MiCA at the annual RIS Convention

As we welcome the new year, we look forward to expanding our collections and inviting you to explore our materials. We’re also pleased to recap our time at the annual Reviving the Islamic Spirit (RIS) Convention in Toronto this past December.

The first RIS Convention was held in 2001 – since then, it has grown to become the largest Islamic conference in Canada and one of the most extensive in North America. The RIS Convention follows a long tradition of gatherings for and by Muslim scholars in Canada, including this 1978 convening of over 35 Muslim community groups in Edmonton. Our table at the RIS Grand Bazaar featured materials from our archival collection: photographs of Muslims in Canada, newsletters from the 70s-80s, magazines from the early 2000s, and more. We invited attendees to wear archival gloves, sift through these stories and learn more of Muslim histories in Canada. RIS attracts Muslims from across North America. Many attendees were, for the first time, engaging with materials relating to the historical presence of Muslims in Canada. For others, the newsletters and pamphlets on display were familiar parts of their own experiences living in Canada.  We were visited by Naseer (Irfan) Syed, who has donated many records to our collection including materials that trace the role of MSAs in Ontario, documents related to the Canadian Muslim Lawyers' Association, and other Muslim community work. We also met with Reza Rizvi, co-chair of the International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF). The IDRF was established by the Council of Muslim Communities of Canada and was formerly known as the International Refugee and Relief Program. The flyers in MiCA’s collection point to the long-standing humanitarian work among Muslims in Canada, including the sponsorship of hundreds of refugees in the 80s and 90s. Outside of the RIS Grand Bazaar, we exhibited a large art installation. The images spotlighted budding stories of Muslim civil society in Canada, including the early days of Al Rashid Mosque in Edmonton and the formation of Islamic radio programs in Ottawa.  Do you have stories relating to Muslim history in Canada? Learn more about how to contribute your materials!

We extend our thanks to everyone who visited the MiCA booth at RIS. We also extend our thanks to all RIS Convention staff and volunteers.