Our Stories

These stories are submissions by Muslims in Canada who responded to our call to action to share their story with us @CCMWnational on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Halima

It was only 15-20 yrs ago when my mom and I couldn't even walk out in the streets of Toronto peacefully in our burkas. Someone would have to call us terrorists, tell us to go back to our country or ask us why we're dressed like witches when it's not Halloween. We got cursed at, people would honk, flip us off or spit on the sidewalk as we passed.

That same Canada has grown so much and I'm immensely proud of the headway our community has made. I can't speak of every place but Scarborough Canada has finally progressed to celebrate it's diversity.

To everyone struggling with being accepted; stay kind, stay hopeful and most importantly, stay unapologetically true to yourself (as long as you are not doing anything harmful). This Earth belongs to you and you belong to it, let no one tell you otherwise. Accept your weaknesses and pursue growth with utmost humility, but never feel the need to change your true essence in order to be accepted. Stand steadfast and secure with the conviction that you too are a special creation of god. Compel the world to open its arms and embrace you. Victory to those who persevere with patience and prayer. #GodBless #AfterSeptember11 #Proudly

Mustafa Azraq

Hi my name is Mustafa Azraq. I am 25 years old and I'm a Canadian of Palestinian descent. I moved to Poland in 2016 for dental school because of the cheap tuition and the lack of competition. Most of my life I never experienced any discrimination. I think its because of my physical appearance. Most people don't acknowledge me as Arab when they see me. In Poland it's a very conservative place. The majority of the people I've met are very open and excited to meet someone from a different culture and religion. But there is also a larger older population that have lots of hatred for muslims. I learned this the first time I left the mesjid (which isn't really a mesjid) and a group of polish men were waiting around the Conner to jump the youth that went for jummah prayer. They believe we are in Poland to unify and cause terror amongst their people. The news has really brainwashed a lot of people. Their anger towards us is so strong. Once when I left the mesjid one man approached me and asked what I was doing here. I replied I was here to study. He began to tell me that I should leave and if he ever sees me again he will kill me. Of course I laughed because I refused to be intimidated by white bigots. I told him instead of wasting your time chasing boys who are praying to their God, spend your time giving back to your community you are so worried about. Take the time to learn about the people that cause you so much fear and anger you can't explain with any facts. Me and my friends are continually harrassed and attacked when going to the masjid but we stay strong and continue to go to jummah prayer.

Nawal Salim

My name is Nawal Salim and I am an actress that wears a hijab. In July of 2019, I took a class at one of the most notable acting schools in Toronto. On the first day, the instructor wanted to take a look at everyone's head shots and critique them. He took a look at mine and said, "I wouldn't wear a black hijab." I asked why and he responded, "Because their flag is black." He was referring to ISIS. He was saying that my black hijab made me look like I was a part of a terrorist group. I wore a black hijab because it matches my outfit. I also wore a bright red shirt. In no way did my picture imply terrorist. I felt powerless because I couldn't report the inappropriate comment to anyone. One, because it was his private school so there's no HR and two, because he is known for training talented actors and since I'm not successful yet, I felt nobody would believe my story or hold him accountable. I wasted hundreds of dollars, and hours of my time, only to feel disrespected.
 

Dr. Fatimah Jackson-Best

The research I did on Black Muslims in Canada showed that our communities experience both Islamophobia from people who aren't Muslim, and anti-Blackness from people who are Muslim but aren't Black. The experience of anti-Black Islamophobia is dehumanizing, and it ignores the fact that enslaved Black people were most likely the first Muslims to arrive in Canada 400 years ago. This is a part of our collective Islamic history.
 

Sumaiya Matin

A racism-free world looks like opportunity and kindness. It's a world where everyone has a fair chance to reach their full potential, and where everyone cares for the well- being of everyone else - including those different from them. It's a world where I don't have to worry about being light enough or White enough to access love, friendships, health, education, success, or basic dignity. It's a world where we're free of the stories imposed on us. Instead, others are curious to know who we truly are and all the gifts that we have to offer.