Islamophobia in Canadian Healthcare-Resource Hub

Victory Against Islamophobia in Healthcare (December 20, 2021)

The Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) has retracted a harmful article that targeted the hijab, following a productive meeting between our Executive Director, Tabassum Wyne, and CMAJ's Interim Editor-in-Chief, Kirsten Patrick. “Grateful to have had the chance to talk to the Executive Director of @MACCMuslims today and benefit from her advice and counsel, and also to hear from other Muslim women across Canada,” said Patrick. We remain committed to advocating for justice and fostering understanding through meaningful dialogue, ensuring the rights and dignity of Muslim communities in healthcare and beyond.

Insights from Our 2022 Surveys on Islamophobia in Healthcare

Insights from Our 2022 Surveys on Islamophobia in Healthcare

In our 2022 surveys, 25 Muslim patients and 10 healthcare workers shared their experiences within the Canadian healthcare system. The results reveal significant challenges, with a large percentage of respondents reporting Islamophobia, particularly in hospital settings. Issues like microaggressions, dismissive attitudes, and a lack of cultural competency were highlighted, emphasizing the need for systemic change to ensure a more equitable and respectful healthcare environment for Muslim communities across Canada.

Anti-Muslim Sentiment in Healthcare Symposium Hosted by McMaster University (June 2022)

On June 1, 2022, McMaster University's Faculty of Health Sciences hosted the "Anti-Muslim Sentiment in Healthcare Symposium," a groundbreaking event focused on addressing the challenges faced by Muslims in healthcare settings. The symposium featured plenary speakers Ms. Tabassum Wyne, Founder & Executive Director of the Muslim Advisory Council of Canada, and Dr. Fatimah Jackson-Best from McMaster University. The event brought together experts, including healthcare professionals and academics, to discuss the historical context of anti-Muslim hate, the gaps in healthcare access, and the strategies needed to combat gendered Islamophobia. This event was a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable healthcare environment.

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) Highlights Islamophobia in Healthcare for the First Time, Featuring Insights from Muslim Advisory Council of Canada (December 2022)

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) Highlights Islamophobia in Healthcare for the First Time, Featuring Insights from MACC (December 2022)

For the first time ever, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) has highlighted Islamophobia in healthcare as a critical issue in their Dialogue magazine. The Muslim Advisory Council of Canada (MACC) played a pivotal role in this groundbreaking discussion, with Executive Director Tabassum Wyne emphasizing the severe impact of Islamophobia on both patients and healthcare professionals. This marks a significant step towards addressing and mitigating discrimination within the healthcare system, reflecting MACC’s ongoing commitment to advocating for equitable and inclusive healthcare for Muslim communities.

Groundbreaking Research: Islamophobia in Healthcare (March 2023)

Overview of Our Groundbreaking Islamophobia in Healthcare Research (March 2023)

In Fall 2022, the Muslim Advisory Council of Canada, in partnership with the McMaster University Office of Community Engagement, conducted a scoping review to investigate experiences of Islamophobia towards Muslim women and children in healthcare systems across Canada, the U.S., and the U.K. Our research revealed a significant gap in studies on the discrimination faced by Muslim patients, particularly women and children, in healthcare settings. Notably, there have been no large-scale Canadian studies quantifying the extent of Islamophobia towards Muslims using representative samples and validated measures. This study highlights the urgent need for more comprehensive research to ensure equitable and effective care for all. Read the full overview here.

Our Contribution to McMaster University Department of Pediatrics Grand Rounds on Islamophobia in Healthcare (June 2023)

The Muslim Advisory Council of Canada (MACC) was prominently featured in the McMaster University Department of Pediatrics Grand Rounds, which focused on the urgent issue of Islamophobia in healthcare. This session brought together pediatric healthcare professionals, academics, and community leaders to explore how Islamophobia affects the care of Muslim patients, particularly children. MACC’s Executive Director, Tabassum Wyne, was instrumental in these discussions, advocating for systemic changes to ensure that all patients, regardless of their background, receive equitable and respectful care. The event underscored the importance of cultural competency and the need to address discrimination within healthcare settings.

Watch the full session here.

Issuance of Press Statement on October 18, 2023: A Call to Action Against Islamophobia in Healthcare

On October 18, 2023, the Muslim Advisory Council of Canada (MACC) issued a powerful statement condemning the ongoing Islamophobia in healthcare. The statement underscores the urgent need for systemic changes to protect Muslim patients from discrimination and bias in medical settings. MACC calls for immediate action from healthcare institutions, policymakers, and the broader community to address these issues and ensure equitable healthcare for all. The statement also reaffirms MACC's commitment to advocating for the rights and dignity of Muslim patients and working towards a more inclusive healthcare system.

Read the full statement here.

Our Executive Director & Physicians in Canada Call for Accountability Following Hamilton Cardiologist's Call for Deportation of Palestinian Protestors (November 2023)

Our Executive Director Calls for Accountability Following Hamilton Cardiologist's Call for Deportation of Palestinian Protestors (November 2023)

Tabassum Wyne, Executive Director of the Muslim Advisory Council of Canada, boldly addressed the controversy involving a Hamilton cardiologist and McMaster University professor who called for the deportation of Palestinian protestors via social media. Wyne strongly condemned the hateful rhetoric by the doctor but emphasized the necessity of accountability for her actions. "An apology is appreciated, but there needs to be accountability," Wyne stated, noting that the cardiologist's multiple social media posts spreading hate cannot be overlooked. Wyne urged McMaster University to take a firm stand against Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian hate, and antisemitism, especially within healthcare institutions, and to ensure that those promoting such views face appropriate consequences.

Read the full article here.

Our Call to Action on Dr. Thea Weisdorf's Discriminatory and Anti-Palestinian Comments (June 2024)

MACC's Call to Action on Dr. Thea Weisdorf's Discriminatory and Anti-Palestinian Comments (June 2024)

The Muslim Advisory Council of Canada (MACC) launched a call to action and letter campaign in response to discriminatory and anti-Palestinian comments made by Dr. Thea Weisdorf on social media. Supported by 120 physicians, letters were sent to key healthcare institutions, government officials, and hospital representatives, urging them to address and condemn this harmful rhetoric. Several institutions have responded, confirming that the matter is under investigation. MACC’s letter campaign emphasized the importance of addressing and condemning Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian rhetoric, particularly within healthcare settings, and called for tangible actions to ensure that such behavior is not tolerated. This initiative is part of MACC’s ongoing commitment to advocating for the rights and dignity of Muslim communities and promoting a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.

Actively Advocating for Government Action on Islamophobia in Canadian Healthcare

Actively Advocating for Government Action on Islamophobia in Canadian Healthcare

The Muslim Advisory Council of Canada (MACC) is actively advocating to government officials at both the federal and provincial levels to address the urgent issue of Islamophobia in Canadian healthcare. Through direct engagement with key policymakers, MACC is pushing for the implementation of policies and practices that combat discrimination and ensure equitable healthcare for all. This advocacy is a vital part of MACC’s mission to safeguard the rights and dignity of Muslim patients and healthcare workers, promoting a healthcare system that is inclusive, respectful, and free from Islamophobia.

BIG NEWS: We Have Launched Tool to Document Anti-Muslim Sentiment in Healthcare

The Muslim Advisory Council of Canada (MACC) has launched a new tool dedicated to documenting instances of anti-Muslim sentiment in healthcare settings. This initiative aims to provide a platform for Muslim patients and healthcare workers to report and share their experiences with Islamophobia, helping to gather critical data that can drive systemic change. By collecting and analyzing this information, MACC is taking an important step toward identifying patterns of discrimination and advocating for more equitable and inclusive healthcare policies across Canada.

Learn more about the tool and how to contribute here.

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