The Institute of Islamic Studies, University of Toronto, welcomes the inclusion in the proposed federal budget of the Muslims in Canada Archives (MiCA) project. We thank the Government of Canada for its support, and the strong advocates for MiCA in the Government, such as MP Arif Virani (Parkdale -High Park). We look forward to working closely and robustly with Minister Pablo Rodriguez and his staff at the Ministry of Heritage.
MiCA is designed to acquire, steward and preserve the contributions that Canada’s diverse and wide-ranging Muslims make to the heritage of the country. A community-engaged archive, it leverages the excellence of Canada’s university sector with both provincial and national archival institutions, and Muslim communities across the country to help tomorrow’s story tellers today. In doing so, it fills an important gap in Canada’s archival landscape, and enhances the narratives that make for a more vibrant and powerful Canadian democracy.
Our partners in this endeavour are: Archives Ontario (AO), The Black Muslim Initiative (BMI), Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW), Inspirit Foundation, Library and Archives Canada (LAC), Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (MANAL), Memorial University, National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), the Tessellate Institute (TTI), Université Laval (ULaval), and the University of Toronto Libraries (UTL).
Muslims have been in Canada since Confederation. As they have made homes and planted firm roots from the Pacific to the Atlantic, they have left behind stories about a Canada that forms part of our collective national imaginary. Also, because Muslims cut across so many intersectional identities, MiCA also aims to develop best practices for Canada’s heritage institutions as we work together to foster more inclusive public spheres. With this Federal allocation of $ 4 million, MiCA has the capacity to deliver on its promise to enhance Canada’s heritage, alongside other communities that have already done so much to enrich the stories that have made Canada what it is today.
For further details, contact Anver M. Emon, Director, Institute of Islamic Studies at islamicstudies@utoronto.ca.
