Professor Aaron W. Hughes is the grandson of Mohamad and Maryam al-Noghedi (aka Bud and May Alley), one of the founding families of Canada’s first mosque in Canada, Edmonton’s Al-Rashid (1938). Trained in classical Islamic texts, he now works on the history of Muslims in Canada. Aaron is also academic advisor at the Muslims in Canada Archives (MiCA), where he draws from our collections to further his research. 

In this new blog series, Aaron W. Hughes will be merging his long-time studies of Muslims across the country with materials from our collections to spotlight the stories of prominent Muslim Canadians. Follow along to explore archival materials and their stories.

"I have often had conversations with friends and families about who they think the greatest Canadian Muslim was or is. It is a tough question and I certainly realize it is a big ask. There have been many candidates put forward to me over the years. Peter Baker. Hilwie Hamdon. James Ailley. Fuad Sahin. Lila Fahlman. Hanny Hassan. Maher Arar. Yasmin Rantansi. And, perhaps in good Canadian fashion, Nazem Kadri (how many Canadian Muslims, after all, have brought the Stanly Cup to their mosque!). The list goes on and on. And I have left many names out to entice readers to write me and offer their own suggestions (and, of course, rationales). In what I hope will be a recurring feature of the Muslims in Canada Archives (MiCA) website, allow me to offer brief snapshots of these individuals, especially as they become animated through our holdings, over the coming months."

To contribute comments or reflections to Dr. Aaron Hughes, email mica[at]utoronto[dot]ca