Whistler Multicultural Society
Building Equitable Community
Whistler Multicultural Society's (WMS) vision is that newcomers and immigrants are resilient and are thriving. Our programs build cross-cultural interaction and connections, develop awareness and understanding of our local diversity, and seek to grow equity and inclusion. We aim to build the voice and profile of newcomers and immigrants in our local society, and to develop community inclusion initiatives.
April 2024.... multicultural events and dates to mark..
Vaisakhi ਵੈਸਾਖੀ
Vaisakhi, ਵੈਸਾਖੀ, the holiest day of the year in the Sikh faith, marks the first day of the month of Vaisakh and is celebrated annually on 13 April.
Vaisakhi is a spring harvest festival originating in the Punjab region of Northern India. On this day, the Sikh community celebrates both the arrival of spring and the creation of Sikhism as a collective faith in 1699.
To celebrate Vaisakhi, Sikhs visit places of worship (gurdwaras) and gather to pray and read from sacred texts. Many also participate in religious processions and parades called Nagar Kirtans. Participants wear colourful clothing, sing, dance, chant hymns and share food.
April is also Sikh Heritage Month in British Columbia.
Songkran วันสงกรานต์ on April 13 celebrates the Thai New Year. It's a time when people reunite with their families and pay their respects to older adults, ancestors and sacred Buddha images. Pouring water is a significant act during Songkran, symbolizing cleansing, reverence and good fortune. People go to temple to make merit and bathe Buddha's statue, then pour water on the hands of elders and ask for their blessings. During the Festival everyone enjoys water fights in the streets.
In April, at our Multicultural Community Kitchen, we'll be enjoying Thai food to honour this holiday. Learn more and sign up here.
Eid al-Fitr عـيـد الـفِــطر
Eid al-Fitr عـيـد الـفِــطر is a joyful event for Muslims all over the world marking the end of the Ramadan fasting period. Muslims celebrate the festival with feasts and happy wishes.
Muslims begin the festival by cleaning indoors, outdoors and by bathing and purifying their bodies before gathering for prayer in mosques, homes, or open grounds to praise Allah.
The festival (in 2024 expected to land on April 9) is a time for gathering with families, friends, and visiting relatives. People wear their finest clothes, visit loved ones, and share food with friends or neighbors. It is common to give gifts or small sums of money to children.
Working for newcomers, immigrants, and diversity across the Sea to Sky