Islamic Heritage Month

Please join us during the month of October as we celebrate Islamic Heritage & History Month. Throughout the month of October, starting October 3rd, there are weekly events being held throughout the city.

Schedule of Events

October 3, 2019: 6:30pm – 9:00pm
IHM Inaugural Event, Hamilton City Hall
Keynote address: History of Muslims in Canada by Hassam Munir

October 5, 2019: 7:00am – 1:00pm
Food Bank Distribution, Hamilton Mountain Mosque, 1545 Stone Church Rd. E.
In partnership with the Muslim Association of Hamilton, Mishka Social Services operates a monthly food bank servicing the needs of many in the community with staple and other dietary needs.

October 5, 2019: 11:00am – 6:00pm
Open Doors, Hamilton Mountain Mosque, 1545 Stone Church Rd., E.
Visit Hamilton Mountain Mosque and learn more about Islam, Muslims and the community which attends it.

October 12, 2019: 10:00am – 1:00pm
500 Hot Lunches Distribution, Hamilton Downtown Mosque, 221 York Blvd.
Join Mishka Social Services as they prepare and distribute 500 hot lunches in the local community.

October 12, 2019: 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Open Doors, Bosnian Islamic Centre, 202 Barton St. E, Stoney Creek
Visit Bosnian Islamic Centre and learn more about Islam, Muslims and the community which attends it.

October 19, 2019: 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Open Doors, Hamilton Downtown Mosque, 221 York Blvd.
Visit Hamilton Downtown Mosque and learn more about Islam, Muslims and the community which attends it.

October 26, 2019: 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Open Doors, Al-Wilayat Islamic Association, 1310 Upper Gage Ave.
Visit Al-Wilayat Islamic Association, and learn more about Islam, Muslims and the community which attends it.

About Islamic History Month

On October 25, 2007, the Parliament of Canada officially declared October as Islamic History Month in Canada. This is intended to be a time for Canadians to celebrate and focus on Muslim cultural heritage and the over 1,000 years of Muslim contribution to world history and knowledge in order to build bridges between Canadian Muslims and other Canadians. Canada’s national cultural heritage is the sum total of the way Canadians from every background and every walk of life identify and express themselves. Islamic civilization does not belong only to Muslim Canadians, but to all Canadians. In fact, for more than 1,000 years (about 600 AC through 1600 AC), Muslims made significant contributions to the well-being of humanity in numerous fields of endeavour. There are so many good stories to share and new learnings to experience; we intend to do all that, and more, during Islamic History Month Canada.
– Senator Mobina Jaffer, Honorary Chair, Canadian Islamic History Month Canada
In Ontario, an Act to proclaim the month of October as “Islamic Heritage Month” passed as Bill 23 in 2016 as follows: Muslims have been contributing to all aspect of Ontario’s prosperity and diverse heritage for generations. Islamic history and culture encompasses a broad range of individual and collective experiences, as well as important contributions to literature, math, science, art and history. In 2007 the Government of Canada declared the month of October in each year as Canadian Islamic History Month. The Province of Ontario recognizes and wishes to affirm the important contributions that Muslims make in Ontario as part of the vibrant social, economic, political and cultural fabric of our province. Proclaiming a month to be Islamic Heritage Month in Ontario provides all Ontarians, both today and in future generations, with an opportunity to reflect, celebrate and learn about the rich and longstanding Islamic history in the Province and the diverse roles and contributions of Muslim people in communities across Ontario.

This new understanding is in turn helping to combat anti-Islamic sentiment.

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