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Laurier celebrates Islamic Heritage Month with public events

Laurier celebrates Islamic Heritage Month with public events

Oct. 3, 2022

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October is Islamic Heritage Month in 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 in person and are open to all members of the Laurier community unless otherwise stated.

Instagram Campaign: Did You Know?

Throughout October, the following Laurier Instagram accounts will share information about the contributions of Muslims to health, wellness, social peace and societal harmony.

Instagram Takeover

Oct. 3, noon to 4 p.m.

Tune into the stories feature on Laurier’s Instagram account as Laurier’s Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion shares supports, resources and programming for Islamic Heritage Month.

Soup-er Soup Lunches

Oct. 7 and 21, noon to 1 p.m., Grace area, Martin Luther University College. Open to all.

Join Selda Sezen, Laurier’s Muslim chaplain and adjunct faculty member at Martin Luther University College, in conversations about the contributions of Muslims to modern society, the history of Islam and the growth of the religion -- all over a bowl of soup. 

Understanding and Dismantling Islamophobia as Students Leaders

Oct. 18, 3 to 4 p.m., Zoom. Register. Open to Laurier students only.

This workshop begins with a brief history of Muslim communities in Canada, defines Islamophobia and how it takes shape in higher education, and offers concrete strategies for addressing and dismantling Islamophobia for student leaders at Laurier.

The workshop is presented by Humera Javed, equity case worker and support coordinator, Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management; Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; Selda Sezen, Muslim chaplain at Laurier and adjunct faculty, Martin Luther University College; and Lauren Burrows, manager, Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Muslim Beauty, Body Autonomy and Empowerment

Oct. 19, 5 p.m., Brantford campus. Register; Oct. 20, 2 p.m., Waterloo campus. Register. Open to Laurier students only.

This workshop will address various issues related to beauty, body autonomy and Islam. Topics covered include women in Islam: facts and fiction, challenging stereotypes, the function of the hijab, and Muslim women in the spotlight.

The workshop will be presented by Amilah Baksh (MSW, RSW), an Indo-Caribbean Muslim woman, student, educator, consultant and social justice activist. Baksh is a registered social worker with more than 10 years of experience working in the social services sector.  

The event is hosted by the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. The location of the event will be shared upon registration.

Isolated Incident and Under Siege: [En]-counters with Islamophobia

Oct. 24, 7 p.m., Zoom. Register. Open to the public.

Join Laurier faculty members Mariam Pirbhai and Jasmin Zine for a dialogue about Islamophobia. Both authors recently published books addressing the issue: Isolated Incident by Pirbhai and Under Siege: Islamophobia and the 9/11 Generation by Zine. The virtual event will open with a spoken word performance by poet Fareh Malik.

Ebru: The Art of Marbling with Selda Sezen

Oct. 26, 1 p.m., Waterloo campus. Register. Oct. 28, noon, Brantford campus. Register.

Join Selda Sezen, Laurier's Muslim chaplain, for an introduction to ebru art. Ebru is a distinctive genre of water-based art used to create colourful, marbled effects. Ebru is known as a mindful art that promotes inner peace and improves attention span through its meditative techniques.

The workshop is hosted by Laurier’s Muslim chaplain and the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. The location of the event will be shared upon registration.

SUPPORTS AND RESOURCES FOR LAURIER STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF

Understanding and Dismantling Islamophobia in Classroom and Research Settings

View on Microsoft Stream. Open to faculty and staff only.

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, equity case worker and support coordinator (Waterloo), Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management; Nazra Ranmall, equity and accessibility specialist, Human Resources; Selda Sezen, Muslim chaplain at Laurier and adjunct faculty, Martin Luther University College; and Heena Mistry, manager of equity, diversity and inclusion planning and strategic initiatives, Office of the Provost and Vice-President: Academic.

Muslim Students’ Associations

Laurier’s Muslim Students’ 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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