Muslims in Manitoba are organizing several events to counter hate and promote peace and understanding instead.
The events come following anti-immigration and white-nationalist rallies in Canada and the United States, and the recent video of a racist tirade against a Muslim woman here in this province.
“I can tell you the community feels insecure. It feels threatened,” said Islamic Social Services Association Executive director, Shahina Siddiqui who is also a frequent speaker on human rights.
Saturday Siddiqui joined the Bear Clan Patrol at an event aimed to unite communities in Winnipeg.
Siddiqui said everything from ignorance about hijab's to U.S President Donald Trump emboldening hate-mongers, to the deadly shooting at a mosque in Quebec this past winter points to the importance of joining together against intolerance.
“We are marginalized communities, whether it be Indigenous, Jewish, L-G-B-T, and ourselves,” said Siddiqui. “We want to stand together. We want to say the hate may have different names, but it's against all of us.”
On Sept. 9 Siddiqui is helping organize a rally with coalition groups to denounce hate and on Sept. 12 holding a series of forums to address the current climate.
The Manitoba Islamic Association is also ramping efforts to educate and raise awareness about Muslim and Islam. The group’s events team is working to hold the Grand Mosque's open house a month earlier than normal.
The open house is typically held in October to coincide with Islamic history month, but this year it's planned for September.
“People want to know about immigration, people want to know who is immigrating here and about Muslims in particular," said Raza Hameed with the MIA.
Hameed said the MIA also welcomes requests for people from the association to visit schools, institutions and organizations to talk about Islam.
Smaller tours of the Grand Mosque can also be booked thought email at office@miaonline.org or by calling (204) 256-1347.
