Antalya, Turkey – November 15th, 2015: Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau with Farah Mohamed holding the G(irls)20 Summit 2015 Communique which has 13 concrete ideas on how to boost economies by investing in measures that will economically engage girls and women, ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit. Image credit: Farah Mohamed
On the advice of the then Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, Farah Mohamed was appointed to the Senate of Canada.
On Friday, March 7th, 2025, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that the Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, appointed five individuals as independent senators to fill vacancies in the Senate, Farah Mohamed being one of the three appointed to represent the province of Ontario.
Farah Mohamed becomes the second Ismaili Muslim to be appointed to the Senate of Canada, Mobina Jaffer being the first. Incidentally, both have Ugandan roots but more importantly both are, in their own right, role-model women of influence — a testament to following the sage guidance inspired by the Ismaili Imams to prioritize the education of girls — and the theme championed by Ms. Mohamed for more than 30 years. Farah joins an elite list of distinguished and influential international leaders from around the globe championing what it means to be a global citizen and a planetary steward.
His Highness the Aga Khan III – 48th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims
For over three decades, Ms. Mohamed has dedicated her life to removing barriers and building a more equitable and sustainable Canada. From founding G(irls)20 to champion young women globally, to leading the Malala Fund alongside Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai, recently as CEO of The King’s Trust Canada (until May 2025) and now as a Senator representing the province of Ontario in the Senate of Canada. Farah’s leadership is defined by bold, practical solutions to systemic inequities. Her commitment to galvanizing decision-makers into action has transformed countless lives — whether through empowering young people facing barriers or advocating for human rights on the world stage.
Charlevoix, Quebec, Canada – June 9th, 2018: Farah Mohamed’s remarks to G7 leaders in Canada. “Monsieur Le President Macron, please prioritize girls’ education in France next year. Prime Minister Abe, as you chair the G20 in 2019, please ensure that girls’ education is high up on your agenda. It is time to recognize that educated girls are an investment in a safer, healthier, wealthier world. On behalf of Malala and the 130 million girls who are out of school, thank you.” image credit: Malala Fund
In 2024, she authored the Globe and Mail opinion piece that ‘Canada has a productivity problem – our young people are the solution’ urging employers and government to see the potential of investing in and introducing innovative policies to upskill young workers while incentivizing employers to hire them. She will also be launching 360; a game changing initiative as a comprehensive youth employment and employer engagement program to help bridge the productivity gap.
About Farah Mohamed
Farah Mohamed has spent 30 years working alongside politicians, entrepreneurs, business leaders and philanthropists, to improve the lives of Canadians, especially young people, newcomers, and women. She has worked tirelessly forging partnerships and disrupting the status quo to build a more inclusive and sustainable world.
Ms. Mohamed is a refugee (at 2 years old) from Uganda whose journey inspired her lifelong commitment to advocating for the most vulnerable. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The King’s Trust Canada, a charity founded by His Majesty King Charles III to help young people facing barriers increase their employability.
A passionate defender of the rights of women and girls, Ms. Mohamed has served as the CEO of the Malala Fund, where she led global efforts to further Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai’s mission to educate millions of girls.
“I’m very proud to announce that Farah Mohamed, a refugee who fled Uganda and came to Canada as a child, is Malala Fund’s new CEO.
A Canadian will now lead the fight for girls’ education around the world.”
during her acceptance speech on receiving the Honorary Canadian Citizenship,
2014 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate,
Founder, Malala Fund,
Canadian Parliament,
Ottawa, Canada – April 12th, 2017
Farah Mohamed – Senator, CEO of The King’s Trust Canada, Former CEO of the Malala Fund, Founder & Advisor to G(irls)20. Image credit: Farah Mohamed
She founded FORA, formerly known as G(irls)20, to cultivate a new generation of leaders by empowering girls and women through education, entrepreneurship, and global experiences. G(irls)20 was among the first global social profit organizations to advocate that G20 Leaders prioritize female labour force participation as a key to economic growth. She was also the Chief Operating Officer for Canada’s Forest Trust Corporation – a testament to her commitment to environmental sustainability.
Volunteering is part of her DNA. Ms. Mohamed currently serves on the Board of Directors for RefugePoint and Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre and is an advisor for Apolitical. She previously served on the Boards of Music Canada, The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, Fora: Network for Change, The Canadian Club of Toronto, Ontario Science Centre, Ontario Trillium Foundation, as well as serving as an Advisor to the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council. She has also been an independent director for Cameras for Girls.
In recognition of her contributions, Ms. Mohamed has received numerous awards and distinctions, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal. She has also been recognized as one of BBC’s Top 100 Women and one of Forbes’ Forty Women to Watch Over 40.
Ms. Mohamed holds a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s University and a Master of Arts and Honorary Doctor of Laws from Western University.
“Farah is a renowned leader and global advocate for women and girls.
She is a compelling storyteller and presenter with powerful stories of humanity and change from around the world.
Farah is one of Canada’s most prized exports!”
~ CEO, Foundation for Young Australians
Farah Mohamed on being both a proud Canadian & an Ismaili Muslim
“There are many things I am proud of – one I am loud about – being Canadian and the other more private – being a member of the Ismaili community.
An Ismaili is a member of the Isma’ili community, a branch of Shia Islam. Ismailis believe in a living hereditary Imam, or spiritual leader, who descends from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Farah Mohamed with His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. Image credit: Farah Mohamed
Today [Feb 4], His Highness The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of 15 million Ismailis passed away. For sure this is a loss for our community. It is also a loss for the world.
He leaves behind an incredible legacy as a spiritual leader, a businessman and as a philanthropist of Aga Khan Development Network and as a Global Founding Patron of The King’s Trust including The King’s Trust Canada.
Inna lillahi was inna ilayhi rajiun.
May he rest in peace.”
~ Farah Mohamed,
Senator,
CEO of The King’s Trust Canada,
Former CEO of the Malala Fund,
Founder & Advisor to G(irls)20
About Mobina Jaffer
The Honourable Senator Mobina Jaffer, an Ismaili Muslim represents British Columbia in the Senate of Canada. Appointed on June 13, 2001 by then Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, she is the first Muslim senator, the first African-born senator, and the first senator of South Asian descent.
Reflecting on her life, she remarked “I am lucky that my two greatest blessings, being Canadian and Ismaili Muslim, are not only able to peacefully co-exist, but actively interact and build upon one another.”
Senator Mobina Jaffer retired from the Senate of Canada in August 2024. Visit the Library of Parliament’s Parlinfo website to learn more about her work in Parliament.
About Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize & Honorary Canadian Citizenship
At 15 years old, Malala Yousafzai was the target of Taliban assassins after she became an outspoken advocate for the right of girls to learn and to attend school. She has since become an international spokesperson for girls’ education and the rights of women and girls. In recognition of this work, she was named a co-recipient of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize.
In April 2017, the then Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced that Malala Yousafzai will visit Canada on April 12, 2017, to address the Canadian Parliament and to officially receive the honorary Canadian citizenship bestowed upon her in 2014.
Quick Facts
In October 2014, the Norwegian Nobel Committee selected Malala Yousafzai as a co-recipient of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize.
A native of Pakistan, she is the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
On October 21, 2014, the House of Commons unanimously supported bestowing honorary Canadian citizenship upon Ms. Yousafzai, to recognize her bravery in the fight for the rights of women and girls to go to school.
Ms. Yousafzai is one of just six people to receive honorary Canadian citizenship. The others are Raoul Wallenberg, Nelson Mandela, the 14th Dalai Lama, Aung San Suu Kyi, and His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.
Honorary Canadian Citizens: (L-R) His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, Raoul Wallenberg, the 14th Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Malala Yousafzai (not in picture)
“I pass on my deepest condolences to HH Prince Karim Aga Khan’s family and loved ones.
May his soul rest in peace.
His legacy will continue to live on through the incredible work he led for education, health and development around the world.”
The Honourable Senator Mobina Jaffer, an Ismaili Muslim represents British Columbia in the Senate of Canada. Appointed on June 13, 2001 by then Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, she is the first Muslim senator, the first African-born senator, and the first senator of South Asian descent.
At 15 years old, Malala Yousafzai was the target of Taliban assassins after she became an outspoken advocate for the right of girls to learn and to attend school. She has since become an international spokesperson for girls’ education and the rights of women and girls. In recognition of this work, she was named a co-recipient of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize.
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