Muslim Heritage Day celebrates Calgary's diverse community

Muslim-Albertans invited all Calgarians tolearn about their religion and dispel misconceptions surrounding Islam at the 10th-annual Muslim Heritage Day celebrations.

Hundredsgathered to take insome Muslim culture atOlympic Plazaon Saturday, including food, art,performances and even installations teaching the history of the Islamic faith.

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There have beena number ofanti-Muslimrallies in Calgary this summer, butImranaMohiuddin, president of the Islamic Circle of North America Calgary (ICNA), says Muslim Heritage Day is a chance to strengthen the ties between communities in Calgary.

"It's been good discussions and lots of misconceptions have been cleared,"Mohiuddinsaid. "It's been wonderful. People are so open."

Clearing the air

Mohiuddinsaid the most common questions she is asked are about women's rights in Islam andthe religious head coverings worn by some Muslim women.

"We are proud Canadianslike each and everyone of us and we are so happy and grateful to be in this beautiful country of ours," Mohiuddinsaid.

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Shadi Sakr, a volunteer at the Muslim school Horizon Academy, said the event is a chance to show the greater community that Muslims are just like the "average Calgarian" who "like poutine" and"like playing hockey."

Even with recent incidents ofracial violence making headlines, like whena white supremacist killed a 32-year-old woman when he allegedly drove a vehicle into a crowd ofanti-Fascistprotesters in Virginia,Mohiuddinsaid she feels safe and secure holding pro-Muslim events in Calgary.

"We are a religion of peace. We promote peace. It's basically about bringing everyone together and living in this world as fellow Canadians, fellow human beings,"Mohiuddinsaid.

Sakr said the rise in racial tensions is troublesome but Calgary's Muslim community are determined to "break down barriers and build bridges."

"Anything related to Nazis or swastikasit's unfortunatebut it's also on the border of hate crimes. So I think I'll let the law makers that care of that,"Sakrsaid.

"But as a community we believe in equality and justice and I think that's where we stand."

'We can push back'

Education Minister David Eggen attendedas part of the province'sstrategy to combat racism in schools and across theprovince.

"We know that just a few weeks ago we had hate groups organizing here at Olympic plaza," Eggen said. "Calgariansare coming together to celebrate Muslim culture, show their allegiance and support."

On Friday, Eggensaid in a Facebookpost he has met with more than 60 community organizationsat the request of Premier Rachel Notley"to gather their ideas and discuss the challenges they face."

Eggenwill be submitting a report to the province in the fall and said the government "will take some practical steps that willdemonstrate a positive direction for our province."

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"I think it's important for all of us to stand up to it. People will use hatred or discrimination for their own political gain or their own gain of power," Eggen said.

In addition to attending Muslim Heritage Day,Eggenmet with a group of parents and educators fromCalgary's Chinatown Lion's Club and the Asian Heritage Foundation on Saturday to discuss race-related issues students face.

"So if you use that sense of empathy, that sense of putting yourself in other people's shoes, we can push back and build something we can be proud of here in Alberta."

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