News Releases: 

2007:

2005:

2004:

2002:

 

1st Annual Diversity Cup

A team of I-Slam all-stars participated in The Peel Regional Police's inaugural “Diversity Cup Basketball Tournament” on Saturday November 3rd, 2007, at the University of Toronto (Erindale Campus, Mississauga). It was a one day basketball tournament involving diverse groups including the Filipino, Sikh, Jewish, Muslim, and Chinese communities. The Peel Regional Police are committed to promoting positive relations not only between the police and the diverse communities they serve, but also between the wonderfully varied ethnic/racial/religious and cultural communities within the Region of Peel.

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Habitat for Humanity

On July 27, 2007 I-Slam proactively organized and brought together a group of 20 of its volunteers and players at the 4200 Kingston Road site for a Habitat for Humanity "Adopt-a-Day Challenge". It was a weekday, so not only did volunteers give their time but many also gave up a vacation day to participate! This was a wonderful experience and a great team building exercise to have I-Slam organizers, volunteers, and players mix and hang out away from the basketball court in a constructive and positive manner. CLICK HERE FOR PICS. Insha'allah there will be more "Adopt-a-Day" events organized in the future.

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I-Slam featured on USBasket.com

On December 27, 2005 I-Slam's accomplishments earned it a feature on usbasket.com. The website is a related site of Eurobasket.com and together they make up No# 1 web site about global basketball having the widest basketball coverage from over 143 countries worldwide and in total 442 leagues. Since Eurobasket started in 1997, it has grown to be most popular web site about international basketball with traffic comparable only to NBA.com. The article (click here for full article) covered I-Slam's upcoming 5th Annual Basketball Tournament as well as the tournaments in the past. Also discussed were I-Slam's history and past accomplishments and emphasis was given to how I-Slam is "bringing communities together". Insha'Allah I-Slam will build on it's international exposure and continue to prosper as a league that unites both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

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I-Slam receives 1-page feature in The Toronto Sun

In the Saturday July 30, 2005 edition of The Toronto Sun, I-Slam received a full 1-page article (click here for full article). The article was well written and well received by I-Slam organizers, players, and supporters. The writer made a point of emphasizing the bridges that I-Slam facilitates between Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Insha'allah I-Slam will be able to use this excellent coverage to solicit further support from sponsors and donors to increase the scope and excellence of events that we put on for each and every one of our participants. 

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I.C.O.P. in the 4th Annual Toronto Police Youth Basketball Tournament

The Toronto Police Services invited I-Slam to participate in its 5th Annual South Youth Basketball Tournament on June 11, 2005 @ Humber College. Many of I-Slam's best established players agreed to participate, as well as our younger promising up and coming ballers. Jazakallah to all of them for donating their time over the weekend. The tournament was enjoyable for all of us, many of whom got to meet some of their fellow brothers that they would not have had a chance to play with otherwise. Our team of I-Slam players did a great job and represented us admirably. We had a great run, unfortunately losing out to Team Khalsa, the defending champs of the last 3 years, in the semi-finals in a very tight and hard fought overtime game. I-Slam had many opportunities to beat Khalsa, unfortunately things just didn't work out due to a combination of a questionable call and Khalsa's strategy of running out the last 2 minutes of regulation and overtime for the final shot. The first time this strategy failed, however they persevered and hit a 3 pointer at the buzzer of overtime to seal the game. Congratulations to both teams for a very good game!

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I.C.O.P. takes part in Carassauga 2005

Between May 27-29, 2005 Mississauga held its annual festival of cultures, Carassauga. This is a great event that gives access to numerous cultures to the tens of thousands of participants that attend. I-Slam and its Community Outreach Program were very happy to accept the invitation by the Peel Police to participate in an exhibition tournament as part of the Canadian Pavilion (since a Canadian did invent basketball!). 

The I-Slam team was comprised of some of its best talent from both the East and West leagues. We played a great tournament against the Caribbean team and the Peel Police team. Everyone enjoyed themselves and I-Slam was glad for the increased exposure and to provide a chance for others to interact with us, the Muslims in the community. 

For photos, please feel free to visit our Photo page in the Media section. 

May Allah reward all the players and participants who devoted their time to this event, and bless us all with his infinite mercy.

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I-Slam and I.C.O.P. join Walk for the Homeless

On the morning of Sunday May 11, 2005, an energetic and devoted team organized by I-Slam's Community Outreach Program (ICOP) gathered at the Lions Gate Monument on the Lakeshore to participate in the 1st Annual Walk for the Homeless. Organized primarily by the Ansaar Foundation with help from many of the volunteers, this turned out to be a very fun and enjoyable experience for all involved. The day was great, the participation level was high, and everyone was in a festive mood. It was definitely alot of fun walking along the lakeshore on such a wonderful day. 

For photos, please feel free to visit our Photo page in the Media section.

Jazakallah to all those who participated or pledged money. I-Slam and ICOP did this on behalf of the needy and our friends, family, and I-Slam participants; may Allah reward you all and bless us all with his infinite mercy.

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I-Slam and I.C.O.P. donate to Toronto's Homeless

From a simple idea on Dec. 26th to collect modest donations from friends and family to purchase blankets, scarves, gloves, etc. for Toronto's homeless and destitute, spawned the creation of I-Slam's community outreach program (ICOP). I-Slam expanded its request from friends and families to I-Slam participants as well. Allhumdulillah, in less then 2 weeks I-Slam has been able to purchase 20 sets of blankets, gloves, toques, and scarves to distribute.

These items were purchased personally by I-Slam organizers and given to the Ansaar Foundation for distribution on Saturday, January 22, 2005 to the homeless of Toronto.  I-Slam and ICOP did this on behalf of the needy and our friends, family, and I-Slam participants; may Allah reward you all and bless us all with his infinite mercy.

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I-Slam and the Canadian National Institute of the Blind

On December 26, 2004, I-Slam's Community Outreach Program donated 25% of funds it earned through sales of I-Slam t-shirts at the 2004 Reviving the Islamic Spirit Conference to the Canadian National Institute of the Blind. Please visit the CNIB website and learn more about visual conditions that do in fact impact the Muslim community greatly.

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I-Slam hosts booth in Sky Dome at The Reviving the Islamic Spirit (RIS) Conference

December 24-26th, 2004 was a revival of sorts for I-Slam itself when it hosted an information booth at the RIS Conference at Sky Dome.  Over 3 days, I-Slam's booth was visited by many brothers and sisters from various communities and ethnicities. Many new individuals signed up for future events, while others suggested other arenas that I-Slam could potentially follow up on in the future.  Furthermore, various organizations approached I-Slam with ideas for joint events that shed light on various subjects that afflict the Muslim community as well as other communities including domestic violence and racism. Allhumdulillah, we received a lot of support and much more interest then we could have thought possible. We feel rejuvenated by this experience and insha'allah will translate all we learned into even better experiences for all of you.

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Peel Police meet Muslim All-Stars in historical basketball event

(The Mississauga News) - On Friday, April 30th, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. a historic basketball game took place at the Islamic Society of North America (Canada), in Mississauga. I-Slam All-Stars met the Peel Regional Police basketball team, signifying the first police sporting event ever held inside an Islamic Centre in the Greater Toronto Area. The event was covered by CityTV, The Toronto Star, OMNI Television, and the Mississauga News.

Members of the Toronto Argonauts, uniformed officers and police athletes from neighbouring police agencies throughout the GTA also participated in this event.

The event was hosted by members of the Muslim community and the Peel Regional Police Race and Ethnic Relations Bureau and was created to promote cultural unity and harmony with all diverse communities that make up the Greater Toronto Area.

And in case anyone was wondering, yes the I-Slam All-Stars won, reflecting the high caliber of athletes participating in I-Slam. The team won by a sound 20 points, led by the prolific shooting of Ammer Askary and Aamir Zafar.

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1st Annual Tournament

The first tournament in 2002 was an overall success and deemed the largest of its kind within the Muslim community in North America. In 2002, held over two days at The Crescent School, the event was an overall success and deemed the largest of its kind within the Muslim community in North America. The format was such that 26 teams participated, 16 teams in the competitive 18+ years of age division, and 16 teams in the recreational under-18 years of age division. The ethnic demographic of the players varied greatly, were primarily minorities, and included Indian, Pakistani, Arab, and Somali and other African youth from Scarborough, Mississauga, and the GTA. 

The first event was endorsed/sponsored by various organizations and businesses within the Muslim community, and covered by various media outlets including the Toronto Sun and CityTV, furthering the legitimacy of this initiative. Over the weekend, youths were occupied by the games themselves, guest lecturers, vendors selling their products, and a special speaking appearance by Toronto Raptors Hakeem Olajuwon and Mamdou N'Diaye.

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