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.