Niagara Muslim Panel Aims to Break Stereotypes
They are going to put a spotlight on what it’s like to be Muslim in Canada.
"I think fear can divide us,” said Elaine Anderson, the library’s public services co-ordinator. "we would like to provide an opportunity to break down that fear.”
The panel will consist of three women and three men. The women will talk about what it’s like being more identifiable by their hijabs.
The discussion starts at 7 p.m.
For Mustafa Khattab, imam at the St. Catharines mosque, the importance of having the discussion is to build bridges. He said there are only about 7,000 Muslims in the region, and they aren’t very visible. Not everyone has had an opportunity to meet a Muslim or has a Muslim friend, he said.
"In Niagara it’s more likely you don’t know a Muslim. All some people know about Muslims is what they see in the media, like Fox News,” Khattab said.
Anderson said social media plays a role in continuing stereotypes or perpetuating misinformation.
Anderson said Facebook can be a dangerous platform. She has seen things shared on Facebook that were inaccurate and she wants this to change.
Some people might not feel comfortable asking their Muslim co-workers or classmates questions. This event allows for a comfortable and neutral environment for people to ask those questions, she said.
"It’s important to understand where the other is coming from and celebrate our differences, while finding our commonalities,” she said.
Said Khattab, "Our differences shouldn’t get in the way of building a community … We can’t do this without learning about each other.”
The panel includes Khattab, Brock students Soumia Rahal and Janette Bramley, St. Catharines’ downtown development manager Samir Husika, Brock University Muslim student association club president Yageen Elhaj, and Abu-Isa Webb, chief editor of Geneva Street Press and founder of Siraj Publications.
Source: wellandtribune
