Meet Our Speakers

Sheikh Mahdi Tirkawi was born in France to Syrian and French parents. He studied Islamic Law at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, where he gained a deep understanding of Islamic jurisprudence. He later pursued higher education in Islamic Studies at the Université de Montréal, obtaining a master’s degree. Since 2012, Sheikh Mahdi has been the imam of Mosquée Al Rawdah in Montreal, focusing on youth engagement, interfaith dialogue, and community development. Alongside his duties, he has been a teacher at the Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) for over a decade, inspiring young Muslims to deepen their connection to faith. Sheikh Mahdi earned his Ph.D. in Quran and Sunna at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). His doctoral research focused on developing an educational methodology through the Quran, exploring how individuals can educate themselves through Allah’s SWT words.