Heritage Month Awareness
Islamic Heritage Month at the TDSB – October 2023
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) proudly recognizes Islamic Heritage Month (IHM) during the month of October. This recognition follows the motion passed by the Board of Trustees on June 22, 2016. Our main theme for the month is Salaam: Joy, Excellence, Belonging.
Islamic Heritage Month has been recognized across Canada in different ways since October 2007. In November 2016, the Province of Ontario established October as Islamic History Month through the Islamic Heritage Month Act, and further stated that “proclaiming a month to be Islamic Heritage Month in Ontario will provide all Ontarians, both today and in future generations, with an opportunity to reflect, celebrate, and learn about the rich and longstanding Islamic history in the Province and the diverse roles and contributions of Muslim people in communities across Ontario. This new understanding will in turn help combat anti-Islamic sentiment.”
During the month of October several Islamic Heritage Month educational opportunities are being organized for all TDSB students to further learn about Islamic traditions and customs. These offerings include:
Workshops from the Aga Khan Museum for all grade levels.
Workshops with Project Include Outreach. One of their goals is highlight the contributions of Muslims to modern-day technology and utilize coding principles to facilitate an understanding of Islamic heritage & culture.
The TDSB IHM Volunteer Planning Committee invited all TDSB students to participate in a Poster Contest last spring and the poster below will be shared with all schools in the TDSB. This poster was selected as it captured this year’s theme of Salaam: Joy, Excellence, Belonging. Salaam means ‘peace’ in Arabic and is a shortened version of the Islamic greeting, ‘peace be upon you’. This year, the TDSB Islamic Heritage Month Committee would like staff, students, and community members to greet, or say ‘salaam’ to, joy, excellence and belonging within the activities planned and learning available during this important month.
As we reflect and learn this October, we practice joy in celebrating rich Islamic heritage; we honour the excellence of diverse Muslim identities and cultures; and foster belonging for the many Muslim students who attend TDSB schools. Selected winning poster images are also posted to the TDSB website.
The TDSB Islamic Heritage Month Resource Guidebook (2021) was updated again this year and continues to be an important resource in relation to teaching and learning about Muslim identities. This will be shared as soon as it is finalized.
Somali Heritage Month at the TDSB - October 2023
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) proudly recognizes Somali Heritage Month during the month of October. The TDSB has been marking Somali Heritage Month since June 2016, and we continue to expand on the selected theme Educate. Elevate. Excel.
In October 2020, the Government of Ontario proclaimed Somali Heritage Week Act, 2020 which will take place on June 25 through July 1.
"By proclaiming the week of June 25 through July 1 as Somali Heritage Week, the Province of Ontario recognizes the economic, political, social and cultural achievements and contributions of Somali Canadians in all aspects of Ontario society. Like many refugees and immigrants who have made Ontario their home, Somali Canadians are proud to be part of diverse communities across the province."
During the month of October several Somali Heritage Month educational opportunities are being organized for all TDSB students to further learn about Somali traditions and customs. These offerings include primary students having an opportunity to engage in a bookmark challenge where their creative talents can shine! Our intermediate and senior level students will be provided with the opportunity to participate in a creative writing challenge by answering questions about Somali traditions and share their thoughts on a variety of topics. We are excited to have an author reading and rich resources available to our staff to further our learning. Our students and staff are enriched by guest speakers and their knowledge as they inspire us to seek additional information.
The Somali Heritage Month volunteer planning committee is planning on putting together a special project to spotlight Somali students! Stay tuned for more information!
The poster below is being shared with all Toronto District School Board schools, and sites.
Please follow us on X (formerlyTwitter) for daily messages throughout the month of October: SomaliHM@TDSB