ONTARIO – Turkish-born Muslim doctor, scholar, and resident of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Dr. Ahmet Fuad Sahin has become an officer of the Order of Canada, receiving the country’s highest civilian honor.

Dr. Sahin was honored for his foundational leadership of Canada’s Muslim community, notably as the founder and former president of the International Development and Relief Foundation, Iqra.ca reported.

Since immigrating to Canada in the late 1950s, Dr. Sahin has been involved in public service and was the founder or co-founder of a number of major Muslim organizations in Canada.

These organizations include the Islamic Foundation of Toronto Inc., the Islamic Society of Niagara Peninsula, Islamic West Associates of Canada, Canadian Turkish Muslim Association, Council of Muslim Communities of Canada (CMCC) and IDRF (International Development and Relief Foundation).

As the imam of the Islamic Society of Niagara Peninsular, Dr. Sahin called for more active participation of Muslims in mainstream Canadian society.

Dr. Sahin was born in Urfa, Turkey. He arrived in Ontario In 1958 and became an internship resident in Kingston, Ontario.

In 1966, he became a urologist, affiliated with Greater Niagara General Hospital, Niagara Falls, Ontario, where he continued to practice until retirement.

Dr. Sahin’s community service and humanitarian work extended beyond the Muslim community with his active participation in such groups as the Christian – Jewish – Muslim Dialogue and the Christian Muslim Liaison Committee.

He has also represented Canada at a number of international conferences on World Peace and World Religions. He continues to serve the community as volunteer Imam of the Islamic Society of Niagara.

On January 22, 2009, Dr. Ahmet Fuad Sahin was named to the Order of Ontario for his contributions to community service.

The Order of Ontario recognizes Ontarians who have made an outstanding contribution to society in Ontario and around the world.

Close to 7,000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order.