Muslim Awareness Week returns to Montreal for 8th year
Posted January 23, 2026 2:01 pm.
Last Updated January 29, 2026 5:14 pm.
Montrealers gathered for the launch of the 2026 edition of Muslim Awareness Week (MAW) at City Hall on Friday.
The 8th edition of MAW takes place from Jan. 23 to 31, across Montreal and Laval.
The event was created, in response to the Quebec City mosque attack on Jan. 29 2017, to tackle Islamophobia by promoting solidarity and a safe space to learn more about the diverse lived experiences of Quebecers of Muslim faith.
Last November, the Coalition Avenir Québec government expanded secularism laws by presenting Bill 9, an Act representing the reinforcement of laicity in Quebec. The controversial bill has placed restrictions on public prayer, and has targeted daycare workers by extending a ban on wearing religious symbols.
Jawad Kanani, administrator and board Member of MAW, shared his concerns about Quebec legislation, arguing that it contributes to the notion that Muslims and Quebecers are “two divided personalities,” as opposed to “one identity.” “We should let people have the freedom to choose their own religion and to choose whatever, how they want to address, how they want to look. And that shouldn’t be a compromise between being a Quebecer or practicing and having your freedom of religion. One thing that I must say, Muslim women are often talked about, but not often talked to,” said Kanani.
The kick off event was attended by Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Montreal police chief Fady Dagher and many other community leaders.
Speakers emphasized the importance of community dialogue and awareness, along with the need to foster interconnectedness between communities.
The event included a performance by Moroccan-Canadian musician Aziz Daouni.
This year’s event offers a range of diverse events and workshops–from the launch of the poetry collection Abwab by Ehab Lotayef, to a trade fair to get to know fellow community members.
A public gathering to commemorate and pay tribute to the victims of the Mosque attack in Quebec City is on Jan. 29, at the Grande Place in front of the Park metro station.
“We are normal human beings, as we say, and we are really present here, and we have to build bridges and we have to spread information about who we are. And this is how we’re going to change the future of everybody, not just by crying about what happened in 2017,” said Lotyef.
