Manitoba proclaims October as Islamic History Month

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This article was published 16/10/2013 (1379 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The province has officially proclaimed October as Islamic History Month.

The proclamation was made Wednesday at the legislature to recognize and celebrate the history and heritage of Manitoba Muslims.

It’s the first time a province has designated Islamic History Month, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Christine Melnick said Wednesday in a news release.

"In Manitoba we value and cherish our ethnic diversity, to which the Muslim community contributes so richly," said Melnick in the release.

"We are fortunate to share cultural traditions with our neighbours in a spirit of inclusiveness and co-operation, and I'm proud the province is supporting this proclamation to highlight the principles of multiculturalism and social harmony."

"Muslims of Manitoba are very happy and honoured our province is embracing Islamic History Month," said Shahina Siddiqui, chairwoman of Islamic History Month Canada, in the news release.

"We are pleased to celebrate, inform, educate and share with fellow Canadians the Muslim cultural heritage and believe that through education and discussing positive stories we help build a more inclusive, compassionate and multicultural Canada."

Manitoba's Muslim community has grown to more than 9,000 people from 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

It is estimated that, by 2031, more than 25 per cent of Winnipeg's population will be people from visible minority communities.

More information on Islamic History Month in Manitoba is available at the Multiculturalism Secretariat website at www.gov.mb.ca/immigration/events.html.