Upcoming events
National Youth Panel
Join Muslim youth from across Canada as they reflect on their experiences growing up on these lands. Online - 5pm EST
Sitting in the Courtyard of Sultan Hasan: Drawing Lessons from the Black Plague
Sat. Oct 30. 2 pm - 3:30 pm EST. Virtual Event. Email imanibrahim (at) rogers (dot) com for Zoom link.
Speaker: H. Masud Taj, adjunct professor at Carleton University’s Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism.
Held by Islamic History Month Canada IHMC - Ottawa and the Ottawa Muslim Women's Organization (OMWO)
Lunch-and-Learn: Power Without Responsibility: How Islam and Muslims are Represented in Media with Journalist Shenaz Kermalli
Thurs. Oct 28. 1 pm - 2 pm EST. Virtual Event.
Join writer and journalism instructor Shenaz Kermalli for this session to learn more about Islamophobia and the media.
Presented in partnership with the Coalition of Muslim Women.
Shenaz Kermalli is a freelance journalist and journalism lecturer at Ryerson University and University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies. She is a former producer with Al Jazeera English, BBC News, and CBC Television. Her writing has appeared in The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, The Ottawa Citizen, TVO, Vice News, Foreign Policy and The Guardian, among other publications.
VPL Discussion with Omar Mouallem
Wed. Oct 27. 7 pm PST. Online Event.
Journalist Omar Mouallem travels to thirteen remarkable mosques and discovers the surprising history of their communities. But what he finds also challenges his own long-held personal beliefs, and even his sense of identity.
“Until recently, Muslim identity was imposed on me. But I feel different about my religious heritage in the era of ISIS and Trumpism, Rohingya and Uyghur genocides, ethnonationalism and misinformation. I’m compelled to reclaim the thing that makes me a target. I’ve begun to examine Islam closely with an eye for how it has shaped my values, politics, and connection to my roots. No doubt, Islam has a place within me. But do I have a place within it?”
Indigenous Peoples Reclaiming their Economic Rights
Sun. Oct 26. 2:30 pm EDT. Register here for virtual event.
On the occasion of Islamic Heritage Month Canada, ISSA & IME invite you to a webinar on Indigenous Peoples Reclaiming their Economic Rights.
Speakers:
Frances Sanderson
Exec Director, Nishnawbe Homes, Ontario
Whitefish River First Nation member
"Indigenous-led Strategies for Housing"
Kendell (Méstaéhotóá'e) Joiner
Exec Director, Native Clan Organization, Manitoba
Northern Cheyenne Nation member
"Healing by Reclaiming Identity"
Suzanne Patles
Mi'kmaq Warrior & Activist, New Brunswick
Eskasoni First Nation member
"Environmental Economics"
A History of Islam & Muslims in the Subcontinent
Sat. Oct 23. 6 30 pm PST. In-person event at Masjid Al-Salaam in Burnaby, B.C. Watch livestream here.
Open House - Brantford Mosque & Islamic Center
Sat. Oct 23. 12 pm - 3 pm EST. In-person event.
Kitchener Public Library: Family Storytime
Sat. Oct. 23. 10 am - 10:30 am EST. Virtual Event.
Join us for a celebration of Islamic Heritage Month with songs and stories! In collaboration with the Coalition of Muslim Women, we offer you a storytime that focuses on learning more about the Islamic faith. We will read stories and sing songs that celebrate diversity and Muslims, followed by a paper Mosque craft. There will be a kit of supplies for this program. Please choose your Kitchener Public Library pick-up location during registration and the programmer will let you know when you can pick up your kit.
This program will take place on Zoom and participants will need to have access to a device and internet connection to join. The Zoom link will be sent by email at 9:00 am on the morning of the program.
How Faith Drives our Work: Perspectives from Indigenous and Muslim Women
Fri. Oct 22. 4:30 - 6 pm EDT. Watch livestream here.
Lunch-and-Learn: History of Muslims in Canada with historian Hassam Munir
Fri. Oct 22. 12 pm - 1 pm EST. Virtual Event.
Join historian Hassam Munir for an informative ‘Lunch and Learn’ event as he talks about the history of Muslims in Canada (Hint: Muslims have been part of this country longer than you may think!)
Hassam Munir is pursuing an MA in History at the University of Toronto. His public history work (blogging/writing, giving presentations and curating exhibits), centered on the iHistory multimedia project, focuses primarily on the history of Muslims in Canada. He has previously worked with the Ontario Historical Society and was recognized by Heritage Toronto as an Emerging Historian in 2017. He has a professional background in journalism and public relations as well, and is currently PR Manager at Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research.
This program is presented in partnership with the Coalition of Muslim Women.
![[Student Leadership Event] Bilquis Abdul-Qaadir: Life Without Basketball](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f4b4ba702dba370389f1140/1634075540384-9Q1X8FPWKGAM75I7PFRY/basketball.jpeg)
[Student Leadership Event] Bilquis Abdul-Qaadir: Life Without Basketball
Thurs. Oct 21. 1 pm - 2 pm EST. Virtual Event.
Calling all @tdsb educators! Sign your class up for the IHM Student Leadership Event on Oct 21, featuring @Bilqis_AbdulQ. REGISTER → https://bit.ly/IHM2021LEAD2. Zoom link and event details will be sent to you upon registering. #SHSM cert eligible.
Between Popular Spirtuality and Islamic Mysticism: Locating Sufism in Canada
Tues. Sept 10. 7 30 pm - 9:30 pm EDT. Register for virtual event here.
Commemorating the Birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Sun. Oct 17. 5 pm PST. Watch livestream here.
Milad-un-Nabi, the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is commemorated as a joyous occasion by almost two billion followers around the world. During his lifetime, the Holy Prophet established a paradigm of life for Muslims, embracing a harmony between spiritual and material, respect for the dignity of all human life, and an equitable social order. His model of leadership, rooted in honesty, integrity and trustworthiness, serves as an examplar to this day, for millions. And for Shia Imami Ismailis, the Prophet's life represents the beginning of a blessed lineage of spiritual leadership embodied in the continuing line of Ismaili Imams.
On Sunday October 17, we commemorate this historic occasion with inspiring remarks from special guests Dr. Aman Haji and Professor Adel Iskandar, as well as poetry and visuals to lift the spirit as we honour the Prophet's legacy.
This event is hosted by the Ismaili Centre, Toronto and the Ismaili Centre, Vancouver, in partnership with Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Comparative Muslim Studies.
Dr. Aman Haji has a broad educational background which spans the fields of Islamic studies, medicine, health promotion and public health, acupuncture, law and bioethics. He currently practices as a Family Physician and Addiction Medicine Physician in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Dr. Haji is a Clinical Instructor at the University of British Columbia and a member of the Steering Committee of the Peace and Reconciliation Centre at the University of the Fraser Valley.
Professor Adel Iskandar is the Director of the Centre for Comparative Muslim Studies at Simon Fraser University and an Associate Professor of Global Communication. His work deals with media, identity and topics on politics. Professor Iskandar is the author, co-author, and editor of several works including Egypt In Flux: Essays on an Unfinished Revolution; Al-Jazeera: The Story of the Network that is Rattling Governments and Redefining Modern Journalism; Edward Said: A Legacy of Emancipation and Representation; Mediating the Arab Uprisings; and Media Evolution on the Eve of the Arab Spring. He is a co-editor of the popular e-zine Jadaliyya, and associate producer and host of the podcast platform Statushour.com.
This event will be shown on The Ismaili TV on Sunday, October 17.
World War I: Through Muslim Eyes
Fri. Oct 15. 6 pm PST. In-person event at SFU Burnaby SWH 10081.
Presented with Bassam Abun-Nadi. Held by SFU MSA in collaboration with RECLAIM.
Kitchener Public Library: Islamic Calligraphy Demo
Fri. Oct 15. 3:30 pm - 5 pm EST. In-person event at the Kitchener Public Library.
Come visit Central library to watch artist Ati Zar demonstrate Islamic calligraphy. Stop by for a few moments to learn about the history and traditions of Islamic calligraphy and take home your own little piece of art.
Muslim Histories in Kingston: A Discussion with Dr. Murray Hogben
Thurs. Oct 14. 4:30 pm - 6 pm EDT. Register for virtual event here.
The Legal Oppression of Palestine: On the Illegal Occupation & the Israeli Military Courts
Thurs. Oct 14. 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm EST. Virtual Event.
Join us on a panel with Dr. Ardi Imesis and Ms. Randa Siniora to examine how law and legal systems are used by the Israeli state against Palestinians, especially to legitimize violence against civilians and human rights organizations.
Dr. Ardi Imseis will speak on “Negotiating the Illegal: On the United Nations and the Illegal Occupation of Palestine, 1967–2020.” Ms. Randa Siniora will speak on “Israeli Military Courts through a Gender Lens: How Israel Legitimizes Illegal Practices against Palestinians.”
This event is co-sponsored by the Hearing Palestine initiative at the University of Toronto and the Nathanson Centre at Osgoode Law School.
Manitoba Muslims: A History of Resilience & Growth
Wed. Oct 13. 6 pm - 7:30 pm EDT. Virtual Event.
Join us Oct 13 at 6pm EDT / 5pm CDT, Muslims in Canada Archives hosts book talk w/ Ismael Mukhtar. Hosted by @immergentx, will discuss process of researching and writing abt Manitoba Muslims community. Register: https://manitobamuslims.eventbrite.ca cc: @MbIslamicAssoc
Navigating Al-Waba: Public Health Lessons from Islamic Teachings & History
Tues. Oct 12. 7 pm - 8:30 pm EST. Virtual Event.
UN/COVERINGS - Mennonite & Muslim Women’s Heads and Hearts
Fri. Oct 8. In-person exhibit at Schneider Haus Historic Site.
Why do Muslim head coverings cause such visceral reactions? Do Mennonite bonnets provoke the same response? And when the vast majority of both North American Mennonite and Muslim women don’t veil at all, why do these headcoverings receive so much (and such different) public attention?
In reality Mennonite and Muslim women represent so much variation and contrast within and beyond their communities. Their stories and identities are as complex and creative as the clothes they wear.
If you think you know these women, just wait.
UN/COVERINGS turns stereotypes on their head.
Muslims in Newfoundland and Labrador: A History
Thurs. Oct 7. 7 pm Atlantic Time. Virtual Event.
Join us for this interactive virtual session as we celebrate Canadian Islamic History Month. We will discuss and discover the histories of Muslims in Newfoundland and Labrador.We welcome Drs. Ayse Sule Akinturk and Jennifer Selby of Memorial University as our special guest speakers.
Please register by emailing juliamayo@nlpl.ca, calling (709) 737-3950, or by following this link: https://bit.ly/2Xx4wOd. Learn more about MNL in NL here: https://www.nlmuslimlives.ca/
I'm Al-Andalus. Why can't you see me?
Wed. Oct 6. 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm EST. Virtual Event.
A dialogue between history and art on Muslim Span with artist @studentAsim (author of The Tyer of Ties) and Prof. Adnan Husain (Queen's University). The Tyer of Ties is a book about a dream and the Power of One, set in Andalusia (Al-Andalus) medieval Spain, over 1000 years ago. Register here to attend the event on Zoom.
Author Event with Uzma Jalaluddin
Wed. Oct 6. 7 pm - 8 pm EST. Virtual Event.
Meet best-selling Canadian author Uzma Jalaluddin as she talks about her latest book, Hana Khan Carries On. This Muslim edit of "You’ve Got Mail" has recently been optioned by Amazon Studios to be produced into a feature film by none other than Mindy Kaling. This sparkling rom-com set in Toronto is about two competing Halal restaurants.
UZMA JALALUDDIN is also the author of the runaway hit Ayesha At Last a Muslim adaptation of the classic Pride and Prejudice. Uzma is a high school English teacher, she is also a Toronto Star columnist and a contributor to the Atlantic. Her first novel Ayesha at Last was published in the US, the UK, Australia, and India and was optioned for film.
This virtual program is presented in partnership with the Coalition of Muslim Women.
Chapters from Canadian Muslim History: Virtual Book Reading & Panel Discussion
Meet Authors Murray Hogben (Minarets on the Horizon) & Ismael Mukhtar (Manitoba Muslims: A History of Resilience and Growth) as they delve into the early period of Canadian Muslims and stories of real experiences from their respective books.
Ask questions and have a discussion about that aspect of life for a Muslim that we in our 21st century cannot imagine or fathom.
Who Should Attend: Muslims and friends wanting inspiration and a history lesson in the early Canadian Muslim presence.
Muslim Educators Network of Ontario Islamic Heritage Month Kick-Off
Supported by the Alliance of Educators for Muslim Students, Black Muslim Initiative, Muslim Educators Network of Durham, Muslim Educators of Toronto Association and Muslim Employees Association of Peel.
Illumination of Kingston's City Hall
Kingston City Hall will be illuminated in Green to commemorate Islamic History Month. 6:30 PM Eastern
Weaving Cultural Identities Touring Exhibit
The Weaving Cultural Identities initiative encourages dialogue around acknowledging and celebrating local Indigenous and migrant histories, while bringing together diverse communities. The early stages of this project paired ten textile artists of different disciplines and backgrounds with graphic designers of various cultural descents. Together, these groups collaborated based on their own experiences and histories to create a series of works that celebrate the rich significance of textile arts (both in a sacred and historic sense) through the inspirational art and conceptualization of prayer rugs and weaving/textile traditions. Collectively these artists have developed a platform and process for community dialogue through arts-based, approachable discussions around uncomfortable issues of belonging, forcible displacement, diaspora, assimilation, and honouring land presently shared by several groups.
This project was further inspired by a successful initiative in Edmonton, Alberta, to develop a Canadian Prayer Rug. This initiative was developed in 2016 by a nonprofit Muslim youth group called Green Room as a means of highlighting the city’s rich landscape and unique history of their Muslim community. With extensive research and community input from Muslim and Indigenous groups who had inhabited the land for several generations, the project was infused with even greater profundity.
Similarly, the Vancouver project engaged groups from diverse cultural backgrounds to work with Muslim artists and First Nations groups to reconcile lost heritage, share, learn and celebrate cultural knowledge, symbolism and self-identification through textile traditions. As these artists expanded on the concept of Canadian Prayer Rugs, the project became an exploration of the multiple narratives of Vancouver, developed through the storytelling of diverse multicultural perspectives. As the Weaving Cultural Identities exhibition tours Canada during the next two years, the dialogue will continue in diverse settings and venues.
https://www.vancouverbiennale.com/event/weaving-cultural-identities-touring-exhibition/
Submit an event
We encourage communities to organize information sessions, joint healing circles, inviting Indigenous people to mosques, hosting art exhibits, highlighting artists and hosting any other relevant, COVID-safe gatherings. Find out how you can organize IHMC events in your community here. Let us know about your event and we will share it through our calendar and social media channels.