September Update: Ottawa Muslim Leaders Working Group Work on Raising Parents' Concerns with the Ottawa Carleton District School Board

We thank the OCDSB Equity Team and senior leaders for their willingness to meet with us regularly. We are encouraged by their openness toward listening and learning.

We met with them on Friday, September 22 for 1.5 hours. This was our second meeting, which was scheduled soon after our first meeting in June.

During this meeting, we shared that:

We have been holding sessions in different mosques across the city to help families and youth cope with the current challenges, and to answer questions and correct misunderstandings that may exist. (Sessions have been held at the Kanata Muslim Association, SNMC, Assunnah Muslim Associaton (AMA), Ottawa Muslim Association, and Masjid Bilal).

Anxiety, concern, fear and frustration continue to run high amongst families with children in schools, particularly after the protests last week.

Many families felt it was a duty for them to be at the protest and make their voices heard. None that we spoke to wanted to undermine the rights of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, but they wanted to have their voices heard.

We are grateful for the removal of a problematic resource from the 2SLGBTQ+ resource section on the OCDSB website that was targeting Muslim children.

Since the OCDSB states that it has a "professional and legal obligation" to embed "resources that reflect and respect 2SLGBTQ+ identities throughout curriculum subject materials and the learning environment at all levels from K to Grade 12," we recommend the development of policies and procedures to offer clarity to teachers, families and staff on how this should be done in each grade. This will remove the ambiguity that is currently feeding anxiety and could help guide teachers in navigating this area with care and sensitivity.

Standardization of policies and procedures with regard to clubs, meeting space and prayers would also be helpful, as there is variation and a lack of consistency across the Board. Addressing this will play an important role in Muslim students feeling supported and welcome in all schools.

We are available to meet with staff and students, whenever and wherever needed and appropriate, to help answer questions and address misunderstandings.

According to the OCDSB's Report on Student Suspensions for 2021-2022, Black and Middle Eastern students (amongst others) were more likely to be suspended, along with students that were multilingual learners and those living in low-income neighbourhoods. It also showed that 80% of the suspensions were discretionary. Part of the problem is that youth may be penalized for expressing views that do not sit well with others. We need to explore ways to provide safe spaces using restorative justice practices, and not rely on punitive measures alone.

Muslim staff need to be supported, especially at this time.

Suggestions for improving OCDSB's new anonymous reporting tool.

As leaders who care deeply about our children, youth and families, we are committed to doing our utmost to find solutions and bring meaningful change. We appreciate your patience and encourage you to report any concerns to us through our form. We continue to work in our individual capacities on this issue locally, provincially and nationally. Stay tuned for further announcements.

Here is the work we have done in the mainstream media so far, alhamdulillah:

Ottawa Citizen: Muslim families concerned about Pride activities in Ottawa schools deserve a voice
National Post: 'Anti-racist' hypocrisy targets Muslim schoolchildren for their religious beliefs
CBC Radio: Higher than usual student absences at OCDSB schools on first day of Pride Month

Along with these efforts, we encourage families to become more engaged with their local masjid, to regularly participate in Islamic activities, and to develop loving bonds with their children by spending quality time together. This will help develop and protect the spiritual and mental well-being of their children, Insha Allah. Most importantly, please continue to make intense du'aa. May Allah bring betterment and guide us to what is best.

Signed by the Muslim Leaders Working Group (Ottawa)

Dr. Aisha Sherazi
Br. Jalil
Imam Sikander Hashmi
Imam Zijad Delic