Talking to Hamid and Anne Butt about diversity in the Central Okanagan, two things are immediately apparent: They are fiercely proud to be Canadians, and they are devoted Muslims, seeking to live by the tenets of their faith.
“The revelations of the Qur’an is to live your beliefs and let others choose theirs,” Hamid tells me when I meet him and Anne in their home in West Kelowna.
I first met the Butts several months ago at a community meeting for the Respect Network.
We were seeking feedback from organizations and groups on diversity and tolerance in the region.
The participants were clear—while the Central Okanagan is becoming more diverse (and with it, more open and accepting of differences), there is still work to be done.
A lack of knowledge or real understanding still hinders open dialogue and communication.
No matter where the differences stem from (culture, faith, sexual orientation, gender, mental health etc) long-held beliefs go unchallenged and stereotypes are normalized to the point of being perceived as real.
Leading up to March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we would like to share stories from our community that highlight the beauty and strength of the diversity in our region.
“That’s what we can do. Be open and share,” says Hamid.
“Have a conversation. Usually what I learn is that we have more in common than we have differences.”
“For me, judge Muslims on the basis of true Islam not Islam on the basis of Muslims’ behaviour that contradicts the teachings of Islam. Islam means peace.”
Hamid is reacting to the perception that extremists are seen to be representative of the whole faith and hopes that this stereotype can be changed.
Often Islam is identified as the cause of someone’s behaviour when in reality it is either political agendas that are being fulfilled or an individual’s illness that leads to such atrocities.
Coming from very different corners of the world—he from Pakistan, she from England—Hamid and Anne met in Fort McMurray and stayed there for 33 years, working and raising five kids together. In 2013, they retired to the Central Okanagan.
While the region they live in now is almost twice the size of the community they left behind, they are living in a far less culturally diverse area.
The Muslim community in Fort McMurray is about 10 per cent of the population, or 10,000 people.
In the Okanagan, there are between 400 to 500 Muslim families.
But when Anne wears her shalwar kumeez, a traditional Pakistani outfit, she feels far more conspicuous here than she did in Fort Mac.
Anne doesn’t always wear traditional dress and she doesn’t usually cover her hair, but she does dress modestly.
She is very much at ease in both western and eastern clothing, a strong and peaceful Muslim woman.
It is easy to assume she might have converted to Islam for her husband but this is not the case.
Anne was studying culture and religion at the University in Birmingham and became intrigued and encouraged by the openness of Islam.
“It was the one religion that allowed the broadest choices,” she says matter-of-factly. “And this appealed to me.”
“There is no compulsion in the religion,” adds Hamid.
“You cannot impose faith.”
While part of a smaller community based on their faith, the Butts have worked hard to connect with the larger community in a meaningful way and have created strong connections in their new hometown.
They are active with Masjid As-Salam, the local mosque, and both volunteer with local non-profit organizations (Hamid at the MS Society and Anne at the Alzheimer Society), believing that giving back to their community is an important part of their faith and of who they are.
Very open and respectful, they are as receptive to sharing knowledge as they are to learning from others, and are wonderful representatives of their faith.
Connect with them at kelownamasjid.com.
