Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for anti-racism initiatives, has released the following statement in celebration of Hindu Heritage Month:

“This November, we are proud and excited to celebrate the first Hindu Heritage Month in British Columbia. This is a historic milestone and a meaningful opportunity to honour the vibrant traditions, rich history and enduring contributions of Hindu communities throughout our province.

“Hinduism, one of the world’s oldest religions and the third-largest globally, has deep roots in Canada. The first Hindu immigrants arrived in the early 20th century, and today, more than 80,000 Hindus call B.C. home. Their contributions have helped shape our province, enriched our communities and added to the cultural mosaic that defines British Columbia.

“While we celebrate, we also recognize that discrimination and racism continue to affect many communities, including those of Hindu faith. Acts of vandalism against temples, prejudice toward religious garments and symbols, and hateful rhetoric are unacceptable. Our government remains committed to eliminating all forms of racism through initiatives such as the Racist Incident Helpline, the annual multiculturalism and anti-racism grants, and the historic Anti-Racism Act.

“Happy Hindu Heritage Month and congratulations to all who made this inaugural celebration possible.”