The Value of Diversity is Higher Than the Cost to Achieve It

While two people may identify with the same religion, race, ethnicity, or profession, among others, the fact remains that those two people are still different. Each of us will never have the same outlook, beliefs, or life experiences that shape us into who we are.

The life experiences of a visibly Muslim woman who wears a hijab would be a lot different than that of a woman who doesn’t. Similarly, the lived experiences of an Indigenous woman would be far more challenging than someone who ‘looks Canadian’.

According to Statistics Canada, Muslims and Indigenous peoples had the highest percentage of women who were victims of hate crime between 2010 and 2018 – 45%. Speaking on the third day of the BootCamp, Memona Hossain, who has served as the Board Director for the Muslim Association of Canada, pointed at the rising number of cases of gender-based violence against Muslim and Indigenous women, which also often went unreported because of the discrimination women faced. Further, she delved deeper into the multi-layer concept and phenomenon of Islamophobia and why it was essential to have a diverse organization.

Memona, Sarah Attia, Project Manager, MAC iRISE, and Khaled Al-Qazzaz, an Educator, Philanthropist, and Human Rights Activist, hosted the session – Perspectives on Islam & Muslims in Organizational Leadership. The session revolved around the understanding of Islam, Islamophobia, what fuels Islamophobia in Canada, and the intersectionality of the realities of Islamophobia.

Research shows there has been a steady rise in cases of discrimination against Muslims. On average, newcomers to Canada identifying as Muslims face a higher risk of living on low incomes. Immigrants who identified as Muslim were much more likely to have an annual income below $20,000 (46%) than people of other religions who immigrated to Canada (29%). Muslim immigrants were also less likely to be in higher income brackets. (Islamophobia at Work: Challenges and Opportunities)

The elements of the media often compound stereotypes. While Canada may look like an inclusive State from the outside, it’s not a hidden fact that there is an alternative Canadian reality that includes violence, hatred and discrimination against minority groups. Let’s not forget the London attack that happened this year. An entire Muslim family was killed in a violent act of Islamophobia, leaving a seven-year-old orphaned who survived with life-altering injuries.

As part of her session, Memona shared the complexity of the term Islamophobia. She highlighted the various factors that fueled it, such as global events, foreign policy positions of Canadian political parties, the Government of Canada’s position towards countries with a significant Muslim population, and of course, the media.

“As leaders of organizations who are part of structural and systemic creativity, innovation, and leadership, you are in the position to envision and implement meaningful, long-term changes to create a thriving Canada together,” said Memona.

Sarah provided insight into the Islamic worldview and shared the core Islamic concepts with participants to gain an understanding of some of the values that Muslims perceive the world through. She highlighted the concepts of piety (god consciousness/centeredness), justice, compassion, societal reform, and diversity based on mutual understanding (to know one another).

While diversity and meaningful inclusion are effective ways to challenge the status quo and drive change and growth, diversity can only thrive when the participants believe the value of diversity is higher than the cost that comes with it. Highlighting the importance of diversity in an organization, Khaled emphasized that a diverse organization has a better chance at surviving the everyday social changes and challenges. “Diverse boards impact decision-making, management, and also the evaluation criteria for success and failure. They make an organization stronger and more relevant internally and externally,” he shared.

Concluding the session, Khaled added that while our experiences and beliefs make us who we are, the only fundamental principle that distinguishes human beings from each other is their good character and good action. And it wouldn’t be wrong to say the same resonated with other speakers and participants at the BootCamp.

Capacity Canada wrapped up its annual Board Governance BootCamp on December 4. The theme of this year’s BootCamp was Transforming Governance: Preparing Your Board for Diversity. Led by an incredible roster of Indigenous, Black, and Muslim speakers, the BootCamp was attended by over 200 participants from across Canada.

The Board Governance BootCamp was intended to tackle diversity and equity issues that have the most significant impact on good governance. The virtual event covered anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Black racism, and Islamophobia. Sessions focused on creating an equitable board by countering barriers to diversity and inclusion. Panel discussions also included perspectives from Black and Muslim corporate leaders on organizational leadership.

Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, former Member of Parliament from Nunavut, set the stage for deep, transformational learnings with her keynote session on the opening night of the event on December 2. A spectacular lineup of 20 speakers covered vast topics on diversity, inclusion, and equity. Some of our speakers included Olumide (Mide) Akerewusi, Founder and CEO of AGENTSC Inc.; Andria Barrett, a prominent Black business leader and a SheEO Activator; and Memona Hossain, one of the Board of Directors of the Muslim Association of Canada, among others.

Capacity Canada’s work with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is supported by Manulife, Suncor Energy Foundation, and Lyle S. Hallman Foundation. We are also a proud member of the 50-30 Challenge, a Government of Canada initiative to improve access for women, racialized persons including Black Canadians, people who identify as LGBTQ2, persons living with disabilities, as well as First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to positions of influence and leadership on corporate boards and in senior management.

To learn more about our BootCamp, please visit our webpage.