The month of October is Islamic Heritage Month in Canada.
Established by the Canadian Government in 2007, Islamic Heritage Month provides an opportunity to learn and honour the rich history of Islam, and contributions of Muslims in Canada. It is important to recognize the diversity that exists within the faith of Islam, and the folks who practice it including the multitude of people, stories, and cultures that have shaped, and continue to shape Canada.
This Islamic Heritage Month, we honour and celebrate the significant contributions made by Muslims within the University of Waterloo community, and beyond.
We encourage University of Waterloo students, faculty and staff to take time to explore this non-exhaustive list of the many events, supports, resources, communities, and educational tools:
Upcoming Virtual Events
ONLINE: EQ301 Understanding Islamophobia: Root causes, Impact and Action
Wednesday, September 29, 2021, 10:00 am-12:00 pm EDT
The training is the first part of a two-part training series for those looking for an introductory-intermediate overview of Muslim practices, to understand implicit biases associated with Islam and Muslims, to develop a foundational understanding of Islamophobia and to develop a nuanced framework to counter it. Please Note: This is a two-part workshop (Part 1 on September 29, and Part 2 on October 6). By registering you are registering for both sessions. This event is sold out.
ONLINE: EQ301 Understanding Islamophobia: Root causes, Impact and Action
Wednesday, October 06, 2021, 10:00 am-12:00 pm EDT
The training is the second part of a two-part training for those looking for an introductory-intermediate overview of Muslim practices, to understand implicit biases associated with Islam and Muslims, to develop a foundational understanding of Islamophobia and to develop a nuanced framework to counter it. Please Note: This is a two-part workshop (Part 1 on September 29, and Part 2 on October 6). Learn more and register for Understanding Islamophobia. This event is sold out.
Author Event with Uzma Jalaluddin
Wednesday, October 06, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm EDT
Celebrate Islamic Heritage Month with Waterloo Public Library, in partnership with the Coalition of Muslim Women. “Meet best-selling Canadian author Uzma Jalaluddin as she talks about her latest book, Hana Khan Carries On. This Muslim edit of "You’ve Got Mail" has recently been optioned by Amazon Studios to be produced into a feature film by none other than Mindy Kaling. This sparkling rom-com set in Toronto is about two competing Halal restaurants.” Learn more and register for this event with author, Uzma Jalaluddin.
Lunch and Learn for Islamic Heritage Month
Friday, October 22, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EDT
Celebrate Islamic Heritage Month with Waterloo Public Library and the Coalition of Muslim Women. Join Canadian Islamic historian Hassam Munir for an informative ‘Lunch and Learn’ event as he talks about the history of Muslims in Canada. Learn more and register for this mid-day event with the Coalition of Muslim Women.
Learning
The Long and Forgotten History of Muslims in Canada
“Many people believe the first Muslim people came to Canada in the 1950s, but this is not true. The community’s real history in this country actually begins 150 years ago.” Read this article to learn about the early and ongoing history of Muslim migration to Canada.
Beyond the Bulletin Podcast
During the summer 2021, an episode of the Beyond the Bulletin podcast, interviewed Amir Al-Azraki, the coordinator of Studies in Islamic and Arab cultures and professor of Arabic language, literature and culture at Renison University College. In this podcast, Professor Al-Azraki discusses Islamophobia after a motorist hit and killed several members of a Muslim family. The interview with Professor Al-Azraki begins at about the 9 minute mark in the podcast.
University of Waterloo Resources
BIPOC Graduate Student Collective
The BIPOC Graduate Student Collective is a virtual space that aims to center the academic and social experience and needs of Black, Indigenous, People of Colour Graduate Students through various supports.
Campus Wellness
Visit Campus Wellness for counselling services and resources.
Employee Assistance Program
As part of the Employee Assistance Program, University of Waterloo employees and their dependent family members have a range of health and wellness services under the Employee and Family Assistance Program, including short-term, confidential counselling.
Racial Advocacy for Inclusion, Solidarity, and Equity (RAISE)
RAISE is a student-led WUSA service that serves to address racism and xenophobia on campus with initiatives reflective of their three pillars of Education and Advocacy, Peer-to-Peer Support, and Community Building.
Thaqalayn Muslim Association (TMA)
The Thaqalayn Muslim Association works to cater to the needs of Shia Ithna Asheri Muslim post-secondary students at the University of Waterloo, and the surrounding region, while representing their collective voices and pursuing their ideals.
University of Waterloo Muslim Students’ Association
The Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) seeks to create a community that is open and dynamic and caters to the best interests of all Muslims on campus.
QTPOC KW
QTPOC KW hosts monthly events for people who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC with the goal of building and nurturing a more resilient community.
Muslim Chaplains on Campus
Community Building
Canadian Council of Muslim Women
The Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) is an organization dedicated to the empowerment, equality and equity of all Muslim women in Canada.
Coalition of Muslim Women Kitchener-Waterloo
The Coalition of Muslim Women KW (CMW) is a non-profit organization that works to empower Muslim women and girls to be leaders and change makers.
Muslim Association of Canada
The Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) is a Canadian charitable organization and a grassroots social movement that focuses on serving Canadians by educating and motivating Muslims to put their faith into action for the benefit of everyone.
MAC Waterloo
MAC Waterloo is a local chapter of the Muslim Association of Canada.
Muslim Services in Kitchener-Waterloo
This resource provides a list of various Muslim services in Kitchener-Waterloo, including education, media, social services, groups and organizations, and more.
Muslim Social Services Kitchener-Waterloo
Muslim Social Services Kitchener-Waterloo is a charitable organization that provides culturally and spiritually sensitive humanitarian and social services to the Muslim and non-Muslim communities of the Waterloo Region.
Muslim Society of Guelph
The Muslim Society of Guelph (MSOG) is a faith-based organization committed to spreading positivity, knowledge and the message of Islam.
Muslim Women of Cambridge
Muslim Women of Cambridge (MWC) works to bridge the gap between the Muslim community and the larger community by fostering open communication to better understand each other’s values and beliefs.
National Council of Canadian Muslims
The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) is an independent, non-partisan and non-profit organization that protects Canadian human rights and civil liberties, challenges discrimination and Islamophobia, builds mutual understanding, and advocates for the public concerns of Canadian Muslims.
Project Up for Young Black Muslim Womxn
Project UP is a grassroots initiative in Waterloo that supports young Black-Muslim womxn an girls to unleash their potential through community-building, resource-sharing and skills development.
Salaam Canada
Salaam Canada is a volunteer-run national organization dedicated to creating space for people who identify as both Muslim and queer and/or trans.
Other Resources & Supports
Community Justice Initiatives – Sulah
Community Justice Initiatives partnered with the Coalition of Muslim Women KW to offer restorative approaches in situations of Islamophobia, racism and/or Xenophobia. Sulah uses restorative processes to bring folks together to build understanding, repair harm, restore relationships and/or foster accountability.
Healing in Colour
Healing in Colour provides a directory of BIPOC therapists across Canada, to help BIPOC find a therapist who understands their lived experiences.
Islam Therapists in Ontario
This online directory provides information to locate a therapist in Ontario that practices Islam. Additionally, there is the option to browse by region and city.
Naseeha
Naseeha is a mental health hotline that is catered to Muslims. Every day, they answer calls internationally from Muslims, and non-Muslims.
Reporting Hate
This previous April, the Coalition of Muslim Women KW launched a system where folks can report local hate incidents for them to be documented. The website reportinghate.ca is a space to report and document incidents of hate and discrimination motivated by Islamophobia, Racism, and/or Xenophobia within the Waterloo Region and surrounding areas.