Equity Talks: Unmasking Islamophobia’s nuances

Do you remember where you were and what you felt when you first heard about the Quebec mosque shooting? What about when you first heard of the killing of a Muslim family in London, Ontario? These were both blatant and extreme examples of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim racism that occurred in Canada. Some of us may also remember the microaggressions of anti-Muslim racism that we have felt in the grocery store, on the subway, and in our workplaces. Regardless of extremity, these instances of Islamophobia occur within a landscape of ongoing and systemic racism, enabled by societal and state actions of exclusion. Racial profiling of Muslims, efforts to control Muslim women’s clothing, and national security laws are some examples of how Islamophobia manifests at a systemic level.

Join us to unpack how Islamophobia and anti-Muslim racism manifest at individual and systemic levels. Dr. Shelina Kassam, a critical race theorist and Islamophobia scholar, will engage in a short conversation with Ahmer Khan, an activist and community builder. We will then invite the group to engage in an open discussion about their experiences, how they can be allies to Muslims and other marginalized groups, and the role we all can play in the pursuit of a more equitable world.

Dr. Shelina Kassam is a critical race scholar and sociologist whose research concentrates on Muslims in contemporary Western multicultural nation-states. Using postcolonial, feminist, and critical race analysis, she focuses especially on the Acceptable Muslim in media, public and political discourses, a figure who reanimates racialized boundaries of belonging. Since 2007, she has taught at the University of Toronto Mississauga (Division of Women and Gender Studies) and has taught courses such as Critical Race Theory, Representations of Muslims, Muslims and Multiculturalism and Women in Popular Culture.

Ahmer Khan is a Senior Stakeholders Relations expert. Currently at the City of London, he is the Muslim Community Liaison Advisor. Prior to this, he managed MPP Rima Berns-McGown’s constituency office for Beaches – East York where he consistently fought against racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia. He has held Advisor positions in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) with the Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration as well as with the Ministry of International Trade. Prior to joining the OPS, he was Chair of the Couchiching Conversations at the Couchiching Institute on Public Affairs. Born and raised in the GTA, he is an avid martial arts practitioner and cyclist. He is a proud husband and father.

Join us for an engaging and dynamic conversation about Islamophobia and anti-Muslim racism.