Islamic History On Display At Royal Ontario Museum This Weekend

Oct. 1, 2009 - PRLog -- Toronto, ON  – The current television show Little Mosque on the Prairie might be the primary source of education about Muslims and Islam for many Canadians, but the show is anchored in the present.

This weekend, Canadians will have the opportunity to take a glimpse into Islam’s rich cultural heritage at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).

The museum, in conjunction with UM Foundation, will be holding its second annual Muslim Heritage Weekend from Saturday, October 3 through Monday, October 5, 2009. Visitors will be treated to special Islamic artefacts, lectures, activities, movies and halal food. Prayer facilities will be available for Muslim visitors.

“This is a golden opportunity for Canadians of all faiths and ethnic background to come out and explore the historical roots of Islam’s cultural diversity,” said Abdul Hai Patel, honourary chair of the event and president of the Ontario Multifaith Council. “The best way to build bridges and foster understanding is through education and getting to know one another.”

October was designated as Canadian Islamic History Month by the federal parliament in 2007.

"The ROM is very excited about our upcoming Muslim Heritage Weekend,” said Chuck Thibeault, head of sales and membership at the museum. “The event is an opportunity to celebrate and share Islamic culture with our visitors and the community."

Discounted tickets and other event details are available at www.CivilizationExpo.com .

The second annual Muslim Heritage Weekend at the Royal Ontario Museum is supported by Islamic History Month Canada, an educational and cultural project sponsored by the Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC), Islamic Circle of North America-Canada (ICNA), Muslim Association of Canada (MAC), Canadian Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN), the Coalition of Muslim Organization (COMO) and the High Commission and the Government of Malaysia, among others. For details on Islamic History Month Canada, visit www.islamichistorymonth.com .



For more information, please contact:

Abdul Hai Patel
Honourary Chair
Muslim Heritage Weekend
(416) 282-4342

Melissa Chase
ROM Media Relations
mchase@rom.on.ca
(416) 586-5529