Edward Saddy

Childhood

Edward Saddy’s parents moved from Lebanon to Alberta where their eight children were born. The family eventually settled in Edmonton where young Edward attended public school. From an early age, his leadership skills were remarkable. During his last year of high school at Victoria Composite High School, he was president of the student association. After high school, he studied engineering and during the summers he worked as an industrial designer for Canadian Superior Oil of Canada, a company specializing in producing oil and natural gas. He then switched fields to study economics at the University of Alberta, from which he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1956. That year, he also began studying law at the same university, graduating in 1959.

He did not spend his university years cooped up in the library. The future judge had numerous social and athletic commitments. He was the president of the Law Club, the Western Canada Law Students’ Federation and Zeta Psi fraternity. He was also Secretary of Promotional Affairs and first in his class.

Throughout his academic career, Saddy was also active on numerous sports teams, including basketball and soccer.

After completing his studies, the young lawyer set off to travel the world with a friend, visiting some thirty countries on four continents.

Legal Career

In 1961, Edward Saddy was admitted as a lawyer after passing the Alberta Bar exam. As a Muslim, he affirmed the oath with the Quran.

After practicing law as an attorney for almost 30 years, Saddy was appointed to the Alberta Provincial Court in 1990. The court dealt with cases ranging from civil and family law to criminal law.

In 2001, Judge Saddy retired and moved to Vancouver with his wife Marcy to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren.

Community Involvement

Edward Saddy made history as Canada’s first Muslim judge. He is also known in his community for his key role in Edmonton’s Al Rashid mosque, Canada’s oldest mosque. It was inaugurated in 1938 and Judge Saddy’s mother, Mary Rikia Saddy, was one of the mosque’s founders. To this day, the mosque offers a wide range of services and plays a significant role in the growth of the Muslim community in Alberta and in the entire country.

In the 1970s, Edward Saddy was Chairman of the board of the famous mosque. Along with other members of the fundraising committee, he embarked on a major trip to Libya to secure a substantial donation to build a new mosque to be completed, debt-free, following its relocation.

Saddy also served on the Board of Directors of the Arabian Muslim Association for over 25 years. Today, Alberta’s Lebanese community is stronger than ever. It is made up of Muslims, Christians, Druze and secular members. It also includes new arrivals and fourth-generation members. (See also Immigration to Canada.) These deep roots are the reason why the Edmonton Public School Board currently offers bilingual Arabic immersion programs in some schools.