Jan. 23, 2025
UCalgary experts present educational insights against Islamophobia
On Jan. 29, 2017, a gunman opened fire on worshippers in the Quebec City Mosque, killing six men and injuring several people. This event is a reminder of the harsh reality experienced by many Muslim Canadians and sparked a nationwide call to concrete action against Islamophobia.
“Combating racism on campus requires everyone’s involvement to build collective capacity for true dialogue and understanding across differences and solidarity with all historically underrepresented groups,” says Dr. Sandra Davidson, provost and vice-president (academic) at the University of Calgary.
“I hope that everyone in the campus community will take the time to learn about ways to prevent Islamophobia and understand their mutual obligations to maintain a safe and respectful campus environment free from discrimination, misconceptions, and stereotyping. Our goal is to create a campus where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential, educationally, professionally and personally,” Davidson states.
To mark the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia, the Office of Institutional Commitments (OIC) is hosting workshops for students, faculty, and staff offered by the Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW).
The faculty and staff workshop features Werklund School of Education professor Dr. Rahat Zaidi, recipient of the 2024-2025 Mobility Chair in Bilingual Studies at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Zaidi is also the author of Anti-Islamophobic Curriculums (2017), which highlights education as a “powerful means towards achieving the vision of a multicultural society capable of living, working, and playing in harmony.” This workshop focuses on the nature of phobias, and how to counter them in workplaces and educational institutions.
The student workshop features Siraaj Shah, president of the Muslim Student Association (MSA), member of the UCalgary Board of Governors, and former SU Faculty of Arts Representative. Shah will speak about the long history of Islamophobia globally and its harmful impacts on the students’ experience.
Dr. Aamir Jamal and youth at the symposium on Muslim Youth Identity and Well-Being.
Aamir Jamal
Dr. Aamir Jamal, PhD, associate professor in the Faculty of Social Work, researches the identity construction of Canadian Muslim Youth and the effects of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim racism on mental well-being. This research with Muslim youth culminated in a symposium on Muslim Youth Identity and Well-Being in November 2024.
Jamal says that supporting Muslim friends and colleagues on this national day of remembrance requires both systemic educational efforts and personal acts of kindness. He reminds us of the power of simple gestures — “being present, offering an ethical space for difficult conversations and a kind hug, and showing genuine care — proving that, as Canadians, we stand united against Islamophobia.”
Zaidi emphasizes the importance of building bridges and breaking down silos that multiculturalism can create within mainstream society.
“The National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia serves as a powerful reminder of why this work needs to be approached urgently, effectively, and inclusively,” Zaid explains. “This work starts in schools but must extend to post-secondary institutions and community organizations to create meaningful change. By bringing young people from diverse backgrounds together and focusing on shared values and commonalities rather than differences, we can foster mutual understanding while recognizing identity as an essential and empowering construct in shaping who we are and how we relate to one another.”
UCalgary is committed to raising awareness and building collective capacity to stand against all forms of racism to protect underrepresented and marginalized faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Resources are available to support people impacted by the trauma of this event.
To sign up for the faculty and staff session, visit here; for the student session, visit here.
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