The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador joins with the Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador to recognize October as Islamic History Month.
Islamic History Month recognizes the expanding role that Muslim communities play in Newfoundland and Labrador. Muslim Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are making indelible contributions to many fields that further the public good, such as healthcare, engineering, science, research, education and the public service.
Muslim communities here are also diverse, with ties to a vast number of countries from around the world, and represent one of the fastest-growing populations in the province. The Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador estimates that from just two dozen families when the association was first incorporated in the early 1980s, there are now more than 7,500 Muslims residing in communities throughout the province.
While the St. John’s metro region has traditionally been where Muslims have settled, Muslim communities are growing in other areas, such as Gander where efforts continue towards building the province’s second mosque. The first mosque in the province, the Masjid Al-Noor mosque on Logy Bay Road in St. John’s, became fully operational as a place of worship and a cultural centre in October, 1990.
To learn more about Islamic history in Newfoundland and Labrador, please visit the Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador website or email manal@manal.ca.
Quotes
“It has been an honour to have celebrated important events, such as Eid al-Fitr, with Muslim neighbours, colleagues and friends, and to witness the tremendous growth of Muslim communities in every corner of our province. We remain steadfast in our commitment to support Muslims in Newfoundland and Labrador as they continue to make important contributions to our province.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills
“I thank Minister Byrne and the Provincial Government for continuing to be a friend and engaging with us to advance the interests of Muslims in Newfoundland and Labrador, including taking action to combat Islamophobia. Anyone who wishes to learn more about our community, any time of year but especially during Islamic History Month, is welcome to connect with the Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Dr. Syed Pirzada
President, Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
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Media contact
Jeremy Reynolds
Immigration, Population Growth and Skills
709-729-2377, 709-691-2298
jeremyreynolds@gov.nl.ca
