Developing Organizational Policies: Sexual Abuse & Mental Health in Muslim Organizations

Does your Muslim organization offer the best of care and protection for students and staff in the case of sexual abuse?

What about mental health care?

ISAC is welcoming you to a free, much-needed webinar called Developing Organizational Policies: Sexual Abuse & Mental Health.

With everything going on in our communities, it’s extremely critical that we evaluate our policies.

This webinar will give you the tools and help you offer God-centered care for students and staff.

Welcome to ISAC's special webinar entitled Developing Organizational Policies: Sexual Abuse & Mental Health. In collaboration with Nisa Foundation, Ruh Care, Red Tree Consulting, Nasheeha Mental Health, Sound Vision Canada, and Toronto Muslims, this webinar will focus on the crucial topics of sexual abuse and mental health within organizational policies, including the broader need and focus to create policies in general in different areas.

This event aims to equip Islamic schools, Muslim orgs, Masajid, and Islamic centres with the knowledge and skills needed to create effective policies that address these sensitive issues.

Speakers

Aisha Khaja

Aisha Khaja is the founder and Principal Consultant at Red Tree Strategic Consulting, a business focused on providing consulting services on policy, program development, and funding. As part of this work, Aisha has worked with over 80 organizations across Canada, through her Grant Writing Course and consulting services, to support organizations in creating policies and procedures, both from an organizational and grants perspective. Aisha also serves as the Director of Partnerships at Gibraltar Leadership Academy, a faith-based institution in Toronto, where she supports the institution in seeking out funding opportunities, and developing organizational policies. Aisha previously served as a Senior Policy Analyst with the provincial government. Through the eight years spent working in government, she learned the ins and outs of funding, program and policy development. She has also held various leadership positions in the community as a Professor at Seneca College and a Research Fellow with Tessellate Institute.

Shiba Anjum

Since 2016, Shiba Anjum has been the volunteer salad bar coordinator at Oakwood Public School, one of F2CC’s grant recipient schools in Ontario. This has given her first-hand experience of all things farm to school. Over the years, she has witnessed the incredible transformation that can happen as a result of grassroots level effort and advocacy to bring healthy, local food to schools. Shiba is currently the National Operations Manager at Nisa Homes, a transitional housing program for women and children fleeing homelessness and abuse. She is working towards her Bachelors in Family and Community Social Services at the University of Guelph- Humber. Shiba has a background in social service work and is passionate about helping youth and families. She continues to volunteer and is committed to community building, diversity and inclusivity in all spaces.

Dr. Antar Teleba

Dr. Teleba is studying for an MA in Spirituality and Counselling at St. Paul University, Ottawa, Ontario. He has a BA in Education, an MA in Applied Linguistics, an MA in Translation, an MA in Religion and, and a PhD in Education. He is a member of the CCPA (Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association). Antar has an ijaza in Quran recitation (Ḥafṣ ‘an A’ṣim), a higher diploma in Muslim chaplaincy from the College of the Prophet’s Mosque, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, an MA in Religion from Carleton University, a course in Religion, Conflict and Peace from Harvard University, in addition to many ijazas in hadith, shamail (qualities of the prophet (PBUH), and the biography of the prophet (PBUH). He is knowledgeable about the Seerah of the Prophet (PBUH), and his holy city landmarks. He taught courses in Seerah at many mosques in Ottawa, is a regular Friday Khatib, and he has a Youtube channel where he posts his lectures and programs. Antar is supervised by Munsif Mubarak who is a CRPO Register Psychotherapist with many years of experience. Antar is being trained on TIIP, and he uses CBT, logotherapy, EFT and ISF in his practice. Antar practiced psychotherapy under supervision at St. Paul University Counselling Center. Antar’s approach to Muslim mental health is rooted in the integration of Islamic principles and psychological practices. He believes that mental well-being is not just the absence of illness but a holistic state that encompasses spiritual, emotional, and social dimensions. By drawing on Islamic teachings, he emphasizes the importance of the spiritual sources of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) in providing light, purpose and meaning in life. His philosophy is to create a safe and compassionate space where clients can explore their struggles while reconnecting with their faith, ultimately fostering resilience and personal growth.