TDSB has proudly recognized Islamic Heritage Month (IHM) during the month of October since 2016. Our main theme for the month is Salaam: Joy, Excellence, Belonging.
Islamic Heritage Month has been recognized across Canada in different ways since October 2007. In November 2016, the Province of Ontario established October as Islamic History Month through the Islamic Heritage Month Act, and further stated that “proclaiming a month to be Islamic Heritage Month in Ontario will provide all Ontarians, both today and in future generations, with an opportunity to reflect, celebrate, and learn about the rich and longstanding Islamic history in the Province and the diverse roles and contributions of Muslim people in communities across Ontario. This new understanding will in turn help combat anti-Islamic sentiment.”
During the month of October several Islamic Heritage Month educational opportunities are being organized for all TDSB students to further learn about Islamic traditions and customs. These offerings include:
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Workshops from the Aga Khan Museum for all grade levels.
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Workshops with Project Include Outreach. One of their goals is highlight the contributions of Muslims to modern-day technology and utilize coding principles to facilitate an understanding of Islamic heritage & culture.
The TDSB IHM Volunteer Planning Committee invited all TDSB students to participate in a Poster Contest last spring and the poster below will be shared with all schools in the TDSB. This poster was selected as it captured this year’s theme of Salaam: Joy, Excellence, Belonging. Salaam means ‘peace’ in Arabic and is a shortened version of the Islamic greeting, ‘peace be upon you’. This year, the TDSB Islamic Heritage Month Committee would like staff, students, and community members to greet, or say ‘salaam’ to, joy, excellence and belonging within the activities planned and learning available during this important month.
As we reflect and learn this October, we practice joy in celebrating rich Islamic heritage; we honour the excellence of diverse Muslim identities and cultures; and foster belonging for the many Muslim students who attend TDSB schools. Selected winning poster images are also posted to the TDSB website.
Please review this weblink which includes the TDSB Islamic Heritage Month Resource Guidebook (2021) that was updated again this year and continues to be an important resource in relation to teaching and learning about Muslim identities. This weblink also includes other information related to Islamic Heritage Month!
Please follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @tdsb_ihm
