Delightful Janes Walk today, so ably let by Himy Syed, with passion and humour on such a serious subject. @30masjids. Credit to @JanesWalkTO

— I Spy Toronto (@ISpyToronto) December 20, 2015

Learning the History of Muslims in Toronto #janeswalk pic.twitter.com/TeBboFU2F7

— Herman Custodio (@hermancustodio) December 20, 2015

Mtg @ Runnymede Stn. Learning about the history of the Muslim community. Lead by HiMY SYed #Janeswalk pic.twitter.com/sOjUvNLlqR

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

Apri la boca, open your mouth, eti meto uno biscoto – Italian for open your mouth eat a cookie. A great ice breaker at the start of our walk

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

Lots of participants on the #Janeswalk this morning. #php pic.twitter.com/HEWMTpxluf

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

Great turnout for today's #janeswalk with HiMY Syed. Taking about morning prayers in schools.

A photo posted by Denise Pinto (@denisecpinto) on Dec 20, 2015 at 8:24am PST

Global leader of Janes Walk, Denise Pinto Janes Walk 10th year anniversary coming up in May. #Janeswalk #PHP pic.twitter.com/28f2nmJRgK

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

A neighbour welcomes us and acknowledges that we are walking on the land of the Mississaugas of New Credit. #janeswalk

A photo posted by Denise Pinto (@denisecpinto) on Dec 20, 2015 at 9:20am PST

Albanian Muslim Society of Toronto. #Janeswalk #PHP pic.twitter.com/9lCk0vf9ut

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

Oldest Muslim TO congregation 1st significant #'s of Muslim community. Lowrise that "fits" in 'hood #Janeswalk # PHP pic.twitter.com/zYMPfxyKsY

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

About 60 people out to learn about the Toronto Muslim community. Says walk leader HiMY, "This is not about Muslim heritage, this is a story about Canada. This is about Canadian heritage." Well said.

A photo posted by Denise Pinto (@denisecpinto) on Dec 20, 2015 at 9:00am PST

Samridhi Kundra, Jane’s Walk School Edition Coordinator, can be seen on the far left in the instagram above holding up the Poster/Sign for this Jane’s Walk.

Umm… Thanks Samridhi… and…. um… well… WOW!

In the laneway beside the mosque, people spray painted offensive things. We won't give them the satisfaction of making this a formal stop.

A photo posted by Denise Pinto (@denisecpinto) on Dec 20, 2015 at 8:57am PST

#janeswalk #PHP pic.twitter.com/yWPZlHwCKO

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

"I came here in 1966, escaping communist Albania. This was the first mosque in Toronto. Now there are over 100. I thank Canada for taking us. Canada is the best country in the world." #janeswalk

A photo posted by Denise Pinto (@denisecpinto) on Dec 20, 2015 at 8:48am PST

1st TO Muslim heritage plaque Decades ago large Albanian Muslim community in 'hood Late Ramadan prayers #Janeswalk pic.twitter.com/yKvy36OVOn

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

#Janeswalk on the History of Muslims in Toronto pic.twitter.com/l9MbTnWdPZ

— Herman Custodio (@hermancustodio) December 20, 2015

The crowd meets the family of the mosque founders. #janeswalk

A photo posted by Denise Pinto (@denisecpinto) on Dec 20, 2015 at 9:14am PST

Eileen and Mary – Niece of Mr. Assam Albanian Muslim Society of TO. #Janeswalk #PHP pic.twitter.com/Wbr62EE1ey

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

Eileen niece Mr. Assam. Small Albanian Muslim's TO. Needed Mosque. Mary's father 1st Mosque in Can #Janeswalk #PHP pic.twitter.com/THLW2R9jVf

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

"My father and my uncle went around to the Albanian community to get donations to build the mosque. My father passed away, but my uncle made a promise that they would realized his dream. Two years later, they did." #janeswalk

A photo posted by Denise Pinto (@denisecpinto) on Dec 20, 2015 at 9:16am PST

Albanian only Mosque for the longest time. '54 changed name to Muslim Society #Janeswalk #PHP pic.twitter.com/IqeTWSyvHj

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

“…It wasn’t just the Albanian community that used the mosque. Every ethnicity and nationality shared the space. So in 1954, it was changed from the ‘Albanian Muslim Society’ to just the ‘Muslim Society’.” — Eileen Alije Kerim

Moved to new Mosque Early Mosques very Can. but retain faith. Then different cultural groups formed. #Janeswalk #PHP pic.twitter.com/SGFNzqXSLE

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

Can. has a VERY DIVERSE Muslim community! #Janeswalk #PHP Malcolm X spoke @ building next door Expected death soon pic.twitter.com/1ifKoVol2p

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

Sharing memories of Malcolm X speaking. Very dynamic speaker #Janeswalk #PHP That time very difficult for Black Muslims #Blacklivesmatter

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

Woman huge part of Mosque fundraising, on board, taught Sunday school Could do prayers @ #PHP Mosque not Heart House had kitchen #Janeswalk

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

Roles of women dictated by culture not religion. #Janeswalk #PHP Hart House had kitchen for fundraisers for new Mosque.

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

Many different communities helped with the first Mosque in Edmonton, the Jewish community, Greek community and many more 🙂 #Janeswalk #PHP

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

LEFT TO RIGHT: Denise Pinto (Global Director Jane’s Walk), HiMY SYeD (Walk Leader), Eileen Alije Kerim, Mary. (PHOTO CREDIT: Herman Custodio)

Mary’s Parents helped establish The Al Rashid Mosque, Canada’s First Masjid in Edmonton, Alberta.

Eileen Alije Kerim, her father, SAMI KERIM, along with her two uncles REGEP EFFENDI ASSIM and NEIM SALI were the Founders of the MUSLIM SOCIETY OF TORONTO.

Jane’s Walkers got to meet and learn directly from these two family members.

We were fortunate and are incredibly grateful to have Eileen and Mary speak during our Special December Jane’s Walk.

To Eileen & Mary… THANK YOU So Much!

Site of old Dundas St. Mosque. #Janeswalk #PHP pic.twitter.com/B0McPUzeGx

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

Grew up in 'hood now owns Restaurant. Old Dundas St. Mosque. #Janeswalk #PHP pic.twitter.com/I6QHRr5L1h

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

#janeswalkto in the Junction on a beautiful December day

A photo posted by tjl (@terrylavender) on Dec 20, 2015 at 9:55am PST

Pointing out the Junction BIA plaque. Lots of info. #Janeswalk #PHP Also thus 'hood has 1st Synagogue. pic.twitter.com/xB3coSMFES

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

BIA concept and accountability of voluntary funds for neighbourhood business improvement started in T0 #Janeswalk #PHP

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

#janeswalkto on Muslim history in Toronto

A photo posted by tjl (@terrylavender) on Dec 20, 2015 at 10:04am PST

Prohibition times in the 'hood. #janeswalk #PHP pic.twitter.com/1QgBeBGm8U

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

Conversation from leader about evolution terms Muslim and Mosque Peacemaker and one who bows. Gonna look into this more. #janeswalk # PHP

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

This was a halal butcher and an international market at one time. #Janeswalk #PHP pic.twitter.com/FOwaJWzmyc

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

The VERY FIRST ALI BABA'S in TO! #Janeswalk #PHP pic.twitter.com/FG0evuDzrm

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

Oldest Mosque in Toronto #janeswalk #PHP pic.twitter.com/CaFPO8EQaK

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

I maybe incorrect, maybe not city's oldest Mosque but mother Mosque – #Janeswalk #PHP pic.twitter.com/T9wRROuk3V

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

Inside the Jami Mosque #janeswalkto

A photo posted by tjl (@terrylavender) on Dec 20, 2015 at 11:52am PST

Jami Mosque city's oldest. Letter to assist Syrians #Janeswalk #PHP pic.twitter.com/iJ0H96ZpOT

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

@Mahdi_C Like yourself, a number of other people have asked for a repeat of this Jane's Walk as well…. Let's see how tomorrow goes first.

— HïMY SYeD (@30masjids) December 19, 2015

Ha! 3 fellow Jane walkers @ Ali Baba's! #Janeswalk #PHP

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

Happy sore feet A WONDERFUL #Janeswalk Informative & in my 'hood! Will clarify Mosque info. soon @ end hungry & not think'in clearly #PHP

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 20, 2015

@30masjids it was my pleasure! A wonderful & information packed walk. You were fantastic! Thank you so much for leading. #Janeswalk #phpndp

— HeatherShand (@Heather_Shand) December 23, 2015

@30masjids Wouldn't have missed it! Amazing learnings and met some fantastic people. What a turnout! Thank you for leading, HiMY.

— Steve Purificati (@stevepurf) December 23, 2015

@30masjids @HiMYSYeD @janeswalk @JanesWalkTO @junctionTO @junction_bia Congrats on an amazing walk!

— Shazia (@cybershaz) December 23, 2015

“Dear Himy

Sorry I couldn’t say bye to you.

You made me feel proud today. I couldn’t sense how time passed with your engaging and passionate talks.

I’ll browse your blog and try to keep in touch.

Keep up the graceful work.

Thank you and Jane’s walk team for allowing me to get a sense of our history in Toronto.”

Reza Rabbani

Jami Mosque, in Junction, was a stop on yesterday's Janes Walk, History of Muslims in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/0DRbeliYv0

— I Spy Toronto (@ISpyToronto) December 21, 2015

And this from Denise Pinto, Global Director Jane’s Walk:

HiMY, the walk this weekend was just something else.

Filled with personal stories from you, and anecdotes from the crowd, I just went ‘this is why this project exists’.

So many, many courageous and wonderful moments.

And opportunities to ask questions without fear– “what is halal, why do you face mecca, why are women seated in the back of the room.” What a moment for Canadian history.

… I just wanted to send my deepest gratitude your way that you continue to be a beacon for Jane’s Walk– so passionate, such a believer in bringing people face to face, and funny to boot!

Thank you, this walk made my holiday season.

Please extend my thanks to all the community voices along the way as well.

Denise Pinto

@denisepinto It was worth the Drive from Brampton to be part of this walk today.

— Herman Custodio (@hermancustodio) December 20, 2015

@ISpyToronto @JanesWalkTO @30masjids Blast, would definitely have gone had I known Himy was leading it (& knew about it in the first place).

— Jim Cappio (@jamescappio) December 21, 2015