Iftar Hours (“After Hours”) is a virtual speaker series and iftar event open to all, regardless of background or faith. We encourage youth and their families to join us for collective learning and unlearning on the topic of racism and discrimination as it relates to Islam and Muslim communities. Speeches will be delivered by Imam Yasin Dwyer, Chaplain at the University of Toronto, and Ms. Habon Ali, Global Health Student and UTM 2020 Valedictorian. Following the Adhan (call to prayer), we will spotlight various families that have agreed to “share their iftar” as they show what they are eating and explain their family traditions during this time.
About Imam Yasin Dwyer
Yasin Dwyer was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Jamaican parents. He is the executive director of Muslim Chaplaincy of Toronto. Before joining Muslim Chaplaincy of Toronto, Yasin was a part of the multi-faith chaplaincy team at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. He has lectured extensively on topics such as religion and the arts, Black Canadian culture and the history of Muslims in the West. As well as with working alongside many non-profit organizations in Canada, Yasin was the first full-time Muslim chaplain to work with the Correctional Service of Canada, a position he held for 12 years. He is also a board member of the Montreal based Institut Route de la Soie/Silk Road Institute, which is dedicated to expressing Canadian Muslim narratives through the visual, auditory and performing arts.