ABOUT
Our Purpose
For 24 years, Let the Quran Speak has been transforming public conversations about Islam and showcasing the rich diversity of Muslims' lived experiences in Canada.
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At Let the Quran Speak, we present a Canadian Muslim community to the wider public that is built on optimism; a commitment to learning; respect for diversity; dedication to fairness and equality; and concern for the most vulnerable and the environment.
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Using a variety of formats, including video essays, interviews, and documentaries, LQS:
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a) empowers Muslims with the means to understand and abide by Quranic beliefs and practices in the Canadian context;
b) showcases the diversity of Muslims' lived experiences;
c) explores meaningful solutions to real-life issues Muslims experience;
d) dispels harmful stereotypes about Muslims and speaks out against Islamophobia;
e) challenges extremist ideologies; and
f) builds bridges with the wider community and other faith groups.
History
LQS First Airs
2001
LQS first aired a couple of months after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. At the time, Dr. Shabir Ally had a radio show called “Scripture Studies”. He felt that the medium of television would help him better combat extremism within Muslim communities and fight misconceptions about Islam in the wider Canadian society. He rented studio space and spoke solo, occasionally inviting other imams to share the platform with him.
Volunteer-driven beginnings
2005
Safiyyah Ally joined Dr. Shabir Ally on LQS. A small studio was built in the basement of the Islamic Information Centre, and rudimentary equipment was purchased. There was no paid staff. A single dedicated volunteer, Al Mahmud Ali, produced and edited each episode with a computer that kept breaking down because it was running out of space.
2006
Omer Chaudhry joins
Omer Chaudhry became host alongside Safiyyah Ally.
Omer admitted to law school
2010
Omer was admitted to law school and left his position. In the same year, Ilyas Ally was hired as Producer. Production moved to the main hall of the Islamic Information Centre. A small volunteer production team was formed.
Team growth, rebranded focus
2013
Ilyas Ally was promoted to Executive Producer. Rameez Mahmood became Producer. Abeer Qa'aty joined as Editor. LQS had a logo and branding material. A show intro was produced for the first time. More guests were brought on to share their views, many of them local community leaders and influencers. There was a shift in focus from responding to misconceptions about Islam to showcasing the diversity of Muslims’ lived experiences in Canada.
2014
Safiyyah leaves, Aisha hosts
Safiyyah left to live in Egypt. Aisha Khaja became the host.
Ilyas departs, Mamoun leads
2018
Ilyas left to pursue religious studies. Mamoun Hassan became the first full-time Executive Producer of LQS. Under his leadership, LQS expanded its guest list even further, interviewing artists, writers, producers and musicians.
Team changes, growth milestone
2019
Aisha went on maternity leave. Safiyyah had just returned to Canada and was asked to fill in for Aisha. Soon after, Mamoun left to pursue other opportunities, and Safiyyah became part-time Executive Producer. Dean Qureshi was hired as Producer. Additional crew members joined the organisation. New equipment was purchased and the set underwent a revitalization. Khaled Mansour and Eric Metzloff became Editors. Additional crew members joined the organization. New equipment was purchased and the set was updated as the show underwent a planning and revitalization process. LQS reached 100,000 subscribers on YouTube.
Notable GUests
Music
Dawud Wharnsby
A Canadian singer-songwriter, poet, and educator, is renowned for his English-language nasheeds and spoken word performances, blending music and poetry to inspire and educate audiences worldwide.
Sports
Mahmoud Abdur Rauf
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, an American former NBA player, was a two-time All-American at LSU and played professionally for nine years with the Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, and Vancouver Grizzlies. After converting to Islam, he became known for his faith-driven principles and activism, including his national anthem protest, inspiring others through his story of sports, faith, and conscience.
Books
S. K. Ali
S. K. Ali is a New York Times bestselling and award-winning author, best known for Saints and Misfits, a Morris Award finalist and widely praised for its portrayal of an unapologetic Muslim-American teen. Her work has been recognized by Entertainment Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and other major media, inspiring young readers with stories of faith, identity, and resilience.
Education
Uzma Jalaluddin
Uzma Jalaluddin is a Canadian author known for her bestselling novels including Ayesha at Last, Hana Khan Carries On, and Detective Aunty. Her books blend romance, humor, and cultural insight, earning critical acclaim and inspiring adaptations for film and television.
Medicine
Haleh Banini
Haleh Banani, M.A. in Clinical Psychology, is a faith-based life coach, marriage counselor, and mental health professional with over 25 years of experience. She helps individuals and families transform their lives using Islamic psychology, combining practical techniques with faith-based guidance to strengthen relationships, personal growth, and overall well-being.
Meet The Cast
Dr. Safiyyah Ally
Executive Producer / Host / Interviewer
Dr. Safiyyah Ally completed her PhD in Political Science at the University of Toronto in 2019. Her doctoral thesis was a reimagining of the legal protection of freedom of conscience and religion in Canada with the aim of more fairly protecting marginalized and minority perspectives, beliefs, and ways of life. She has served as host at LQS for nearly 10 years. She took on the role of Executive Producer in 2019. Safiyyah has conducted countless interviews with LQS guests. She regularly gives public talks and has been actively involved in several social justice and interfaith initiatives in Toronto.
Dr. Shabir Ally
Resident Scholar
Dr. Shabir Ally is President of the Islamic Information & Dawah Centre International in Toronto and an internationally renowned speaker, scholar and theologian. He holds a PhD in Islamic studies from the University of Toronto. For 35 years, he has been an active member of the Muslim community in Toronto and an avid participant in interfaith dialogues. He founded Let the Quran Speak in 2001.
FAQ
Where does LQS get its funding from?
LQS is funded entirely by your support. Please continue to support us by visiting our Donate page.
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Is LQS eligible for zakah funds?
Yes. LQS falls under the category of da’wah. Please send us a portion of your zakah!
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Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes. LQS is a project of the Islamic Information & Da’wah Centre International, which is a charitable non-profit organization registered in Canada. Our registration # is 892926163 RR 0001. All donations are tax-deductible in Canada. If you provide your full name and address to us, we can mail you a tax receipt.
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Are Dr. Shabir Ally and Dr. Safiyyah Ally related?
Yes. Dr. Safiyyah Ally is Dr. Shabir Ally’s daughter.
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Where is the studio located?
We film at Muslim Media Hub, 27 Pearl Street, Mississauga, Ontario.
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Can LQS cover my event?
Yes, we can, depending on our availability and resources. Please contact us at info@quranspeaks.com with a description of your event.
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How can I reach Dr. Shabir Ally? How can I ask him a question?
You can visit his personal website http://www.shabirally.com Please note that due to the volume of questions he receives daily, he is unable to respond to all questions in a timely fashion.
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How can I contact LQS?
Email us at info@quranspeaks.com