Vaughan Citizen Quotes Tahmena on Equity Issues

http://www.yorkregion.com/news/article/657891--diversity-forum-highlights-equality-vs-equity-issues

Bokhari, Canadian- Pakistani Diversity Professor Advocates for Equity

Tahmena Bokhari, social worker and diversity specialist, speaks at a diversity forum in Vaughan, Ontario in Canada. Canada claims a distinction with its ‘multicultural mosiac’ opposing the U.S. ‘melting pot’. Ms. Bokhari believes that it is at the municipal level of any country where one can clearly see the definitions of mainstream culture play out. “It’s where most of the action is and where the government has a direct relationship with residents.” She started the evening by discussing the importance of community involvement. She thanked the attendees for getting connected to the issues, however she asked the audience to consider, “Who is not here and why?”. The event was the third of its kind in Vaughan, held on March 25th and organized by the City’s Community Diversity and Equity Committee. The Committee is chaired by Thornhill Councillor Alan Shefman. The Chair and Vice-Chair and other committee members also spoke and ran small groups to get input from the community. Bokhari proudly noted of the Committee's work that this is a really good start and is all an initiative by dedicated volunteers. The event was just a few days after March 21st, the International Day for the Elimination of Racism and Discrimination. This is all in a current climate where public organizations are having to abide by province-wide mandatory work on accomodating for people’s with disabilities, Canada’s ageing population, and a nation solely dependent on immigrants for any growth in the labour force. As urban sprawl is catching up and the population of Vaughan is set to double over the next couple of decades, Bokhari says that, “we better be prepared, the diversity is coming.”
Bokhari, a long time advocate and expert in diversity asserted that we must expand our definition of diversity from ethno-racial identity to all forms of diversity including disability, age, gender, and sexual diversity. Bokhari says that we should not be reinventing the wheel, but we can certainly improve it. “Far too often we equate diversity initiatives with multiculturalism, but we must go further than that. We have a chance to learn from other cities as well as decades worth of research and writing on diversity in Canada.” She further went on to say that cultural festivals are a good start, but not the solution to more serious issues such as glass ceilings, discrimination and hate crimes.
Although she is a Canadian citizen by birth right, Bokhari explains that her Pakistani and Muslim heritages somehow made her less Canadian in the eyes of many in the mainstream society. “I am as Canadian as any one else, we are a nation built on immigrants. From the Aboriginal peoples and the European colonizers and founding fathers, to recent immigrants from South Asia, we all have a stake in making and shaping ‘Canadian’ society and not just a small sub-culture.”
March was also a significant month for Pakistanis around the world, with the 23rd being Pakistan Resolution Day and marking the beginning of independence. The Canadian government, Bokhari indicates, estimates there are over 300, 000 Canadians who claim Pakistan as their country of origin. “We do often get lumped in under the category of South Asian, but there is diversity within diversity, and we must recognize that in Canada.”
Saima Wahed is a college student who has heard Bokhari speak on issues of diversity and says that Bokhari’s message particularly speaks to her. “I know what it is like to grow up not feeling fully Canadian and questioning your own identity. As a youth, I am inspired by people like Ms. Bokhari.”
Bokhari has worked around the world with diverse populations on issues of social justice and she says that she has had the privilege of acting in the role of a pseudo-ambassador for Canada. “As Canadians, we have a wonderful reputation around the world and we have an obligation to live up to it by taking leadership as a land of immigrants. We must demonstrate to the world how to live and breathe inclusivity.”
Wahed indicated that often people mistake her for being Indian and do not understand Pakistani culture very well. “Once I explain, I am then called South Asian, which is fine, but when people think South Asia they think India. Pakistanis also need to create their mark.”
Bokhari indicates that identity development is a key factor in youth playing strong roles in shaping mainstream society. “You have to see people who look like you, you have to see yourself reflected in the mainstream culture in order to feel a part of it.”
Wahed, who wants to persue a law degree, says that “westerners think of India as a perfect democratic and diverse state, but India has tons of problems. There is class and caste discrimination, those born into certain castes will never enjoy the life of those in upper castes, Muslims are discriminated, there is such extreme poverty, overpopulation means child labour, people working for mere pennies and other social problems.” She wonders, “Why would a first world nation like Canada look to India as a model?”
Bokhari indicates that we can learn from various communities around the world because Canadian citizens have footprints in many countries. “We can lead the world because we represent the world in our citizens."
Earlier in the week, Ms. Bokhari attended another event in Vaughan, ON which was meant for municipalities to look at issues of anti-racism. It was held by the Canadian Coalition for Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination, supported by the Ontario Human Rights Commission and driven by UNESCO, a United Nations agency. Speakers included Vaughan’s Councillor Shefman, along with staff from municipalities across the country. “I am proud that Vaughan was the first municipality in the Region of York to join this coalition”, says Bokhari. However, she is interested to know about all the other cities around the world who have joined.
Bokhari lectures on diversity and discusses the importance of understanding equity as oppose to equality. She says, “we must get our heads around the idea of treating different people differently in order to achieve social justice and equitable outcomes.” This would mean making city services accessible to the hearing impaired, deaf and blind communities, ensuring language is simple on signage, creative and new outreach methods to ensure everyone in the community is in the loop, and multilingual services. In addition, there is the issue of inclusivity vs diversity, wherein Bokhari stresses we must ask if all the communities that make up our “Canadian mosaic” are all truly included in the centre of civic activities.
With all the debates surrounding this issue, Ms. Bokhari remains optimistic. “With all the work ahead of us, I am still very confident that we as diverse and talented people can do it!” She hopes to continue to raise awareness and work in the community on these and other important social causes.

Tahmena Bokhari in SNAP Brampton

http://www.snapbram.com/index.php?option=com_sngevents&id%5B%5D=155942

Mrs Pakistan World Returns from Conference in the U.K.
Prof. Tahmena Bokhari, social worker and activist who won Mrs Pakistan World 2010 journeyed to London, England to join several others on February 16th. Ms. Bokhari was invited by conference organizers - the British Council. The event aligned with Ms. Bokhari’s overall message that we must work to develop positive and healthy communities around the world. Having a personal passion for the arts, as she hobbies as a photographer, fashion designer, painter and writer, she firmly believes that creative outlets are a necessary part of a healthy life. According to Bokhari,“A sign of healthy children and communities around the world is access to positive outlets for emotional and physical energy, such as the creative arts including poetry, literature, painting, dance, music and so on.”

Tahmena Bokhari's Speaks at BMSD Conference in London, UK

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/5286463-prof-social-worker-tahmena-bokhari-speaks-out-for-the-arts-in-the-muslim-world

Tahmens is back from London with a renewed sense of what a few passionate people can accomplish.

Prof. Tahmena Bokhari, social worker and activist who won Mrs Pakistan World 2010 journeyed to London, England to join several others on February 16th to encourage Muslims to reclaim their artistic and cultural heritage. Ms. Bokhari was invited by conference organisers - the British Muslims for Secular Democracy (bmsd) and by the British Council. The conference titled “Free Muslims: Autonomy and Creativity” challenged those who seek to close down the Muslim mind by claiming Islam forbids artistic expression, leisure and cultural activities.

This was aligned with Ms. Bokhari’s overall message that we must work to develop positive and healthy communities around the world. Having a personal passion for the arts, as she hobbies as a photographer, fashion designer, painter and writer, she firmly believes that creative outlets are a necessary part of a healthy life.
Ms. Bokhari, looking ever so glamorous in her self-designed red silk blazer and golden scarf, started her speech by addressing the controversy of her winning the

Mrs Pakistan World 2010 crown, as many believed that her identities seem very contradictory given that she is a professor, social activist, feminist, Muslim and Pakistan and then if that was not enough she was now a beauty queen. She indicated that she is not a typical beauty and nor is this a typical pageant. She reasserted her message that there is no where else an avenue for an average Pakistani woman to become an ambassador for her country than the Mrs Pakistan World stage. She is using this platform to speak to the global audience on issues she has spent over a decade working on such as promoting women and uplifting her country.

In referencing neuroscience research and one of the college courses she teaches, Prof. Bokhari educated the audience on brain development and the importance of stimulation of the mind from the ages 0-5 through dance, arts, language, and so on. She advised that it is very important in fields such as language, dance, sports and the arts that children be exposed to them early so their brain can best develop in those areas, otherwise the brain may lose the ability to develop or excel at these areas later on in life. Ms. Bokhari believes that developing creative outlets in all countries, but especially in places like Pakistan, can be a method of redirecting youth from violence and involvement with gangs and terrorist groups. She cited examples of using forms of art such as painting and photography with her clients on social worker projects she has conducted around the world. These photographs can be seen on some of her public blogs found on the net by typing her name in Google search.

She concluded her address to the crowd of nearly 200 people by saying that, “A sign of healthy children and communities around the world is access to positive outlets for emotional and physical energy, such as the creative arts including poetry, literature, painting, dance, music and so on. Creativity is considered to be a divine blessing in Islam. We need to make artistic and creative outlets available and accessible to everyone. The health of each individual and the sustainability of our culture depends on it.”

Ms. Bokhari was thankful to the British Council and to bmsd for inviting her and stated, “It was amazing to be a part of this room with such talented and amazing people. It always renews my spirits when I am reminded what a few passionate people can accomplish if you can get them in a room together. This was history in the making and I am proud to be a part of it.” Organizers were pleased at Bokhari’s speech and participation and were highly satisfied with the outcome. Not knowing what the public’s response would be at this new concept of reviving the arts, amazingly the crowd was full of supporters.

While in the UK, Tahmena had a busy schedule of meetings with several dignitaries including the Canadian High Commissioner James Wright and former Pakistan President Musharraf. She writes about her meeting with the former President on her blog regarding her work on the Pakistan earthquake at http://tahmenabokhari.blogspot.com/


Next, Ms. Bokhari is expected to make a special appearance aT the Vagina Monologues play.

Tahmena Bokhari in Asian News Media Speaking Out for Arts in the Muslim World

http://menmedia.co.uk/asiannews/entertainment/arts/s/1192465
_mrs_pakistan_world_speaks_up_for_arts_in_the_muslim_world

Mrs Pakistan World 2010, Tahmena Bokhari will be joining delegates in London next week to encourage Muslims to reclaim their artistic and cultural heritage.
Children in certain Muslim homes are increasingly discouraged from participating in drama, art and music and the conference organised by British Muslims for Secular Democracy (bmsd) and supported by the British Council will address this problem and the consequences.

The 'Free Muslims: Autonomy and Creativity' challenges those who seek to close down the Muslim mind by claiming Islam forbids artistic expression, leisure and cultural activities.

Ms Bokhari’s has a personal passion for the arts, having an interest in photography, fashion design, painting and writing, she firmly believes that creative outlets are a necessary part of a healthy life.

She has also used art in providing forms of therapy as a social worker with her clients and children in countries including Pakistan and Cambodia.

Said Ms Bokhari: "A sign of healthy children and communities around the world is access to positive outlets for emotional and physical energy, such as the creative arts including poetry, literature, painting, dance, music and so on.

"Creativity is considered to be a divine blessing in Islam. Islam furnishes us with numerous examples of Muslim creativity, from calligraphy in the Golden Age to Sami Yusuf’s debut album ‘al-Mu’allim’.

"We must ensure fourteen hundred years of Islamic contributions to art, culture, literature, and history are not pushed aside in favour of a hardline interpretation of the Muslim faith."

The conference is taking place at the SOAS Brunei Gallery in central London on 16 February 2010 from 10am to 2pm.