Kingston to mark Islamic History Month 2022 with local events, food drive

Islamic History Month is a nationwide celebration that seeks to share the history, heritage and culture of Muslims with fellow Canadians. For the 16th year in a row, Kingston’s City Council has proclaimed October as Islamic History Month (IHM).

According to a media release from both the Islamic Society of Kingston (ISK) and Muslim Societies, Global Perspectives (MSGP, Queen’s University), the theme for Islamic History Month 2022 is Multicultural Flavours of Muslim Cuisine: Culinary contributions of Muslims to health, wellness, social peace and societal harmony.

This year marks the return of in-person events, and virtual events will be available as well, according to the release. Local events, both associated with this year’s theme but also with connections to Islamic History in general, are being organized through the ISK and MSGP, Queen’s University, and include the following events:

• October 1: Illumination of City Hall in Green to commemorate Islamic History Month, starting at 6:30 p.m.
• October 4: Anarcha-Islam: Towards an anti- and non-Authoritarian Islam with Dr. Mohamed Abdou. Chernoff Hall, Room 213 (Queen’s University), from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Hosted by MSGP.
• October 4: Book Launch and Panel Discussion for Islam and Anarchism: Reflections and Resonances with Dr. Mohamed Abdou. Mac-Corry, Room B201 (Queen’s University) from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
• October 16: World Hunger Day
• October 16: Open House at the Islamic Centre of Kingston, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (to be confirmed)
• October 17: Muslims in Kingston and Beyond. Discussion with Dr. Murray Hogben, author of Minarets on the Horizon: Muslim Pioneers in Canada. Online event starting at 7 p.m.
• October 18: Ms. Marvel Watch Party and Panel Discussion with Drs. Sailaja Krishnamurthi (Gender Studies), Shobhana Xavier (Religion) and Adnan Husain (History). Dupuis Hall, Rm 215 (Queen’s University), from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Hosted by MSGP.
• October 27: Medieval Mayhem: A Conversation about Islamic History, Fiction, and Contemporary Culture with Dr. Laury Silvers, Author of The Sufi Mysteries Quartet, a series of mystery/detective novels set in Baghdad in the 9th Century. Panelists: Drs. Shobhana Xavier and Adnan Husain. Kingston Hall, Room 201 (Queen’s University), from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Hosted by MSGP.
• October 27: Rat City by Dr. Laury Silvers: A Reading a Discussion of a forthcoming novella set in a counterfactual world where the Zanj rebellion in medieval Iraq was successful. Ellis Hall Auditorium (Queen’s University), from 7 to 9 p.m. Hosted by MSGP.

Event organizers said that online events will be live-streamed from (or shared to) the Islamic History Month Kingston’s Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/IHMKingston

In keeping with the focus on food, organizers said this year’s IHM will include a month-long food drive in October for Partners in Mission Food Bank with the theme: “Feed a Neighbour from Your Table.”

“When choosing foods to donate, please note that we are a diverse community,” the organizers noted. “A variety of types of food would be appreciated, e.g. gluten-free, low/no-sugar, and from diverse cultures. Think of what is on your table and consider donating the same for our neighbours.”

For additional information, visit www.facebook.com/IHMKingston, www.facebook.com/MSGPQU or www.kingstonmuslims.ca. For more information on this national initiative please see the Islamic History Month Canada Facebook page.