Hospitals, among others.

Sarwar Jahan Begum (1928-2013)

Sarwar Jahan Begum was born and raised in Calcutta, India where she spent her early youth until her marriage to Muhammad Abbas Ali in October 1947. Her inspiration for charitable work came from her parents; her father was a physician and her mother and aunt were active in the political arena and social causes. In fact her mom, her aunt and older sister were involved in caring for orphans during the devastating Bengal Famine in 1943 and established an orphanage in Calcutta which was relocated to East Pakistan in 1948 and later in 1971, taken over by the newly formed Bangladesh government. No doubt these experiences had a tremendous influence on her which led to a life dedicated to helping the poor. Her marriage gave her a partner who was equally committed to her cause and together they nurtured a family of nine kids and twenty-seven grandchildren. Even as a devoted mother, she always found time for the needs of the community, be it Canada – her adopted home, or back in her home country, Pakistan.