About IHMM

Islamic Heritage Month Manitoba is an annual observance dedicated to recognising and celebrating the rich cultural, historical, and religious contributions of Muslim communities within the province. Held each October, the month provides an opportunity for Manitobans to deepen their understanding of Islamic traditions, heritage, and values through various educational programs, cultural events, and community initiatives.

This month-long celebration promotes inclusivity, diversity, and mutual respect, highlighting the significant role that Islamic heritage plays in shaping the social and cultural fabric of Manitoba. By engaging schools, local organisations, and government agencies, Islamic Heritage Month fosters dialogue and awareness, encouraging Manitobans of all backgrounds to appreciate the shared histories and contributions of Muslim Canadians.

Events throughout the month often include lectures, art exhibitions, film screenings, and community gatherings that showcase Islamic art, history, scholarship, and achievements in fields such as science, literature, and social justice. Islamic Heritage Month Manitoba exemplifies the province’s commitment to multiculturalism and building cohesive communities through education and celebration of diverse cultures.

Poster celebrating Islamic Heritage Month in Manitoba in October with a stylized graphic of a mosque silhouette and the text 'Islamic Heritage Month Manitoba October' in green and red, along with details about the celebration.

IHMM Introduction by Nellie Kennedy

In 2024, the Manitoba Government officially launched the Islamic Heritage Month initiative. The Honourable Minister Nellie Kennedy introduced a bill in the Manitoba Legislature to designate October as Islamic Heritage Month in the province. The bill received unanimous support and was passed into law, marking a historic moment of recognition and celebration of the Muslim community’s contributions to Manitoba


launch

Islamic Heritage Month Manitoba (IHMM) 2024 was officially launched at the Manitoba Legislature in winnipeg. The event marked the beginning of an october month-long celebration dedicated to recognizing and honoring the rich contributions of the Islamic community to Manitoba’s social, cultural, and economic fabric. Community leaders, elected officials, and members of the public gathered to highlight the importance of diversity, inclusion, and mutual respect. The launch also featured cultural presentations, educational initiatives, and announcements of events scheduled throughout the province, emphasizing IHMM’s ongoing commitment to fostering understanding and unity across Manitoba.

A large, grand hall with tall columns, a curved balcony, and a high arched ceiling. There is a gathering of people seated and standing, listening to a speaker at a podium. Behind the speaker, a large screen and a painting or mural are visible.
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A large group of diverse people attending a formal event inside a grand, historic building with tall marble columns and high vaulted ceilings. Some are seated, listening, and reading documents, while others are standing along the walls and in the background.

Vision

To celebrate the invaluable contributions Muslims have made to Manitoba and to educate, celebrate and share Islam’s contributions to human civilization in all disciplines of knowledge advancement, and address Islamophobia and all other forms of prejudices and discrimination with proactive, respectful, and empathetic relationship building with diverse communities in Manitoba

A woman in a black robe, standing at a podium, speaking to an audience inside a grand, historic building with tall columns, arches, and a glass ceiling.

mandate

  •  To build bridges through educations, outreach, and collaborations with diverse communities.

  • To stand together for honouring the values of justice, human rights and to uphold human dignity for all peoples.

  • To honour Turtle Island with sincere intentions to include knowledge keepers and Elders to share their history culture and spirituality with Manitoba Muslims to build relationships based on mutual respect and learnings.

Proclamation document from the Province of Manitoba recognizing Islamic Heritage Month, featuring the provincial coat of arms at the top.

Proclamation

The Province of Manitoba officially proclaims October as Islamic Heritage Month, recognizing and celebrating the valuable contributions of the Muslim community to the province’s cultural, social, and economic fabric. First acknowledged nationally in 2007 and officially designated in Manitoba in 2013, Islamic Heritage Month provides an opportunity for all Manitobans to reflect on the rich heritage, traditions, and diversity of Muslims in the province. The proclamation also emphasizes the importance of combating prejudice, discrimination, and Islamophobia through education and awareness, while encouraging unity and appreciation of Manitoba’s multicultural identity.

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Two women standing indoors, holding a framed document. The woman on the left wears glasses and a pink and white hijab, dressed in a long grey coat. The woman on the right has long dark hair and is dressed in a black suit. They are standing in front o
Three people posing for a photo inside a historic building, with the woman in the middle holding a framed certificate that reads "Islamic Heritage Month Manitoba." The woman on the left is wearing a blue dress and headscarf, the woman in the middle h
Three women standing together inside a grand building with marble floors and stone columns, smiling at the camera.
Three people standing indoors in formal attire. A woman wearing a headscarf and black coat on the left, a man in a dark suit with a red poppy pin in the center, and another man in a blue suit with a white beard on the right.
A group of people at a formal event, including two adult men and two young boys, standing smiling in front of a beige stone wall.
Three women having a conversation in a formal setting, one wearing a hijab and a blue coat, another with black hair and glasses wearing a black dress, and the third with a black hijab and beige blazer.
A large gathering of people seated in a semi-circle around a stage inside a grand, historic building with tall columns and a domed ceiling. A man is speaking at a podium on the stage, with a piano and a black screen beside him. An ornate mural decora
A woman speaking at a podium in front of an audience inside a grand building with high ceilings, columns, and a skylight.
A large formal gathering inside a grand, historic building with tall stone walls, columns, and high arched ceilings. People are seated in rows, some looking at papers or listening attentively, with a few standing at the back and sides.
A buffet table with assorted flatbreads in the foreground, with an audience of people standing and sitting in a large, ornate hall with a mural painting in the background.
Group of diverse people in conversation at an indoor event, with columns and a fireplace in the background.