“A Gem in Our Community”: Canada Day Celebrations Return to Cumberland Mosque

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After public health orders sidelined celebrations for the past two years, in-person Canada Day festivities returned to a Cumberland mosque on Friday with a community cookout and activities for children.

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“Building our community, building bonds, showing hospitality, that’s what our religion is all about. That is Islam,” said Sinwan Basharat, one of the organizers of the event.

“Our first responsibility is to our neighbors and whatever we can do to serve our neighbors … provide a place where they can gather.”

Area City Councilor Matthew Luloff was present at the event and praised the mosque for its important role in the community.

“This has been an absolute gem in our community ever since the Ahmadiyya Muslims set up shop here in Cumberland Village,” said Luloff, who represents the Orleans district on the council.

Cumberland families seemed in high spirits as they packed the mosque grounds to celebrate the holiday and enjoy a cookout and picnic.

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Sharjeel Ahmed, representative of the event, said that his family came to Canada about four years ago and that those years “have been the best of my life.

“I found that Canadians are welcoming, friendly, courteous, hard-working, honest, humble, open to other cultures and points of view.”

Farhan Iqbal, a missionary living in Ottawa, described the event at the mosque as a celebration of Canada’s “riches” and “comfortable standard of living.”

However, Ahmed also noted the pain felt by many over the discovery over the past year of unmarked graves at former residential school sites across Canada.

The discovery of those unmarked graves last year sparked protests and marches on Canada Day in solidarity with indigenous communities. Flags were also lowered on Parliament Hill and federal government buildings across the country, though the government still hosted virtual events to mark Canada Day. In-person events have been scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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In-person Canada Day events in the center of the national capital region returned on Friday, with concerts and festivities at LeBreton Flats and nearby Place des festivals Zibi in Gatineau.

Luloff, a Canadian Army veteran, said it was important to acknowledge Canada’s history, but also reflect on the country’s positive place on the world stage.

“We have to remember that Canada is a beacon of hope in this world, and that light is much more noticeable in the darkness,” he said. “Yes, we may be going through difficult times as a nation, but we must remember that throughout our history we have had to be resilient.”

Although Canada Day celebrations will continue, recognition of the country’s history has taken on a new meaning, Basharat said.

“We still keep that in our hearts this year as we remember those sacred lives, but we are also trying to find some solutions. That is why this event is here: to be more positive and optimistic”.