Profiles of Muslim winners and runners-up in the 2025 Canadian election

Profiles of Muslim winners and runners-up in the 2025 Canadian election

Historic wins and strong showings mark a new chapter for Muslim political engagement across Canada

OTTAWA, Canada (MNTV) —At least 13 Muslim candidates were elected to Canadian Parliament in the recently concluded federal elections, while 21 others came close as runner-ups in highly competitive races.

Their diverse backgrounds – spanning law, engineering, activism, health sciences, and entrepreneurship – reflect the growing vibrancy and inclusivity of Canadian politics.

Here’s a detailed look at the Muslim candidates who made history as winners, as well as those who narrowly missed but left a strong mark on the national stage.

Muslim winners in Canadian Parliament

Abdelhaq Sari (Liberal) – Quebec – Bourassa
(20,921 votes, 58.5%)
Abdelhaq Sari, a city councillor for Marie-Clarac and vice-chair of the Commission de la sécurité publique, is deeply committed to improving the lives of Bourassa residents. Known for his grassroots approach, he prioritizes close relationships with families, merchants, and local organizations to address community concerns. Beyond politics, Sari has been active in the non-profit sector, serving as vice-president of Soleil des Orphelins, an organization that supports orphans in Africa and Canada. He is also known for supporting pandemic relief efforts.

Sameer Zuberi (Liberal) – Quebec – Pierrefonds—Dollard
Re-elected (35,400 votes, 59.7%)
Sameer Zuberi, born in Montreal to a multicultural Scottish-Italian and Pakistani family, is a prominent Canadian politician known for championing human rights and diversity. He holds a BA in mathematics and a law degree, and has a strong track record in advocacy. In Parliament, he has served on the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, chaired the Subcommittee on International Human Rights, and advanced Motion M-62, recognizing the persecution of Uyghurs. As Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion, and Persons with Disabilities, Zuberi focuses on programs supporting small businesses and underrepresented groups.

Shafqat Ali (Liberal) – Ontario – Brampton—Chinguacousy Park
Re-elected (21,168 votes, 48.7%)
Shafqat Ali, the elected Member of Parliament for Brampton Centre since 2021, exemplifies perseverance and commitment. As an immigrant entrepreneur and proud father of three, he draws on his personal experiences to advocate for a more inclusive and prosperous Canada. For nearly 20 years, he has supported his community through initiatives like youth sports programs, cultural festivals, and fundraising for hospitals and food banks. Notably, he led the establishment of a cricket pitch on White Clover Way in Mississauga. In Parliament, Ali focuses on affordability, healthcare, affordable housing, and building an equitable economy.

Aslam Rana (Liberal) – Ontario – Hamilton Centre
(20,254 votes, 37.3%)
Aslam Rana, a civil engineer and father of five, has been a dedicated community leader for over 15 years. Since immigrating to Canada from Pakistan in 2003, he has combined professional expertise in sustainable infrastructure with a passion for supporting middle-class families and small businesses. He is committed to creating jobs, protecting the environment, and fostering an inclusive economy in Hamilton Centre.

Fares Al Soud (Liberal) – Ontario – Mississauga Centre
(29,110 votes, 53.7%)
Born in Montreal and raised in Mississauga, Fares Al Soud is a dedicated community leader with an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto Mississauga. He has actively volunteered with the UTM food bank and the Canadian Red Cross. Al Soud has served in various government roles and is committed to creating jobs, supporting small businesses, ensuring affordable housing, and strengthening healthcare.

Iqra Khalid (Liberal) – Ontario – Mississauga—Erin Mills
(32,508 votes, 55.5%)
Iqra Khalid, born in Lahore, Pakistan, moved to Canada in 1998, where her family started a small business. With degrees in criminology, professional writing from York University, and a Juris Doctor from Cooley Law School, Khalid has combined legal expertise with public service. As Vice-Chair of the Access to Information, Privacy, and Ethics Committee and a member of the National Security and Intelligence Committee, she has worked on human trafficking, elder abuse, and systemic racism. Her motion recognizing the Rohingya genocide and her leadership in securing $23 million for anti-racism programs are among her notable achievements. She was named one of Chatelaine’s Women of the Year in 2017.

Sima Acan (Liberal) – Ontario – Oakville West
(30,440 votes, 52.7%)
Sima Acan made history as the first Turkish-Canadian elected to the Canadian Parliament, marking a milestone for representation and diversity.

Yasir Naqvi (Liberal) – Ontario – Ottawa Centre
(48,701 votes, 62.4%)
Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Yasir Naqvi immigrated to Canada in 1988 after his father’s pro-democracy activism led to imprisonment. After settling in Niagara Falls, Naqvi studied at McMaster University and the University of Ottawa Law School. As Ontario’s Attorney General, he introduced the Safe Access to Abortion Services Act and modernized the court system with the Digital Justice Action Plan. In federal politics, Naqvi has focused on justice reform and emergency preparedness. He also launched the Downtown Ottawa Revitalization Task Force and finished third in the 2023 Ontario Liberal leadership race.

Salma Zahid (Liberal) – Ontario – Scarborough Centre—Don Valley East
(26,658 votes, 57.0%)
Salma Zahid, a Pakistani Canadian with advanced degrees in education and business, is a community organizer and public servant who earned the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. She became the first MP to wear a hijab in the House of Commons in 2018, following her battle with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. As Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, Zahid championed marginalized groups and advocated for South Africa’s genocide case against Israel in 2024.

Karim Bardeesy (Liberal) – Ontario – Taiaiako’n—Parkdale—High Park
(35,333 votes, 55.5%)
[No detailed profile available.]

Ali Ehsassi (Liberal) – Ontario – Willowdale
(24,896 votes, 53.2%)
Ali Ehsassi, born in Geneva to a diplomatic Iranian family, moved to Canada during the Iranian Revolution. A descendant of statesman Abdolhossein Teymourtash, Ehsassi studied law and international trade at the University of Toronto, Osgoode Hall, and Georgetown University. As one of Canada’s first Iranian MPs, he chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Prevention of Genocide and has been a vocal critic of Iran’s regime, calling for inquiries into election interference.

Ahmed Hussen (Liberal) – Ontario – York South—Weston—Etobicoke
(24,005 votes, 55.2%)
Ahmed Hussen, the first Somali-Canadian MP and Cabinet Minister, arrived in Canada as a refugee. A lawyer and community advocate, he has served as Minister of Immigration and International Development, where he advanced immigration reforms and humanitarian initiatives.

Taleeb Noormohamed (Liberal) – British Columbia – Vancouver Granville
(35,187 votes, 61.9%)
Taleeb Noormohamed, born in Ottawa and raised in Vancouver, holds degrees from Princeton, Harvard, and Oxford. A public policy expert, he brings a global perspective to Canadian politics, advocating for social justice, diversity, and innovation.

Muslim runner-ups

Rahima Mian (Liberal) – Saskatchewan – Regina—Qu’Appelle
(10,797 votes, 27.0%)
Rahima Mian, who moved from Lahore to Regina in 2016, is a passionate advocate for community engagement and equity. With a degree in Political Science from the University of Regina and experience as an event coordinator and staffer for the Minister of Indigenous Services, she has worked to bridge gaps between communities and policymakers. As the Liberal candidate for Regina—Qu’Appelle, she championed Indigenous rights, transparent representation, and community opportunities.

Rokhan Sarwar (Liberal) – Saskatchewan – Saskatoon South
(19,584 votes, 40.2%)
Rokhan Sarwar, born in Kabul and a resident of Canada since 2001 under the World University Services sponsorship program, is a Canadian business leader with a strong record of community service. A University of Saskatchewan graduate with degrees in economics and business economics and an MBA, he has over 15 years of private sector experience. Sarwar also served as President of the Saskatoon Open Door Society, advocating for immigrant integration.

Aziz Mian (Liberal) – Saskatchewan – Souris—Moose Mountain
(3,982 votes, 9.6%)
[No detailed profile available.]

Nabila Ben Youssef (Bloc Québécois) – Quebec – Ahuntsic-Cartierville
(8,378 votes, 17.0%)
Born in Tunisia, Nabila Ben Youssef is a celebrated comedian, actress, and activist based in Quebec. She gained fame through her solo show “Arab and Dirty Bio” and is known for her TV appearances and advocacy for women’s rights and secularism, challenging fundamentalism and supporting domestic violence victims.

Ghada Jerbi (Liberal) – Quebec – Drummond
(15,574 votes, 28.4%)
Ghada Jerbi, a Canadian of Tunisian origin, is a biomedical scientist, medical physicist, and human rights advocate. With advanced degrees in biomedical sciences, she has chaired safety initiatives and led organizations like APIBQ. A former president of the Women’s Commission of the Liberal Party of Canada–Quebec, she campaigns for women’s leadership and community development.

Nimâ Machouf (NDP) – Quebec – Laurier—Sainte-Marie
(9,500 votes, 18.9%)
Nimâ Machouf, a Canadian-Iranian epidemiologist, specializes in public health and infectious diseases, particularly HIV/AIDS. Born in France and raised in Montreal and Iran, she returned to Canada in 1982 after facing political repression. Holding a doctorate in public health from the University of Montreal, she has contributed extensively to Médecins du Monde and feminist activism, including international electoral observation missions.

Fatima Badran (Liberal) – Quebec – Montcalm
(15,638 votes, 26.9%)
Fatima Badran, a 26-year-old of Lebanese origin from Montreal, holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations. She has excelled in diplomacy, winning Best Delegation Award at the UN, and has worked as a political attaché and in retail management, showing leadership and a commitment to social inclusion.

Nadeem Akbar (Conservative) – Ontario – Burlington North—Milton West
(30,710 votes, 44.4%)
[No detailed profile available.]

Malalai Halimi (Liberal) – Ontario – Dufferin—Caledon
(23,809 votes, 33.8%)
Born in Afghanistan during the rise of the Taliban, Malalai Halimi immigrated to Canada in 2006. She worked her way from office administration to become a business manager in the aerospace sector and later launched a media platform to uplift diverse voices and foster community connections.

Mubarak Ahmed (Liberal) – Ontario – King—Vaughan
(23,590 votes, 35.6%)
Mubarak Ahmed, an engineer with international project management experience across three continents, is a community leader and former President of the Toronto Region Liberal Party. He has led major interfaith harmony initiatives and organized North America’s largest poppy campaign to honour veterans.

Najam Naqvi (Liberal) – Ontario – London—Fanshawe
(17,573 votes, 30.4%)
Najam Naqvi, born in Lahore, Pakistan, moved to London, Ontario in 2000. After initially taking on odd jobs, he re-established his legal career, becoming a practicing lawyer in 2022 and opening a diverse law practice. He has been a long-time Liberal Party volunteer and community advocate.

Muhammad Ishaq (Conservative) – Ontario – Mississauga Centre
(22,748 votes, 42.0%)
[No detailed profile available.]

Majid Jowhari (Liberal) – Ontario – Richmond Hill South
(25,487 votes, 44.2%)
[No detailed profile available.]

Ashik Hussain (Conservative) – Ontario – Toronto—Danforth
Runner-up (10,938 votes, 19.1%)
[No detailed profile available.]

Shahnaz Munir (Liberal) – Alberta – Calgary Crowfoot
(23,703 votes, 37.3%)
Originally from Pakistan, Shahnaz Munir has lived in Calgary for over two decades. With degrees from the University of Punjab, she has taught and engaged in community organizing in the UK and Canada, volunteering extensively with groups like the CNIB and local community associations.

Gul Khan (Liberal) – Alberta – Calgary Shepard
(18,038 votes, 28.1%)
Born in Pakistan and now a Calgary resident, Gul Khan is a business owner and grassroots activist. He actively supports local organizations, promoting inclusivity and diversity within his community.

Hafiz Malik (Liberal) – Alberta – Calgary Skyview
(17,225 votes, 37.5%)
A long-time resident of Northeast Calgary, Hafiz Malik is a small business owner who has been a steadfast advocate for family support, small business growth, and job creation.

Sayid Ahmed (Conservative) – Alberta – Edmonton Centre
(20,299 votes, 38.1%)
Sayid Ahmed, a Somali-Canadian economist, has over a decade of experience in Alberta’s healthcare and social services sectors. He has served as a senior advisor to federal and provincial governments and holds an Honours BA in Economics and a Master’s in Economics.

Ayaz Bangash (Liberal) – Alberta – Red Deer
(13,157 votes, 21.8%)
Originally from Pakistan, Ayaz Bangash has lived in Canada for 17 years, including several years in Red Deer. He holds two business degrees and works as an insurance broker while actively volunteering for emergency preparedness and community outreach initiatives.

Zeeshan Khan (Liberal) – British Columbia – Chilliwack—Hope
(23,012 votes, 35.3%)
An Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon originally from Pakistan, Zeeshan Khan co-founded the Streams Foundation Canada, supporting community wellness and inclusion. He also served on Chilliwack’s Accessibility & Inclusion Advisory Committee and worked as a Community Support Consultant for United Way BC.

Ghazanfar Ali Tarar (Liberal) – Manitoba – Brandon—Souris
(10,075 votes, 23.2%)
Originally from Pakistan, Ghazanfar Ali Tarar has lived in Ninette, Manitoba for over a decade. A small business owner, he operates The Grocery Box and Domo gas station and first entered politics in 2023 running for the Manitoba Liberal Party.