How to Organize an IHM Event

Background

Islamic History Month Canada (IHMC) in October aims to celebrate, inform, educate, and share with fellow Canadians the rich Muslim heritage and contributions to society: Contributions in sciences, humanities, medicine, astronomy, and other disciplines that have greatly benefited human progress. IHMC believes that through education and sharing positive stories, all Canadians can grow and connect in the best way possible.

In 2007, IHMC was graciously proclaimed by the honourable and departed, Mauril Belanger, MP, for Ottawa-Vanier.  IHMC has since been proclaimed in the cities and provinces across the country.


Organizing 2021 IHM Events in Your City

The IHMC Board has decided on the theme for 2021: 

“Anti-Indigenous Racism and Islamophobia: coming together for a month of healing” 

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. 

Please feel free to share your ideas for event hosting, and register your events by emailing IHMC@ihmcanada.com with the event name, date, time and link for further details to be shared on our national calendar and social media accounts. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

There is a growing need for us to be brave and courageous in our conversations, while being respectful and honest. There cannot be any healing when we have not acknowledged the pain, the harm and the generational trauma that has impacted the lives of those colonized here on Turtle Island (North America) and across the world. 

Please consider the importance of leading these difficult conversations with utmost respect and utmost sincerity. If you’re interested in virtual facilitator-training for these events, please contact the IHM team. 

We are also very happy to introduce our old and new board members who have dedicated themselves to IHMC who are happy to support events in your region.

Example of Past IHM Event Plan (CCMW Durham):

CCMW Durham IHM 2019 event. See pictures here.

Held on October 19, 2019 from 11 am to 1pm at Ajax Public Library

Description: Celebrating Islamic Art throughout History featuring Ajax artist, Safia Malik.  In partnership with the Durham Chapter, Canadian Council of Muslim Women. Light refreshments will be served. Ms. Malik’s artwork will be on display during the month of October in Main Branch’s display case.  Additional works will be exhibited in the Rotary Room during this event. Ms. Malik has exhibited at the Royal Ontario Museum and Muslim Fest.

Registration

While the event was free, we asked participants to pre-register using a link by the library.  Mashallah, we had 100 people registered for the event.

Links can be created on Eventbrite for free or through a simple Facebook event page. Sharing these links with the IHM team means that we can share your event through our social media platforms and add it to our national events calendar.

Partnership

The CCMW Chapter co-president approached the library and suggested the event.  The library asked for a signed contract with the non-profit organization registration number. We divided the costs and paid the library for insurance.

The library provided:

  • The use of the room with capacity of 120

  • Coffee/tea, juice, tablecloths, napkins, plates 

  • Microphone, podium and projector for the video.  

  • Photocopies of colouring sheets, glue sticks, crayons and scissors

Showcase

The Chapter had a small showcase to display artwork and other items for the month of October.  You will need time to set up at the beginning of the month the showcase and to empty it out at the end of the month.  The showcase has to be booked ahead.

Proclamations

The CCMW President contacted the Town and requested that Islamic History month could be proclaimed.  This is a long process and took many emails/phone calls. You can request to be present when the Proclamation is announced.

Many cities and provinces have streamlined the process of having a proclamation made. Look through your cities website or email city staff to find out how to have Islamic History Month proclaimed in your city. This simple form is how it happens at the City of Vancouver.


Event outline

11-11:15:

  • Iman will make dua

  • Ajax (Ward 2) and Regional Council + Library Board member, Sterling Lee—brings greetings from Council

  • MP Mark Holland—brings greeting from Canadian government

  • Library rep—welcome + introduces partner/Kubra Mir, President, Durham Chapter, Canadian Council of Muslim Women

  • Kubra-will introduce Nina Karachi Khaled, President of Canadian Council of Muslim Women; Nina will talk about history of Muslim women in Canada

  • Kubra—welcome + intro of artist/Safia Malik

  • Safia will talk about her artwork

11:15-12:30:

  • Program with interactive activities—Safia

12:00-12:55: 

  • Refreshments & chatting/networking with participants

12:55-13:00: 

  • Thank-you to everyone for attending Library + Kubra


Advertising

Our Chapter advertised the event in the Town library and local newspapers, on a Facebook page, on Instagram and Twitter. Your event can also be shared through National Islamic History Month platforms.

Food 

Our Chapter purchased the food items:

  • Vegetables samosas – local restaurant

  • Brownies- Costco

  • Pound cake-Costco

  • Cinnamon rolls- Costco

Volunteers

Our featured artists, Safia Malik and the two henna artists volunteered their time.

We had 5 stations and 3 volunteers at each and they all arrived an hour early (about 6 high school students)

Two volunteers to serve the food.

We had volunteers to help put things away.  

Video

We had a video playing during the event about Islamic art. Some videos are:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz-s4ahwwf8

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg1NpMmPv48

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfqVnj-sgcc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJEyjE5S6h8


Artwork

The artist had prints and other material available to sell at the event (we got permission from the library).

Budget
The food (samosas, baked goods from Costco - $100

Art supplies - $150

Total: $250

Thank you

  • The speakers received small gifts and thank you cards

  • Tim cards and thank you cards to the two Henna artists.