Bridging Divides: Calgary Islamic Centre Fosters Unity and Introduces Prison Ministry Initiative at Annual Ramadan Iftar Dinner with Corrections and Law Enforcement

Calgary, AB – In a continued effort to build bridges and foster mutual understanding, the Anatolian Turkish Islamic Centre of Calgary (ATIC) successfully hosted its annual Ramadan fast-breaking dinner on Thursday, March 6th, 2025. The event, held at the Anatolian Centre, brought together a diverse group of individuals from Correctional Services, Law Enforcement, and the broader community for an evening of cultural exchange and dialogue, marked by the significant introduction of a new prison ministry organization.

Building on five previous successful years, this year’s dinner provided a platform for learning about Islamic traditions during Ramadan and facilitated meaningful connections between those dedicated to public safety. Representatives from institutions such as the Calgary Remand Centre including Director Jamie Miskow, Calgary Correctional Centre Deputy Director Brent Boardman, Calgary Young Offender Centre Director Jonathan Langille, Drumheller Institution Deputy Warden Kevin Fowler and Psychologist Rayan Zaza who delivered a presentation on Ramadan and Islam, and Bowden Institution A/ Deputy Warden Andrew Leaman were in attendance.

Also present were representatives from ATIC and its newly launched sister organization, the Islamic Restoration Society – IRES. The evening commenced with a significant Land Acknowledgement delivered by two Indigenous Community Liaison Officers
from the Calgary Parole Board, setting a tone of respect and recognition. A key focus of the evening was the formal introduction of the Islamic Restoration Society – IRES. This new organization will dedicate its efforts to Islamic Prison Ministry and Reintegration Programs, signifying a deeper and more structured commitment from the community to support individuals within the correctional system. The launch of IRES underscores ATIC’s expanding role in community support and its proactive approach to addressing the needs of incarcerated individuals and their successful reintegration into society. The program featured a welcoming address from ATIC, a detailed introduction to the mission and goals of IRES, and an informative overview of Ramadan. Representatives from various organizations shared greetings. Interfaith understanding was further promoted through an Interfaith Prayer led by Pastor Phil Holck of First Lutheran Church.

Attendees engaged in introductions and networking, fostering stronger relationships between different agencies.The cultural aspect of the evening was enriched by aperformance of live traditional Turkish music on the Ney by Tugrul Ozer, a volunteer with ATIC. The evening culminated in the traditional Iftar dinner, where attendees shared theexperience of breaking the fast together.

The initiative, organized by Muslim Chaplains Malik Muradov (Drumheller & Bowden Institutions) and Irfan Gulsu (Calgary Correctional Centre & Calgary Remand Centre), underscores the vital role of faith leaders in fostering understanding and cooperation within the community and the justice system. The annual Ramadan dinner hosted by ATIC, now amplified by the dedicated efforts of the Islamic Restoration Society – IRES, continues to be a testament to the power of community engagement in building stronger, more inclusive relationships between the Muslim community and those working in corrections and law enforcement in Alberta, with a growing emphasis on providing meaningful support for rehabilitation and reintegration.