Salam Hamilton

Islamophobia Is…
Using short, engaging and linguistically-accessible animated videos, this series bring academic knowledge and analysis on normalized Islamophobia to mainstream audiences.  Its content is appropriate for student (Grades 6+) and adult audiences; Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM)
NCCM is an independent, non-profit human rights and advocacy organization that challenges Islamophobia across Canada.

Canadian Council of Muslim Women
The Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) is an organization dedicated to the empowerment, equality and equity of all Muslim women in Canada

Rivers of Hope
The Rivers of Hope Toolkit uses art to centre the voices of Muslim women as it explores gendered Islamophobia. This toolkit is based upon original research conducted on the impact of anti-Muslim hate crimes on Muslim women in the Greater Toronto Area

Reclaiming Public Space
After a string of attacks against Black Muslim women in Edmonton, photographer Faisa Omer gathered six Somali-Canadian women and girls to reflect on the fear and joy of existing in public space.

The Sisters Project
The Sisters Project combats negative stereotypes of Muslim women by showcasing the diverse stories of women across Canada, while also creating a space of inclusion and belonging for all self-identifying Muslim women to embrace and celebrate their unique identities. Created by Alia Youssef.

YouthRex - Challenging Islamophobia in the Ontario Youth Sector
This engaging conversation will deepen your understanding of Islamophobia, the experiences of Muslim youth, and how youth sector stakeholders can engage in meaningful allyship. This webinar was presented in partnership with the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM).

Canadian Labour Congress, Islamophobia at Work: Challenges and Opportunities
This report explores the rise of anti-Muslim attitudes and discrimination in Canada. With an overview of the impact of white supremacy on the employment sector this report provides critical strategies for creating more inclusive work environments and effectively challenging Islamophobia.

NCCM Recommendations: National Summit on Islamophobia
The recommendations represent, as closely as possible, recurring themes and submissions coming from organizations that collectively represent hundreds of thousands of Canadian Muslims, including from diverse sects within the Canadian Muslim community.

On Rocks and Hard Places: A Reflection on Antiblackness in Organizing against Islamophobia
This article explores anti-Black Islamophobia.

University of Toronto; Institute of Islamic Studies Canadian Muslims: Demographics, Discrimination, Religiosity, and Voting
This is the first report from the Institute of Islamic Studies' Data Analysis Team, which examines the demographic make-up of Canada's Muslim communities. This article expands our understanding of Muslims in Canada and highlights nuanced, intersectional trends and demographics.

14 and Muslim: An Educator’s Guide 
This guide is created for use with students in grades 7-12 before, during and after the viewing of 14 & Muslim

Aga Khan Museum Curriculum Guide 
A resource guide for teachers (grades 1-8) on the Aga Khan museum and the use of art to foster learning and understanding with students (Aga Khan Museum)

D.A.R.E.
The Digital Anti-Racism Education (DARE) Project is the Canadian Council of Muslim Women’s national program to raise awareness of online hate and Islamophobia (Canadian Council of Muslim Women)

Islamic Heritage Month – Resource Guidebook for Educators (TDSB)
An important resource in relation to teaching and learning about Muslim identities. 

National Film Board of Canada: The Faith Project 
The Faith Project is an interactive tablet documentary featuring short films about prayer in the modern world. (National Film Board of Canada)

Embers in the Forest (short film)
Short documentary highlighting Muslim Londoners' experiences of Islamophobia in the wake of the June 6th attack.

Services to Support Persons Who Have Experienced Hate

Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre - Hate Reporting Form
This hate reporting form allows community members to report their experiences of racism or hate.

We Support Hamilton - Community Online Hate Reporting
An online tool made by community for community to report local hate incidents in Hamilton and surrounding areas.

Hamilton Police Service - Online Reporting of Hate Motivated Crime or Hate Bias Incidents
The Hamilton Police Service offers a hate reporting tool where community members, if they feel comfortable, can report their experiences of hate.

Community Supports and Resources

Islamic School of Hamilton
The Islamic School of Hamilton is a non-profit private school that teaches its students the Ontario curriculum, in addition to Quran, Arabic, French, and Islamic Studies

Mishka Social Services
Mishka Social Services aims to bridge the gap between current services in Hamilton and the Muslim community through its various programs. 

Muslim Council of Greater Hamilton
The Muslim Council of Greater Hamilton, or MCGH for short, was founded in summer of 2009 as a collective forum for all major Islamic centres found within the Greater Area of Hamilton. MCGH’s vision is to help improve the lives of Muslims in the region and to enhance their contribution to society at large.

Muslim Association of Hamilton
The Muslim Association of Hamilton is a charitable organization that provides religious, educational, and social services for Hamilton’s Muslim community. 

Muslim Link
Muslim Link is a resource that provides the contact information of various Islamic centers, mosques, and additional supports for the Muslim community.  

Nisa Homes
Nisa Homes is a women’s shelter that provides culturally appropriate care for Muslim women. It is a charity that offers support services for women, with or without children, who are fleeing domestic violence, poverty, or seeking asylum.

Additional Resources and Campaigns

Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre
The Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC) is committed to advancing education about race, racism, discrimination, racial equality, and anti-racist theory and practice in Hamilton.

Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion
Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion is a charitable organization driven by a mission to mobilize all Hamiltonians to create an inclusive and welcoming city.

Hamilton For All Campaign
Hamilton for All envisions an inclusive Hamilton by starting conversations among residents and paving the way to unlearning assumptions about people who are different and at the same time promoting community-wide changes.

Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council
HIPC is a community table that seeks to create a seamless settlement experience for immigrants in Hamilton. With partners from various sectors – including settlement, education, business, health, social services, municipal affairs, and persons with lived immigration experience — we work together to create a welcoming community with relevant and accessible services.

No Hate in the Hammer

Toronto For All - Islamophobia
Toronto For All is a public education initiative to generate dialogue among Toronto residents. The campaign helps create a city that says “no” to all forms of discrimination and racism, including systemic racism.

Islamic Heritage Month

Salam Hamilton officially launched in October 2023 during Islamic Heritage Month. Every October, Ontario recognizes and celebrates Islamic Heritage Month in order to affirm the important contributions that Muslims make in Ontario as part of the vibrant social, economic, political and cultural fabric of our province. Islamic history and culture encompass a broad and diverse range of individual and collective experiences, as well as important contributions to literature, math, science, art and history.

The National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia

www.nccm.ca/greensquare
On January 29, 2017, the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City was subject to a tragic, hateful and Islamophobic crime. A gunman entered the place of worship and opened fire on the worshippers, killing 6 men and injuring many more. Until this day, this tragic shooting continues to shake many hearts and bring deep sadness and fear to our communities. January 29 is a date that Muslims in Quebec and the rest of Canada will forever mourn. But January 29 also represents a day of hope, a day where we can come together for a better future for Canadians of all backgrounds, for a Canada that is free from Islamophobia and hate.

International Day to Combat Islamophobia

www.un.org/en/observances/anti-islamophobia-day
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution sponsored by 60 Member-States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which designated 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. The document stresses that terrorism and violent extremism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization, or ethnic group. It calls for a global dialogue on the promotion of a culture of tolerance and peace, based on respect for human rights and for the diversity of religions and belief.

Ramadan

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar.  It is a month of fasting, prayer, and forgiveness.  During Ramadan, Muslims who are medically and physically able will fast from twilight (just before the visible light in the sky appears) until sunset of the same day.  They will not eat, drink (no - not even water!), or have marital relations during this time.  Especially while fasting, Muslims must also control their anger and avoid ill speech.  At sunset they will break their fasts with dates and water and then eat their dinner normally until the next day.  The start and end of Ramadan depends on the lunar phases and begins and ends with the new moon.  Ramadan is expected to next occur from March 10, 2024 to April 8, 2024.

Eid-al-Fitr

The ‘Festival of the Breaking of the Fast' - celebration and festivities following the completion of the holy month of Ramadan. This festival is three days long and begins with Muslims gathering for prayer at mosques the morning of the first day. It is a celebration with lots of food, gifts, new clothes and visits with family and friends.

Eid-al-Adha

The celebration which follows 2 months after Ramadan; it is the ‘festival of sacrifice' and celebrates the story of Prophet Abraham. Eid-al-Adha also marks the end of Hajj. During Hajj the uniformity of dress, regardless of social status or culture, is a reminder of the importance of equality as pilgrims perform the pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah. Muslims celebrate by feasting on meat and sharing it with their neighbours and the poor.