Addressing Islamophobia is Next Topic of New UC Davis Speaker Series

The UC Davis Department of Internal Medicine is pleased to announce the next installment in its Addressing Bias, Bigotry, and Discrimination at UC Davis speaker series, featuring Rania Awaad, M.D., on February 13, 2025.

Dr. Awaad, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Stanford University and director of the Stanford Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab, will present on "Addressing Islamophobia in the Context of Muslim Mental Health."

Dr. Awaad’s lecture will provide an opportunity for faculty, students, and healthcare professionals to engage in meaningful dialogue about Islamophobia and its far-reaching effects. Dr. Awaad, who has been nationally recognized for her work that focuses on mental health needs of Muslim communities, will shed light on the rising challenges faced by Muslim communities in the U.S. and globally.

The Addressing Bias, Bigotry and Discrimination speaker series at UC Davis Health is part of the UC Davis Dynamic Discussions campaign, which aims to foster respectful dialogue and provide valuable insights on pressing social issues.

A Desire to Stop Silent Suffering

Mithu Molla, MBA, M.D., who is a director at the UC Davis Office of Medical Education, was motivated to bring this new speaker series to UC Davis Health after seeing how faculty and staff were dealing with immense trauma and stress related to the conflict in the Middle East, both personally and professionally, as well as seeing how conflict in the Middle East was affecting college campuses around the country, including the main UC Davis campus.

“I just noticed how many of my colleagues, from diverse backgrounds like Muslim, Palestinian and Jewish, were silently suffering without an outlet to process their experiences and perspectives,” Molla said. “As physicians, it’s important for us to understand those experiences and perspectives so we can be empathetic when we work with patients, students, residents and other colleagues.”

Open Dialogue and Understanding

Recognizing the need for open dialogue and understanding, Dr. Molla applied for a grant to create a new speaker series. The goal was to bring in renowned experts and thought leaders to share their knowledge and insights on critical topics like antisemitism, Islamophobia, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the impacts of systemic racism.
With the help of Division Coordinator Carmelita Ramirez, Dr. Molla carefully curated a lineup of speakers that would provide a range of perspectives. In selecting speakers, Dr. Molla and Ramirez often sought input from members of the Muslim, Palestinian and Jewish communities.

Other upcoming speakers in the series include Derek Penslar, who will explore the definition of antisemitism, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson, who will discuss the concept of caste in American society. The series aims to foster empathy, compassion, and academic freedom within the UC Davis community by creating a safe space for open dialogue and mutual understanding.

Creating Space for Critical Conversations

By addressing these issues openly, the series aims to foster a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of those impacted by bias and discrimination.

The Addressing Bias and Bigotry speaker series continues to be an essential platform for education and discussion at UC Davis Health. As the institution works to cultivate inclusivity and awareness, events like Dr. Awad’s talk serve as a critical step in bridging divides and encouraging mutual understanding within the healthcare and academic communities.

“When we can understand each other's perspectives a little bit more, we can be that much more supportive,” Molla said. “I think it's so important as a medical community, as an academic community, for us to support each other through these traumas that we're experiencing. We all value each other as human beings, no matter what the controversies are.”

More on Dr. Rania Awaad

Dr. Awaad is a leading expert on the mental health impacts of discrimination. Her research and advocacy work focus on addressing the intersection of faith, identity, and psychological well-being among Muslim populations. She is also a scholar in Islamic psychology and frequently speaks about the effects of Islamophobia on individuals and communities.

Her talk will delve into the historical and contemporary manifestations of Islamophobia, exploring how bias and bigotry have shaped public perception, policies, and social dynamics. She will also discuss how Islamophobia affects mental health, particularly among Muslim youth and professionals navigating educational and workplace environments.

Click here for more information about the event speakers or to register for each event.