Engaging Diversity: Voices of Canadian Muslim Women

Qamer Hameed

Turn on the TV, read the paper or even surf an internet news site and you are bound to bump into the “controversial” Muslim practice of veiling. Whether it is a report on yet another ban of the burka, Muslim girls thrown out of school for covering their hair, or even being banned from public services and sports for donning the traditional headscarf; it seems as though governments and organizations of the modern world have audaciously deemed the practice of Muslim veiling as un-Western, backward and a threat to society.

In effort to interrupt such noise, the voices of these women were finally heard when several Muslim-community based organizations came together to host a forum for dialogue. On May 6, 2010 a public gathering was held, attracting over 150 people to the Winnipeg Millennium Library. Therein, several Muslim women presented the audience with their experiences, thoughts and engagements with the hijab. The stories varied from woman to woman, experience to experience. They were passionate, unexpected and most of all gave people a chance to hear voices of these women rather, than voices about them (though not all of these presenters were veiled). Following the presentations, the audience broke into several smaller groups to begin much awaited dialogues.

In the smaller discussion groups attendees brought up questions, indulged in conversation and even expressed their own contesting perspectives. In attendance were government officials and employees, police department workers, educators, neighbours and many other members of Winnipeg’s community. In these group discussions people brought nuanced insights that were engaged therefore allowing horizons to broaden on all sides of the conversation. As a participant, I learned a great deal about the discourse from varying perspectives, but also about the persecution, troubles and challenges of other groups of Canada’s past and present.

The experience was truly engaging, dynamic and eye-opening. I was enlightened on media tactics of the past, and how very little change has been implemented in today’s modern media machine. Pictures speak louder than words, and despite the vast educational potential in Canada, many still relate pictures (like those of the headscarf) to global events and catastrophes- related or not, simply because the media tells us so.

We are so used to talking about diversity and being proud Canadians that we forget what diversity really looks like: it is about people and voices. The thing to consider when examining human affairs is that there are many stories on the same issues, many experiences, and many avenues to explore. There is not one single narrative of Muslim women in Canada- there are thousands. The multitude of voices must be heard and not merely critiqued as one homogenous whole. By filtering all the voices down to one stereotyped story of oppression or threat that supports what we already want to believe we are losing perspective of reality. It is imperative to understand the variety that exists in practices of conscience. This is the true meaning of diversity.

Qamer Hameed is pursuing a Masters in Religious Studies with focus on Religion and Culture in Canada. She is also the Coordinator of Education at the Islamic Social Services Association and a consultant and Board Member for several community based organizations in Manitoba.

What a beautiful day… What a beautiful South Africa...

Photo courtesy of Shine2010
 www.shine2010.co.za

I had the pleasure of watching the opening ceremonies of the World Cup in South Africa. What I witnessed with hundreds of millions of soccer/football fans throughout the world was truly inspirational. It was a beautiful way to start the day. It was a beautiful way to start the games. It was a beautiful way to get to know more about South Africa and its people.
As I watched with awe and joy the unfolding of the different acts that comprised these wonderful opening ceremonies, I was overcome with joy and host of emotions. As the ceremonies progressed, my mind was drawn to just a few months ago when Canadians and our brothers and sisters throughout the World celebrated the opening of the 2010 Winter Olympics. I could not help but recognize the many similarities between the two events and the two nations.

The themes of honouring and embracing our indigenous peoples, the celebration of our human diversity, the need for unity and the hope for a better, more peaceful, and just future for all were ones that illuminated both events. As South Africa celebrated this very important and special event, the beauty of its people was displayed in wonderful colour for all to see. South Africans of every shade and description, all brightly adorned, joyously danced, sang, and honked along with their guests from around the World. The sight of Desmond Tutu joyously dancing to the music and loving every minute of the event made me smile from ear to ear.


Today and on other days where I have watched special programs in the lead up to the games, I have been reminded of something else that we share with South Africa that is the importance of shedding our colonial past and the importance of truth and reconciliation in forging a new and inclusive national sense of identity. Canadians should be inspired by how South Africa’s truth and reconciliation process has been liberating for all. I only hope that Canadians of all backgrounds and origins will participate and embrace our own truth and reconciliation process and national events, the first of which is being launched this week in Winnipeg.


One of the songs and themes of the opening celebrations in South Africa was the welcoming of brothers and sisters from around the world back home to Africa. For those of us that couldn’t make the trip here in Manitoba and Canada, let us return home to Africa via the magic of television and the internet. Let’s make this one of the most watched events in Canada, just as we did a few short months ago when the Winter Olympics were held here in Canada and we were collectively obsessed and mesmerized by those games.

And let us in the midst of all the watching, cheering, celebrating, and crying (when our favourite team wins or loses), remember to reach out to our brothers and sisters here in Canada, of all origins, and take a moment to smile and share with them our hope for freedom for all children and a more peaceful and just world for all.

“When I get older, they’ll call me freedom
Just like a Waving Flag.”


By Tony Tavares, Winnipeg