Washim Ahmed

Washim Ahmed is a Toronto-based lawyer, writer, and social justice advocate with a strong focus on media and civic engagement. He is a co-founder of the mid-sized law firm OWS Law. Washim studied Law, Policy, and Government at Carleton University and completed his legal education at the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall Law School, where he earned his LLM in 2015. He has nearly a decade of experience in immigration and family law, appearing before all levels of court in Ontario and the Federal Court of Canada.

Washim is a former spokesperson for Canada’s Rohingya communities and co-founder of the Canadian Rohingya Development Initiatives (CRDI). He served two years on the National Consulting Committee of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada and currently acts as a private practice stakeholder for the Immigration Division.

His advocacy extends to refugee youth—he authored a key section on their transitional challenges in a CASSA-led project funded by the Law Foundation of Ontario. Washim has also served on the Board of Human Concern International and founded nonprofits such as Lawyers for Humanity.

A frequent contributor to national media including Toronto Star, HuffPost, CBC, and CTV, Washim speaks widely on the role of media in shaping public narratives. At today’s event, he will address “The Importance of Media and Engagement for Muslims,” highlighting how media advocacy can empower marginalized communities and drive social change.