Mr. Speaker, as-salaam alaykum.
I rise today in solidarity with Muslim Canadians and Muslim newcomers across the country. When Muslim newcomers decide to leave their country and come to Canada, they often leave behind prejudice and profiling for a better life in this country.
Mistrust and fear of newcomers are dismal aspects of our shared past. Recent outbursts of Islamophobia in Alberta reflect neither the best nor the majority of those who share Albertan and Canadian values.
Albertans have a long history of welcoming newcomers from every corner of the world to build a unique, diverse, and inclusive culture. The first mosque in Canada, the Al-Rashid Mosque, was built in 1938 in Edmonton in my riding.
Canadian Muslims are leaders in every sector. They are our friends, our neighbours, our spouses, and our colleagues.
In 2016, every Muslim Canadian is a Canadian—sont des Canadiens—are Canadians.