Student AffairsFrom QUMSA: On March 13th, the Queen’s Muslim University Muslim Association (QUMSA) collaborated with Guelph University’s and University of Toronto’s Muslim Student Associations to host the event “Islamophobia: The Islamic, Social and Political Perspectives”. Through this event, we raised awareness about Islamophobia and the political issues Muslims are facing today as well as showed our support for the Uyghur Muslims through various petition campaigns. The panellists for this event were Jasmine Zine, a professor of Sociology and Muslim Studies at Laurier University and Sikander Hashim, an Islamic advisor for the National Council of Canadian Muslims. Professor Zine highlighted recent instances in Canada to exemplify Islamophobia such as the Quebec Mosque Shooting, the niqab ban, the Uyghur Muslims as well as some of her own studies related to Islamophobia. Imam Sikander spoke about how we, as Muslims, should remember our deen (religion) and its teachings when faced with Islamophobia. The teachings being first and foremost to spread kindness and peace. All in all, the panellists did a wonderful job and the event provided well-rounded insight into Islamophobia as well as its various aspects and what students can do on a spiritual, societal, and political level. Currently, QUMSA has a put out a petition to encourage Queen’s University to divest from companies committing genocidal acts against the Uyghur minority group in China. More information about this issue can be found in the petition.
We are grateful to have held the event and insha’Allah (God willing) hope to hold many more soon to continue raising awareness and encouraging student action. Visit QUMSA's website for more updates.