Privacy Policy

Your Privacy Matters to Us

At Al-Ahad Islamic Welfare Foundation, we understand that your personal information is sacred, and we treat it with the same care and respect we would want for our own. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and respect your personal information when you use our services, visit our website, or engage with our community.

We believe in transparency, and this policy is written in plain language so you can easily understand how your information is handled. If you have any questions, we’re always here to help.

What Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

When you request our services or participate in our programs, you may share:

• Identity Information: Name, date of birth, nationality, contact details
• Religious Information: Details about your Shahadah, conversion date, previous religion
• Documentation: Government IDs, photos, and other verification documents
• Contact Preferences: How and when you’d like us to communicate with you
• Donation Information: Payment details when you make contributions (processed securely)

Information We Collect Automatically

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

• Website Usage: Pages visited, time spent, and how you navigate our site
• Technical Information: IP address, browser type, device information
• Cookies: Small files that help improve your experience (you can disable these)

How We Use Your Information

Serving Your Spiritual Journey

We use your information to:

• Provide Shahadah Services: Facilitate your conversion ceremony and provide witnesses
• Issue Certificates: Create official documentation when requested
• Offer Support: Provide new Muslim education and ongoing spiritual guidance
• Communicate: Send service updates, educational materials, and community news
• Verify Identity: Ensure the authenticity and security of our services

Building Our Community

With your consent, we may use your information to:

• Connect You: Introduce you to mentors, study groups, or community members
• Invite Participation: Notify you about events, programs, and volunteer opportunities
• Share Success Stories: Feature your journey (only with explicit permission)

How We Protect Your Information

Security Measures

We implement robust security measures including:

• Encrypted Storage: All personal data is encrypted and stored securely
• Limited Access: Only authorized staff members can access your information
• Regular Audits: We regularly review and update our security practices
• Secure Transmission: All online communications are protected with industry-standard encryption

Data Retention

We keep your information only as long as necessary:

• Active Services: While you’re using our services or engaged with our community
• Certificate Records: Permanently archived for verification purposes (as required for official documents)
• Communication Records: Typically 7 years for accountability and service improvement
• Inactive Accounts: Reviewed annually and deleted when no longer needed

Who We Share Information With

Trusted Partners Only

We never sell your personal information. We only share it when:

• Service Provision: With witnesses during Shahadah ceremonies or notaries for certificate services
• Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect rights and safety
• Authorized Recipients: When you specifically request us to share information (like sending certificates to institutions)
• Service Providers: With trusted vendors who help us operate (all bound by strict confidentiality agreements)

Your Rights and Choices

You’re In Control

You have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of all information we have about you
• Correct: Update or fix any incorrect information
• Delete: Request deletion of your information (except legally required records)
• Restrict: Limit how we use your information
• Withdraw Consent: Change your mind about how we use your information
• Data Portability: Request your information in a portable format

Communication Preferences

You can:

• Unsubscribe: Easily opt out of newsletters and non-essential communications
• Choose Channels: Select how you want to receive updates (email, phone, mail)
• Set Frequency: Adjust how often you hear from us

Special Considerations

Sensitive Religious Information

We recognize that religious information is deeply personal. We:

• Minimize Collection: Only collect what’s necessary for our services
• Extra Protection: Apply additional security measures to religious data
• Respectful Handling: Train all staff on the sensitive nature of religious information
• No Discrimination: Never use religious information for any form of discrimination

International Considerations

If you’re located outside Canada:

• Privacy Standards: We maintain Canadian privacy standards regardless of your location
• Data Transfers: Any international data transfers meet strict security requirements
• Local Laws: We respect local privacy laws where applicable

Children’s Privacy

We take special care with information from anyone under 18. We:

• Parental Consent: Require parental permission for minors’ participation
• Limited Collection: Collect minimal information necessary for services
• Extra Protection: Apply enhanced privacy protections for young people

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy occasionally to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we do:

• Clear Notice: We’ll notify you of significant changes via email or website notice
• Easy Access: The current policy will always be available on our website
• Effective Dates: Changes take effect 30 days after notice (unless legally required sooner)

Contact Us About Privacy

Your privacy questions and concerns are important to us. Please reach out:

Contact Information:

• Email: info@al-ahad.org

We commit to responding to all privacy inquiries within 30 days and working with you to address any concerns.