October is Islamic History Month in Canada, a time when Muslims gather and hold public events to reflect on the rich legacy of our Islam and to celebrate the contributions of Islamic civilization to the world. 

Across the country, we will have lectures on great scholars of the past, exhibitions on the golden age of Islam, and reminders of how Muslim scientists and thinkers shaped advances in science, medicine, philosophy, and the arts.

📚 Read Also: Remembering the First Muslims in Canada

This focus is important. A community that forgets its past risks losing its sense of identity and direction. 

History anchors us. It tells us who we are, where we came from, and what values made these incredible achievements possible. 

For Muslims, remembering the achievements of earlier generations instills pride and reinforces the belief that faith and knowledge, spirituality and service, are inextricably linked.

Yet, as valuable as this global heritage is, Islamic History Month must also challenge us to look closer to home. 

Our history in Canada—though shorter in years compared to the centuries-old civilizations of the Muslim world—is no less meaningful. 

It is a story of migration and settlement, of building institutions from scratch, of carving out spaces for worship, education, and civic engagement.

The first Muslims arrived in Canada over a century ago, facing obstacles that tested their resilience and faith. 

Their determination led to the establishment of the first mosque in Edmonton in 1938, a landmark that signaled the beginning of a permanent presence. 

Since then, Muslims in Canada have contributed in countless ways. 

This is a history of persistence, creativity, and service that must be preserved and celebrated alongside the broader story of Islam’s global legacy.

But there is another dimension we must recognize: history is not only something we look back on—it is something we are actively making. 

Every generation leaves its mark. 

Today’s Canadian Muslims are shaping the cultural, political, and social fabric of this country in real time. 

From civic engagement and charitable work to leadership in academia, sports, and the arts, Muslims are helping define what Canada is and what it will become.

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