Islam

"In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful." That is the phrase Muslims say before almost everything, a meal, a workday, a drive on the 401, and it captures what the faith is about. The word Islam (submission) shares a root with salaam (peace); in essence, it means devoting yourself wholly to Allah, the One God, and the peace that follows. (Allah is simply Arabic for God; Arabic-speaking Christians use the same word).

Muslims believe in and honour a long line of Prophets: Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Isa (Jesus), and many others, ending with our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (the calligraphy means "peace and blessings be upon him"), and we pray for peace upon them all. We read the Quran as Allah's word.

The faith is lived through five practices: declaring it with the tongue, praying five times a day, giving 2.5 percent of one's savings each year to those in need, fasting from dawn to sunset in the month of Ramadan, and, once in a lifetime for those able, the pilgrimage to Mecca.

The values underneath are ones you will recognize: honesty, mercy, gratitude, justice, care for parents and neighbours, and many others. And when Muslims meet, we greet one another with السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته: Assalamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu: "may peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings."

Good Wishes for the Future

Roughly one in ten Torontonians shares this faith: your pharmacist, your kid's teacher, the family down the street. My hope for our city is simple: that we stay curious about one another and learn, instead of assuming and judging, and that those who do not yet understand, or are not yet comfortable, at least learn to disagree without contempt. If you have ever wondered what happens inside a masjid (a mosque), come and see. Bring your questions. The door, like our greeting, opens with peace.

Baháʼí

The Bahá’í Faith is a worldwide religion that began in the nineteenth century with the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, whose title means “the Glory of God.” Bahá’ís believe in one God, the oneness of humanity, and the essential unity of the world’s religions. Abraham, Krishna, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, and other Divine Messengers are all honoured as part of a continuous process through which God has guided humanity throughout history. Bahá’u’lláh taught that the time has come for humanity to recognize itself as one family and to learn how to build a world characterized by justice, peace, and cooperation.

For Bahá’ís, spiritual life and service to society go hand in hand. Prayer, reflection on sacred writings, and striving to develop qualities such as love, truthfulness, generosity, and justice are important aspects of daily life. Bahá’ís also work alongside friends and neighbours of all backgrounds to build welcoming communities where everyone can contribute to the common good. Across Toronto and around the world, these efforts include devotional gatherings, educational programs for children and youth, and conversations that strengthen bonds of friendship and foster unity in diversity.

Good Wishes for the Future

The Bahá’í Community of Toronto hopes that our city will continue to be a place where people of every background, culture, and faith are valued and respected. Toronto’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and when people approach one another with curiosity, humility, and a spirit of service, they help create a community in which everyone feels they belong. Our hope is for a city where diversity is celebrated, common aspirations are discovered, and unity grows through genuine friendship and shared efforts to build a better future for all.

Sikhism

Ik Oangkar, the basis of the Sikh faith. Saying that from one universal entity all of creation arose. The waves of vibration emanating from that one singularity vibrate throughout the whole universe. As Sikhs, we meditate on this thought daily. The entirety of creation is viewed the same to Sikhs. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhi, spread this message on their travels. As the lineage of the Guru progressed, this message and the Sikh community evolved to what we see today.

Sikh Spiritual Centre Toronto stands firm on the 3 pillars of Sikhi: working hard, meditating on God, and sharing what we have. Every day, thousands of people come in and have a free vegetarian meal. The community kitchen, known as Langar, is available to anyone, regardless of gender, caste, creed, race, or religion. Divine hymns are sung, which promote the contemplation of the divine, and it’s all run on the contributions of the congregation. Sikh Spiritual Centre Toronto is open to anyone in the community who wishes to come in and learn more about Sikhi.