Event Description:  Registration for this program will close at noon on November 13.

The purpose of this program is to introduce participants to the dynamics of the Muslim community in the United States, with a focus on deconstructing stereotypes and biases against them. More than simply describing Islamophobia, participants will develop a deeper understanding of how bias manifests in both clinical and educational environments and affects professional environments. This workshop will be carefully catered to the professional angle of participants (e.g. clinicians, medical professionals, educators, etc.) to explore both policy, current research, and case studies that illuminate how these biases manifest and hinder the working relationship between client/clinician, student/educator, or patient/physician. The workshop will include lecture components, as well as small and large group discussions to facilitate deeper engagement of course material.

The workshop will begin with an overview of Muslim demographics in the United States and an introduction to basic Islamic tenets of faith and practice. Following, participants will learn about the history of Muslims within America and the myriad events and policies that gave rise to contemporary Islamophobia which started far before the events of 9/11. Before moving to clinical research and best practice suggestions, participants will also engage current policies that discriminate against Muslim populations (e.g. travel ban) to understand and connect political bias to personal oppression. Lastly, current relevant research and suggestions for best practice will be covered in an engaging and interactive manner such that participants leave better prepared to confront Islamophobic bias and actively dismantle it personally and professionally.

Faculty
Anderson Al Wazni (MSW, PhD student) received her bachelor’s degrees in Religious Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies at N.C. State University. During this period, Anderson studied abroad in South and Southeast Asia and was inspired by innovative humanitarian work by local organizations and international NGO’s in the area of women’s health, environmental justice, and anti-poverty work. She received her Master’s in Social Work from Smith College in 2014 where she completed a thesis on Muslim women and feminist identity which was subsequently published in the NASW Social Work journal. Following graduation, Anderson has published, given public talks, and run CEU seminars in the area of Islamophobia, trauma, and women’s identities. She also teaches an introductory course on social welfare policy in the Smith College MSW program. Currently, Anderson is a PhD student in Social Work at UNC Chapel Hill focusing on climate change and its impact on exacerbating conflict and displacement.

This presenter is being supported through a partnership between UNC-CH School of Social work and the NCAHEC Program.