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(Vancouver – Wednesday, June 20, 2022) The BCMA had the honor of presenting in favor of Motion B2: Commemorating Muslim Holidays at Vancouver City Hall. This motion, which was drafted in collaboration with members of Vancouver’s united Muslim community, calls for the recognition of important Muslim holidays like Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha, which are particularly meaningful to the city’s entire Muslim population.The motion was put forward by City Councillor Jean Swanson, seconded by Christine Boyle and passed unanimously by the Honourable Mayor of Vancouver, Kennedy Stewart &nbsp;and Vancouver City Councillors: Adriane Carr, Melissa DeGenova, Lisa Dominato, Pete Fry, Colleen Hardwick, Sarah Kirby-Yung, Jean Swanson, Michael Wiebe and Rebecca Bligh.As part of our commitment to building strong and meaningful relationships between Muslims and other communities we are working with organizations, communities, and governments across B.C. and Canada to support Muslims and the beautiful image of Islam.This motion serves as an illustration of how all communities are welcomed and recognized in Vancouver’s rich cultural diversity and shows support for the tens of thousands of Muslims who call the city home.

Vancouver Celebrates Ramadan, Eid Al-Fitr & Eid Al-Adha

<figure id="figure-bbwu3hmg1om6g3xxce"><img id="bbwu3hmg1om6g3xxce" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/17eMxUYbqmZdserUBO3BINVcJhN7bqLpS5xAtvllXWCTPftSXDlGQgJsJToQBj97.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>This event was organized by a multi-faith and multiracial coalition to raise awareness of the role of climate change in causing more extreme weather events, as well as best practices from the firefighters and other first responders in dealing with them.The summer wildfires and the fall flooding, both of which claimed lives in British Columbia, are among the world’s most destructive climate catastrophes this year.The 2021 wildfire season in British Columbia was the third worst on record in terms of area burned, with over 1,600 fires scorching approximately 8,700 square kilometres of land. The Lytton Creek wildfire, which destroyed the community of Lytton and killed two people, was one of the most noteworthy and deadly wildfires of 2021.&nbsp;A mid-November storm dropped a month’s worth of rain on the region, causing main roads into and out of the province’s most populated areas to be closed for weeks. Following the original storm, many days of severe rain, accompanied by meteorological phenomena known as “atmospheric rivers,” resulted in additional flooding and devastation. A mudslide triggered by the intense weather killed at least a few individuals, and 15,000 people were forced to abandon their houses.We are inviting IBPOC and faith community leaders, elected officials, first responders and allies to join us in:<ul><li>Formation of a humanitarian coalition to coordinate aid and support among NGOs emergencies to share knowledge and resources to avoid redundancies, duplication of efforts and unnecessary aid material and donation.</li><li>Build awareness of Indigenous land-based best practices.</li><li>Share lessons learned from last year and best practices.</li><li>Build awareness of the challenges firefighters and first responders face.</li><li>Increasing representation of IBPOC community members choosing firefighting as a career. </li><li>Providing additional support for firefighters and first responders.</li></ul>

World Environment Day 2022: A Multicultural Awareness Event For Best Practises, Preparedness And Planning For Fire & Floods

<a data-mce-href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx1b2rL8SsyJ9G5_Pr_yTkOOZfdMvU3q2" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx1b2rL8SsyJ9G5_Pr_yTkOOZfdMvU3q2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here to watch the livestream recording.</a>The 2022 Stop Asian Hate Livestream was a powerful and urgent response to the rising wave of anti-Asian disinformation and hate that escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Organized by the Foundation for a Path Forward, in collaboration with Resilience BC and the BC Anti-Racism Network, the event sought to shed light on the ways misinformation fuels racism and violence, particularly in online spaces. With over 98,000 people tuning in, the livestream reached a wide audience, amplifying the voices of experts, community leaders, and activists working to combat anti-Asian hate.<figure id="figure-ngqzjwep4bm7anvi35"><img id="ngqzjwep4bm7anvi35" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/32tVAfFx4fyajtXKNHe3VEAWJry23bpI16vB4smY7c9EpCt7g3ti4GJmPkunVMeg.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/32tVAfFx4fyajtXKNHe3VEAWJry23bpI16vB4smY7c9EpCt7g3ti4GJmPkunVMeg.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"></figure>The COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020 triggered widespread fear and misinformation, creating a climate where racism and xenophobia flourished. Bad actors weaponized social media, fake health documents, and conspiracy theories, using platforms to spread unfounded paranoia. The consequences were devastating. According to Statistics Canada, police-reported hate crimes targeting East and Southeast Asian communities skyrocketed by 301% in 2020, reaching their highest levels since data collection began. British Columbia saw one of the sharpest increases, with 106 additional incidents, alongside significant rises in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta.Many activists point to the early rhetoric from political leaders as a key driver of this surge in violence. Terms like "Chinese virus" used by former U.S. President Donald Trump and others reinforced harmful stereotypes, leading to increased scapegoating of Asian communities. At the same time, online hate surged. L1ght, an AI-driven internet abuse detection group, reported a 900% spike in racist tweets targeting Asians during the early days of the pandemic. The rise of toxic narratives on social media platforms and online forums played a major role in fueling real-world violence and discrimination.The 2022 Stop Asian Hate Livestream tackled these issues head-on, exploring how online hate spreads, how it translates into real-world harm, and what can be done to stop it. The discussion emphasized the responsibility of social media platforms, gaming communities, and content-sharing sites to address the growing spread of racist rhetoric and misinformation. Speakers highlighted how formerly fringe hate forums have gained traction, spreading dangerous ideologies at an alarming rate.By bringing together activists, researchers, and community advocates, the event underscored the urgent need for action. The Foundation for a Path Forward, Resilience BC, and the BC Anti-Racism Network reaffirmed their commitment to countering digital hate, supporting victims of racism, and working towards systemic change. The success of the livestream demonstrated the power of collective action and informed dialogue, ensuring that the fight against anti-Asian hate continues beyond the event itself.

Stop Asian Hate 2022

<a data-mce-href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx1b2rL8SsyIiwnk14KIdj56GRBBPOKcM" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx1b2rL8SsyIiwnk14KIdj56GRBBPOKcM" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">Click here to watch the livestream recording.﻿</a> The Stop Asian Hate livestream, organized by the Foundation for a Path Forward and Islam Unravelled, brought together a powerful coalition of youth groups, faith-based organizations, government representatives, advocacy groups, and community leaders on May 30th to stand against anti-Asian racism. This event served as a platform to denounce discrimination, promote actionable solutions, and showcase the unwavering support of allies committed to protecting the Asian community.<figure id="figure-hs4uvio9nqm7ant094"><img id="hs4uvio9nqm7ant094" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/28CXkep9HBik5iNswApRFhZPw6vGQX5FocQfIfPEvNrMW4EZY3Swjw6chiM3IAxk.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/28CXkep9HBik5iNswApRFhZPw6vGQX5FocQfIfPEvNrMW4EZY3Swjw6chiM3IAxk.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"></figure>The livestream reached over 42,000 viewers across multiple social media platforms, amplifying critical conversations about both systemic and individual racism in Canada. Participants engaged in meaningful dialogue about the ongoing challenges faced by Asian Canadians, the role of community-driven advocacy, and the importance of fostering stronger interfaith and intercultural solidarity. The Foundation for a Path Forward, through Islam Unravelled, has been at the forefront of anti-racism efforts, ensuring that faith-based and community organizations play a central role in addressing hate and discrimination. In collaboration with the Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice (CCNC-SJ) and Resilience BC, this initiative is not only about raising awareness but also about implementing tangible solutions to combat anti-Asian racism. As part of this ongoing effort, the Foundation is working with its partners to deliver anti-Asian racism education and engagement programs, develop artificial intelligence tools to flag and report hate speech, and implement the HateShield anti-racism and data collection technology platform. The goal is to provide communities with the resources and technology to track, report, and ultimately prevent acts of racism from spreading online and in public spaces. The event was a testament to the strength of collaboration and allyship in combating racial discrimination. By empowering BC’s anti-racism networks, sharing best practices from across Canada, and strengthening the Resilience BC Anti-Racism Network, the Foundation for a Path Forward continues to push for meaningful change. The Stop Asian Hate livestream was more than just a conversation—it was a commitment to building a more inclusive, safe, and just society for all Canadians.

Foundation for a Path Forward

Foundation News

Vancouver Celebrates Ramadan, Eid Al-Fitr & Eid Al-Adha

World Environment Day 2022: A Multicultural Awareness Eve...

Stop Asian Hate 2022

Stop Asian Hate 2021