Strategies to Deal with Islamophobia

Along with the list of resources mentioned in this guidebook, here are some of the strategies that Muslim immigrant women found helpful to deal with anti-Muslim racism (Islamophobia) and microaggression in Canada:

- Some Muslim immigrant women found ways around making an eye contact when they did not feel comfortable in making one. They look near the ears, or around the head to pretend to make an eye contact.

- Some Muslim immigrant women practiced making eye contact in front of the mirror for the job interviews. 

- Often Muslim women felt pity for these people who seemed ignorant and who lacked respect for towards them. In fact, it was important to note that challenging situations should  not make Muslim women think that they lacked anything. Rather, they should think about how the others lack the characteristics of respect and/or humanity. 

- Often Muslim immigrant women picked and chose their battles. They chose to ignore the incidences where others try to intimidate them with microaggressions when it was one time interaction. For example, in grocery stores. But they took time and made an effort to communicate how bad they felt because of a racist or Islamophobic situation if it was a long term relationship. For example, at work or at university.

- Often Muslim immigrant women shopped at specialty grocery stores to avoid Islamophobic and racist situations. They found it easy to explain special groceries and what they needed from a store to a person who felt more like themselves, rather than trying to explain it to a white salesperson.