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Laurier celebrates Islamic Heritage Month with virtual public events

Laurier celebrates Islamic Heritage Month with virtual public events

Oct. 4, 2021

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October is Islamic Heritage Month in the Province of Ontario. Proclaimed in 2007, Islamic Heritage Month honours the experiences and contributions of the Muslim community.

Wilfrid Laurier University invites students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to participate in a series of educational and engaging Islamic Heritage Month events. Events will be held virtually and are open to the public unless otherwise stated.

Instagram Stories: Muslim at Laurier

Throughout October

Several Laurier Instagram accounts will share Muslim at Laurier, a series of videos that aim to educate about, celebrate and share the diversity of the Muslim community at Laurier. The series will also highlight the many contributions of Muslim peoples on Laurier’s campuses and within the community.

View the series on the following Instagram accounts:

Instagram Takeover

Oct. 5, All Day

Tune into the stories feature on Laurier’s Instagram account as staff and students from Laurier’s Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion share supports, resources and opportunities for Muslim students and allies at Laurier.

Lecture: Misconceptions about Islam

Oct. 7, 6 to 7 p.m., Zoom

Join Amjad Qourshah, resident scholar at the Dar Foundation in Oakville, Ont., for an online discussion about misconceptions about Islam and how to address them. The lecture is organized by the Muslim Students’ Associations at Laurier’s Brantford and Waterloo campuses and is open to everyone.

Workshop: Understanding and Dismantling Islamophobia in Classroom and Research Settings

Oct. 14, 2 p.m. Zoom

This one-hour workshop will address the history of Muslim communities in Canada, define Islamophobia and its existence in higher education and research settings, and offer concrete strategies to address and dismantle Islamophobia in academia. A recording of the workshop will be available after the session.

The workshop is presented by Humera Javed, education and inclusion coordinator (Waterloo), Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; Nazra Ranmall, equity and accessibility specialist, Human Resources; Selda Sezen, adjunct faculty, Martin Luther University College; and Heena Mistry, equity, diversity, and inclusion training specialist, Office of the Provost and Vice-President: Academic.

Laurier faculty, staff, students and community members are invited to attend.

Supports and Resources for Laurier Students, Faculty and Staff

Muslim Students’ Associations

Laurier’s Muslim Student Associations are student-run organizations within Laurier’s Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. The associations strive to create a safe space for Muslim students and non-Muslim allies at the Brantford and Waterloo campuses. Students are invited to gather and strengthen relationships based upon faith, mutual interests and to foster inclusivity at Laurier.

Muslim Students’ Association: Waterloo campus

The Muslim Students’ Association at Laurier’s Waterloo campus has supported Muslim students for more than 20 years. During the academic year, the association holds social and educational events for students, often in collaboration with other student-run groups on campus and in the community. Follow the Waterloo campus Muslim Students’ Association on Instagram for event information and ways to get involved.

Muslim Students’ Association: Brantford campus

The Muslim Students’ Association at Laurier’s Brantford campus was founded in 2016 by students with support from Laurier instructor Chad Hillier and Shaikh Abu Noman Tarek, an Imam and educator at the Brantford Mosque. Like their peers at the Waterloo campus, Laurier’s Brantford campus Muslim Students’ Association hosts events throughout the academic year, including coffee houses, Eid celebrations and weekly meetings. Follow the Brantford campus Muslim Students’ Association on Instagram for event information and ways to get involved.

Meet Laurier’s Muslim Chaplain Selda Sezen

Selda Sezen is Laurier’s Muslim chaplain and a member of the university's multi-faith resource team. In her role, Sezen assists Laurier students, staff and faculty in their explorations, discussions and research of theological issues. Sezen is also an adjunct faculty member at Martin Luther University College and organizes discussion circles for Muslim students and women on campus.

Muslim Studies Option

Laurier students interested in learning more about Islam can enrol in the Muslim Studies option offered through the Department of Religion and Culture. Students pursuing the option engage with textual sources and interpretive traditions of Islam, as well as the social and historical context of Muslim experiences. A minimum of four (4.0) credits are required to obtain the option.

Multi-Faith Prayer and Quiet Spaces

Laurier’s multi-faith prayer spaces are dedicated quiet areas for prayer, meditation and community. The spaces include ablution/washing stations, prayer mats, chairs, meditation pillows, spiritual texts and other resources. A Laurier OneCard is required for access.

Multi-faith prayer space locations:

  • Peters Building, Room 101, Waterloo campus
  • Bricker Academic Building, Room 103, Waterloo campus
  • Carnegie Building, Room 105, Brantford campus
  • Faculty of Social Work Building, Room 321, Kitchener campus

Anti-Islamophobia Resources for Faculty and Staff

Faculty and staff can access an anti-racism resource tool kit on Laurier Connect. The tool kit contains suggested books, podcasts, films and reports that address multiple forms of racism, including Islamophobia.

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