Eid Mubarak from CCMW!

Eid al-Adha is also known as the Feast of Sacrifice. As we remember the story of Prophet Ibrahim's (AS) sacrifice today, we learn from his life and how much he sacrificed to practice his faith that nothing comes without sacrifices.

This Eid we celebrate the strength and resilience of Canadian Muslims and remember the many sacrifices they make for this country. We recognize their various contributions to Canada and express our gratitude for everything they have done to enrich it and make it a place we can all proudly call home.

With the alarming rise of Islamophobia in this country, it is crucial now more than ever to not only recognize these sacrifices and achievements as a community but to also educate our fellow Canadians about them.

A great deal of Islamophobia is based on the notion that Muslims threaten the Canadian way of life, values and culture. One way to challenge these ideas is to educate ourselves and each other about the many roles Muslims occupy in Canadian society and our innumerable contributions to this country. The narratives and flawed logic used in Islamophobic attacks can be effectively deconstructed and challenged by sharing the stories of Canada's Muslims. Stories of our successes, achievements and struggles - big and small, old and new.

The rise in Islamophobia has regretfully also resulted in many Canadian Muslims now making sacrifices of a very different kind. This Eid we remember all those who have experienced Islamophobia and their various sacrifices. This includes sacrifices to their faith, their lifestyles and routines, their safety and physical and mental health and well being, and in some cases, such as the Afzaal family, even their lives.

We stand in strength and solidarity with these Muslims. We recognize their various sacrifices and assure them that these sacrifices have not gone in vain. They have only made us stronger and more resilient as Canadians and as Muslims. They have inspired us to unite; to come together as a community and take concerted action to demand justice and hold our leaders accountable. It is through these sacrifices that we are finally able to see some positive change, that we are able to bring the long-standing issue of Islamophobia to the forefront of public discourse and mobilize our leaders to host historic events such as this week's National Action Summit on Islamophobia, which will help chart a path forward for Canada in ending violence against Muslims with the involvement of leaders from all levels of government.

Just the very possibility of such an event taking place and the potential it holds for change fills our hearts with great hope this Eid. Hopes of a safer and more accepting Canada towards Muslims today and of better and richer lives as Canadian Muslims for our children tomorrow.

All this is made possible in part by the bravery and sacrifices of Canadian Muslims who have experienced Islamophobia. So to every Muslim sister who has had her hijab pulled off from her in an act of hate or who has being targeted just for wearing it, to every Muslim man who has been stared at or called names because of the length of their beard, to every member of our communities who has ever been harmed, discomfited or discriminated against because of their Muslim name or appearance, or for simply expressing or practicing their faith in public, and especially to Fayez and the rest of the Afzaal family. We are thinking of you this Eid and we thank you. A better future lies ahead for our people because of you and your many sacrifices. Insh'Allah this week's Summit will lay the foundation for such a future through policy change aimed at dismantling Islamophobia at its very roots.

Eid Mubarak.

With Hope and In Solidarity,

CCMW Team

CCMW at the Summit
CCMW's Executive director Nuzhat Jafri will be participating in the Summit, and will share the experiences and perspectives of CCMW members and of young women and girls on Islamophobia, with a focus on the gendered aspects of Islamophobia, and what needs to be done to address it.

In preparation for the Summit, CCMW hosted a Young Peoples Roundtable on Islamophobia last week with the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, and the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development.

Do your part.

We have repeatedly heard condolences and commitments to do better from our elected officials in response to Islamopobic attacks. The National Action Summit on Islamophobia will be their opportunity to stay true to their words.

We urge you to do your part and push your elected representatives at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels on Islamophobia, and on the issues that matter to you. Call your local MP/MPP/MLA/City Councillor office and ask them to commit to taking actions on the recommendations arising out of the Summit and ensure that they are taken into consideration.

Need help?

We encourage everyone impacted by Islamophobia to seek urgent support. This is not something that we, and our children, may be able to deal with by ourselves.

If anyone in the community needs mental health support, please reach out for help. You can contact the following mental health resources and hotlines dedicated to supporting people in crisis.

Report Hate.

Where to make a complaint in Canada.