Historic Muslim surge: 13 Muslim MPs elected in Canada’s 2025 elections

Muslim political engagement hits new heights amid record civic mobilization, principled endorsements, and a campaign shaped by Palestine solidarity

OTTAWA, CANADA (MNTV) — Canada’s 2025 federal election has marked a historic breakthrough for Muslim representation, with 13 Muslim Members of Parliament elected to the House of Commons, up from 11 in the previous legislature.

Experts say, this unprecedented increase underscores the growing political clout of Muslim Canadians, particularly in urban centres like the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), where Muslims now make up 12–14% of the population.

While 13 Muslim candidates succeeded to get into the Parliament, 21 several others came remarkably close — finishing second with strong voter support.

The campaign trail was deeply influenced by global events — chief among them, Israel’s war in Palestine. The ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine dominated voter concerns in mosques, community halls, and social media debates.

The issue of Palestine became a moral barometer for many, with candidates’ positions on Gaza, ceasefire demands, and humanitarian aid under close scrutiny.

In response, more than 100 Muslim organisations from coast to coast rallied around a shared mandate: to vote with a conscience rooted in justice, dignity, and equity.

The Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council (CMPAC) led the way with its MuslimsVote.ca campaign, endorsing 45 candidates based on their commitment to human rights, civil liberties, and foreign policy values.

Simultaneously, over 300 candidates signed onto the “Vote Palestine” platform, calling for a bolder Canadian stance on Palestinian rights. Several of the winning MPs backed this initiative, helping translate grassroots mobilisation into historic electoral gains.

The election results have led to a diverse and more representative Parliament, especially for communities often sidelined in national politics.

The newly elected 13 Muslim MPs reflect Canada’s pluralism — spanning backgrounds from Lebanon, Pakistan, Iran, Somalia, Türkiye, and more.

The Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, secured 168 seats, forming a minority government, just four seats short of a majority.

The Conservatives, under Pierre Poilievre, won 144 seats — though Poilievre himself lost his seat in Carleton, Ontario. The Bloc Québécois gained 23 seats, the NDP collapsed to just 5, and the Green Party retained 1.

This election also reflected demographic change.

Parliament now includes 343 seats, up from 338, following a redistribution based on the 2021 census — a move that empowered many urban ridings with large immigrant and Muslim populations.

Profiles of 13 Muslim MPs elected in 2025

1. Abdelhaq Sari (Liberal – Bourassa, Quebec)
   City councillor and advocate for public safety and orphan welfare, Sari won with 58.5% of the vote.
2. Sameer Zuberi (Liberal – Pierrefonds—Dollard, Quebec)
   Human rights advocate and MP since 2019, Zuberi won re-election with nearly 60% of the vote.
3. Shafqat Ali (Liberal – Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, Ontario)
   A businessman and community volunteer, Ali focused on healthcare and affordability. He won with 48.7%.
4. Aslam Rana (Liberal – Hamilton Centre, Ontario)
   A Pakistani-Canadian civil engineer committed to sustainable infrastructure and small business support.
5. Fares Al Soud (Liberal – Mississauga Centre, Ontario)
   A newcomer to Parliament, Al Soud defeated a Conservative opponent with 53.7%.
6. Iqra Khalid (Liberal – Mississauga—Erin Mills, Ontario)
   A human rights leader, Khalid championed motions against Islamophobia and the Rohingya genocide.
7. Sima Acan (Liberal – Oakville West, Ontario)
   The first Turkish-Canadian MP in Parliament, Acan is a trailblazer for her community.
8. Yasir Naqvi (Liberal – Ottawa Centre, Ontario)
   Former Ontario Attorney General and federal MP focused on justice reform and urban revitalization.
9. Salma Zahid (Liberal – Scarborough Centre—Don Valley East, Ontario)
   Cancer survivor and outspoken MP on human rights issues including support for South Africa’s case on Gaza.
10. Karim Bardeesy (Liberal – Taiaiako’n—Parkdale—High Park, Ontario)
11. Ali Ehsassi (Liberal – Willowdale, Ontario)
    Iranian-Canadian MP focused on global justice, genocide prevention, and Iranian regime accountability.
12. Ahmed Hussen (Liberal – York South—Weston—Etobicoke, Ontario)
    Somali-Canadian MP and former immigration minister with a legacy of humanitarian advocacy.
13. Taleeb Noormohamed (Liberal – Vancouver Granville, British Columbia)
    Harvard-educated MP with experience in public policy, digital transformation, and international affairs.

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Runners-up: Close contenders

1. Rahima Mian (Liberal – Regina—Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan)
   Runner-up (10,797 votes, 27.0%)
   A passionate community advocate and staffer for the Minister of Indigenous Services, Mian focused her campaign on Indigenous rights, equity, and inclusion.
2. Rokhan Sarwar (Liberal – Saskatoon South, Saskatchewan)
   Runner-up (19,584 votes, 40.2%)
   An Afghan-Canadian business leader and president of Saskatoon Open Door Society, Sarwar has championed immigrant integration and youth empowerment.
3. Aziz Mian (Liberal – Souris—Moose Mountain, Saskatchewan)
   Runner-up (3,982 votes, 9.6%)
   Profile not available.
4. Nabila Ben Youssef (Bloc Québécois – Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Quebec)
   Runner-up (8,378 votes, 17.0%)
   A comedian, actress, and outspoken activist for secularism and women’s rights, Ben Youssef used her platform to challenge extremism and support abuse survivors.
5. Ghada Jerbi (Liberal – Drummond, Quebec)
   Runner-up (15,574 votes, 28.4%)
   A biomedical scientist and former president of the Liberal Women’s Commission in Quebec, Jerbi prioritised women’s leadership and health equity.
6. Nimâ Machouf (NDP – Laurier—Sainte-Marie, Quebec)
   Runner-up (9,500 votes, 18.9%)
   A Canadian-Iranian epidemiologist and feminist, Machouf is known for her global public health work and human rights advocacy.
7. Fatima Badran (Liberal – Montcalm, Quebec)
   Runner-up (15,638 votes, 26.9%)
   A young political science graduate and activist, Badran is committed to sustainability, diplomacy, and inclusive policymaking.
8. Nadeem Akbar (Conservative – Burlington North—Milton West, Ontario)
   Runner-up (30,710 votes, 44.4%)
   Profile not available.
9. Malalai Halimi (Liberal – Dufferin—Caledon, Ontario)
   Runner-up (23,809 votes, 33.8%)
   An Afghan-Canadian media entrepreneur and aerospace professional, Halimi advocates for diversity, opportunity, and women’s empowerment.
10. Mubarak Ahmed (Liberal – King—Vaughan, Ontario)
    Runner-up (23,590 votes, 35.6%)
    An engineer and interfaith activist, Ahmed has worked across continents and led charitable and civic efforts in the Greater Toronto Area.
11. Najam Naqvi (Liberal – London—Fanshawe, Ontario)
    Runner-up (17,573 votes, 30.4%)
    A Pakistani-Canadian lawyer and longtime community volunteer, Naqvi focused on affordability and access to justice.
12. Muhammad Ishaq (Conservative – Mississauga Centre, Ontario)
    Runner-up (22,748 votes, 42.0%)
    Profile not available.
13. Majid Jowhari (Liberal – Richmond Hill South, Ontario)
    Runner-up (25,487 votes, 44.2%)
    Profile not available.
14. Ashik Hussain (Conservative – Toronto—Danforth, Ontario)
    Runner-up (10,938 votes, 19.1%)
    Profile not available.
15. Shahnaz Munir (Liberal – Calgary Crowfoot, Alberta)
    Runner-up (23,703 votes, 37.3%)
    A seasoned educator and community volunteer, Munir has advocated for seniors, multiculturalism, and civic inclusion in Calgary.
16. Gul Khan (Liberal – Calgary Shepard, Alberta)
    Runner-up (18,038 votes, 28.1%)
    A local business leader and activist, Khan is known for his deep connections within Calgary’s diverse communities.
17. Hafiz Malik (Liberal – Calgary Skyview, Alberta)
    Runner-up (17,225 votes, 37.5%)
    A small business owner and community leader, Malik campaigned on jobs, affordability, and small business support.
18. Sayid Ahmed (Conservative – Edmonton Centre, Alberta)
    Runner-up (20,299 votes, 38.1%)
    A Somali-Canadian economist and former government advisor, Ahmed has focused on healthcare reform and economic inclusion.
19. Ayaz Bangash (Liberal – Red Deer, Alberta)
    Runner-up (13,157 votes, 21.8%)
    A business graduate and Red Cross volunteer, Bangash prioritised emergency preparedness and cultural cohesion.
20. Zeeshan Khan (Liberal – Chilliwack—Hope, British Columbia)
    Runner-up (23,012 votes, 35.3%)
    An oral surgeon and co-founder of a community nonprofit, Khan advocates for healthcare access and inclusive city planning.
21. Ghazanfar Ali Tarar (Liberal – Brandon—Souris, Manitoba)
    Runner-up (10,075 votes, 23.2%)
    A small-town business owner and political newcomer, Tarar campaigned on local development and multicultural outreach.