October is Canadian Islamic History Month!
Dear colleagues and friends,
In 2007, the Parliament of Canada proclaimed October Canadian Islamic History Month, to recognize the significant role that Muslim communities play in Canadian society and to highlight their extraordinary contributions. It is an opportunity to learn more about Muslim Canadians, the history of Islam in Canada and recognize the contributions of Muslim Canadians in academics, arts, business, literature, sciences, sports and their communities.
Four years after Canada's founding in 1867, the 1871 Canadian Census recorded 13 European Muslims among the population. The first Muslim organization in Canada was registered by immigrants from Lebanon living in Regina, Saskatchewan in 1934. The first Canadian mosque was constructed in Edmonton in 1938, when there were approximately 700 European Muslims in the country. The building is now part of the museum at Fort Edmonton Park.
The years after World War II saw a small increase in the Muslim population. However, Muslims were still a distinct minority. It was only after the removal of European immigration preferences in the late 1960s and early 1970s that Muslims began to arrive in significant numbers.
Statistics Canada reported that in 2021, 4.9% of Canadians were Muslim, with a median age of 30, compared with a median age of 41 for the total Canadian population. Thirty-seven percent of them are of South Asian origin, 32.2% Arabs, 13.0% to West Asian and 11.6% Black. Interestingly, 29.5% were born in Canada, followed by Pakistan (12.7%), Iran (5.8%), Morocco (4.2%), Algeria (4.2%), Bangladesh (3.7%), Syria (3.5%), Afghanistan (3.4%), India (3.1%) and Lebanon (2.4%).
Canadian Islamic History Month is also a time to acknowledge the ongoing challenges and barriers that Muslim Canadians face. Muslim communities across Canada have endured the horrific results of racism and hate directed against Muslim Canadians, including the fatal attacks on innocent Muslims in Quebec City (January 2017) and London, Ontario (June 2021).
According to the UN, Islamophobia is a fear, prejudice and hatred of Muslims that leads to provocation, hostility and intolerance by means of threatening, harassment, abuse, incitement and intimidation of Muslims and non-Muslims, both in the online and offline world. Motivated by institutional, ideological, political and religious hostility that transcends into structural and cultural racism, it targets the symbols and markers of being a Muslim.
This definition emphasizes the link between institutional levels of Islamophobia and manifestations of such attitudes, triggered by the visibility of the victim’s perceived Muslim identity. This approach also interprets Islamophobia as a form of racism, whereby Islamic religion, tradition and culture are seen as a ‘threat’ to Western values.
Islamophobia is a worldwide phenomenon. On March 15, 2022, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 15 the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, calling for international efforts to foster a global dialogue on the promotion of a culture of tolerance, based on respect for human rights and for the diversity of religions and beliefs.
Together, we must combat all forms of discrimination, Islamophobia and hate-fueled violence directed at Muslim communities across the country. This month is a time to continue working toward a compassionate, inclusive and safer Canada for everyone. Let’s commit that there is no place for Islamophobia in Canada.
Happy Canadian Islamic History Month!
If you would like that we highlight a cultural event to create awareness about the rich cultural diversity of Canada, please do not hesitate to write to me. That way, we all learn about each other, to promote mutual understanding, respect and collaboration.
Stay safe, stay well!
Respectfully,
Waheed Khan
President, National Consultation Team