Introduction

As suggested by the name, IIID is a venue established by the Islamic Center of Southwest Ontario (ICSWO) to engage in promoting understanding and tolerance through communication and exchange of information about Islam with Muslims as well as with people of other faiths.

Human Resources

The policies of IIID are promoted and maintained by a committee of volunteers in conformity with the constitution and by-laws of the ICSWO. Those volunteers are known for their activism in different areas of society and include Muslims & non-Muslims.

President

Dr. Munir El-Kassem is the founder and current President. He was born in Beirut Lebanon in 1955. He studied at the University of Western Ontario earning a Masters Degree in Medical Genetics, thereafter joining the University of Toronto to graduate as a dental surgeon in 1986. After spending 15 years in general practice, he joined the University of Western Ontario as an assistant professor at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. Dr. El-Kassem is very actively involved in Islamic Da'wa. He is the author of many Islamic books and has written on a wide variety of Islamic issues in various publications throughout the world. His Friday sermons at the ICSWO are posted on a number of website.

Financial Resources:

A major source of income for IIID activities is the sale of published books. Donations by members of the community as well as Zakat money have provided badly needed sources of income. Religious rulings (Fatwas) on the use of Zakat funds for IIID activities were solicited from a few prominent scholars. Specimen donations in the form of technical equipment are made by benevolent members of the community. Moreover, individuals or families can sponsor specific activities of IIID. Responsible financial planning requires that IIID will consider investing its money in the future into an endowment perpetual fund to help realize its objectives.

How You Can Help

There are four levels of support we look forward to:

1. Believing in our objectives and supporting their realization among those under your care. This can be achieved by organizing IIID activities in your community.

2. Becoming a contributing member of IIID.

3. Channelling your Zakat money and/or other contributions to defray the cost of IIID activities.

4. Supplicating God, exalted in His Highness, to accept our efforts and imperfect work.

Activities & Prospects

Activities of IIID aim at promoting its objectives, the ultimate being the establishment of an academic institute with accreditation from international recognized Islamic institutions. In addition to its academic role in graduating students in Islamic Studies, the institute will train Imams, hold workshops on social, political and economic issue from an Islamic perspective and reach out to members of other faith communities to foster better ties and stronger relationships. IIID produces and distributes educational material on Islam. ALL proceeds are used to promote its activities. Lecture series to further Islamic knowledge are regularly held at ICSWO. Moreover, lecture tours and interfaith dialogue meetings are held throughout Canada and sometimes internationally. A versatile website is a prominent feature of IIID activities.