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A milestone for Muslim Community in BC- Islamic Heritage Month celebrated at the Provincial legislature.
11-13-2019
On October 30th, 2019 and for the first time in British Columbia, the BC Parliament and the Premier John Horgan celebrated Islamic Heritage Month in the in the Hall of Honour at the Provincial legislature.
This is truly a milestone for Muslim Community in BC.
Anne Kang MLA for Burnaby-Deer and the Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors and Multiculturalism welcomed the guests at the legislature and issued the following statement.
“In British Columbia we are privileged to live in a multicultural society where people from all cultures live together and learn from each other.
As a Province, we welcome about 40,000 newcomers annually that contributes in so many ways to the prosperity and success of this province. Our cultural diversity is central to BCS identity and one of the province's greatest strength and that's why celebrations like this are so important.
The government of Canada first proclaimed the month of October as a Canadian Islamic History Month in 2007 to recognize the significant contribution to the Canadian Society. This is an excellent opportunity to strengthen Intercultural understanding and learn about the Islamic Perspective.
At a time there are increasing levels of Islamophobia around the world our government recognizes that joining the nation in standing with Muslim Canadian is more important than ever.
It is crucial as a society that we continue to be intentional about upholding the principal of equality and respect. We're at the critical moment in history when we must be bold in our stand against those who seek to divide us.
We must recognize that we each have the power to create a more inclusive society for everyone; each person deserves to live free from Fear, free from oppression, free to be able to fully express their identity.
The Sun never sets on so glorious of human achievements. To deny the people their human rights is to challenge their very Humanity.
Starting with restrictions from around the world and here in Canada there are attempts to remove all religious symbols from public life and instead encourage everyone to celebrate we would like everyone to celebrate their identity and learn from each to increase our understanding and respect.
I want to talk about our hope we are here because we have hope, as leaders we hope to better serve our community. As immigrants, we hope to live a better life in a new country. As mothers and fathers we hope to give our children a better future.
We find hope in the face of racism, we find hope in the face of discrimination, We find hope in the face of all difficulty. We find hope in times of uncertainty. But one thing I am certain today in a time when there are increasing levels of islamophobia around the world our Province is proud to stand in unity with the Muslim community of BC.”
Rachna Singh MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers, said, “It is an opportunity for us to learn more about the tenets and the rich history of the second-largest religion in the world. And it is also an opportunity for us to learn how a different faith embraces peace and love, and all else that it has common with our own.
I am truly proud to live in a province that strives to practice real multiculturalism.”
Footnotes: Footnotes: Picture credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/48987703841/in/album-72157683818957773/
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