Starting this Friday, Muslim Awareness Week features more than 20 events aimed at fostering understanding and community connections.
Montreal: This Friday, the seventh annual Muslim Awareness Week (MAW) kicks off in Quebec. It’s all about combating Islamophobia and remembering the tragic Quebec City Mosque attack from January 29.
There’s a bunch of events lined up, both online and in-person, where community members can come together. This year’s theme is “Getting to know each other,” which is pretty cool.
Samira Laouni, the Chair of MAW, shared that building relationships is key to creating strong communities. She emphasized that despite our different backgrounds, we’re all proud Quebecers, and getting to know one another benefits everyone.
The week will launch with a kick-off event at Montreal City Hall. Expect interfaith speeches from notable figures like Rev. Paula Kline and Boufeldja Benabdallah, the President of the Quebec Mosque. Local city councillors will also join in.
This year marks the fourth National Day of Remembrance for the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia. It’s a significant moment for reflection.
There’s also a vigil planned at Parc metro station, coinciding with the eighth anniversary of the tragic shooting at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City, where six men lost their lives.
Other activities during MAW include a blood drive with Héma Québec, a living library focused on “Muslim Presence in Canada,” and an interfaith roundtable. For more details on the events, check out their website.
