What is your initiative?
Embodied Self-Literacy aims to support young Arab and Muslim adults in cultivating a sense of agency and self-awareness to foster healthier relationships with themselves and others. Through culturally sensitive, faith-aligned sex education, it offers open discussions and workshops grounded in Islamic values, reframing the conversation around respect, patience, and trust, while teasing apart culture from religion, and shame from modesty.
What is your connection to your chosen community?
My community is rooted in family, friendships, and collective memory. Since moving to Montreal, I’ve built meaningful connections with Arabs and Muslims navigating faith, culture, and identity. My friends have shown me what it means to be unapologetically yourself, embracing faith and celebrating culture. As Arabs and Muslims in Montreal and beyond, we’re always learning from each other, and it’s these relationships that have deepened my sense of belonging and continue to inspire me.
What are you looking forward to this year?
I’m eager and curious to see how our conversations and discussions will unfold, bringing playfulness into learning and sharing with each other as we collectively bring our community vision to life.