Celebrating Islamic History Month

Celebrating Islamic History Month

Islamic History Month Canada (IHMC) in October aims to celebrate, inform, educate, and share with fellow Canadians the rich Muslim heritage and contributions to society: Contributions in sciences, humanities, medicine, astronomy, and other disciplines that have greatly benefited human progress. IHMC believes that through education and sharing positive stories, all Canadians can grow and connect in the best way possible.

In 2007, IHMC was graciously proclaimed by the honourable and departed, Mauril Belanger, MP, for Ottawa-Vanier. Since then, IHMC has been proclaimed in provinces and municipalities across Canada and community members and organizations have hosted countless events every year bringing communities together to share and learn from one another.


Updated October 3, 2025
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Greater Victoria Public Library
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Is there bacon in heaven? : a memoir
Hassan, Ali (Actor)
Paper Book
For fans of Russell Peters, Trevor Noah, and Mark Critch comes a hilarious debut memoir about family, pursuing our passions, and figuring out who we are, by stand-up comedian and popular CBC host, Ali Hassan. Growing up, Ali Hassan was a chameleon. His friends came from many...
Dreamer : my life on the edge
Kadri, Nazem
Paper Book
No one who knows the game is unfamiliar with the story of the NHL's first Muslim Stanley Cup winner, Nazem Kadri, nor does anyone doubt his warmth and openness in front of a microphone, or his eagerness to challenge the next generation of Muslim athletes. He is a league All-Star, a highlight-reel...
Dear Muslim child
Rodaah, Rahma
Paper Book
This inspirational picture book from the author of Dear Black Child encourages Muslim children to take joy and pride in their Islamic faith. Perfect for fans of In My Mosque and The Proudest Blue. Dear Muslim Child, your story matters. In this lyrical ode to...
The wonders we seek : Thirty incredible Muslims who helped shape the world
Faruqi, Saadia
Paper Book
In this biographical collection, with stunning portraits and illustrations by Saffa Khan, authors Saadia Faruqi and Aneesa Mumtaz highlight some of the talented Muslim physicians, musicians, athletes, poets, and more who helped make the world we know today. A brilliant...
Amazing Muslims who changed the world
Islam, Burhana
Paper Book
The are many famous Muslims in this book - for example, Malala Yousafzai, Sir Mo Farah and Muhammad Ali. But there are many more Muslim people who have changed our world. From pirate queens and athletes to warriors and mathematicians, this book is about some of these amazing Muslims. ...
Muhammad's recipe for remembering
Ahmad, Maidah
Paper Book
A moving picture book highlighting a young Muslim boy's efforts to rediscover his family's history in the World Wars. Muhammad wants to take part in his school's assembly to honor veterans, but no one in his community, let alone his family, has been involved in the World Wars . . . have...
One wish : Fatima al-Fihri and the world's oldest university
Yuksel, M. O.
Paper Book
A Horn Book selection for "Picture Book Biographies for Women's History Month 2022" Fatima had one wish . . . Fatima al-Fihri loved to learn. She wanted to know everything, like how birds flew, why the sky was blue, and how flowers grew. But more than anything, she...
The boldest white : a story of hijab and community
Muhammad, Ibtihaj
Paper Book
In this call to bravery from Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad, Faizah learns to overcome her fears and stand in front of the crowd in this beautiful celebration of family, fencing, and community.   Faizah loves being part of the community at her mosque, and...
Fatima Tate takes the cake
VanBrakle, Khadijah
Paper Book
Fatima Tate wants to be a baker AND enjoy some innocent flirting with her hot friend Raheem--but her strict Muslim parents would never approve of either... Seventeen-year-old Fatima Tate, aspiring baker (100% against her conservative parents' wishes), leads a pretty normal life...
Malala speaks out
Yousafzai, Malala, 1997- author. 
Paper Book
Malala Yousafzai was denied education when the Taliban took control of her town in Pakistan. She decided to speak up, despite the danger it put her in. Her story is the story of many girls. When Malala was fifteen years old, she was attacked by the Taliban for defending girls' rights to...
The fast : the history, science, philosophy, and promise of doing without
Oakes, John G. H.
Paper Book
With fasting at an all-time high in popularity, here is an enlightening exploration into the history, science, and philosophy behind the practice--essential to many religions and wellness routines. Whether for philosophical, political, or health-related reasons, fasting marks a...
Unashamed : musings of a fat, black Muslim
Vernon, Leah
Paper Book
A Muslim woman's searingly honest memoir of her journey toward self-acceptance as she comes to see her body as a symbol of rebellion and hope-and chooses to live her life unapologetically Ever since she was little, Leah Vernon was told what to believe and how to act. There wasn't...
Imperfect : a story of body image
Awada, Dounya
Paper Book
Dounya, a Muslim girl living in Las Vegas, Nevada, shares her very personal story of battling eating disorders when she was a teenager, in order to help other young people suffering from this affliction. Imperfect: A Story of Body Image is the fourth in a series of graphic...
Finding my voice
Hussain, Nadiya 
Paper Book
'A fascinating from-the-heart memoir' Nigel Slater'A revelatory honest read' Red magazine FUNNY, HEART-WRENCHING, GENEROUS AND TRUE, IN FINDING MY VOICE NADIYA HUSSAIN SHARES THE...
The Red One
Fazlul, Safia
Paper Book
Nisha, "Azar's beautiful wife," lives a life surrounded by all the modern luxuries of a wealthy suburban home in Toronto. Her father is a taxi driver, her mother a conservative religious housewife jealously craving a better material life. Tormented by her childhood memories of serial sexual abuse...
We have always been here : a queer Muslim memoir
Habib, Samra
Paper Book
Samra Habib has spent most of her life searching for the safety to be herself. The men in her life wanted to police her, the women had only shown her the example of pious obedience, and her body was a problem to be solved. A triumphant memoir of forgiveness and family, both chosen and not, We Have...
Laughing all the way to the mosque
Nawaz, Zarqa 
Paper Book
Zarqa Nawaz has always straddled two cultures. She's just as likely to be agonizing over which sparkly earrings will "pimp out" her hijab as to be flirting with the Walmart meat manager in a futile attempt to secure halal chicken the day before Eid. Little Mosque on the Prairie brought Zarqa's...
Lion on the inside how one girl changed basketball
Abdul-Qaadir, Bilqis 
Paper Book
Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir was born to play basketball. At three, she has her own hoop. By seventeen, she's the star player on her school's varsity team. On the day of the playoffs, though, the referee says she can't play while wearing her hijab. Her teammates refuse to play, the crowd shouts its support...
Game changers : stories of hijabi athletes from around the world
Smith, Charlene (Author of Game changers)
Paper Book
★ "Profiles 13 inspirational athletes...Written and illustrated by two hijabi, these uplifting profiles set off by cheerful illustrations are sure to spark interest. Great for readers passionate about athletics and hijabi representation."--Booklist, starred review Meet 13 inspiring...
We are not here to be bystanders a memoir of love and resistance
Sarsour, Linda, 1980- author. 
Paper Book
Linda Sarsour, co-organizer of the Women's March, shares an "unforgettable memoir" (Booklist) about how growing up Palestinian Muslim American, feminist, and empowered moved her to become a globally recognized activist on behalf of marginalized communities across the country.
Between the head and the hands
Chaarani, James 
Paper Book
The candid story of a young man abandoned by his family and religion and left searching for identity in an unfamiliar world When Michael Dawouk is disowned by his Muslim family for being gay, he turns his back on the religion and culture he grew up with. He is forced out onto the...
Khadija and the elephant toothpaste experiment
Qaiser, Farah
Paper Book
Khadija is inspired by her visit to the science fair. There are so many different scientists all wearing safety goggles and lab coats! But how come none of them are wearing a hijab? After watching a scientist carry out the elephant toothpaste experiment, Khadija attempts to recreate it at...
Call me Al
Shah, Wali (Poet)
Paper Book
Ali is an eighth-grade kid with a lot going on. Between the pressure from his immigrant parents to ace every class, his crush on Melissa, who lives in the rich area of town while he and his family live in a shabby apartment complex, and trying his best to fit in with his friends, he feels...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfiHS6IefIw
Join co-authors Wali Shah & Eric Walters for an engaging conversation about their new middle grade novel, Call Me Al.About the book:Ali is an eighth-grade ki...
Huda F Wants to Know A Graphic Novel
Fahmy, Huda.
Ebook
In the hilarious and poignant graphic novel follow-up to National Book Award finalist Huda F Cares?, Huda's life and worldview is turned upside down when her parents announce they're divorcing. Huda Fahmy is ready for junior year. She's got a plan to join all the clubs,...
Mehndi boy
Bandali, Zain
Paper Book
"Delightful . . . the world needs more 'mehndi boys!'" --Vivek Shraya, author of The Boy & the Bindi and God Loves Hair "I was totally charmed by it." --Ali Sethi, musician and author An artistic, fashion-loving boy unlocks a new talent--and learns to stand up for it--in this...
The secret diary of Mona Hasan
Hussain, Salma (Young adult fiction writer)
Paper Book
Mona learns to find her voice over the course of a year that sees her immigrating from Dubai to Canada in this novel for fans of Front Desk by Kelly Yang. Mona Hasan is a young Muslim girl growing up in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, when the first Gulf War breaks out in...
The unlovable Alina Butt
Butt-Hussain, Ambreen
Paper Book
Fitting in at a new school is hard enough, but when you're an awkward, big-nosed, nerdy Pakistani girl with a funny last name, it can seem impossible. Eleven-year-old Alina Butt has changed schools four times already since her family moved to England from Pakistan. Even after all that...
As long as the lemon trees grow
Katouh, Zoulfa
Paper Book
A love letter to Syria and its people, As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow is a speculative novel set amid the Syrian Revolution, burning with the fires of hope, love, and possibility. Perfect for fans of The Book Thief and Salt to the Sea.
Zara Hossain is here
Khan, Sabina
Paper Book
Zara's family has waited years for their visa process to be finalized so that they can officially become US citizens. But it only takes one moment for that dream to come crashing down around them. Seventeen-year-old Pakistani immigrant, Zara Hossain, has been leading a fairly typical life...
Praying to the west : how Muslims shaped the Americas
Mouallem, Omar
Paper Book
*Winner of the Wilfrid Eggleston Award for Nonfiction* *Selected as a Most Anticipated Book of Fall by The Globe and Mail and The Toronto Star* An insightful and perspective-shifting new book, from a celebrated journalist, about reclaiming...
All the parts we exile : a memoir
Nozari, Roza
Paper Book
Shortlisted for the 2025 Toronto Book Award Finalist for the 2025 Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ2S+ Emerging Writers From a queer Muslim woman and artist, a generous, heartfelt and insightful memoir about family and finding the path to one's truest self. The...
Detective Aunty : A Novel
Jalaluddin, Uzma.
Paper Book
When her grown daughter is suspected of murder, a charming and tenacious widow digs into the case to unmask the real killer in this twisty, page-turning whodunit--the first book in a cozy new detective series from the acclaimed author of Ayesha at Last After her husband's unexpected...

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