Harlem Poem

The following poem named “Harlem”, was written by Langston Hughes, a black poet - as an artistic cry of protest against racial injustice in US. In many ways, it applies to Muslims in the Western countries, including Canada:

What happens to a dream deferred?

      Does it dry up
      like a raisin in the sun?
      Or fester like a sore—
      And then run?
      Does it stink like rotten meat?
      Or crust and sugar over—
      like a syrupy sweet?

      Maybe it just sags
      like a heavy load.

      Or does it explode?

Speech by the Aga Khan on inauguration of the Aga Khan Garden, Alberta 16th October 2018

https://www.akdn.org/speech/sua-alteza-o-aga-khan/inauguration-aga-khan-garden-alberta

“I would also mention one additional aspect of the particular Garden we inaugurate today. It symbolises not only the creative blending of the Natural and the Human – but also the beauty of multiple inter-cultural cooperation.  

One of the great questions facing humanity today is how we can honour what is distinctive about our separate identities – and, at the same time, welcome a diversity of identities as positive elements in our lives.   

This city and this country have been among the world leaders in providing positive answers to that ancient question.  The project we inaugurate today is a beautiful extension of that Canadian tradition”

Speech by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau - London UK, November 26, 2015

https://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2015/11/26/diversity-canadas-strength

Snippet from the speech: “Canada has learned how to be strong not in spite of our differences, but because of them, and going forward, that capacity will be at the heart of both our success, and of what we offer the world.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion isn’t about Canadians being nice and polite—though of course we are. In fact, this commitment is a powerful and ambitious approach to making Canada, and the world, a better, and safer, place.”