Ryerson stands by our Muslim community
Photo: Ryerson celebrates and welcomes diversity.
To all members of the Ryerson community,
The last week in January saw two events that deeply touch us all – as colleagues, and as human beings.
We refer of course to the attack at La Grande Mosquée de Québec, and to the executive order issued in the United States to block travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries—Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen—from entering the U.S. for 90 days.
While it’s important to keep facts distinct, there is a common theme: the targeting of Muslims. Six men were killed in the Quebec mosque. More people, including children, were injured. But the injury goes much further, inevitably, when any people are made to feel vulnerable. When individuals become targets of bigotry or violence on the basis of religion, ethnicity, or gender, we are all affected.
When Prime Minister Trudeau issued a statement of welcome to all refugees – in response to the U.S. president’s executive order – many of us felt proud to be Canadian. Yet, the tragedy that took place, a few days later, reminded us that hatred lives on our soil, too.
As our own president, Mohamed Lachemi, wrote in his message to the community (opens in new window) : we support the prime minister’s statement, and we are working with Universities Canada to control damage caused by the U.S. ban. Details are changing at a fast rate. We can only hope that justice will prevail in the U.S. In the meantime, we are trying to establish where help is needed right now; Ryerson International (416-979-5026) will attempt to help anyone in our community who is directly impacted by the ban.
Yet we also want to help those who – directly or indirectly – feel more vulnerable after the massacre. Students can contact Student Affairs (opens in new window) for practical and emotional support. A further resource for Ryerson employees is the Employee and Family Assistance Program (external link, opens in new window) which offers trauma counselling, among other resources.
We want to assure you that Ryerson stands by its Muslim community. On February 9th, Muslim faculty and staff were invited to join a discussion forum; a safe place to share experiences and ask questions. On February 14th, the entire Ryerson community is invited to attend a gathering (opens in new window) from 2 to 4 p.m. at Heaslip House (7th floor), where people can give voice to difficult emotions and talk about ways to heal, support each other, and effect change. On February 27th, 5 to 8 p.m. in Alumni Lounge (MAC), a Mind and Action event (opens in new window) – with a panel of Muslim scholars – will look at how to build solutions to the very real threat of Islamophobia. If you would like more information, or need accommodations to attend, please contact provost@torontomu.ca (opens in new window) or 416-979-5066.
What is clear from both events – in the U.S. and Quebec – is that countless people are harmed by bigotry: most tragically the victims of the shooting, but also people seeking refuge, caring for family, and contributing to knowledge and research.
Ryerson shares the belief that “diversity is our strength.” In the weeks (and years) ahead, we will strive to make all members of our community feel safe and welcome.
Chris Evans
Interim Provost and Vice-President Academic
Janice Winton
Vice-President, Administration and Finance