Choose your city (or nearest city)

  • Calgary
  • Montreal
  • Edmonton
  • Ottawa
  • Halifax
  • Toronto GTA
  • Hamilton
  • Vancouver
  • Kingston
  • Waterloo
  • Kitchener
  • Windsor
  • London
  • Winnipeg
  • Outside of Canada

Choose your city (or nearest city)

  • Calgary
  • Montreal
  • Edmonton
  • Ottawa
  • Halifax
  • Toronto GTA
  • Hamilton
  • Vancouver
  • Kingston
  • Waterloo
  • Kitchener
  • Windsor
  • London
  • Winnipeg
  • Outside of Canada
  • Events
  • Directory
  • Advertise
  • Join List

Enter your login credentials

Forgot username?

Forgot password?

Remember Me
Register
Facebook Login Google Login
loading
Please wait, logging in...

Register Details

Have an account? Login

Forgot Username

[Form forgot_username not found!]

Forgot Password

[Form forgot_password not found!]
Muslim Link is Ottawa Muslims' Online Community Newspaper. The site includes an up-to-date Events Listing and Business and Community Directory for Ottawa Muslims.
Muslim Link is Muslim Canadians Online Hub. The site includes news, an up-to-date Events Listing, and Business and Community Directory for Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary.
How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
  • Home
  • Events
    • Ottawa
    • Montreal
    • Toronto GTA
    • Edmonton
    • Calgary
    • Vancouver
    • London
    • Windsor
    • Hamilton
    • Halifax
    • Winnipeg
    • Kingston
    • Kitchener/Waterloo
    • Event Table
  • Directory
    • Ottawa
    • Montreal
    • Toronto GTA
    • Edmonton
    • Calgary
    • Vancouver
    • London
    • Windsor
    • Hamilton
    • Halifax
    • Winnipeg
    • Kingston
    • Kitchener/Waterloo
  • Classifieds
    • Opportunities
      • Volunteer Opportunities
      • Job Opportunities
      • Crowdfunding
      • Bazaar Vendors Wanted
      • Call for Donations
      • ​​Scholarships / Bursaries
      • ​​Petitions
      • Nominations
      • ​​Call for Participants
      • ​​Call for Submissions
      • Grants
      • ​​Surveys
      • Sponsorships
    • Locations
      • Jumaa Locations
      • Full-Time Islamic Schools
      • Part-Time Islamic Schools
      • Hifz Programs
      • Eid Prayers
      • Camp Locations
  • News
  • Community
  • Business
  • Arts
  • Islamic Finance
  • Voices
  • In Focus
  • Canada
Calls to Action :
Apply for Scholarships from the Muslim Awards for Excellence (MAX)
  • Home
  • Community
  • Dr. Aliaa Dakroury appointed to senate of Saint Paul University
Dr. Aliaa Dakroury appointed to senate of Saint Paul University
18
October
2013

Dr. Aliaa Dakroury appointed to senate of Saint Paul University

Written by  Dr. Ferrukh Faruqui
Published in Community
  • Add to Facebook
  • Like this? Tweet it to your followers!

A recent conversation with Dr. Aliaa Dakroury left my neurons firing in all directions, trying to forge the synaptic connections that would allow my brain to process the contributions of this exuberant dynamo of a woman.

It was twilight, when we long to draw the curtains and lull ourselves into an evening peace but two minutes into the conversation my heart was pumping with the same adrenalin that pulsed through her veins as she proclaimed the need for Muslim women in Canada to be visible and audible ambassadors of their faith.

Dr. Dakroury cannot be said to be tentative in her opinions. To her credit, she has passionately held convictions on the myriad roles that Muslim women should play in North America, or anywhere, for that matter.

Assistant Professor in the School of Social Communications at Saint Paul University, this acclaimed academic has just been named to the Senate of this canonical Catholic university.  A visibly Muslim female professor appointed to the supreme decision making body of a Catholic, mostly French university in Ottawa is news of the kind that all citizens of the capital should be aware of, and applaud.

Founded in 1848 by Bishop Guigues of Bytown, this institution received university status in 1866 and was granted the pontifical charter by Pope Leo XIII in 1889.  In 1965, the province created the University of Ottawa and the two institutions became a federated complex.  After this amalgamation, Saint Paul retained both its civil and its canonical charters. A bilingual university, it concentrates on canon law, philosophy, theology, and most recently, the social sciences.

How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X

Dr. Dakroury feels no sense of dislocation here. In fact, she attended French Catholic schools in her native Egypt and finds the spirituality at Saint Paul just as soothing as she did as a schoolgirl. She is honoured by her historic appointment to the Senate and muses that it's rare to see a Muslim professor wearing the headscarf on campus;  the elevation to a policy making body of a Catholic institution of higher learning is precedent setting.

Armed with a BA from Cairo, she obtained her master's and doctoral degrees in communication studies from Carleton University in 2003 and 2008 respectively. She taught at the University of Ottawa and at Carleton and joined Saint Paul University in 2011.  Her brief tenure at Saint Paul before her Senate appointment lends her achievement greater lustre.

She is humbled but believes that in academia, the focus is “on competence, not on appearance”, and although she wears the hijab, has not been the target of any intolerance. Indeed, she's discussed the ethics of the Parti Quebecois' proposed Charter of Values through the prism of religious freedom, human rights and reasonable accommodation in her classes and relates that though a sizable body of the class and her colleagues hail from Gatineau, the atmosphere at Saint Paul remains serene and welcoming.

Her passions are many. Among them is her belief that mass media can be the key to empowering and emancipating millions of Muslims, especially women. Sadly, freedom of expression is a lofty, longed for right in most Muslim majority countries where government surveillance and circumscription of basic freedoms is the stark reality.

She finds meaning in her work as a scholar of human rights, who wants to “make visible those who are invisible in society”.  She holds that communication is an inalienable human right.

The notion of charity, in its most comprehensive, Catholic meaning informs her community work as volunteer principal in the Iqra Arabic School at Dar Assunnah Mosque, as well as her role in parent council at several Barrhaven schools. She volunteered in orphanages in Egypt as a child of twelve and believes that making a gift of our talents and resources is the essence of the fraternal love that Allah asks of us.

How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X

When asked about the barriers to leadership for women, her response is definite.  Powerful women are perceived negatively, both within and without the Muslim world. There is no prohibition on female leadership in Islam she declares, citing the accomplishments of Aisha, the wife of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) among others.  Indeed, patriarchal interpretations have limited women for centuries while women's voices raised in dissent threaten vested male interests in various spheres.

But there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome. Dr. Dakroury espouses action. Volunteer, network, create circles within community,academia, and across cultures, and barriers will coming crashing down, she promises.

Awarded the 2011 Ontario Leading Women Building Communities Award, she revels in the study of Muslim philosophers and relaxes by swimming, biking and playing with children ”“ her own and others.

This is a woman who sets the bar high ”“ she inspires others to follow.

 

Dr. Ferrukh Faruqui is medical doctor and writer living in Ottawa.  

How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X

This article was produced exclusively for Muslim Link and should not be copied without prior permission from the site. For permission, please write to info@muslimlink.ca.

Read 4217 times Last modified on Saturday, 21 January 2017 08:25
Rate this item
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
(0 votes)
Tagged under
  • Dr Aliaa Dakroury
  • Saint Paul University
  • Dr Ferrukh Faruqui
  • Egyptian Canadian
  • Arab Canadian
  • Muslim Women
  • Professors

Dr. Ferrukh Faruqui

Latest from Dr. Ferrukh Faruqui

  • Environics Study: What do Muslim Canadians Want? Environics Study: What do Muslim Canadians Want?
  • Unmasking mental illness in the elderly Unmasking mental illness in the elderly
  • CAIR-CAN rebrands, changes name CAIR-CAN rebrands, changes name

Related items

  • Documentary about Pre-911 Surveillance of Muslim American Communities Screens in Toronto, London, Ontario Documentary about Pre-911 Surveillance of Muslim American Communities Screens in Toronto, London, Ontario
  • Well-Being and Mental Health of Arab-Canadian Immigrants Study Well-Being and Mental Health of Arab-Canadian Immigrants Study
  • The Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) believes polygamy is inherently harmful to women and children The Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) believes polygamy is inherently harmful to women and children
back to top
How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
Ottawa Events
View More Events
Bangladesh High Commission National Martyrs Day & International Mother Language Day 2019
Thu, Feb 21, 2019 06:00pm
Celebrations
Interest-Free Home Ownership and RRSP Investments
Fri, Feb 22, 2019 08:15pm
Educational
Interest-Free Home Ownership and RRSP Investments
Sat, Feb 23, 2019 06:00pm
Educational
Interest-Free Home Ownership and RRSP Investments
Sun, Feb 24, 2019 05:00pm
level 1
Lotus Community Corner It Takes a Village: Women to Women Support Group
Mon, Mar 04, 2019 06:30pm
Social/Cultural

Featured Articles

  • Ekushey February: Celebrating International Mother Language Day Ekushey February: Celebrating International Mother Language Day
  • Muslim Canadian Organizations Receive Funding to Address Islamophobia Muslim Canadian Organizations Receive Funding to Address Islamophobia
  • Zainab Merchant Is Coming to Mississauga to Launch Book about Coping with Islamophobia in America Zainab Merchant Is Coming to Mississauga to Launch Book about Coping with Islamophobia in America

Twitter Posts

Ekushey February and Abbu... https://t.co/TfzAOcqUNx...
4 hours ago
International Mother Language Day: Two Languages, One Heart https://t.co/ZTeZeXKWxZ https://t.co/ZTeZeXKWxZ...
11 hours ago
Review Aims to Inspire More Research About Black Muslims in Canada https://t.co/PNHRqHLXx3 https://t.co/PNHRqHLXx3...
1 day ago
Muslim Link

About us

  • About Muslim Link
    Our Team
    About Eye Media
    Contact Us
    Diversity & Inclusion Policy
  • Events & Directory Disclaimer
  • Project: A Muslim History of Ottawa

Event Listings

  •  - Ottawa
  •  - Toronto GTA
  •  - Montreal
  •  - Edmonton
  •  - Calgary
  •  - Vancouver
  •  - London
  •  - Windsor
  •  - Hamilton
  •  - Kitchener/Waterloo
  •  - Halifax
  •  - Winnipeg
  •  - Kingston

Business & Community Directory

  •  - Ottawa
  •  - Toronto GTA
  •  - Montreal
  •  - Edmonton
  •  - Calgary
  •  - Vancouver
  •  - London
  •  - Windsor
  •  - Hamilton
  •  - Kitchener/Waterloo
  •  - Halifax
  •  - Winnipeg
  •  - Kingston

Advertisers

  • Advertise Online
  • Snapshot Publishing Dates
  • Sponsorships

ML Team

  • Writers Workshops
  • Content Policy
  • Staff Payment System
  • Join the team

Social Media

Follow us on our pages!

Facebook Twitter Youtube LinkedIn Pinterest

Copyright © 2019 Muslim Link. All Rights Reserved. All articles, photos, graphics and images on this site remain the copyright of Muslim Link, unless otherwise noted, and should not be copied without prior permission. Designed by Eye Media Solutions
Top
Copyright © Muslim Link. All articles, photos, graphics and images on this site remain the copyright of Muslim Link, unless otherwise noted, and should not be copied without prior permission. 2019 All rights reserved. Custom Design by Youjoomla.com
Community