Islamic Social Services Association

What Islamic Social Services Association does

Islamic Social Services Association Inc, Canada (ISSA) is a registered Canadian charity (CRA 86928 8787 RR 0001) founded in 1999 at a meeting of 60 Muslim social workers, mental health professionals, and counsellors in Washington D.C. The organization operates as a community-based non-profit headquartered at 1200-191 Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, providing culturally and spiritually competent social services to Canadian Muslims and their families. ISSA's core offerings span counseling and system navigation, education and training workshops (cultural competency, Islamophobia, anti-racism), trauma-informed care, palliative care education, marriage commissioner services, Imam training, and a publication library of 29+ educational guides sold through an e-commerce storefront at $2-$12 per unit.

ISSA's go-to-market is community-led, relying on grassroots outreach, referrals, speaker requests, partnerships with organizations such as Sakeenah Homes, NCCM, and RCMP, and presence at national conferences and events. The organization employs approximately 7 staff plus a volunteer Executive Director (Shahina Siddiqui) and a volunteer Board of Directors. Revenue is sourced from charitable donations and institutional grants (United Way, TD Ready Commitment, Government of Manitoba, Scotiabank), supplemented by modest publication sales and fees for training/workshop services. ISSA also operates several affiliated initiatives including Al-Hijra Islamic School, the Canadian Muslim Women's Institute (which became independent in 2012-2013), the Canadian Muslim Leadership Institute, and the Interfaith Council of Women-Manitoba.

ISSA has no proprietary technology platform, API, or app; services are delivered through direct human interaction and printed publications distributed via its website and e-commerce storefront. The organization holds CRA registered charity status and has received numerous recognitions including the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal (2013), Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year (2016), RCMP Commanding Officer's Appreciation (2017), Honorary Doctorate of Laws from University of Manitoba (2019), Manitoba 150 Women Trailblazer Award (2021), and King Charles Coronation Medal (2025).

Name

Islamic Social Services Association

Legal name

Islamic Social Services Association Inc, Canada (ISSA)

Website

https://issacanada.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ISSA Canada is a registered Canadian charity founded in 1999 that delivers culturally competent social services, counseling, education, and training to Canadian Muslim communities, supported by donations, grants, and publication sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Social Assistance (624), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Immigration Law Literacy & Rights Education (EDAAADAB), Immigration, Citizenship & Integration Language Exam Prep (EDANACAG)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Cultural competency training
• Faith-based counseling
• Educational publications
• Anti-racism workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Winnipeg

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Funding: ISSA operates as a registered Canadian charity (CRA 86928 8787 RR 0001) and receives funding from government programs, foundations, and individual donors to support operations and community programs.
2. Publication Sales: ISSA sells educational publications and resources on topics related to Islam, Muslims, cultural competency, and Islamophobia. Prices range from $2 to $12 per publication.
3. Training and Workshop Services: ISSA provides sector-specific training and educational workshops on cultural competency, Islamophobia, anti-racism, and related topics. Requests are processed through a Speaker Request Form.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ISSA provides culturally and spiritually competent social services, counseling, system navigation, newcomer settlement support, and legal referrals to Canadian Muslims and their families. It also delivers sector-specific training and workshops (cultural competency, Islamophobia, anti-racism, palliative care, trauma-informed care, Imam training) and sells a catalogue of educational publications on Islam, Muslims, healthcare, education, and social issues.

Product overview

ISSA Canada offers a portfolio of services including educational publications (handbooks, brochures, and guides on topics ranging from Islamophobia to healthcare and family services), support services (system navigation, counseling, referrals, trauma-informed care), and professional training (cultural competency workshops, Imam training, anti-racism programs, palliative care education). The organization also provides marriage commissioner services and hosts national conferences and events. The core offerings center on culturally and spiritually appropriate social services, education, and community support for Canadian Muslims.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ISSA Publications Educational handbooks, brochures, and guides on Islam, Muslims, cultural competency, and social issues facing Muslim communities, available for purchase ($2–$12 per item) covering topics including Islamophobia, Islamic law, mental health, healthcare, education, and family services.
• Support Services System navigation, newcomer settlement services, legal referrals, and culturally and spiritually competent assistance for individuals and families accessing services with respect for their cultural and faith backgrounds.
• Palliative Care for Muslims Support and education related to palliative care with focus on cultural and spiritual understanding during end-of-life care, helping service providers, caregivers, and community members respond to needs with dignity and respect.
• Trauma Informed Care Trauma-informed support services for individuals affected by hate, Islamophobia, and domestic violence, connecting Muslim women and families with shelters and community resources.
• Marriage Commissioner Services Marriage Commissioner services for both Islamic and civil marriages, including the preparation and solemnization of morally binding Islamic Marriage Contracts.
• Education and Training Programs Sector-specific training and educational workshops on cultural competency, Islam and Muslims, Islamophobia, anti-racism, media engagement, youth empowerment, capacity building, and the impacts of discrimination on Muslim mental health. Programs can be tailored to schools, workplaces, faith communities, and other organizations.
• National Conferences and Events National conferences and events including Islam and Muslim 101 sessions, Human Rights and Islamophobia education, Multicultural Tea-Fest, bi-annual ISSA Dinner with Ihsan and Ansar Awards, Black History Month events, National Women's Conference, Mental Health and Social Work Conference, and Honouring Truth and Reconciliation Muslim-Indigenous Solidarity Conference.
• Muslim Family Services Social and spiritual counselling, systems navigation and advocacy, and mediation services for Muslim individuals and organizations, covering marriage, grief, divorce, inter-generational conflict, domestic violence, and addictions.
• Imam Training Four-day training sessions for Imams covering counseling, conflict resolution, mediation, and social work skills.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trained over 24 intern and practicum students (2012-2013)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Sakeenah HomescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between ISSA and Sakeenah Homes to create the first Muslim shelter for women and children in Winnipeg. Currently in the fundraising stage.
• NCCM (National Council of Canadian Muslims)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative effort with NCCM and RCMP on the 'United Against Terrorism' publication to assist in understanding the nature, origin, causes and impact of extremist messages on Canadian Muslim youth
• RCMPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative effort with NCCM and ISSA on the 'United Against Terrorism' publication to assist in understanding the nature, origin, causes and impact of extremist messages on Canadian Muslim youth
• Social Planning Council of WinnipegsupportingOthersShared office space arrangement at 412 McDermot Avenue, later moved to 200-72 Princess Street

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Canadian Muslim Women's Institute (CMWI): Originally founded by ISSA in 2006 and spun off as an independent organization by 2012–2013. Directly comparable mission around Muslim women and family services, with deep historical and operational overlap with ISSA.
• Canadian Muslim Congress: Canadian Muslim civil society organization focused on civic engagement, advocacy, and interfaith dialogue. Comparable in mission and audience with ISSA's anti-Islamophobia and community-bridging work.
• National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM): National Muslim advocacy and civil liberties organization in Canada. Directly comparable to ISSA in serving Canadian Muslim communities and a co-development partner on ISSA's 'United Against Terrorism' publication.
• Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW): National Canadian Muslim women's organization providing advocacy, education, and community programs. Comparable in audience and social-services orientation, particularly intersecting with ISSA's family services and counseling programs.
• ISSA USA: Sister organization that split from ISSA in 2003. Operates the same Islamic social services mandate in the U.S., making it the closest structural and mission-aligned peer.
• Al-Hijra Islamic School: Manitoba's first Islamic school, co-founded by ISSA's current Executive Director. Closely linked to ISSA and comparable as a faith-based Canadian institution serving Muslim community needs, though focused on K-12 education rather than social services.

Broad incumbents

• Islamic Relief Canada: Large Canadian Muslim-affiliated humanitarian and social services organization. Comparable as a registered charity delivering community programming and culturally grounded services to Canadian Muslims, but with much broader humanitarian scope.
• Muslim Association of Canada (MAC): Large Canadian Muslim community organization running mosques, schools, and social programs nationally. Comparable in delivering faith-aligned community services across Canada with broader geographic and programmatic scale.
• Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Canada: Established Canadian Muslim community organization running mosques, educational programming, and humanitarian initiatives. Comparable as a national-scale faith-aligned social services provider serving Canadian Muslims.

Emerging players

• Ummah Foods Foundation: Canadian Muslim-led food security and newcomer support charity. Partially comparable in delivering community-facing services to Canadian Muslims and newcomers, with overlap on settlement-oriented support.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@issacanada
• Facebookfacebook.com/islamicsocialservices
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/islamic-social-services-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/issa_winnipeg

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Islamic Social Services Association