In this new blog series, Aaron W. Hughes will be merging his long-time studies of Muslims across the country with materials from our collections to spotlight the stories of prominent Muslim Canadians. Follow along to explore archival materials and their stories.
"I have spent the last couple of years in the Muslims in Canada Archives (MiCA) trying to help document and establish the contours of Muslim history and, thus, presence in Canada. To this end, I have written two books, both forthcoming, Islam: A Canadian Story (University of Toronto Press) and A History of Ismaili Muslims in Canada (Bloomsbury for the Institute of Ismaili Studies). MiCA’s holdings have proved indispensable to both, further proof that it is becoming an important institution predicated on the idea that if we don’t tell our stories, we are invisible and our contributions to nation-building risk being overlooked at best or cancelled at worst.
To this end, my goal in this series is to highlight Canadian Muslim accomplishments by focusing on a series of important Canadian Muslims. As befitting MiCA, and its mandate, my scope is wide and cosmopolitan. Our story, after all, crosses many ethnicities, cultures, languages and denominations.
What, you may ask yourselves, is my reason for telling these stories? The first is to remind us that we have historical presence in Canada, one that dates to the pre-Confederation period (that is, prior to 1867). The second is to remind non-Muslim Canadians, our neighbours, of that presence. And, finally, to ask you to support MiCA. The latter can come through donations, either financial or archival. This is, after all, your archive and its success is contingent on your support.
With this in mind I inaugurate the series with a perhaps surprising individual who never actually lived in Canada. My goal is to follow this every few months with a focus on another individual. If you have ideas for inclusion, do not hesitate to let me know at aaron.hughes@rochester.edu." - Aaron W. Hughes