Muslim teacher creates summer reading list for families who want to fight Islamophobia

By Jeremiah Rodriguez, CTVNews.ca Writer

(ABC17 NEWS) SASKATOON, Saskatchewan (CTV Network) — Rabia Khokhar remembers all of the summers she spent as a teenager with her nose in books thanks to reading challenges from the Toronto Public Library.

Now, a resource teacher in the Greater Toronto Area, Khokhar sees those challenges as a way to help the next generation of children “think about their role in creating an inclusive world and community.”

Last week, she tweeted out an in-depth list of children’s books centered around Muslim voices and authors. The books touch on everything from cooking with parents, music, belief in oneself and adventure — all in an effort to encourage parents and fellow educators to do their part in fighting Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment in their own circles.

“I think if you can see yourself in an experience like family, friendship, teamwork or sports — universal experiences — I really believe that’s one of the ways that we can build bridges of understanding and really counter those negative stereotypes with children,” Khokhar told CTVNews.ca by phone Monday.’