What would narratives look like for Muslims, if they were designed and developed by Muslims?

The Narrative Change Lab aims to shift the story for Canadian Muslims, by using a pop culture lens and focusing on narratives, audiences, and power.

What would narratives look like for Muslims if they were designed and developed by Muslims? Over five months, the Lab Cohort will explore this question and more.

Through a rigorous process of networking, research, and conversations with Canadian Muslims who are actively engaged in arts and media, we are excited to announce the NCL Cohort:

Adnan Khan, Writer
Cadar Mohamud, Podcaster
Eman Bare, Journalist, Fashion Designer
Idil Issa, Founder
Javid Jah, Interdisciplinary Artist
Mariam Zaidi, Filmmaker, Film Programmer
Mohamed Shaheen, Innovation Consultant, Artistic Director
Moska Rokay, Archivist, PhD Student
Muna Deria, Screenwriter
Razeem Nauth-Ali, Rapper, Singer-songwriter, Executive Producer
Reem Morsi, Writer, Director, Producer
Rolla Tahir, Filmmaker
Sikandar Atiq, Film Festival Co-Chair
Sina Sultani, Writer, Director, Producer
Steven Zhou, Journalist
Timaj Garad, Multidisciplinary Storyteller
Yazmeen Kanji, Impact Filmmaker

Cohort members hold many identities and come from diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds. Please see more information on the Narrative Change Lab, as well as the NCL Cohort, here.

Quotes
“We know dominant narratives shape our understanding of others; the most harmful of these lead to all kinds of systemic barriers, and in some cases, the killing of Muslims. In 2020, we launched the Narrative Change Lab with a focus on reimagining Muslim narratives. This Cohort of exceptional folks in media and arts is part of the brain trust that will move the Lab to the next stage.”

Sadia Zaman, CEO, Inspirit Foundation

“The Narrative Change Lab is an extension of Inspirit's programming and granting focus on shifting narrative power. I’m excited to see how the energy and creativity of this Cohort can enrich our collective understanding of narratives by and from within Muslim Canadian communities.”

Chris Lee, Director of Programming, Inspirit Foundation

“Being Muslim in Canada has never been easy. But it doesn't have to be that way. Designing the Narrative Change Lab was complicated because there is no single solution to shifting narrative landscapes. But I'm excited that this Lab has been developed intentionally to sit deeply and authentically in everything Muslim. The Cohort is an amazing example of the many ways Muslims in Canada are changing spaces. And this program is a first step to collectively working on our narratives, deciding how we want to be seen in the public space.”

Angie Balata, Program Manager, Inspirit Foundation

"I hope this Lab succeeds in creating more Muslim-inclusive spaces in the arts, one that does not compromise moral integrity, nor creative and artistic vision. I'm particularly interested in exploring the lack of representation and involvement of Muslim youth and women in the arts and what that involvement can look like in a healthy and sustainable way that does not succumb to the fraught and problematic demands of the film and art industries at large."

Rolla Tahir, NCL Cohort

"Narratives played a powerful role in telling our history, which still shapes how we are perceived today. I think it's crucial that we assert ownership over our narrative now, so that we can center it on our Truths and leave it in better shape for the future."

Razeem Nauth-Ali, NCL Cohort

“I’m really excited about participating in something that might change the current narrative landscape for Canadian Muslims. But I’m even more excited about learning the ways Canadian Muslims have already been doing that and amplifying it.”

Cadar Mohamud, NCL Cohort