CCMW Young Peoples Roundtable on Islamophobia
Featuring Speakers Saara Chaudry, Habon Ali and Ayaan Abdulle
Are a young Canadian Muslim 15 to 30 years of age? If yes, then this roundtable may be of interest to you.
The Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) is hosting a Young Peoples Roundtable on Islamophobia with the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, and the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development on July 16 from 5:45 pm to 7:00 pm EST.
The event is designed to get a youth-based perspective on Islamophobia and to initiate discussion between the Ministers and young women and girls of diverse identities on how to address Islamophobia, misogyny and other challenges they are facing in today's context.
We will lead of the discussion with the perspectives of three outstanding young women: Saara Chaudry, Habon Ali and Ayaan Abdulle.
Young Muslims will have the opportunity to share their experiences and perspectives on Islamophobia, with a focus on the gendered aspects of Islamophobia.
Following the participants' discussions, the Ministers will offer guidance on how to challenge Islamophobia, racism, GBV and misogyny, and also share what the government is doing to address these issues.
Racialized girls and young women and trans and non-binary young people aged 15 to 30 years are encouraged to sign up to attend. Your ideas will help shape CCMW's contribution to the National Action Summit and a national action plan to address Islamophobia. Space is limited so be sure to register today.
Register Here.
HaveYourSay #StopIslamophobia
Speakers Bios
Saara Chaudry
Saara Chaudry is an ACTRA and two time Canadian Screen Award winning Canadian actor and singer that began her career with small parts in TV productions such as Degrassi, Combat Hospital, Desperately Seeking Santa and Isabelle Dances into the Spotlight.
Saara made her theatre debut as Little Cosette in the 25th anniversary Mirvish Production of Les Miserables at the Princess of Wales theatre. She had the honour of performing the role on opening night and at a special gala benefit with Colm Wilkinson. She won a 2014 Broadway World Award for best female performer, and was also nominated for a Dora Award as a member of the Les Miserables ensemble.
After her theatre run, Saara returned to television where she played the role of Howie on Nickelodeon’s Max & Shred, and guest starred on PBS Kids Odd Squad. She also currently plays Amy on Emmy nominated Holly Hobbie and Saara in Emmy and Canadian Screen Award winner, Dino Dana as Saara, as well as Dino Dana, the Movie (2020). She was honoured to win back-to-back Canadian Screen Awards for her role in Dino Dana in 2020 and 2021 and to also be nominated in the same category for Holly Hobbie. Saara was thrilled to play Nira on Sinking Ship’s innovative show, Lockdown (2020), shot entirely by web cam and smartphones during the pandemic and which recently just won a Webby Award. She has also just completed filming as Martina Crowe on Disney+ The Mysterious Benedict Society (June 2021).
Saara has also worked on many animated projects. She was honoured to be nominated for a 2017 Canadian Screen Award for her role as Clara in the Canadian Screen Award winner the Curse of Clara: A Holiday Tale. She is thrilled to be the voice of Parvana in the Oscar, Golden Globe and Canadian Screen Award nominated feature film, The Breadwinner, based on the novel by one of her favourite authors, Deborah Ellis, for which she
most recently won the ACTRA award for best voice performance. She is currently on the Netflix animated series, Charlie’s Colorforms, the Paw Patrol Movie, is the voice of Carmen in Let’s Go Luna, Chloe in Dog & Pony, Maya on Rosie’s Rules and Shakila Chinda on the upcoming Netflix series Jason Spellbound and the Sceptre of the Primus.
In 2018, Saara was one of more than 700 applicants who applied to be a CBC Kids News contributor. She was chosen based on her interest in world issues and ability to communicate a story on camera to be the Lead Contributor of CBC Kids News. Saara was most recently nominated for a Radio Television and Digital News Association Canada award as well as a Global Youth News Media Prize for her continuing coverage of the pandemic through her COVID Explainers.
Saara is also an aspiring writer and producer. In 2018 she co-wrote an episode of Dino Dana with Emmy winner, J.J. Johnson, and is currently in development as co-producer and writer with Oscar nominated production company, Aircraft Pictures, on a feature film of an epic adventure of two fearless, trailblazing young women from opposite ends of the world and their improbable and endearing friendship.
Outside of film and media, Saara is an award winning international debater and public speaker. She was most recently crowned the World Champion in Interpretive Reading at the World Individual Debate and Public Speaking Championship. She is also a vociferous advocate for gender and racial equality as well as girls education. Saara chaired the UNICEF Youth Activism Summits in 2019 and 2020 held every year on National Child Day and was also appointed a youth advocate with UNICEF Canada in 2020
Habon Ali
Habon is a Somali-Canadian community builder involved who is passionate about removing systemic barriers for youth. She is a graduate student at McMaster University working towards an MSc in Global Health. Habon recently graduated as Valedictorian from the University of Toronto with a degree in Biology and Environmental Science.
As the chair of the board of directors at Apathy is Boring, she is passionate about creating spaces and opportunities for meaningful youth engagement, participation, and change in our democracy. Previously, as a member of the Prime Ministers Youth Council, she was involved in the creation of Canada's first National Youth Policy and the development of Canada's Service Corps.
Ayaan Abdulle
Ayaan Abdulle (she/her) is a community organizer who has a passion for knowledge sharing, inclusion, and justice. She received an Honours Bachelor's of Science degree from the University of Toronto with a double major in Psychology and Health Policy.
She has worked with community organizations such as the Black Muslim Initiative, Black Futures Now Toronto, The Canadian Muslim Vote, Pathways to Care, and more.
Meet the Ministers
The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth
The Honourable Bardish Chagger was elected in 2015 as the Member of Parliament for Waterloo.
Minister Chagger is devoted to inclusion and community building. From assisting with recreational sports for kids to volunteering with seniors, she is committed to strengthening the bonds of the Waterloo community.
In an earlier role with the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre, Minister Chagger worked to foster diversity within the community and provide opportunities for social and economic engagement. As an executive assistant to former Member of Parliament Andrew Telegdi, she gained a deep understanding of the issues of importance to residents of Waterloo, including manufacturing, technology, and innovation.
Passionate about community involvement, Minister Chagger has lent her support to many different causes and organizations, including the Rotary Club of Waterloo, Interfaith Grand River, and the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin.
Minister Chagger considers herself part of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms generation, and has participated in policy conferences on many issues, including the advancement of same-sex marriage rights and a national manufacturing strategy.
She graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Science. In 2012, the Waterloo Region Record recognized Minister Chagger as one of “40 under 40” who would lead the Region of Waterloo into the future.
The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development.
The Honourable Maryam Monsef was first elected in 2015 as the Member of Parliament for Peterborough—Kawartha.
Minister Monsef is a dedicated community organizer, a former Peterborough mayoral candidate, and a co-recipient of the YMCA’s Peace Medallion.
A passionate volunteer, Minister Monsef has sat on the boards and committees of several high-profile organizations. She was the Vice-President of the YWCA of Peterborough and Haliburton Board of Directors, and a former director of the Ontario Public Interest Research Group as well as the New Canadians Centre, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting immigrants, refugees, and other newcomers in the Peterborough and Northumberland regions.
Minister Monsef was also the co-founder of the Red Pashmina Campaign, a grassroots initiative she started while at Trent University, which has successfully raised over $150,000 to date to help support women in Afghanistan.
Minister Monsef has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Trent University, and speaks English, Farsi, and Dari.