Celebrating Islamic Heritage: London's Rich Muslim History Shines During Islamic History Month
When the federal government instituted Islamic History Month (IHM) each October in 2007, the goal was clear: To highlight the important contributions Muslim Canadians make to our society.
“Every day, Muslim Canadians make significant contributions in various forms of art and across academic disciplines. This cultural and intellectual diversity contributes to making Canada a vibrant and inclusive country,” said Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, ahead of IHM.
In London, celebrating Islamic History Month has probably become all the more important following the June 6, 2021, attack that resulted in the death of four members of #OurLondonFamily.
That’s because spreading awareness about Muslims’ contributions to our communities is one of the most effective ways to combat ignorance, fear and hate, said Ahmer Khan, the city’s Muslim Community Liaison Advisor within the Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression department.
“Islamic History Month is a time to reflect, celebrate, learn, and appreciate the diversity within Canada’s Muslim communities,” he said.
“It is also a time to acknowledge the ongoing challenges and barriers that Muslim Canadians face,” Khan added.
“This includes the horrific results of racism and hate across the province and the country.”
One common misconception is that Muslims didn’t begin immigrating to Canada until the 20th century when, in fact, the first official census, done in 1871, already counted about 10 Muslims in the country.
Muslim labourers from Syria, Lebanon, Albania, Yugoslavia and Mongolia, for instance, were also recruited to help build the Canadian Pacific Railway, a transcontinental railway completed in 1885 and which connected eastern Canada with the west, helping tremendously to the economic development of the country.
Historic records also show about 22 Muslims fought for Canada during the First World War.
From there, the Muslim population in Canada would slowly grow before booming in the late 1960s, reaching about 33,000 by 1971. Today, nearly five per cent of the Canadian population is Muslim, representing a diverse range of backgrounds and origins from every continent.
The history of Muslims in London is also rich.
The city is considered by historians as the oldest Muslim community in Ontario.
In fact, while the first mosque in Canada was built in Edmonton in the 1930s, Ontario’s first mosque opened its doors in London in 1964.
Today, about seven per cent of the population identify themselves as Muslims, according to the 2021 census.
“Spreading awareness of Muslim contributions to Canadian society is an effective and proven method to disrupt Islamophobia,” Khan said.
“It addresses the many stereotypes, stigmas, rumours and misconceptions that people may have of Muslim people.
“Together, we must combat all forms of discrimination, Islamophobia and hate-fueled violence directed at Muslim communities across the city and country. This month is a time to continue working toward a compassionate, inclusive and safer Canada for everyone,” he added.