5 Oct 2026
People of Durham #56 - Kubra Mir, Executive Director, Muslim Women of Durham Region
Kubra Mir is the executive director and co-founder of Muslim Women of Durham Region, a not-for-profit with 163 members across Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa, and Clarington. She came to Canada from India at age two, grew up in Cambridge, Ontario, moved to Ajax 15 years ago, and has volunteered in the community for about 14 years alongside a full-time job.
In this episode she talks about turning a Facebook group into a registered organization, Storytime at local libraries, park cleanups, feeding neighbours in Pickering, respecting each other's holidays, facing Islamophobia, growing up with racism, mental health in the community, raising kids, housing in Durham, fundraising for Feed the Need, and what to expect at Golden Age.
Golden Age, the third annual Islamic History Month celebration: Sunday, October 18, 12 to 6 pm, Audley Recreation Centre, 1955 Audley Rd, Ajax. Free, and everyone is welcome.
Islamic History Month Storytime: Saturday, October 17, 11 am to 1 pm, Whitby Central Library.
mwofdurhamregion.com
@mwofdurhamregion on Instagram
mwofDurham@gmail.com
Hosted by Pascal Zois.
Watch and listen on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
00:00 🎙️ Welcome to People of Durham
00:21 👋 Kubra Mir, executive director of Muslim Women of Durham Region
00:45 🕌 A growing Muslim community across Durham
01:25 💡 From a Facebook group to a not-for-profit
03:08 🤝 163 members and what membership supports
03:34 🧕 Apparel by FM, and why non-Muslims are welcome
04:14 📚 Park cleanups and Storytime at local libraries
06:21 🍲 Feeding neighbours at DARS in Pickering
07:36 🎄 Showing up at Christmas, and diversity within the faith
08:58 🪔 Merry Christmas, Happy Diwali, Happy Hanukkah
10:25 ✨ Golden Age, the Islamic History Month event on October 18
12:14 📵 Trolled and blocked from advertising, and renaming the event
12:51 🛡️ Islamophobia close to home, and the right to pray safely
15:32 ✈️ Arriving from India at two and growing up with racism
18:36 🏛️ Why support from local leaders matters
20:09 🇨🇦 Immigration, multiculturalism, and the Canadian mosaic
22:09 👵 Sit down with your elders and ask for their story
23:01 🧠 Mental health and the conversations communities avoid
25:38 👨👩👧 Kids do not come with a manual
27:35 💍 Wedding traditions, and why culture runs stronger here
32:04 💼 From ESL teacher to a nine-to-five, and being home for her kids
33:13 🙋♀️ Volunteering since age 12 in Cambridge, Ontario
35:15 🚗 Her dad's ten years driving cancer patients
36:04 🌙 An Eid gala on Parliament Hill
37:14 🏘️ Loving Durham, growth, and homes that fit families
41:32 🥫 Feed the Need, shelters, shoeboxes, and seniors
44:39 🙌 What makes a great volunteer
46:29 🎟️ One ask before October 18: come, it is free
47:02 📜 A long history of Muslims in Canada
47:24 🖍️ Poster and bookmark contests
48:13 📍 Audley Recreation Centre, 12 to 6
50:05 🗂️ Community partners and the Muslim Archives
51:32 🎪 Bringing People of Durham to community events
54:03 📱 Why a social media presence opens doors
55:22 🏥 A long-term care home in Clarington, and Project Ramadan
57:26 🏫 Schools, washrooms, and wanting choice for kids
1:02:19 🧩 Funding for neurodivergent learners and teacher support
1:04:22 🎓 Faith-based schools in Durham
1:06:12 🏡 Multigenerational homes and caring for elders
1:09:35 🍰 Food, the halal scene, and cafés to try
1:12:16 🙏 October 18, Storytime, and thank you
People of Durham is recorded at Blue Phoenix Studios in Whitby.
#PeopleOfDurham #DurhamRegion #Ajax #KubraMir #MuslimWomenOfDurhamRegion #IslamicHistoryMonth #GoldenAge
