McMaster to convene symposium on Islamophobia in healthcare

McMaster University’s Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) is holding a symposium Wednesday, June 1 on tackling Islamophobia in health care and improving health care for Canadian Muslims.

The symposium will discuss the gaps in health-care access experienced by visible Muslims, how to identify gender-based Islamophobia that often targets Muslim women and how to develop a safer, more inclusive health-care system. The symposium will also explore Islamophobia in the wider society and how it impacts health care.

The session follows a letter written by a Montreal doctor condemning the wearing of hijabs, which was published and then retracted in late 2021 by the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), amid widespread condemnation from the medical community.

“Hate breeds violence. We stand in solidarity against Islamophobia and hate in all its forms,” said event co-organizer Aliya Khan, clinical professor of medicine.

“We are taking the initiative to hold this symposium and to open up dialogue. This really speaks to our university’s commitment to diversity and equity.”

The symposium, open to the public, begins at 4 p.m.

The event may be attended through Zoom by registering at https://bit.ly/3wSDhg8