U of W panel aims to ‘debunk the myths about Islamophobia’
University of Windsor’s student Admira Konjic has experienced first-hand prejudice against Muslim people. Konjic, who is from Bosnia, used to wear a head scarf but five months ago made the tough decision to remove it.
“When I wore the scarf I saw first-hand the prejudice,” she said. “I could see it in how other students and professors would treat me. I felt very uncomfortable and felt like I was targeted when they were speaking to me.”
She said social media doesn’t make it any easier for Muslims because they all tend to be painted with the same brush and singled out as “the enemy.”
The biggest problem she said is that people don’t ask questions, they just assume.
“This is a dominant issue on our campus and we are trying to find ways to combat it,” Konjic said. “There have been issues with professors that have prejudice against women who wear a head scarf and people that have the Muslim faith.”
A vice-president of Student Advocacy, Konjic organized U Windsor Against Islamophobia Monday at the CAW Student Centre to open the topic up to students. There was a panel comprised of professors and students ready to tackle questions.
“We really just want to open up the questions to help debunk the myths about Islamophobia and what it really means,” said Konjic, 21. “Islamophobia is a fear of Muslims. It’s similar to racism. We are just debunking why people are afraid of Muslims, why Muslims are targeted and why they are attacked.”
University of Windsor graduate and social justice activist Mohamed Al-Moayad agrees. Over the years he said he has dealt with the constant issues of Islamophobia and racism on the campus.
“It’s amazing how subtle or hidden Islamophobia or racism can be,” the 25-year-old Al-Moayad said. “A lot of people don’t recognize it and a lot of times they just (think) it’s the political opinion someone is trying to push aggressively. A lot of times it’s just hidden under the surface.”
He said it often erupts around Middle East political issues. For example anti-war activism might be framed in a way that that “these Muslims are unreasonable, uncivilized and they have no idea how it works in Canada.”
“When I was elected into the student union, a large amount of Muslims were elected at the same time,” he said. “The racial tension was huge. People were saying why is there suddenly all these Arabs and Muslims on here. What’s their agenda? You could just feel it all the time.”
Al-Moayad said he’s not surprised racism still exists because it’s always existed — it’s just been hidden.
“Now it’s just coming to the surface,” he said. “In the past, you felt like people were just Islamophobic and racist in general but they were ashamed because it was taboo. But now people are more confident about being open about their racism. So we’ll see it more.”