100 Sisters on Security: Marginalization of Muslim Im/migrants

On January 29, 2017, six Muslims were killed and five injured in a shooting at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City by a lone gunman with a history of anti-Muslim views. Today is the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia, a day to honour the survivors of and the lives lost in the horrific attack in Sainte-Foy. With the individual responsible for the deaths of the Afzaal family also in the news for having been found guilty of first degree murder in November 2023, media focus seems to have turned once again to the unjustified wave of Islamophobia.

On this episode of 100 Sisters on Security, we are joined by Dr. Anila Zainub. Dr. Zainub completed her Bachelors of Arts in Sociology from York University, Masters of Science in Sociology from University of Texas-RGV, and a Ph.D. from the Department of Leadership, Higher & Adult Education at OISE, University of Toronto in 2023. Her areas of interest are Canadian high-skilled immigration and labor market, the effects of race and religion on Muslim integration in Canada, and Allama Mohammed Iqbal’s Anti-colonial philosophy. Her recent publication is the edited volume titled, Decolonization and Anti-colonial Praxis: Shared Lineages.

In this interview, Dr. Zainub speaks of her work in Muslim communities and the links she has explored between Muslim im/migrants and low-economic outcomes, as well as non-recognition of foreign credentials in the Canadian economy. With the anniversary on her mind, she expresses her thoughts on the meaning of Islamophobia:

"Islamophobia is the absence of security, inclusion and equity. It is the presence of fear. My research, building on previous studies, finds that it is a lived experience, meaning that it affects Muslims in all walks of their life and every aspect of their daily lives. It doesn't just affect them on a personal level, it affects them on the level of the community."

For Dr. Zainub, Islamophobia is systemic and ever-present in the lives of Muslims. In order to break down some of the misunderstandings and misconceptions around Islam that lead to fear, her work has explored Allama Muhammad Iqbal's revolutionary concept of khudi, the self, an empowering notion of transforming colonial oppression and adversity by decolonizing the mind to fight for sovereignty. As she explains:

"I decided to apply this indigenous concept, which is indigenous to India and Pakistan, rooted in Muslim historical and cultural traditions. I intended to then make connections across time and space, to essentially form bridges by applying the concept to present day issues that Muslim im/migrants face in their integration in Canada."

The interview continues with Dr. Zainub speaking specifically on the Quebec City Mosque Attack, recounting the emotional story of heroic survivor Aymen Derbali, as well as the toxicity and violence faced by Muslim women in the workplace. She speaks of the disconnect between Canadian laws and how they are applied and implemented. Finally, she provides her own thoughts and suggestions for creating safer and more equitable work and social environments for im/migrant Muslims in relation to their non-racialized counterparts.

"These are people who are resilient, who are ready to face so many obstacles and still persevere. They believe that this is their home, that Canada is their home. They're here and they're not going anywhere."

Watch the full episode to see Dr. Zainub's powerful and passionate interview as she describes her important work, her thoughts on inequities pertaining to Muslim im/migrants, the intersectionalities faced by Muslim women, and the systemic disconnect between Canadian policies and practices as it pertains to Islamophobia and hate crimes.