Canada’s Second Largest Public School Board Marks Islamic Heritage Month with Special Display

Canada’s Second Largest Public School Board Marks Islamic Heritage Month with Special Display
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Canada’s second-largest public school board, the Peel District School Board (PDSB), is commemorating Islamic Heritage Month with educational displays honoring prominent figures from the global Islamic community, including Grand Ayatollah Sayed Ali Al-Sistani, Ayatollah Sayed Mortadha Al-Qazwini, Sayed Hussain Makke, and Sayed Ammar Nakshawani. The initiative aims to celebrate the diverse contributions of Muslims and foster greater understanding among students and staff across the district.

Malihe Elias, a French teacher who created the display, said the project seeks to ensure that all Muslim voices, including Shi’a representation, are acknowledged. “During Islamic Heritage Month, we celebrate Muslims who have contributed greatly in the Muslim world and outside the Muslim world. To deliberately not include the Shi’a identity in anything Islamic is an act of deliberate Anti-Shi’a hate,” Elias said, emphasizing the importance of inclusion and open dialogue in educational spaces.

Since 2007, the Canadian federal government has designated October as Islamic History Month, recognizing it as a time to celebrate, educate, and share Muslim heritage with fellow Canadians. The observance highlights the significant role Muslims have played in Canada’s prosperity and cultural diversity, with contributions spanning science, business, education, and the arts.

This year’s theme, announced by Islamic History Month Canada (IHMC), is “Pioneering Muslim Communities in Canada – Cultivating Spaces for Comfort, Growth, and Learning Over Time.” The theme honors early Muslim settlers who established mosques, schools, and cultural centers that continue to strengthen community bonds and promote mutual understanding.