On Oct. 8 there was a gathering of religious leaders and community members to support the Muslim Association of Canada’s (MAC) Islamic School in Bridgeland, which had received threatening and hateful emails. Thirty people, including members of the CIC and the CACG, came alongside the staff and families of the school so they would know they were not alone. Student representatives introduced us to the values and programming of the school.
CIC is appreciative that members of diverse faith communities are prioritizing coming together, getting to know each other, and being there for each other when hard things happen. Our faith traditions call us to welcome the stranger and to be there for those in need, and we are answering the call!
Rev. Samaya Oakley, member of CACG and CIC, addressed the faith leaders and community at MAC Islamic School:
“Thank you for welcoming us here today.
“I’m here on behalf of the Calgary Interfaith Council and the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good. We have come as representatives of Calgary’s diverse faith communities—and as neighbours and friends—to say one thing clearly: ‘You are not alone.’
“We are here for a simple reason: to be present in solidarity with the students, families, staff, and leadership of the Muslim Association of Canada’s Islamic School. We were saddened to learn that your community has received not one, but two, hateful and Islamophobic messages. We know that words matter. Words can wound. They can create fear and make people feel unwelcome.
“So we have come with a different message: Our message is that you belong here. You are valued. We are with you. We gather in the wake of a difficult few months for Calgary’s faith communities. Gurdwaras have been targeted. Our synagogues have faced attacks and threats. And now a Muslim school community has been targeted. Different communities, different circumstances—but a common message of hatred. Today, we offer a different message: when one of us is targeted, we will be there for one another.”
Follow up letter from Mazen Jishi, director of MAC Islamic School:
“I really want you to know how much Thursday’s gathering meant to us. Seeing so many faith and community leaders come together in support of our Islamic school was deeply meaningful.
“Personally, I felt that the gathering was a real expression of our shared values in action. I witnessed what we call in Arabic sidq (صدق), or genuine sincerity. The support was real. It wasn’t just words or politics. I could feel that people genuinely cared from the heart, and that meant a lot to me.
“Most importantly, the gathering reminded our school community that we are not alone. This was especially important at a time when many of our families were feeling anxious and uncertain.
“The gathering also helped bring greater public attention to the threats. Beyond the media coverage, we have since seen expressions of support from political leaders and parties. On Friday, we also had a formal meeting with two Calgary Police officers to discuss the threats and our other safety concerns.
“I also think the gathering sent an important message about the kind of community we want to live in. When one community is threatened, others stand beside it. Our students witnessed this firsthand on Thursday, and I believe they will remember it.”
