FIRST OFF...
We'd like to give a big thank you to all our sponsors. Without them, much of what we had at the Ibtikar Summit would not have been possible.
SO WHO WON?
Read about each of our winners below.
🥇 MyHaya – Islamic Health and Sexual Education for YouthMyHaya is an educational platform designed specifically for Muslim youth aged 12-14, offering comprehensive health and sexual education grounded in Islamic teachings. In many communities, formal health education is either absent or lacks alignment with religious values. MyHaya addresses this need by providing accurate, age-appropriate information that upholds Islamic principles, empowering young Muslims with essential knowledge while nurturing their faith.
🥈 Yusr – Community Crowdfunded Burial SupportFuneral expenses can be overwhelming, with costs ranging from $10,000 to $15,000, placing immense financial stress on grieving families. Yusr offers a unique community-powered crowdfunding platform that eases this burden. By joining a batch of 140 members, individuals collectively commit to covering each other’s burial expenses, significantly reducing the cost to just $20-$40 per person. Yusr provides a reliable and compassionate way for the Muslim community to fulfill the obligation of honoring the deceased without financial strain.
🥉 Yusra Health – Faith-Based Medical GuidanceNavigating religious obligations while managing illness or injury can be challenging, particularly when it comes to prayers and other acts of worship. Yusra Health provides tailored Islamic rulings and religious guidance specific to each medical condition. Whether it's understanding how to perform prayers with an injury or managing fasting with a chronic illness, Yusra Health offers clear religious guidelines. It also supports healthcare professionals in making informed decisions that respect religious practices, ensuring holistic patient care that aligns with Islamic teachings.
Honorable Mention:
Fareeka – Arabic Audiobooks for the Modern ListenerWhile English audiobooks have surged in popularity, with the global audiobook market expected to reach $19 billion by 2027, Arabic audiobooks remain vastly underrepresented. Fareeka seeks to change this by transforming the rich legacy of Arabic literature into engaging audiobooks. By unlocking a new medium for classical and contemporary Arabic works, Fareeka connects a new generation of listeners to the depth and beauty of Arabic storytelling. Whether it’s timeless poetry, historical narratives, or modern fiction, Fareeka brings the ocean of Arabic literature to life, reaching the ears of millions who crave culturally resonant audio content.
All four of these teams will advance through Ibtikar Foundry, our student-led development hub that leverages the technical expertise of the community to bring visionary ideas to life. By joining Ibtikar Foundry, they gain access to a powerful network of resources, including mentorship and support from leading organizations like MAX (Muslims Achieving Excellence), Ummah1, and PolaireLabs.The journey ahead is clear: Validate, Build, and Execute. These teams will rapidly test their ideas, develop functional prototypes, and bring impactful solutions to market—turning innovative concepts into transformative realities.
ABOUT THE SUMMIT
4 PROBLEM STATEMENT THEMES
The problem statements themselves will be released closer to the summit.
Click on a theme to learn more about it.
Shari'a Compliant Systems
Education & 'Ilm
Sustainable Resource Management
News & Journalism
COMPETITION OVERVIEW
The 24 selected teams will be divided into 4 groups of 6 teams. Each group will be assigned one problem statement to work on.
From each group, the 3 top teams will be selected to go to the finals after Round 1 of judging.
The 12 top teams will present at the finals, and the top 3 teams will be awarded prizes. 🏆
ABOUT US
Our purpose in serving God extends beyond our homes and mosques; it is a central aspect of our lives that should be reflected in our conduct, demonstrating excellence in our fields and beyond, both as individuals and as a community.
The innovation summit is designed to instill this central feature in the lives of young, intelligent, and promising students, enabling them to serve humanity and their communities with the skills that God has blessed them with by unlocking these skills through connections with Muslim professionals who provide mentorship and guidance.
Our skills as an Ummah should not merely serve as a means to earn a salary but as a way to advance our communities for the betterment of the world—and ultimately, for the pleasure of God.
Through the summit, we are providing students with a chance to exercise skills and think creatively about solutions for the Ummah.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Check our FAQ page for more information, or fill out our contact form below so someone can get back to you.
CONTACT US
Applications are now closed! But...
You can still sign up to attend the Expo, which is open to everyone.
Education and 'Ilm
Islam emphasizes seeking knowledge (‘Ilm) as a duty, yet modern education often fails to integrate Islamic values, leaving Muslim students disconnected. Traditional Islamic institutions struggle with outdated teaching methods, limiting their ability to face contemporary challenges. Historically, Islamic civilizations led in science and philosophy, but colonialism and modernization disrupted this balance. Studies show Muslim students face marginalization in secular education, while parents seek faith-integrated learning models. Institutions like Bayyinah Institute and IIUM demonstrate successful integration. Goals include developing curriculums that merge Islamic ethics with academics, training teachers, and fostering global collaboration to create spiritually and intellectually enriching education.
Sustainable Resource Management
Islam teaches environmental stewardship (Khalifa), yet industrialization and consumerism have led to environmental crises. Early Islamic civilizations pioneered sustainability, but modern Muslim-majority regions face severe resource challenges. Research shows a lack of awareness about sustainability as an Islamic duty, despite opportunities in renewable energy and ethical consumption. Initiatives like EcoMuslim and Masdar City promote green practices. Goals include educating communities on faith-based sustainability, innovating eco-friendly solutions, fostering global partnerships, engaging youth in conservation efforts, and using Islamic financial models like waqf to fund environmental projects, ensuring responsible resource management aligned with Islamic ethics.
News and Journalism
Muslims are often misrepresented or underrepresented in mainstream media, which lacks the Islamic values of truth (Sidq), fairness (Adl), and ethical reporting. Historically, Islamic scholars preserved knowledge with integrity, but modern journalism frequently distorts narratives about Islam. Research shows bias and misinformation fuel negative perceptions, while demand for faith-aligned news is rising. Platforms like Islam21c and Middle East Eye work to provide ethical journalism. Goals include establishing faith-based journalism standards, creating Muslim-centric news outlets, combating misinformation, amplifying Muslim voices, and fostering community engagement through accurate, balanced reporting that aligns with Islamic ethics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my question isn't answered below?
No worries! Feel free to ask your message here and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
What is a pitch competition?
In the case of the Ibtikar Summit, a pitch competition is an event where aspiring entrepreneurs are given challenging problem statements and are tasked with presenting their solutions to a panel of judges within a set amount of time, aiming to persuade them of the viability and potential success of their ventures. Participants have a brief window to make their case, through a presentation that highlights their solution, business model, market opportunity, competitive advantage, and financial projections. The judges, composed of industry experts and successful entrepreneurs, evaluate each pitch based on criteria such as innovation, scalability, team capability, and investment potential. Winners of pitch competitions will receive cash prizes to help launch or grow their idea. The Ibtikar Summit is valuable for networking, gaining feedback, and attracting investment.
Who is eligible?
All undergraduate and graduate Ontario university students are eligible to participate.
Why is there no tech-themed problem statement?
Technology serves as a means to address challenges. Your task involves devising solutions for issues our Ummah encounters, utilizing any tools you deem appropriate. Whether you opt for a software-based solution or believe a non-technical approach is more suitable, the choice is yours!
Do I have to stay overnight?
No; the option is available to work overnight at one of our local masajid (ICW for brothers, and Kitchener Masjid for sisters), but it is not required. Keep in mind though that you will be competing with others who might work through the night! Weigh your options and see how you think your team can best succeed.
Will there be food provided?
Yes, some meals and snacks (caffeine) will be provided - but there is also an excellent plaza right beside our campus! Bring some lunch money. 💸
Are there accommodations for sisters?
Yes, appropriate accommodations will be provided to ensure sisters can compete comfortably, both throughout the day and overnight if chosen.
How do I apply?
Applications to participate in the Summit have now closed. However, you can still sign up to attend the Expo which is open to the public! Register for it here.
Can I apply without a team?
To participate, we encourage teamwork, collaboration, and communication. If you want to participate but don’t have a team, ask around! Bug your friends and make a team!
Is there an application or attendance fee?
No, the Ibitkar Summit is completely free of charge!
Can I bring my own idea?
At the Ibtikar Summit, participants will be assigned one of four problem statements and tasked with devising a solution within a set timeframe. Ideas and Solutions regardless of when they were made (before or during the summit) are welcome at the summit. At the end of the day, judges will be grading your solution on its ability to tackle a specific problem in the specific categories space so keep this in mind! (It may not be the leg up you think it is 😉)
Itinerary
Itinerary
