OUR MISSION & HISTORY

Community

A place that inspires community and friendship.

Islam

Islam is at the forefront of everything we do.

Growth

Engaging, exciting, and an opportunity for everyone.

We strive to give the kids a safe, fun and wholesome week of learning about Nature, Islam, and themselves.

Camp is a chance for Muslim boys and girls to share outdoor activities under the umbrella of Islam while learning to be proud of being a Muslim.

We are creating a fun and safe space for Muslim kids, but we are also creating a safe space for alternative and progressive interpretations of Islam. We do not see Islam as a fixed set of rules and practices, but a living practice that we are constantly seeking to improve and redefine. We welcome Muslims of any school or practice without judgement, though we do not seek to conform our practice to any established madhab or school of thought.

Our guiding principles:

God is one
The prophet Muhammed (peace be with him) was a mortal man who conveyed a true revelation.
All human beings are equal in God’s eyes.
Practice and belief are issues of personal choice.
Civility and respect of others are necessary requirements in a community.
Perfection is reserved for God.
We know God best through HIS creations.
God’s voice can be heard in any language and in many religious traditions.
While we are Muslims and follow Muslim practice, we believe our community includes ALL people who seek to help others and create peace.

Here, Muslim kids can feel accepted without the need to present a public face. We do not preach Islam, it's who we are, and the kids are here for fun.

Camp Deen, since 1973.

Camp Deen, initially named CCMC Camp, had its origins in the first camp in 1973 near Creemore, Ontario, for 27 Muslim boys. It was held at the farm of Dr Naseem Rauf of Toronto. Qasem Mahmud and Hisham Badran, both of Palestinian background, were the program director and manager respectively. Rehanna Ayub did the cooking and the swimming was done at Wasaga Beach.

In 1974, the camp was named Camp Abu Bakr and expanded to include both boys and girls. Funded by the Council of Muslim Communities of Canada, the camp was held at Ryerson Beach on Lake Erie. It was led by the same program director and manager, and counsellors were mainly parents. This continued in 1975 under the name Camp Omar, and was funded in part by CCMC until 1985.

Hanny Hassan from London joined the leadership in 1975 and in some years the camp settled on the name Camp Al-Mu-Mee-Neen, the Camp of the Believers. Aside from Ryerson Beach, the camp was later held at Camp Wongama in 1978, Grippin Lake in 1979 and 1980, and then Camp Davern through 1984.

In 1985, the camp moved to the Long Bay Campground on Bob’s Lake west of Westport, Ontario and stayed there for many years. It was a beautiful 400-acre location bought by a group of generous Muslim investors led by Qasem Mahmud as site manager. Hanny Hassan remained a director through 1985 as did Munir El-Kassem, but that year there were new faces added: Ali Hassan, Imaan Bayoumi, and Razia (Ali) Hassan. Thereafter a variety of others replaced them, including Muhammed Hadzic off and on from 1989 until 2012.

In 2013, Camp Al-Mu-Mee-Neen was renamed Camp Deen, Camp of the Faith, and many new faces were added to the directorate and volunteer group. However, after the passing of long-time site manager and earlier camp director Qasem Mahmud in 2017, the Long Bay campsite was sold. Camp Deen found a new home in 2019 at Christie Lake Kids’ site. Despite the impact of COVID-19, which led to the cancellation of camp from 2020 to 2022, Camp Deen resumed in 2023 with growing attendance and has continued to flourish ever since by the grace of God.

Since 2013, the senior directors have been Nina Karachi-Khaled, Nadine Karachi-Estrada, Adnan Qayyum, and Ashraf Meer. The current junior directors are Tamara Sallouha, Nimet Gato, Naadia Faruqui, and Yaseen Khaled. Volunteers have been the backbone of camp ever since its inception more than 50 years ago.

We have had a series of imams or spiritual leaders at camp, including recently Prof. Timothy Gianotti and Prof. Nader Hashemi. Dean Karachi has served as the night watchman for years and served in various ways. Murray Hogben has directed the arts and crafts program for decades - creating a diverse range of crafts based on Islamic design, including tiles, leatherwork, and paper clay ceramics.

Countless young Muslims have benefitted from attending and later on taking leadership roles such as LITs (leaders in training), counsellors and directors. In many cases, these former campers are now parents and even grandparents, sending their own children to experience the life-changing impact of Camp Deen.