Hon. Danièle Henkel: Honourable senators, I rise today to support Bill S-227, introduced by my colleague and friend, Senator Al Zaibak, which seeks to designate the month of April as Arab Heritage Month in Canada. With this initiative, we are paying tribute to a community, officially recognizing its contribution, and, most importantly, sending a message of social cohesion, prosperity and justice.
The first Arab pioneers landed on Canadian soil in 1882. They came mostly from the Levant, often driven by instability and uncertainty. Although they came with little in the way of material resources, what they did bring with them was invaluable: intangible wealth, a deep faith in work, honour and community spirit.
They passed these values on to their children, and then to subsequent generations. One hundred and forty years later, this community spirit remains alive and continues to guide the journey of nearly one million Canadians of Arab descent who, in every province and city, are helping to build the country. Family is at the heart of this heritage. It is central to building collective resilience and it is the root of their compassion. In Arab families, loyalty, helping one another and respect for human dignity are taught from an early age. These lessons, passed down from generation to generation, become principles that strengthen the Canadian social fabric.
It would be simplistic to talk about Arab heritage only in terms of cultural traditions. This heritage is reflected every day in concrete contributions that make modern Canada stronger.
Beginning with the economy, it is estimated that more than 120,000 businesses in Canada are owned by entrepreneurs of Arab descent. Behind these numbers are real people with inspiring stories, engaged in a wide range of industries, such as digital technology, pharmaceuticals, fashion and banking.
Not only do these women and men generate economic value, but they also support families by creating jobs. They invest in our communities and enrich regional vitality.
In the health sector, thousands of doctors, nurses and researchers of Arab descent work every day to treat, prevent and innovate. In culture, so many artists have brought their creativity and sensitivity to the Canadian and international scene. In the Armed Forces and civilian security forces, thousands of citizens of Arab descent proudly wear the Canadian uniform. Their commitment illustrates their successful integration and desire to serve the common good. These examples are not anecdotal. They reflect a reality: Canadians of Arab descent are a living force, rooted in history and fully committed to building the Canada of today and tomorrow.
The Arab community is not homogeneous; it includes people from North Africa, the Levant and the Arabian Peninsula, each contributing their own history, traditions, linguistic characteristics and beliefs.
Among them are Christian communities: Maronites from Lebanon, Chaldeans from Iraq and Copts from Egypt. There are also Jewish communities, such as those from Morocco and Tunisia, reflecting a shared history of coexistence. Of course, there are also Muslims: Sunnis, Shiites and those belonging to other traditions.
This diversity is not an obstacle, but rather an asset. Beyond the plurality, a profound unity is emerging around a culture of hospitality, dignity, respect for education and knowledge. This attachment to knowledge is rooted in a long intellectual tradition. For centuries, the Arab world was a major centre of science, philosophy and medicine.
It was in the cities of Baghdad, Damascus, Cordoba and Cairo that the texts of Greek and Persian scholars were translated, preserved and enriched. Remember that it was Arab scholars who laid the foundations of modern algebra and mathematics, such as the Arabic numerals we still use today. In medicine, figures such as Avicenna and Averroes revolutionized our understanding of the human body and health, and their works were studied in European universities until the 17th century. There were also brilliant theorists in the natural sciences, astronomy, chemistry and geography.
This intellectual heritage does not just belong to an ancient civilization; it continues to inspire our modern world. By paying tribute to Arab heritage, we are also recognizing this tradition of knowledge and curiosity that has helped enlighten all of humanity.
This bill sends a clear message to present and future generations that their identity is not a burden, but a strength. It acknowledges that a country’s wealth is not measured solely by its natural resources or its GDP, but also by its ability to include, appreciate and celebrate all its different facets.
In a world riven by identity-based tensions, inward-looking nationalism and intolerant rhetoric, this bill reminds us that real action is needed to build bridges. The official recognition of Arab Heritage Month is a gesture of education and unity. It is also a way to bolster Canada’s position on the world stage. A country capable of celebrating its cultures is also a country capable of forging trade, diplomatic and human connections with the entire world.
Of course, I can’t deny that this bill reminds me of my own story. I’m grateful to have grown up in Arab countries. Although I was born to a Jewish mother and a German Catholic father, and baptised a Catholic, I experienced the peaceful coexistence of communities. I’ve never forgotten my roots, my mother tongue, the sweet memories of my childhood, the heat of the sun, the vastness of the desert or the values my mother taught me, like hospitality, respect for my elders and the pursuit of excellence. These seeds found fertile ground to grow in Canada.
In fact, it was an object derived from Arab know-how, the exfoliating glove of the hammam, that marked the starting point of my entrepreneurial journey. By adapting the glove to the North American market, I turned my roots into a springboard. Yet this “renaissance” glove was more than a product: It became a bridge between two worlds — the Arab world and the Quebec world — between the traditional and the modern. It embodied a living dialogue between two cultures that were learning to mutually understand and enrich each other. My story is just one example among many, but it’s representative of what can happen when Arab heritage and Canadian dynamism combine to create a blend of traditions and innovations, of memories and a future yet to unfold.
Why is such a month necessary? It is because it is not enough to say that diversity is a source of wealth. It must be showcased, explained and shared.
Arab Heritage Month should not be some quaint observance. It is more than just a celebration. It is about informing and sharing. It is about using this time to raise awareness of the history, values and contributions of the Arab community.
It is also forging links between generations, between regions and between communities.
At a time when racist sentiments and verbal abuse and physical violence are resurfacing, it is essential that our institutions send a clear message: The Senate, which has a duty to represent minorities as well, would do well to pass this bill. We would be sending a powerful message, that of a Canada true to its vocation as an open and tolerant society, a Canada where each culture enriches the other, where every citizen, regardless of origin, has a place and a role to play.
Colleagues, I also invite you to support this bill to make Arab Heritage Month a reality, a tradition, and another milestone in our country’s inclusive and ambitious history. Thank you.
Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.