About Masjid Vaughan

Welcome to Masjid Vaughan

ABOUT
THE IMAM
FAQ
ANNUAL REPORTS
ENDORSEMENTS

ABOUT

Masjid Vaughan was opened April 15, 2018 and is a community project of Risalah Foundation. The property is situated in the heart of Maple, a few hundred metres from Vaughan City Hall. The Masjid's heritage building carries with it a sacred history extending over 140 years. Its internal mid-century gothic architecture has been carefully restored to reflect a North American Islamic aesthetic that gracefully evokes a sense of serenity and majesty for its Sunni Muslim community. Praise belongs to God Most High for this blessing, and a collective declaration of gratitude is due to each and every supporter who had a hand in establishing this first masjid in our city of Vaughan.

THE IMAM

Shaykh Dr. Moaaz Safwat Salem is the Imam of the daily prayers and the Tarawih at Masjid Vaughan, Canada. He is a world-renowned teacher and scholar of Quran recitation and its related sciences with several Ijazat (licenses) from the most credible scholars of our age. The Shaykh is currently the Dean at Dar al-Burhan Academy for Quran Studies Canada. Dr. Moaaz's extensive experience in institutional management enables him to also serve as an executive for Risalah Foundation, along with Shaykh Ramzy Ajem and Syed Mubeen Alam. His position includes working closely with the administration at Masjid Vaughan to ensure congregants are experiencing the highest standards in religious services and education. Shaykh Moaaz is committed to building a vibrant and welcoming community for Muslims in the Greater Toronto Area.

learn more about the IMAM

Shaykh Moaaz memorized the Jazariya with an Ijaza before reaching the age of four years old at the hands of the renowned Muqri Shaykh Ayman Suwayd. His journey in memorization continued with his father Shaykh Safwat Mahmoud Salem, until he completed it at the age of thirteen in the Sacred Precinct of Makkah. He furthered his studies by meeting with and studying at the feet of various scholars from across the globe, receiving Ijazat from some of the most credible sources. By the age of seventeen, Shaykh Moaaz was teaching advanced students and holding large classes in Quran recitation and Tajweed, in addition to attaining several teaching licenses from leading scholars in Quran and Hadith. He went on to complete a PhD in Qur’anic Recitations from the Department of Qira’āt in the Faculty of Da’wah and Usul Al-Dīn at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah.

Between 2006 and 2021, Dr. Moaaz was employed at Imam Al-Shatibi Institute in Saudi Arabia serving as Lecturer, President in the Department of Studies in Education, President in the Department of Information Technology, and as Supervisor in the Department of Curriculum Development. Shaykh Moaaz remains a Member of the Curriculum Committee for Tafsir and Quranic Sciences Diploma and has hosted several televised programs on the history of the Quran and recitation.

Academic Degrees:
1. PhD in Qur’anic Recitations - Department of Qira’āt- Faculty of Da’wah and Usul Al-Dīn - Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah. [Excellent with First Grade Honour 2017]
2. MA in Qur’anic Recitations Department of Qira’āt- Faculty of Da’wah and Usul Al-Dīn - Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah. [Excellent with First Grade Honour 2010]
3. BA - Qur’anic Recitations Department of Qira’āt- Faculty of Da’wah and Usul Al-Dīn - Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah. [Excellent with First Grade Honour 2006]

Other Certificates:
1. Certificate in the Memorisation of the Holy Quran
2. Certificate of the Ten Qira’āt Course from Imam Al-Shatibi Institute-Jeddah
3. Certificate in Jazariyyah Course from Imam Al-Shatibi Institute-Jeddah

Ijazāt:
1. Ijazah in the Ten Major Qira’āt by the way of Tayyibat al-Nashr.
2. Ijazah in the Ten Minor Qira’āt by the way of Al-Shatibiyyah and Al-Dorrah.
3. Two Ijazahs on the recitation of Hafs by the way of Tayyibat al-Nashr.
4. Three Ijazat on the recitation of Hafs by the way of Al-Shatibiyyah.
5. Ijazah in the Four extra irregular Qira’āt by the way of Al-Fawā’id Al-Mu’tabarah.
6. Ijazah in the full transmission with the connected chain of narration of Sahih Al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Musnad Ahmad, Shamail Al-Tirmidhi, Al-Āthar of Muhammad bin Al-Hasan Al-Shaybani, Al-Shifa of Al-Qadi ‘Iyad, Forty Hadiths of Al-Nawawi, and Matn Abu Shujā’.
7. Ijazah in Al-Jazariyyah in Tajwid- Al-‘Aqilah in the Quranic Script- Nazimat Al-Zuhr.
8. Classical Training with Scholars in Hadith, Fiqh, Usul and Arabic sciences.

Work Experience:
1. Taught Tajwid and Qira’at at Imam Al-Shatibi Institute from 1423-1427 AH
2. Lecturer at Imam Al-Shatibi Institute from 1427 - 1438 AH at different departments
3. Supervising E-Learning Department
4. Member of Curriculum Committee for Tafsir & Quranic Sciences Diploma
5. Taught Intensive Courses on Tajwid, Recitation, Teaching Methods of Qira’at, Qur’an Teachers’ Training
6. Assisted some scholars in writing, annotating and publishing works on Tajwid and Qira’at
7. Presented various TV shows on the history of the Qur’an and live shows on how to recite
8. Revised the full audio -Qur’anic recording of some reciters
9. Recorded parts of the Qur’an in different recitations
10. Tarawih Imam since 1997
11. Referee & Judge in the Quranic Competition ‘Tartil’ since its inception to 1438 AH

Skills and Hobbies:
1. Train the Trainer Course (Certified)
2. Mind-Mapping Course
3. NLP Course- Advanced Practitioner
4. Creative Thinking Course
5. Audio-Editing Course
6. Calligrapher
7. Intermediate Level of English
8. Professional Photographer -Swimmer - Book Editing

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHEN IS JUMU`A?

Jumu'a Times remain the same throughout the year: 1:30 PM Adhan, 1:35 Khutbah & 2:00 PM Salat.

WHERE CAN I PARK on fridays?

Ample parking is available at St. Andrew's Church: 9860 Keele St, Maple, ON L6A 3Y4 on Fridays between 1:00pm and 3:00. Additionally, the masjid is surrounded by plenty of street parking options. Kindly respect all parking by-laws and show common courtesy to our neighbours.

IS THIS A SUNNI MOSQUE?

Yes, the Imams and executive team that serve this masjid share tenets of faith that are based on the Quran and Sunna as documented by the four great schools of the Sunni Tradition: Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam al-Shafi`i and Imam Ahmad, may God have mercy on them all.

WHAT KIND OF MUSLIMS ATTEND THE MASJID?

The congregants of Masjid Vaughan are of various ethnicities and backgrounds. Masjid Vaughan promotes an authentic and contextual message of Islam for Canadian Muslims and is governed by principles of transparency, inclusion, goodwill, tolerance, positive dialogue and civic engagement. Anyone who shares these values is welcome!

WHAT SERVICES are offered at THE MASJID?

Programs and Services that happen at Masjid Vaughan include:

The five daily prayers
Jumu'a
Weekend Islamic School
Ramadan & Tarawih Services
Eid Prayers
Nikah Ceremony
Hajj & Umrah Tours
Full-time Hifz School
Janaza Service

WHO ADMINISTERS THE MASJID & HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER?

The Masjid is served by:
a) the board of directors of Risalah Foundation, a Canadian Registered Charity No. 809028954RR0001;
b) the Executive Team & Custodians;
c) Imam for the Daily Prayers;
d) Select Friday Imams and religious teachers;
e) the Masjid Vaughan Advisory Board (MVAB) and;
f) the local community of volunteers and donors.
If you would like to volunteer please email: operations@masjidvaughan.ca

HOW Can I LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION?

Masjid Vaughan is a community project of Risalah Foundation (a Canadian Registered Charity No. 809028954RR0001). The Foundation's elected board of directors are guided by by-laws and internal policies that promote good governance and ensure accountability. Members, congregants or donors desiring to learn more about the board may contact: contact@risalah.ca.

What is THE ADVISORY BOARD & HOW CAN I JOIN?

The Masjid is the House of God which has specific jurisprudential rulings proper to it, yet it is a public community space. The Masjid's executive management team have been tasked with the responsibility of governing this trust and endowment to serve God and His worshippers in the best way possible. This responsibility sometimes involves soliciting the counsel of community members who frequent the masjid and are qualified to contribute to its wellbeing.
The Masjid Vaughan Advisory Board (MVAB) is a rotating body of nominated men and women from the local Muslim community who provide oversight and strategic advice to the management of the Masjid. The mission of the MVAB is to:

monitor the Masjid’s community impact by reviewing documented reports;
provide unbiased insights and ideas from an interested stakeholder;
provide wise counsel on issues raised by congregants, neighbours and/or city;
provide networking opportunities to advance the Masjid’s fundraising, property maintenance, parking solutions, and general performance.

If you would like to be considered for nomination please email your request and CV to contact@masjidvaughan.ca.

CAN I VIEW THE FINANCIAL REPORTS?

Masjid Vaughan is a community project of the charity, Risalah Foundation.
To view annual reports that pertain exclusively to Masjid Vaughan, please click here.
To view financial audits of the charity, please visit www.risalah.ca.

I HEARD THE QIBLA AT MASJID VAUGHAN WAS NOT ACCURATE?

The exact Qibla from True North at Masjid Vaughan is 54.50441151562552 degrees East of North. However, the founders of the Mosque in consultation with its Senior Scholars' Counsel have established the Qibla at around 57 degrees East of North, as the building is situated in such a way that this slight divergence is architecturally more accommodating for larger congregations. The prayer is valid with this slight divergence because it is not obligatory to face the exact direction (‘ayn) of the Ka'ba for someone who is distant from Mecca. Prayers that are performed facing the general direction of the Ka'ba are valid in the sacred law, even if one is aware that it is not exact, so as long as one's side or back is not facing the Ka'ba. This is the position of the majority of scholars, namely, Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik ibn Anas and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and their respective schools (may God have mercy on them all). It is also the position of Imam al-Shafi himself, while others of his school have differed with him.
For the full answer with evidences and corroborating support click here.

I made a donation, When will I get my tax receipt?

Thank you for your support, No worries, donations are documented and receipts are sent out every tax season (in February). If you haven't received it yet or you require it sooner. Please send your request to contact@risalah.ca.

ANNUAL REPORTS

We pray that these reports bring you benefit and increased confidence that our journey together towards serving the house of Allah will be realized responsibly and with transparency.