Today, we honour the memory of our beloved father, Dr. El-Tantawy Attia.
Born in the fertile fields of the Nile Delta in Egypt, he travelled to Canada in the early 70s to pursue his doctorate in Nuclear Engineering.
Not long after, he chose to make Canada his home and, together with our beloved mother—may Allah SWT grant her health and patience—he raised seven daughters and two sons.
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As his eldest child, I remember him most for three defining qualities: his connection with his Creator, his bond with his community, and his devotion to his family. May Allah have mercy on his soul.
He nurtured a constant and heartfelt connection with Allah SWT. We remember him standing in the centre of our home, calling the Adhan in a voice strong enough for all of us to gather for Fajr Prayer.
We remember his love for the ayat listing the Names of Allah SWT—especially the concluding verses of Surat al-Hashr and Surat al-Baqarah. He taught us that the tests of this life are brief, while the rewards of the Hereafter endure forever.
His connection with the community was rooted in a lifelong passion for service. He served in masajid, Islamic schools, humanitarian initiatives, and countless non-profit organizations—giving wherever help was needed.
Whether among Muslims or with his non-Muslim brothers and sisters in humanity, he worked with sincerity, humility, and joy.
Investment for the Hereafter
His good deeds were his investment for the Hereafter, actions he hoped would testify to his faith on the day he met his Creator. One remarkable example was his founding of Masjid Toronto in the heart of downtown.
It became a place of worship for Muslim professionals, and a refuge for the needy, the homeless, single mothers, and youth. My father always met them with a warm, caring smile.
His connection to his family was profound. We remember his love for his children and his deep, unwavering affection for his wife.
Through patience, perseverance, and gentle strength, he modelled for us what it means to be a loving spouse and a devoted parent.
He never raised his voice at our mother; instead, he treated her with kindness, grace, and generosity—teaching us more through his example than through words.
His character tied all these connections together. He was a man of dignity, wisdom, and humility in every circumstance. He avoided hurtful words, resisted anger, and greeted everyone with a compassionate smile. Truly, he was a man of few words but exceptional and consistent action.
It is this life of deep connections and beautiful character that I hope to emulate, insha’Allah.
This is how my siblings, our children, and I aim to carry his legacy forward: through humility, service, community commitment, and love for people. We pray that Allah SWT grants us the sincerity that illuminated every part of his life.
We ask Allah SWT to accept his deeds and grant him the highest level of Paradise among the Prophets, the righteous, and the martyrs. Ameen, ya Rab.