Muslim Employee Community Network

Spaces on the TMU campus

There are a few dedicated spaces on campus, as well as a few quiet spaces that some frequent as prayer space:

Some community members may also use some hallways, stairways, empty offices or rooms as prayer spaces between classes or during breaks. We recommend you exercise caution and vigilance when doing so and, if possible, speak with your professor or manager about ways to increase safety. 

Join the Muslim Student Association for weekly Jummah prayer

TMU’s Muslim Student Association hosts weekly Jummah prayer on campus. Check their Instagram (external link)  to view the latest available time and location.

Masjids nearby the TMU campus

There are also masjids within a short walk of campus:

Centre for Student Development and Counselling

Students are encouraged to contact the Centre for Student Development and Counselling.

Community Safety and Security

Community Safety and Security can help you file a report if you have been involved in a security incident related to Islamophobia, be it a verbal or physical attack. 

WalkSafe Program 

TMU’s WalkSafe Program is available for all community members 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To request WalkSafe, call 416-979-5040 or email walksafe@torontomu.ca.

Personal Safety Planning Sessions 

Personal Safety Planning Sessions are also available for individuals, groups and teams.

Consent Comes First

Consent Comes First can support you with referrals, advocacy and advice if you have faced gender-based violence including gendered Islamophobia and sexual violence.

Human Rights Services

As part of the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI), Human Rights Services can provide advice and coaching on responding to Islamophobia on campus and guide you through the process to report an incident or make a complaint related to Islamophobia.

Workplace Wellbeing Services 

As part of Human Resources, Workplace Wellbeing Services can provide support with workplace accommodation requests and questions about sick leave for individuals who require time off or modified duties resulting from Islamophobia.

Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

Faculty and staff members can access support, including culturally specific, individual counselling, through TMU’s Employee and Family Assistance Program, Telus Health. This service pairs employees with counsellors who share experiences or specialize in areas such as gender, language, ethnicity, religion and more. To make a request, employees can contact the Care Access Centre at 1-844-880-9142.

Muslim Legal Support Centre (external link) 

The Muslim Legal Support Centre (MLSC) aims to address the harms Muslims experience from Islamophobia, discrimination, and poverty by providing comprehensive legal services that meet their specific needs and concerns.

Canadian Muslim Counselling (external link) 

Canadian Muslim Counselling provides diverse services supporting holistic well-being, including mental health and counselling services in the form of individual therapy, premarital counselling, marital and family therapy, and religious counselling. 

Khalil Centre (external link) 

Khalil Center is a psychological and spiritual community wellness center advancing the professional practice of psychology rooted in Islamic principles.

NCCM’s know your rights guides (external link) 

Knowing your rights and responsibilities is an important step in ensuring that you and those around you are being treated fairly under the law. The National Council of Canadian Muslims has produced two guides to help empower employees and students to advocate for themselves where they work and study.

Responding to Islamophobia or hate

1. Consider your own personal safety. If you are facing a crisis or emergency, please contact the appropriate services such as 911 and/or Community Safety and Security.
2. Speak to your supervisor about how you can proceed. Facing hate in the workplace is challenging, and understanding the options available to you is often a major barrier. The process for reporting or escalating an incident will vary widely based on what has occurred. For example, reporting microaggressions will have a very different process than an incident involving violence.
3. Consider contacting support services – well-being services, union representatives, Human Resources, and Human Rights Services are all examples of the types of groups on campus that may be able to support you by advocating for your needs or supporting you through the process.
4. Consider external support services – the National Canadian Council of Muslims compiles incidents of Islamophobia and hate from across the country (external link) . You might also want to refer to legal services or contextually-informed counselling services such as the Human Rights Legal Support Centre (external link) , Canadian Civil Liberties Association (external link) , Ontario Human Rights Commission (external link) , Canada Human Rights Commission (external link) , or Canadian Race Relations Foundation (external link) .

We’re here to support allies in fostering an inclusive environment for Muslim staff and students at TMU. Whether you're leading a project, organizing an event, or developing policies, our network offers consultations to help ensure your initiatives are respectful and considerate of Muslim perspectives. By working with us, you can create spaces and experiences that are truly welcoming and inclusive for all members of our community.

Whether you are building your department’s EDI strategy or looking to make sure that your project is inclusive, please contact the Muslim Employee Community Network’s co-chairs.

Islam is the fastest-growing religion, fueled by a young and diverse population. Muslims come from a wide range of cultures across the globe, making the Muslim community one of the most culturally diverse. As a result, the experiences of Muslims often intersect with those of other equity-seeking groups, creating a rich tapestry of shared challenges and opportunities for advocacy. Read more about Islamophobia and anti-Muslim racism here.

Student-facing staff are frequently the first point of contact when students are experiencing distress. Familiarize yourself with strategies that can be helpful, especially when your role does not require you to act as a support service. Read more here.

If your role at TMU does require you to provide support services to students and you want to improve your understanding of Muslims students and their unique experiences, consider consulting with the Muslim Chaplain of Toronto’s spiritual counselling services (external link) .

Naseeha provides the Muslim Community with compassionate, culturally sensitive mental health support services. Its services are specifically built to support youth through a free 24/7 helpline, online therapy programs, and educational initiatives, helping them navigate life’s challenges with compassion and understanding. Learn more about Naseeha Mental Health (external link) .