Prominent Personalities

Prominent Personalities

Scholars, professionals, and community builders who've made significant contributions to our community.

Sajeeb Koya
Sajeeb Koya

Kerala-born engineer (B.Tech, Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering Trivandrum, 1982–87), based in Pickering, Ontario. Founder, President, and CEO of 3S International Inc.

Founding member of Merchant Foundation. Prominent figure in building the Muslim Malayalee community in Canada. Built 3S International into a leader in architectural and solid-state LED lighting — his firm's façade lighting illuminates the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. Recognized as a 2023 Kerala Center awardee for professional achievement and community contribution.

S.K. Ali
S.K. Ali

Canadian author born in South India, raised in Toronto from age three. Holds a Creative Writing degree from York University; sister of lawyer Faisal Kutty. Works as a teacher alongside her writing career.

Author of the award-winning YA novels Saints and Misfits and Love from A to Z, and co-author of the picture book The Proudest Blue with Olympic athlete Ibtihaj Muhammad. Created the #MuslimShelfSpace hashtag to spotlight Muslim authors; won the 2017 Asian/Pacific American Award for Young Adult Literature.

Dr. Nigil Haroon
Dr. Nigil Haroon

MD, PhD, DM, FRCPC, MBA. Head of the Division of Rheumatology at Sinai Health and University Health Network, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto, and President of the Canadian Rheumatology Association.

Internationally recognized for Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) research — led the first study showing spinal progression in AS can be reduced with TNF inhibitors, and identified the role of MIF in driving AS-related inflammation and bone formation. Runs a translational research program in AS functional genomics.

Sh. Ibrahim Malabari
Sh. Ibrahim Malabari

President and Founder of the Messenger of Mercy Foundation in Toronto, and a contributor to About Islam, a prominent Islamic educational platform.

Writes extensively on Islamic history and theology, women's rights in Islam, Quranic authenticity, and interfaith relations — including work on the Prophet Muhammad's life and legacy aimed at both Muslims deepening their understanding and newcomers to the faith.

Wazeer Rahman
Wazeer Rahman

Police Constable with the South Simcoe Police Service in Ontario, Canada. He graduated from Georgian College with a diploma in Police Foundations. He moved from Kerala to Canada and established a career in frontline law enforcement.

• Founding President of The Last Monday - Kerala Muslim Students Association • Won the 2021 Community Champion award at the Simcoe County Newcomer Recognition Awards for helping immigrants integrate into the region. • Guides South Asian and Malayali youth on entering policing careers and public service in Canada. • Protects residents across Innisfil and Bradford West Gwillimbury through frontline patrol and emergency response.

Dr. Shabbir Amanullah
Dr. Shabbir Amanullah

Consultant Psychiatrist and psychotherapist based in Woodstock, Ontario. Holds DPM, MD, FRCPsych, FRCPC, and FAPA credentials, and was a gold medallist at NIMHANS. Adjunct Professor at Western University's Schulich School of Medicine.

Researches physician burnout, geriatric psychiatry, and dementia care. Former Chief of Psychiatry at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, PEI, and a peer reviewer for the Indian Journal of Psychiatry.

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