Camaraderie, safety and healing: Sisters Dialogue opens centre for Muslim women in Edmonton

February 8, 2025 Canuck

It started as a way to ensure Muslim women had a voice amid a string of hate-fuelled attacks in Edmonton.

Now, Sisters Dialogue is celebrating the grand opening of its first brick-and-mortar location for the hundreds who have found safety and solidarity within their collective these past four years.

The space was designed to reflect the diversity of community members who donated ottomans from Morocco, prayer mats from Mecca, and an olive plant representing Palestine, with diverse images of Muslim women on the walls from an Islamophobia awareness photo exhibition in 2023.

They named the space Amanah — an Arabic word used by Muslims to mean “responsibility” and they chose it reflect the responsibility of collective care by providing a healing space for community members.

“We go through certain things or we experience certain things in a different way. So to have those shared experiences, our kids being friends — just being able to experience life together — it’s really special,” said Rebecca Pilon who attended her first gathering two years ago.

“It’s just nice to be able to talk about everything, you know: ‘Ramadan is coming up. Have you made up all your fasts yet that you didn’t do last year? Are your kids going to be fasting? Do you want to pray together?'”

Starting in December 2020, a string of brazen, high-profile verbal and physical attacks on racialized Muslim women in Edmonton sparked fear, anger, sadness and hyper-vigilance within the community.

Beautiful space with vibrant pink persian carpet, sofas, cushions, plants and images of Muslim women on the walls — Sisters Dialogue opens Amanah to community members on Feb 15. (Submitted by Sisters Dialogue)

It’s the origin story of Sisters Dialogue.

In early 2021, a group of friends organized a pop-up webinar for Muslim women to discuss what was happening. More than 300 people registered. Some women shared experiences and feelings they had never spoken about.

Within a week, Sisters Dialogue registered as a non-profit to receive provincial funding.

Their offerings quickly multiplied into healing circles and culturally sensitive, free therapy.

Monthly meet-ups support mothers of children on the spectrum while a group of environmentally-minded youth hold clothing swaps where you can score your next favourite hijab.

The launch of SafetyWalk ensured Muslim women wouldn’t have to walk alone in public and though funding has ended, the group hopes to start it up again.

“We thought that a space where women can come and gather regularly was much needed,” said Wati Rahmat, the founder and director of Sisters Dialogue, who volunteers her time on top of her day job.

“We call it a safer space because safety is relative, not everyone feels safe in the same way.”

Radio Active8:22Safe space for Muslim women in Edmonton

A centre is opening in Edmonton for Muslim girls and women in the city. Amanah: A Safer Space for Muslim Women and Girls opens in Edmonton this Saturday. Wati Rahmat is the founder of Sisters Dialogue, a non-profit organization overseeing the location.

The group welcomes all who identify as Muslim women and their children.

“Like maybe you’re not wearing a hijab, maybe you have a tattoo and you go to pray and women look at you in a different way,” Rahmat said.

“We wanted a space where people still feel that they can practice Islam however they choose to, but not be judged and still have that community and connection.”

Hate on the streets

When divisive rhetoric ramps up, Edmonton Muslims brace themselves for the backlash, said Rahmat.

“When people see leaders talking about divisive issues, it emboldens those keyboard warriors that hide behind the screen, or on the street — they just shout out those things,” Rahmat said.

According to Edmonton police, 11 alleged Islamophobic crimes and three incidents were reported last year, though police couldn’t confirm by deadline how many charges were laid. In 2023, there were seven alleged Islamophobic crimes and 11 incidents.

However, Rahmat believes there are far more crimes that aren’t reported and she recalls her own incident in 2019 where she was shaken to the core on a stroll along Jasper Ave., as a driver shouted “take that [hijab] off.”

Picture of smiling woman against backdrop of water and rocks — Lucy Lu facilitates group therapy through art and theatre. (Submitted by Lucy Lu)

It’s one of the reasons even the lighthearted gatherings held by Sisters Dialogue have a therapist on hand.

One of those therapists is Lucy Lu, who facilitates group therapy through art and theatre. As a woman of Chinese heritage who experienced the rise in racism during the pandemic, Lu knows the toll it takes on mental and physical health and how art can help.

“It’s ridiculous because people shouldn’t be constantly living in fear. You’re always activated, right?” Lu told CBC News.

“So to understand that layer for people of colour, racialized folks, people who are visibly otherized in society — to understand that layer of harm that impacts people is so important.”

Lu said she found solidarity with Sisters Dialogue, which has also hosted events with the Uyghur community, Samson Cree Nation, Amnesty International and many others.

Amanah opens its doors at 8925 51st Ave. to media and politicians Saturday before a grand opening for community members on Feb. 15.