Irfan Alli and Rukhsana Khan Family Endowment

Irfan Alli: A Pillar of Integrity and Leadership

Irfan Alli’s life was guided by principle and animated by service. An outstanding Toronto Muslim leader, his impact was felt across decades of institutional growth and youth development.

• Moral Clarity in Service: From co-producing community publications like An-Nur and Al-Bashir to authoring many books to serving on the Majlis of the Islamic Foundation of Toronto, Irfan was a pillar of the community. He was known for his quiet strength and his steadfastness in doing what was right, even during challenging times.

• A Professional with Global Vision: Starting as a field service engineer and production manager for an international firm, Irfan’s career took him to countries including Pakistan, India, Guyana, Indonesia, and South Korea. This global exposure made him uniquely "worldly yet humble," allowing him to relate to people from all walks of life.

• A Master of Management: Later in life, Irfan transitioned into the property management industry as a Registered Condominium Manager (R.C.M.). His practical understanding of how buildings work was enriched by his experience helping build a large community center from the ground up while serving as a board secretary. He even authored the eBook, Condominiums and Townhouses – What You Need to Know Before and After Buying.

Rukhsana Khan: Humanizing the Muslim Experience

Complementing Irfan’s institutional leadership is the cultural and literary contributions of his wife, Rukhsana Khan. An internationally acclaimed, award-winning author and storyteller, Rukhsana has spent her career bridging cultural divides.

• From Science to the Pen: Born in Pakistan and raised in Canada, Rukhsana initially graduated at the top of her class as a biological-chemical technician. However, her true calling was storytelling—motivated by a desire to provide stories that validated the experiences of Muslim children.

• Literary Excellence: With over 18 books published, her work has reached global heights. Her most famous work, Big Red Lollipop, was named by the New York Public Library as one of the 100 Greatest Children’s Books of the last 100 years.

• A Global Ambassador: For over twenty years, Rukhsana has traveled to more than 14 countries, visiting schools and libraries to foster understanding. Her work focuses on the "ordinariness" of Muslim life—showing that Muslim families share the same universal joys and heartbreaks as any other, effectively "humanizing" the community for a global audience.

A Shared Vision for the Future

Irfan and Rukhsana were dedicated individuals whose interests, values, and outlook on life were deeply intertwined. Together, they raised four children who continue to embody the principles of Islam that shaped their parents’ lives.

Through the Irfan Alli and Rukhsana Khan Family Endowment, the family continues their tradition of Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity). This permanent fund will support initiatives that promote:

• Youth Leadership: Continuing the work Irfan began in the 1970s.

• Community Development: Strengthening the institutions that serve Canadian Muslims.

• Social Justice and Storytelling: Supporting the voices and narratives that build a more inclusive society.