Building Cross-Cultural Understanding, Connections, and Respect
Cultural Competency Workshop- Islam, Muslims and Identity
“Hend Zaki’s ‘Cultural Competency Workshop: Islam, Muslims and Identity’ was an incredibly educational and empowering opportunity to learn more about Islam and Muslims. Attending Hend’s workshop was a safe place to take on my journey to fill my gap in understanding the core values of Islam. We finished by identifying steps to support Muslims better. Hend is a wonderful facilitator who brings knowledge backed by research and lived experiences.”
This workshop is designed for individuals who want to learn more about Islam and Muslims. It offers essential background information, explores the experiences of Muslims in Western societies, and provides practical strategies to support Muslim colleagues, clients, students, and staff members.
Key topics will include:
Islam and Islamic Practices: Learn about the five pillars of Islam, key religious holidays and practices.
Historical Context & Current Situation of Muslims in Western Societies: A brief exploration of the history and current situation of Muslims, with a focus on New Zealand and Australia.
Challenges and Opportunities: Understand the challenges Muslims face, such as Islamophobia and barriers to employment, as well as the opportunities that come with living in Western countries.
Practical Support Strategies: Guidance on how to effectively accommodate and support Muslim staff, students, and clients.
By the end of this workshop, you will:
Gain an understanding of Islam and the lived experiences of Muslims in Western societies.
Acquire practical tools and strategies to effectively support Muslim colleagues, students, and clients.
Learn how to create welcoming, inclusive, and safe environments for Muslims in workplaces, schools, and universities.
Upcoming Workshop:
Where: Online
Duration: 2.5 hours
Cost: NZD$150 (Approx. AUD$137/USD$90 for our international friends.)
When: 14 August 2025 12noon to 2:30pm (NZST, Wellington, New Zealand)
🌐Time Zone Conversions:
Thursday, 14 August 2025, 10:00am to 12:30pm (AEST, Melbourne, Australia)
Wednesday, 13 August 2025, 8:00pm to10:30pm (EDT, Washington DC, USA)
Facilitator: Dr Hend Zaki is a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) accredited professional. She is experienced in issues of intersectionality, identity, and belonging. Dr Zaki’s PhD research focused on the identity of Muslims in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Australia. Her lived experiences across multiple countries enrich her understanding of the challenges and opportunities for Muslims in Western societies. Dr. Zaki is dedicated to creating inclusive environments where everyone can contribute, belong, and thrives. To find out more about her, please visit our about page.
To register: Please visit the Registration Page.
Customisation Options for Organisations: The workshop can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your organisation, including adjusting the duration and topics covered.
Contact us to discuss how we can tailor this workshop for your organisation.
Testimonials
“I found Dr Hend Zaki’s workshop an important first step towards understanding Islam, and particularly the day to day issues many Muslim people face in New Zealand. Hend’s approach is evidence-based, combining postgraduate research with individuals’ stories and group discussion. I left with greater understanding and insight, and practical things that I can do to be a better colleague towards Muslims in my workplace. I also want to complement Hend on how she leads the workshops. Hend speaks of kindness as being an important characteristic of being Muslim, and she demonstrated that in the way she accepted and welcomed everyone willing to learn”
“Hend facilitates this invaluable workshop in such a beautiful way, starting with whanaungatanga, and weaving her own and other people’s experiences through stories and statistics to provide a deeper understanding of Muslim experiences in Aotearoa, and of Islam beliefs and practices. It was a privilege to hear and to learn more, and great to have space to discuss reflections with other participants too. I came away from this workshop with a deeper understanding and some practical ways to create more inclusive spaces for our Muslim whãnau, as well as curiosity to continue learning more about the Muslim community globally. Unity is so needed in our world today, and this starts with greater awareness and understanding of each other. ”