In this op-ed for the Toronto Star from earlier this year (but still relevant today), social justice advocate Shazlin Rahman notes “these past two months has seen unprecedented levels of verbal and physical attacks on Muslims across Canada. Now that the vigils and rallies have subsided, how do you continue supporting Muslims?”
Here are her suggestions which are universal:
1. Offer a ride to a Muslim woman
Women are inherently vulnerable in public spaces; imagine the increased lack of safety visible Muslim women experience when Islamophobic sentiments are high.
2. Continue and deepen the conversation
Think about the Muslims with whom you’ve had brief exchanges and invite them to tea and deepen that connection.
3. Share a meal
When I co-organized Toronto’s first Open Iftar last summer, I witnessed something beautiful: how sharing a meal bonded Muslim and non-Muslim community members in my neighborhood.
4. Organize a play date
Children are usually the ones to take the first step across a divide.
5. Ask: “What do you need?”
If you are in doubt on how to support Muslims, ask them what they need.
Check out this other article about support in the Muslim community!
