Bringing good news to Brantford Muslim community, local imam Abu Noman Tarek received Grand Erie District School Board’s Learn, Lead and Inspire award late last month.
The award recognizes students, staff members and volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to their school communities, “aligning with the board’s mission to build a culture of learning, well-being and belonging,” according to Grand Erie’s website, Iqra.ca reported.
He is the first Muslim in the southern Ontario Muslim community to receive the award, which has been presented since 2015-16.
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“You have been a great friend, you have been a great partner, an ally, someone we look up to,” said education director JoAnna Roberto, according to the Beacon Herald.
Tarek continues to work with board officials, including through the Muslim-Indigenous Connections program and sponsorship of inclusion awards at Grand Erie schools.
“You have worked tirelessly to make this community better for everyone,” Roberto said.
Tarek said he is “truly honoured” to be the first community member to receive the award.
The Erie district award is not the first for the religious leader.
Last November, he received a YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford peace award, which recognizes individuals and organizations that promote tolerance, social justice and community cohesion.
Muslims in Canada today number more than 750,000.
Canada’s 2011 National Household Survey found that -3.2% of the total population adhere to Islam. This makes Islam the second-largest religion in the country after Christianity.