Muslim Women's Forum Winnipeg 2025 (at Canadian Museum for Human Rights)

The Muslim Women's Forum envisions a world where Muslim women are empowered to lead, inspire, and thrive in every sphere of society. By fostering resilience, amplifying voices, and nurturing leadership, we aim to create inclusive spaces that celebrate the contributions and address the unique challenges faced by Muslim women.

Our mission is to provide a vital platform for dialogue, education, and advocacy. Through meaningful conversations and actionable initiatives.

Forum Goals:

• ⁠Address the impacts of Islamophobia on Muslim women in both online and real-world settings.
• ⁠Promote mental health awareness and provide resources to support emotional and psychological well-being.
• ⁠Build leadership capacity within Muslim women to enable them to take active roles in their communities and beyond.
• Advocate for safety, equality, and justice in all aspects of life.

The Need:

Muslim women in Canada face unique challenges, including the pervasive impacts of Islamophobia, societal misconceptions, and barriers to leadership opportunities. These challenges are compounded by the growing prevalence of online hate and real-world safety concerns. Mental health remains a critical area requiring attention, as systemic inequities and cultural stigmas often limit access to support systems.

This forum addresses these pressing needs by creating a space for Muslim women to:

•⁠ ⁠Share experiences and strategies for overcoming adversity.

•⁠ ⁠⁠Build networks of support and solidarity.

•⁠ ⁠⁠Access resources and tools for personal and professional development.

•⁠ ⁠⁠Champion positive change through collective action.

Event Details:

The Muslim Women Courage & Leadership in Manitoba Conference is a landmark event dedicated to celebrating and empowering Muslim women leaders in our community. The conference will provide a platform for meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and the sharing of strategies to address the challenges of Islamophobia in our communities.

Bringing together community leaders, advocates, professionals from diverse fields, and grassroots organizers, the event will highlight the courage, resilience, and leadership of Muslim women across Manitoba. It will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, and interactive conversations designed to inspire action, create a roadmap for addressing discrimination, and amplify the voices of Muslim women leaders.

Our goal is to build a stronger, more inclusive community through shared experiences and practical solutions, empowering cross-community collaboration that endorses anti-racism and anti-Islamophobia measures across the province.

We look forward to engaging with all attendees and working together to pave the way for a more equitable and friendlier Manitoba.

Join us for an impactful afternoon of discussion and empowerment as we bring together thought leaders and change-makers dedicated to advancing the rights and well-being of Muslim women. Together, we will explore pathways to resilience, leadership, and community strength.

** Dinner will be provided**

•⁠ ⁠Date: Sunday, February 2, 2025

•⁠ ⁠Time: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

•⁠ ⁠Location: MTS Classroom - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB

•⁠ ⁠RSVP: Eventbrite

Guest Speakers:

Welcoming Remarks:

• Isha Khan — CEO, Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Muslim Women in Politics: Representation, Challenges, and Advocacy

• Amira Elghawaby — Canada's Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia
• Nellie Kennedy - Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, MLA for Assiniboia
• Sadaf Ahmed - NCCM Manitoba Advocacy Officer

Islamophobia in Canadian Classrooms

• Eve Sotiriadou — Researcher & Executive Director, Canadian Muslim Women's Institute
• Aadila Ahmed - Educator & Community Advocate

Hate Crimes & Systemic Islamophobia

• Aisha Awan - RCMP Officer
• Tanweer Ebrahim — Founder, NISA Helpline and NISA Foundation. Representing both the Foundation for a Pathway Forward and Justice for All Canada

Community Resilience & Mental Health

• Dr. Natasha M. Ali, C. Psych., Psychologist, Chair of MIA's Mental Health Committee
• Sophia Ali - Social Worker & Executive Director of the Manitoba Alliance of Health Regulatory Colleges

Muslim Women Resilience & Community Advocacy

• Tasneem Vali - Community Volunteer
• Ruheen Aziz - First Vice-chair of the Manitoba Islamic Association

Arts as Resistence: Empowering Muslim Women

• Nilufer Rahman - Artist & Filmmaker

Closing Panel Conversation

We look forward to your participation in this transformative event. Your voice and insights are invaluable to building a future where Muslim women’s leadership and contributions are fully recognized and celebrated.