Sheema Khan | Multicultural Meanderings

Canadian International Council – Canadas hub for international affairs » How to Stop Canadians From Becoming Jihadists

2014/09/04 Leave a comment

Not sure that this article says much that is new. Yes, a variety of approaches, both “soft and hard” should be used, but no matter how good and varied the programs, and no matter how engaged the community and Imams, some will persist and reject the “soft approach” and try to skirt the security approach.

No easy solutions, but this article would benefit from greater acknowledgement of existing soft approaches and Canadian agencies learning from the experience of other governments, a lot has been done here:

While the spirit of these initiatives is welcome, considering the secretive process involved and the RCMP as the lead agency, it seems this counter-radicalization strategy may take a strong, policing, approach to the issue. Also, the government will reportedly make the RCMP the intended first point of contact for concerned community members and parents, meaning community reluctance to involve the police will potentially hamper the ability of the government to address radicalization early and effectively.

Instead, community policing should be coupled with soft approaches to pre-emptively deal with radicalization and should not end when the individual attempts to or successfully travels overseas. This requires a whole-of-government approach, one which includes Public Safety Canada and the RCMP, to create a positive effect on identifying and curbing the growth of extremism and reintegrating those caught in its clutches.

As Mubin Shaikh, former CSIS informant in the Toronto-18 case and currently a PhD student in terrorism studies said in an interview: “A counter-narrative should include Canada’s Muslim community in cooperation with the government, private industry and non-profits. It should include theological appeals and work on the strengths of multiculturalism.” Such a counter-narrative must de-legitimize the extremist narrative by using both the strengths of Canada’s pluralistic society and religious guidance based upon Islamic teachings.

These young men must be made to feel that they are a part of Canadian society, as well as made to understand that their actions are not religiously condoned. This approach must involve community leaders, relatives, colleagues, social workers and organizations with experience in de-radicalization.

Canadian authorities must learn from the counter-radicalization programs of their European peers: which tactics and strategies work; how to partner with impacted communities; how to integrate individuals into Canadian society; and, how best to disrupt the networks that exploit these individuals. Only then will it be possible to fully understand and address the issue of radicalization in Canada, to pre-emptively tackle threats to Canadian security and deal fairly and equitably with radicalized individuals and the communities in which they live.

Canadian International Council – Canadas hub for international affairs » How to Stop Canadians From Becoming Jihadists.

Sheema Khan is more concrete and focused on some of the “soft” initiatives and actions that are needed to reduce radicalization:

Second, rather than pointing fingers at all Muslims and fanning the flames of Islamophobia, there must be meaningful partnerships in which Muslim communities play an important role in rooting out extremism. Muslim communities are the best sensitized to observe changes, which can be subsequently reported to authorities and/or addressed by community programs that focus on religious literacy about jihad, messaging against extremism, support for converts, mentoring, constructive channelling of political grievances and the special role of mothers.

The post-9/11 environment sent a chill about discussions of the “j” word. This naturally led to underground discussions, away from mainstream counternarratives. Today, the topic of jihad must be addressed openly by imams. Religious literacy about its strict conditions and unequivocal prohibition of violence against non-combatants is essential. For example, the British government has appealed to anti-extremist imams to counteract the seeds of radicalization.

Muslims can play an important role by speaking out against atrocities committed in the name of Islam. Muslims throughout the world have spoken and demonstrated forcefully against the Islamic State’s brutality. Strong community abhorrence provides a powerful alternative to the romanticized extremist jihad message.Converts to Islam often lack community support networks and in-depth knowledge of religious sources. Programs need to be developed to provide both elements in order to prevent their exploitation.

Partner with Muslims to root out extremism – The Globe and Mail.

Filed under Radicalization Tagged with Alexander Corbeil, Canadian International Council, Reza Akhlaghi, Sheema Khan

Sheema Khan: We can end honour killings, but not with films by anti-Muslim zealots

2014/04/17 1 Comment

Sheema Khan’s reasonable approach on how best, and how not to, address gender issues, including “honour-based” violence.

Barbara Kay (Suffering caused by honour tell tales that smite the heart) and Margaret Wente (Don’t ignore women’s struggles in the Muslim world) would do well to reflect further on Sheema’s points, as well as those of Amy Awad (Don’t Separate ‘Honour Crimes’ From Other Violence Against Women).

While much of Sheema’s piece is largely on the motives of Clarion Project (the organization behind Honor Diaries, Iranium, Obsession, and The Third Jihad), it is more her positive formulation on how best to counter “honour-based” violence that is of interest:

For those who want to help eliminate “honour”-based violence (HBV), a good place to start is through in-depth research about the issue. Next is consultation with those who have first-hand expertise in the field and credibility with affected communities. Aruna Papp, a South Asian Christian, has survived the trauma of “shame”, and is one of this country’s leading experts. In London, Ont., the Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration recently launched the “Reclaim Honour Project” that “works to promote honour and prevent violence against girls and women through the support of the community.” In March, the Ottawa Police Service held a collaborative session with local communities to address HBV, with expert Rana Husseini. Ms. Husseini, a Jordanian-based journalist, has over twenty years’ experience in the field. She advised: “never denigrate a people’s faith or culture,” but rather, protect at-risk women, create safe spaces to raise the issue, and work patiently to change laws and attitudes. The absence of Ms. Husseini’s approach in Honour Diaries speaks volumes.

We can look to the recent successes against female genital mutilation in sub-Saharan Africa as an example of how to approach centuries-rooted traditions. The key drivers include community dialogue and education, health-based initiatives, alternative income for cutters, legislative reform, and the involvement of religious clergy whose moral authority has undercut cultural legitimacy of genital mutilation.

Religion is an ally against “honour” killings. Islamic scholars (both Sunni and Shia) have condemned this practice. Their voices need to be amplified, in order to remove any doubts about the immoral nature of this crime. They carry far more legitimacy than anti-Muslim propagandists. But then again, eradicating honour killings was never the goal of Honor Diaries.

We can end honour killings, but not with films by anti-Muslim zealots – The Globe and Mail.

Filed under Honour Killings, Multiculturalism Tagged with Amy Awad, Barbara Kay, Margaret Wente, Sheema Khan

The mosque must evolve – The Globe and Mail

2014/02/19 Leave a comment

Good piece by Sheema Khan on the challenges within mosques:

The BCMA [B.C. Muslim Association] is but one of many organizations across Canada that operate on cultural practices imported from abroad, escaping accountability. Many receive charitable status and government grants while their governance structures exclude women. This must change. Government agencies should be more circumspect when handing out grants and charitable tax status. More importantly, Muslims must push for change from within.

The emerging “unmosqued” movement in the United States seems to have captured the frustration of second- and third-generation Muslims with the way their mosques are run. The movement seeks to engender honest debate, discussion and reform of the Muslim community’s most important institution. Issues include transparency of governance, full participation of women and youths and the hiring of imams who understand the North American context. This is a natural step in the evolution of a vibrant, diverse community.

The mosque must evolve – The Globe and Mail.

Filed under Multiculturalism, Religion Tagged with islam, mosques, Sheema Khan

Muslim countries must tackle gender gap head-on

2013/12/02 Leave a comment

Usual good commentary by Sheema Khan on gender equality issues in Muslim countries. Arab Development Report has similar findings (not all Arabs are Muslim and vice versa of course).

Reflects, in part, the weakness of the madrassas, mosques and Imams in not addressing and advocating these issues head-on. As she notes, the efforts to educate women will likely change things in the long-term, but as we have seen, some of the most fundamentalist and radicalized have benefited from good education.

Muslim countries must tackle gender gap head-on – The Globe and Mail.

Filed under Multiculturalism, Radicalization, Religion Tagged with islam, Muslim countries, Sheema Khan

Good enough for Nobel, but not for Quebec

2013/10/17 Leave a comment

Sheema Khan in The Globe, mocking the paternalism of Les feministes laiques de Québec and the “Janettes” (Les femmes voilées sont «manipulées», dit Janette Bertrand):

Feminism, we thought, was about empowering women to make choices for themselves. Instead, la feminisme laïque is the new patriarchy, with its condescending, my-way-or-the-highway attitude. But Muslim women are fusing a new breed of feminism, where spirituality melds with activism to advance the cause of both genders. Their role model is Malala – not Miley or Marois. Spirituality is seen not as an enemy, but as an ally in providing the impetus to seek equal opportunities for women in education, health, wealth and political participation.

Good enough for Nobel, but not for Quebec – The Globe and Mail.

And from within Quebec, the inevitable lettre ouverte replying to the Janettes, from “Les inclusives“. While the gradual inclusive approach to integration makes sense, may not necessarily end up with fewer hijabs in the end; but as long as women are participating in wider society, whether wearing a hijab or not, it doesn’t really matter:

…l’intégration des musulmanes voilées doit se faire petit à petit, sans brusquer les choses. «Ça prend trois générations pour intégrer un immigrant. Nous, on le fait souvent en deux générations. Mais si on commence à les bousculer, ça ne fonctionnera pas», dit-elle.

«C’est la société québécoise dans son ensemble qui va changer les valeurs de ces femmes. Leurs enfants vont fréquenter les garderies. Elles vont aller sur le marché du travail. Et les voiles vont tomber, un à un».

Les «inclusives» répliquent aux Janettes

Filed under Charte des valeurs québécoise, Interculturalisme, Multiculturalism Tagged with Muslim women, Quebec, Sheema Khan

Charte des valeurs québécoises – Round-up

2013/09/10 Leave a comment

On the morning the draft Charte will be revealed, the usual round-up of articles. While it appears the main direction has not changed – banning religious signs in all government-funded workplaces, implementation periods and renewal derogations will be allowed. Another layer of bureaucracy, another way to keep the politique identitaire a public issue, and another way for Quebec to avoid coming to terms with diversity, interculturalisme, and expressions of faith. And sad that the government is not going back to the more nuanced and moderate laïcité ouverte of the Bouchard-Taylor Commission.

However, delaying implementation of a bad law does not make it good.

Charte des valeurs québécoises – À peine connue, déjà contestée | Le Devoir.

Le mieux et le bien

Parti Québécois to unveil secular charter Tuesday

And a naive article on the implications for Charter challenges:

Vers des exceptions à la Charte des valeurs

And divisions among the membership of one of the teacher’s unions, the Fédération autonome de l’enseignement (FAE), not surprising but illustrative of Québec public opinion:

Laïcité – La position de la FAE décriée

An opinion piece by Lucia Ferretti, largely favourable to the proposed approach, and noting how embedded religion is in society, whether the schooling system in Québec (government-financed faith-based schools unlike Ontario, NGOs). He neglects the human rights element of freedom of religion, which includes, of course, Catholics in Québec, whether secularized or traditional, whether progressive or traditional (like other religions):

Charte des valeurs québécoises – Séparation oui, neutralité, non

And a good piece by Bruce Anderson on how motives, and how they are perceived, can help a policy initiative sink or swim:

Bruce Anderson: For Marois’s charter, voters will judge the motives

And some good profiles in the Globe from a range of Québécois:

Five Quebeckers weigh in on the proposed secular charter

Sheema Khan reinforces her ongoing message:

Institutions should reflect local best practices, where discourse, debate and inclusion of stakeholders set the tone. Currently, most Muslim institutions are replicas of their foreign counterparts, with a top-down approach in which the voices of women and youth are often absent.

We need intelligent, dispassionate discussions of how Western principles, such as gender equality, freedom of conscience, freedom of expression and critical inquiry, meld with overarching Islamic principles.

Civic engagement will also be paramount for future integration, as Muslims participate in wider policy issues, such as the environment, energy security, aboriginal self-assertion and, yes, Quebec identity.

In classical Islamic thought, the overriding principle of the faith was understood to be mercy. It was manifest by the intent to do good to others, to bring benefit to the wider society and to prevent harm. It is a principle worth resurrecting as Muslims establish roots here.

Reconciling Muslim practices with Western principles

Filed under Charte des valeurs québécoise, Interculturalisme, Multiculturalism, Radicalization Tagged with Bruce Anderson, human-rights, laicite ouverte, Lucia Ferretti, Quebec, Sheema Khan