Muslim Awareness Week Events Hosted by SSM/MAW and the Office of the Dean of Students
MAW is a wonderful opportunity for our community. On campus and in Montreal, Muslims are not distant or unknowable; they are our classmates, roommates, neighbours, co-workers, and commonly found among the public servants, professionals, and leaders who build and strengthen our community and are balancing competing priorities at work, school, and family life just like the rest of us. MAW is a proactive way to educate, recognize the contributions of Muslims, diminish stereotypes, build bridges, and exercise deeper and non-dualistic critical thinking. It's also a time for interfaith dialogue and cultural exchange, including through stories, food, and art.
MAW started in response to tragic events. On January 29, 2017, 46 people were attacked, and 6 killed, in the Great Mosque of Quebec after Isha (evening) prayer. In 2021, the Canadian government designated January 29 as a . In Quebec, MAW allows us to focus on surmounting Islamophobia for a whole week.
On campus, MAW will be marked with a commemorative lecture on January 29 at 4:30-6:00pm by Dr. Salam El-Majzoub. She is an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at 91丝瓜视频 focused on the mental health needs of marginalized cultural communities. She will discuss "Impacts of Islamophobia on Muslim Mental Health". You're also invited to join MORSL for a this Sunday, and there are plenty of other interest events organized by SSM/MAW.
The following campus and local events organized by听SSM/MAW are open to everyone:
Jan 24-Jan 25, 10:00 am-8:00 pm:听As part of the Ramadan Community Expo, Muslim Awareness Week will host an official booth to engage directly with the public and create open, accessible spaces for dialogue.
Jan 25, 2:45-5:00 PM:听My Neighbour's Faith: Canadian Institute for Islamic Civilization Join MORSL for a trip to a mosque and community centre, the听. The experience will start with an introduction to Islam and Muslims in Canada. We鈥檒l then learn about how prayer works in Islam and witness community prayer.听 We鈥檒l also hold a Q&A with a community leader. Please听听if you'd like to attend.
Jan 25-Jan 31, 2026:听听As part of Muslim Awareness Week 2026, SSM, in partnership with H茅ma鈥慟u茅bec, is organizing a blood donation mobilization from January 25 to 31 at participating centers in Laval, Kirkland, and Globule Versailles. This initiative carries a powerful message: where hatred caused the blood of innocent people to be shed, we choose to give blood to save lives. Through this concrete action, SSM invites the public to transform remembrance into action and to take part in a gesture of fraternity, solidarity, and commitment to life.
Jan 26, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm:听As part of Muslim Awareness Week 2026, SSM is proud to present the launch of the poetry collection Abwab by Ehab Lotayef, poet, artist, and co鈥慺ounder of SSM. This artistic evening invites the public to discover a poetic work rooted in sensitivity, memory, and reflection. Through readings and exchange, the event highlights poetry as a space for expression, dialogue, and connection.
Jan 27, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm: As part of Muslim Awareness Week 2026, this roundtable offers a space for dialogue and analysis on the immediate impacts of Bill 94.
Jan 28-Jan 30:听As part of Muslim Awareness Week 2026, the exhibition Faces of Connection offers an artistic space dedicated to dialogue, diversity, and coexistence. Through the works presented, the exhibition highlights connection through art and celebrates each year the richness and diversity of artists from Muslim backgrounds. Painting, visual art, and contemporary expressions become tools for encounter, reflection, and bridge鈥慴uilding between communities. A public vernissage will take place on January 30 at 6:30 PM, offering an opportunity to meet the artists and partners.
(Campus Event) January 29, 4:30-6:00pm:听Quebec City Mosque Attack Commemorative Lecture, "Impacts of Islamophobia on Muslim Mental Health"听By Dr. Salam El-Majzoub, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Jewish General Hospital and Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, 91丝瓜视频. Location: Robert Vogel Council Room (Leacock 232), 855 Sherbrooke Street West.听All are encouraged to join us in wearing a听square of green fabric听to remember听and stand in solidarity with the victims and survivors of the Qu茅bec City mosque attack.听The green square represents the green carpets of the Qu茅bec City mosque, where the victims last stood to pray. It symbolizes听the fact that the deceased are, God willing, in a听 green garden,听in a better place since they left that night. Green squares will be available as you enter Leacock 232.听
Jan 31, 1:00 pm-6:00 pm:听听The Getting to Know One Another Expo Fair is a flagship event of Muslim Awareness Week, designed as a lively space for discovery, dialogue, and connection. Open to all, the fair will host nearly a dozen booths featuring a wide range of initiatives: community organizations, artists, artisans, vendors, cultural products, food, jewelry, clothing, henna art, children鈥檚 face painting, and more.
Feb 1,听11:00 am-12:00 pm:听As part of Muslim Awareness Week, SSM will take part in the February 1st service at St. James United Church, in a spirit of respect, dialogue, and interfaith connection. The gathering will be led by Reverend Paula Kline and will include a moment of reflection, a statement from SSM, and a symbolic candle鈥憀ighting, representing remembrance, solidarity, and commitment to living together in dignity.
