The IsDB has contributed to the improved learning environment of Safa & Marwa Islamic School in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada in partnership with Salaheddin Islamic Centre.

The Islamic Development Bank’s Communities Outreach Programme has partnered with the Salaheddin Islamic Centre, achieving the objective of accommodating the increasing demand from the Muslim community, and securing enrolment for their children at Safa & Marwa Islamic School in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Due to the limited space of the Safa & Marwa Islamic School, to accommodate the increasing demand from the Muslim community, The Communities Outreach Programme of IsDB proposed their participation in financing the expansion of the school to mitigate the pressure. The resulting project succeeded in increasing the school capacity by about 25%, improving the education level by enabling full facilities for the school (Library, Labs, Gyms, etc). It has also helped in reducing the gap in the demand for the high schools in the Mississauga area where Safa & Marwa Islamic School is one of only three high schools serving around 500,000 Muslims.

In a bid to achieve the objective of accommodating the increasing demand, the partner, Salaheddin Islamic Centre, purchased a building previously used as an office and warehouse for a private company. The project cost was US$ 6.6 million to which IsDB has contributed US$ 200,000.  The purchased building was converted into high school classes and offices. School facilities such as science Labs, Gym and Library were established. The school was also equipped with the necessary furniture, equipment, and Innovation labs to run innovation programs and competitions. This has accommodated the enrollment of 120 students at the school, making the total number of students 850.

Safa & Marwa Islamic School in Mississauga is ranked one of the top schools in all of Ontario. The school strives to provide an engaging environment for its students attending Grades 9 to 12. It is a private high school accredited with the Ontario Ministry of Education, which prepares students for admission to colleges and universities in Canada, while striving to abide by Qur’anic mandate and the prophetic traditions. Its vision is to be the leader in fostering an educational experience that empowers Muslim communities to become contributing citizens that are proud and confident in their Islamic faith.

The project was approved on 1st July 2018 and completed January 2020. The IsDB support has been highly welcomed by the Muslim community leaders and the government. The Community Outreach Program has rekindled hope and provided the much-needed support.