Sisters Dialogue (SD) is comprised of a diverse group of Muslim women based in Amiskwacîwâskahikan, Treaty 6 Territory (Edmonton) with a goal to provide culturally safe spaces and supports for racialized Muslim women and girls through an intersectional, collaborative, and women-centred framework. We are a grassroots organization created by Muslim women for Muslim women and girls. We came together in February 2021 in response to the spree of attacks on Muslim women, particularly Black Muslim women in our city.
Mission:
Our mission is to empower and advocate for Muslim women by establishing a safe space that protects their rights, fosters a sense of belonging, and promotes their overall well-being. We strive to raise awareness, amplify voices aligned with our vision and values, and facilitate the liberation of Muslim women. Through capacity building, education, collaboration, and bridge building, we provide culturally safe resources, tools for healing, and inclusive support tailored to the diverse needs of Muslim women and girls. Our approach is human-centred and intersectional, recognizing that each individual may require different forms of assistance. We work towards a future where Muslim women's voices are heard, their agency is respected, and their experiences are humanized and understood.
Vision:
Sisters Dialogue envisions a future where Muslim women and girls thrive, empowered to make choices that shape their lives with pride and ownership. We aspire to be at the forefront of the movement for inclusivity, respect, and support for Muslim women and girls. By challenging policies and perceptions, we seek to transform society into one that recognizes and values Muslim women's multifaceted identities and experiences. Through strategic alliances and collaboration with other Muslim women organizations and allies, we are able to amplify our impact. Sisters Dialogue aims to create a community where Muslim women find validation, healing, and pride. We commit ourselves to continuous capacity building, education, and the provision of accessible resources that address the unique needs of Muslim women and girls. Our vision embraces a human-centered, intersectional approach, celebrating every Muslim woman's journey towards empowerment and fostering a society where the power of vicarious resilience drives positive change.
“So what is the biggest barrier to a better understanding of diversity and compassion towards others? The inability for humans to extend the same level of respect and kindness to those who do not look like them. If we can humanize those who do not look like us, we’d be a more compassionate world.”
-Wati Rahmat, March, 2022
Wati Rahmat (She/Her)
Wati is a community organiser, bridge builder, and writer. Her articles have been published in the Progress Report, and blogs such as Muslim Link and The Muslim Women Times. She grew up in Singapore and has lived in Malaysia and Montreal before making Treaty 6 (Edmonton) her home.
Wati is the founder of Sisters Dialogue, and she also sits on the Advisory Committee for Nisa Homes. Wati is passionate about social justice and community care. She strives to create awareness and amplify the voices of the disenfranchised in whatever space she is engaged in.
Asha Yassin
Asha is a mother, Masters student, and is a former Program Coordinator for Sisters Dialogue. She has worked with marginalized communities to help raise awareness of the importance of mental health and counselling. She worked as a therapist and is currently a student at Yorkville University studying Counselling Psychology in hopes of becoming a registered Psychologist. Asha is specializing in Marriage and Couples’ therapy and is very passionate about mental health and social justice.
Amna Qureshi (She/Her)
Amna is an activist and criminal defense lawyer living and working in Edmonton. She was born and raised on a farm in rural Alberta and has worked extensively with community organizations in Alberta and Ontario fostering access to justice and particularly women's empowerment. Her work has included writing and advocating on issues like the rights of sexual assault complainants at trial, gender based violence and especially women's “right to wear” in courtrooms, in sports, while taking citizenship oaths and when working in the public sector. For the past two years she has dedicated much of her time to working in Alberta's first Mental Health Court, a project designed to assist some of the community’s most vulnerable in navigating the criminal justice system and advocating for therapeutic justice.
Sara Yassin
Sara is a high-school teacher and counsellor with a deep appreciation and love for art, history and nature. She joined Sisters Dialogue to connect with like-minded individuals and further promote support for racialized Muslim women and girls through meaningful conversations and collaboration. She has expertise in mental health and supports young girls in their journey toward self-discovery and resilience.
We'd like to acknowledge and recognize ourselves as Treaty people. we strive for justice and safety on traditional Treaty 6 territory. the traditional meeting ground for the Cree, Blackfoot, Saulteaux, Métis and other Indigenous peoples. As Treaty people, we are committed to working in solidarity with First Nations and Metis peoples towards an equitable and just future together.
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