Ottawa's Full-Time Qur'aan Center

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “It will be said to the companion of the Qur’aan: Recite and rise in status, recite as you used to recite in the world, for your status will be at the last verse that you recite.”

Who Are We

Izzah Learning Center is a non-profit organization in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, aimed towards developing proficient and excellent reciters of the Noble Qur'aan.
 
The center was founded in May 2013 by students of Sheikha Umm Abdallah Azizah Hafez, who Ijaza with Sanad in multiple Qiraa’at (types of recitations) of which, one is from Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Akhdar. 

The students were inspired to open a center that would create a welcoming and comfortable environment for women and children to learn proper Tajweed and recitation. 

The word "Izzah" means to be strong/powerful and we believe that our center is dedicated towards creating strong and powerful reciters of the Qur'aan. It also means honor & dignity and we believe the only way we will attain honor & dignity in this life & hereafter is by loving and living the Qur'aan. 

By the Tawfeeq of Allah (swt), this year alone, Izzah Center has helped over 200 students connect with the Noble Qur'aan, inspired many sisters, teenage girls and children to appreciate the science of Tajweed & art of Tilawah, leading to higher level of devotion and discipline to recite and memorize the Qur'aan. 

Additionally, Izzah Center established a training program to develop more proficient & skilled Qur'aan teachers (benefiting Izzah as well as several local schools & organizations). Izzah developed a simple but efficient curriculum to relate Tajweed concepts to students (especially English speakers) & practical methods and strategies to improve Arabic reading skills and fluency in recitation. 


Izzah also employed four youth last summer, organized many spiritual, educational, social,and recreational activities/workshops to foster positive memories with learning Qur'aan, strengthen sisterhood and nurture righteous companionship among youth while gaining Islamic knowledge.

Izzah also initiated two weekend programs to mentor young Muslim girls (ages 7 to 18) in many aspects of their lives (faith, character building, education, and careers). Lastly, Izzah Center was first to organize the annual lady's night at Mont Cascade Water Park. 


All of this work has been possible by the Tawfeeq of Allah (swt) then the relentless efforts, sweat, tears, and sacrifices of many sisters. From the board of directors to teachers to volunteers, Izzah Center is an independent,  grass-root Islamic learning organization established and sustained by sisters for sisters, youth, and children. 

Why Do We Need Funds

It is unfortunate, however, our work has been interrupted since April 30 of this year. As of now, Izzah's furniture, supplies, and materials have been placed in a storage facility waiting for a new home.

For six years, Izzah Learning Center has been renting with Campanale Management without any issues. We were good to our neighbors abiding by the rules laid out. Unfortunately, this year Campanale decided not to renew all expiring leases for all tenants after reaching an agreement with a third party tenant to lease the entire building for the next 20 years.  Izzah Center, and all tenants of 1000 Brookfield Road, had to move out.

We are very saddened by this, as this was our home since 2013 however we are optimistic that we can find an even better home for Izzah, and we trust Allah (swt) is the best of planners.

With assistance of a realtor, we have been actively searching for a suitable space recieving the end of lease notice in December 2018 and we are facing several challenges: high cost of renovations (to make suitable classrooms), long term leases (minimum of 5 years) and high rent (average monthly rent $6,000). 
 
We are looking for a new place to call home. We cannot proceed with this alone. We need your help to continue connecting our sisters, youth, and children to the Qur'aan and provide many beneficial activities & programs for community. 



The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:  “When somebody recites one letter from the Qur’aan he will get one good deed in recompense and this recompense will be equal to ten good deeds. I do not say that Alif, Lam, Meem is a letter, but alif is a letter, laam is a letter and meem is a letter.” (Narrated by Al-Tirmithi)


Imagine how many letters each individual attending the center recites every class? Every time they go home to practice? 

Imagine the child who goes on to memorize the entire Qur'aan? Then teaches the Qur'aan to others? 

Imagine the women who learns the Qur'aan and teaches her family? 

Imagine how much this center will inshaa’Allah impact the community?

Imagine!

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:  The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings – for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good – Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain.”

It is impossible to imagine how many rewards you will receive for helping not only these children and women learn the Qur'aan but also from every individual those students help later on in life.  Subhan Allah.

It is impossible to imagine how far your rewards will go beyond your life in this world as Sadaqa Jaariyah (continuous charity).

Where Will the Funds Go

The funds raised will Inshaa’Allah help us in numerous ways. We hope to use these funds to: 

Renovations/Fitting Expenses: Many of the commercial spaces we found so far require fitting/renovations in order to hold classes, the fund will be used to help in such costs.
 
Secure Lease: Due to high market rent (average rent $6000/month) and longer term leases (3 to 5 years), the funds will provide us with the financial security to sign a lease, in order to focus on developing new programs, increase classes, improve our programs & services for many more years to come Inshaa’ Allah. 

Committed Staff: These funds will help us hire a full-time administrator and two full-time teachers. Our center runs everyday and it has become a necessity to have an individual to take on the administrator tasks. Training & retaining proficient reciters who are also committed & professional teachers is a major challenge, and as the demand for Izzah classes & programs increases, the need for long term teachers is necessary in order to minimize disruptions to student learning/development when a part-time teacher is no longer able to continue. We will also be able to accommodate more students.

Provide Scholarships: There are times when a student takes one of our classes, however, is unable to continue due to financial reasons. Having a scholarship fund would help these students continue their Qur'aan lessons, without placing financial hardships on the center. 

Babysitting: Many stay-at-home mothers would love to commit to learning the Qur'aan with a high level of discipline & dedication in order to truly grow in their skills and knowledge. Providing babysitting for duration of classes would enable more mothers with children to join classes and connect with the Qur'aan. 

As can be seen, we have many visions for our center to evolve into a location that can impact the future of the community. By attending to the spiritual, social, and educational needs of our sisters, youth, and children and connecting them to the source of guidance and salvation, the Noble Qur'aan, we will ensure the well being of our community in the long run.  

Jazakum Allahu khair for facilitating and enabling the preservation of the words of Allah (swt) in our city. May Allah (swt) reward you for every letter each student utters and repeats, bless your health, wealth, and families, and compensate you in this life before the next.