Muslim Woman Shares Her Journey of Growing Up and Building a Career in Winnipeg

Alia Harb, who works for the provincial government, describes her life as a Muslim born in the city as mostly positive. In her interview on "Civic Platform" with Jadd and Dujahn Kasa, it can be seen that her life has embodied all the life-affirming, caring values of her faith.

In her early life, the Muslim community was small and tight knit. The entire community could fit into the heritage Hazelwood Mosque, she said. The community 'aunties' put on lots of activities for the young. 

She lived in Garden City in the North of Winnipeg which was chock full of immigrants from a host of countries; Portugal, Italy, Ukraine and others. Everyone was different so no-one felt different. She started wearing a hijab at the early age of 8, but it wasn't until her teens that she was made to feel different, all the more so as she went to a rural Christian school.

Her university years in Winnipeg were enlivening, according to her. She got involved with the Muslim Student Association. She said that after the catastrophic event of 9/11, the Muslim Student Association upped their game and put on lots of information sessions about Islam and they brought in speakers. In addition, they worked with other student associations to put on conferences. And as is characteristic of the Islamic groups, they did their part in volunteering and giving back to the community.

She had lots more to say about parenting and careers.  For parenting, she said that the main thing is to "walk the talk", be an example for your children to instill he Muslim values of peace and good. As for her career, as a conflict mediator and then working for the Government of Manitoba to help institute a respectful workplace environment, it is clear that she carefully follows the value of her faith.

Her hope is that the Muslim social service organizations can keep up with the need of the exponential influx of Muslims into Winnipeg.

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The project is funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage and administered by the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS).