Reconciliation through participation and education

A Muslim organization in Regina is intent on building bridges with the local and provincial Indigenous communities.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community – Regina Chapter, is hosting an Every Child Matters gathering on Sunday October 5 at the Mahmood Mosque, in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

“We respect every religion, we respect every faith, we respect every single community,” said Fazal Kamal, President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community – Regina Chapter.

“We believe if we come together, we will make a very prosperous society. We believe in diversity.”

In it’s fourth year, Kamal said they expect over 100 people to attend the event, which he describes as a learning opportunity and a chance to stand together in remembrance, reflection, and hope.

“We want to help reduce the pain of our First Nations friends who are suffering from the effects of Residential school.” he said. “Our main focus is to produce a harmonized society.”

Kamal said their organization reached out to almost nearly First Nations from around the province to attend the gathering. He expects a handful of leaders to be present in addition to dignitaries from provincial and municipal administrations. They plan on having survivors share their stories at the mosque.

“I’m 100 per cent sure there will be a positive impact. But these things take time, it won’t happen in days, it’s a gradual process,” said Kamal. “I think this effort will bring closer all communities, not just Muslim and First Nations, but all communities here. That’s our goal.”

The Regina Chapter has been hard at work forging connections with the Indigenous community.

They partnered with Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation to help construct a new children’s playground for the youth at Standing Buffalo.

They have also built a strong friendship, said Kamal, with George Gordon First Nation, with whom they have established an inter-community solidarity.

Additionally, they regularly attend powwows around the province.

Everything is a work in progress.

He admits some in the Muslim community are still uninformed on Indigenous history and culture, but that is why they are working hard to build bridges between the two communities.

“In some areas it is lacking – but we are working on it,” said Kamal. “Our focus during these events is not to teach them about the Muslim religion, but to learn about the First Nations people.”

Kamal said their organization is aware of some of the racial tensions between members of certain immigrant and Indigenous communities.

Violent incidents in northern Saskatchewan have sparked conflict online. Additionally, two Prince Albert men and one woman were arrested for gun-related charges after posting a video driving around the Duck Lake area with firearms.

Kamal hopes the gathering will help create the connections and harmony that’s needed in the province.

“These kinds of events will definitely help de-escalate those situations,” he said.

“This is learning. Because we believe First Nations have suffered in the past, we need to learn about the history for there to be a totally new situation in the future.”