Navaid Aziz is a Canadian Muslim public figure with a diverse academic and social background. He was raised in Montreal, Quebec where he completed a diplome d’etudes collegiales in social sciences from Champlain College. He then proceeded to the Islamic University of Madinah, where he completed an Associate’s Degree in the Arabic Language and a Bachelors in Islamic Law.
Upon returning home to Canada, Navaid began teaching for Al-Maghrib Institute. He has since transitioned to their Director of Public Relations. During this period, he volunteered as the Islamic Editor for Little Explorers Magazine and began his work as a family and youth counselor. It was also during this time that he established himself as a sought-after public speaker. He has lectured across five continents and over 20 countries thus far.
In 2012, Navaid moved to Calgary, Alberta to become the Director of Religious and Social Services for the Islamic Information Society of Calgary, a position he currently holds. In Calgary his youth counseling work extended further to include helping in the mitigation of criminal radicalization. This included the creating and implementation of holistic youth programming which included civic engagement opportunities, volunteer programs at the local shelters, community cleanups, tree planting days, and blood drives amongst other things.
In 2015, Navaid became the first ever Muslim chaplain with the Calgary Police Services. Through his involvement with CPS he consulted in the development of their world-renowned ReDirect program. In 2018, Navaid also joined the Organization for the Prevention of Violence in Alberta as a programming and intervention coordinator. His focus remains on increasing education, literacy, and dialogue through multiple communities.
Navaid’s free time is spent exploring local eateries, traveling, and hiking the Canadian Rockies. He is also known to enjoy playing basketball and hosting game nights—with Monopoly and Cranium being his favorites.