Shahina Siddiqui, BA. LLD.
Volunteer Executive Director of ISSA
Shahina Siddiqui, BA. LLD.
Shahina Siddiqui, is a freelance writer, author, spiritual counselor, speaker and educator. Shahina has been working for decades in build bridges between faith and cultural communities, to help preserve human rights, develop cultural competency and mutual understanding. Shahina is originally from Pakistan and has lived in Winnipeg since 1976. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English hon. and Philosophy from St Joseph’s College, University of Karachi.
Shahina co-founded Islamic Social Services Association in 1999, co-founded Al-Hijra Islamic school first in Manitoba 1996. She founded the Canadian Muslim Women’s Institute and co-founded Canadian Muslim Leadership Institute. She also co-founded the Interfaith Council of Women – Manitoba. Is founding member of the Federation of Canadian Muslim Social Services. She has served as faculty for Global College Summer Institute 2013-2015.
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How ISSA Began
Islamic Social Services Association Inc. (ISSA) was established in 1999 at a meeting of 60 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. In 2003 ISSA split into 2 sister and independent organizations: one in the USA and one in Canada. ISSA Canada operates as a non-profit, charitable organization and carries a mission to provide family, health, and social welfare services inclusive of the many cultural and ethnic groups that comprise the Muslim community in North America.
She has received many local and national recognitions for her work and social justice activism which include:
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2002: YMCA-YWCA (Winnipeg) Peace Medal - for her work since September 11 in fostering understanding between Muslims and other religious and cultural groups in Winnipeg.
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2009: ISSA-USA for years of outstanding Leadership to Islamic Social Services Association
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2010: Grass Roots Women of Manitoba Award in recognition of her social justice activism and her life’s struggle for justice.
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2011: Manitoba Federation of Non-profit Organizations in Recognition of meritorious Service
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2012: Recognition by ICNA Sisters Canada for her years of dedicated and selfless service to the Muslim community. (Toronto)
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2013: Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal for her contributions to Canada
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2014: Recognized by South Asian Women for her contributions to cross cultural understanding. (Winnipeg)
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2014: DawaNet ‘Civic Courage Award for her outstanding service to civic engagement in Canada (Toronto)
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2015: Joan Melanson Award to honour her commitment in working for peace
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2016: Tayyibah Taylor Award in appreciation as a successful woman in leadership and incarceration issues. (Toronto)
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2016: Canadian Red Cross ‘Humanitarian of the Year’
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2017: RCMP Commanding Officer’s Appreciation of her dedication and expertise in recognition of her expertise, dedication and professionalism in support of the RCMP and various community and cultural diversity programs.
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2019: Honourary Doctorate of Laws - University of Manitoba
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2016/ 2019: Named as one of 100 ‘what is special about Manitoba’ - Winnipeg Free Press
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2019: featured- Manitoba Museum Wall of immigrants who have enriched Manitoba
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2020: Jinnah society International-Jinnah Award for outstanding Community Leadership
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2020: ISSA-USA In Appreciation for generously giving in uplifting mental health and social Services in North American Muslim community
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2021: Nellie McClung Foundation -Manitoba 150 Women Trailblazer Award Recipient
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Shahina has been profiled in magazines, newspapers and books. Few of these are:
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2004 “We Chose Canada” – Eleven Profiles from Manitoba’s Mosaic by Lesley Hughes;
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2010 “Leading by Example,” The Prime Times,
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2012 “Courageous Crusader,” Winnipeg Women,
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2013 “Words To Lead By”, by Leadership Winnipeg;
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2014 “A Place to Call Home” by Canada West Foundation; Sheila O’Brien and Shawna Stirrett.
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2015 Resilience and Triumph: Immigrant Women Tell their Stories.
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2017 Muslim Community Organizations in the West: story of 2 women.
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2020 Manitoba 150 commemoration - Places and Faces: The Nellie McClung Foundation
Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, to Ms. Shahina Siddiqui, (2019)
​Shahina has been invited to many national and international forums to speak and educate. Shahina has presented as keynote speaker on both local, national and international conferences on varied subjects.
A few of these are:
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2004 “We Chose Canada” – Eleven Profiles from Manitoba’s Mosaic by Lesley Hughes;
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2010 “Leading by Example,” The Prime Times,
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2012 “Courageous Crusader,” Winnipeg Women,
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2013 “Words To Lead By”, by Leadership Winnipeg;
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2014 “A Place to Call Home” by Canada West Foundation; Sheila O’Brien and Shawna Stirrett.
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2015 Resilience and Triumph: Immigrant Women Tell their Stories.
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2017 Muslim Community Organizations in the West: story of 2 women.
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2020 Manitoba 150 Commemoration - Places and Faces: The Nellie McClung Foundation
​Shahina Siddiqui in the Media:
A few of these are:
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2004 “We Chose Canada” – Eleven Profiles from Manitoba’s Mosaic by Lesley Hughes;
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2010 “Leading by Example,” The Prime Times,
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2012 “Courageous Crusader,” Winnipeg Women,
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2013 “Words To Lead By”, by Leadership Winnipeg;
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2014 “A Place to Call Home” by Canada West Foundation; Sheila O’Brien and Shawna Stirrett.
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2015 Resilience and Triumph: Immigrant Women Tell their Stories.
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2017 Muslim Community Organizations in the West: story of 2 women.
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2020 Manitoba 150 Commemoration - Places and Faces: The Nellie McClung Foundation
×´Racism Takes Away Human Dignity.×´
- Shahina Siddiqui