Workshop | Beyond Headlines: Confronting Anti-Arab Hate & Islamophobia

Whether in our personal lives, in our workplace, or on a global stage, the rise of anti-Arab hate and Islamophobia is significantly impacting our community. However, are we prepared as public employees to confront anti-Arab hate and Islamophobia when we encounter it? In this training, participants will:

• Gain foundational knowledge to understand the concepts of anti-Arab hate and Islamophobia (including Orientalism, Western Imperialism and Colonialism, and more).

• Learn more about the history of anti-Arab bias, including the history of anti-immigration laws, significant global events, and topics like the Muslim ban. Participants will also learn more about the history of the local Oregon/SW Washington Arab community.

• Understand the history of anti-Arab/Muslim sentiment by examining media and film tropes through a lens of Orientalism.

• Discuss ways that Arab and Muslim people have found safety and belonging during processes of “othering”.

• Identify what you can personally do to address anti-Arab hate and Islamophobia as an ally.

Mawadda Amboun is a Finance Project Manager at the Multnomah County Health Department, where she leads equity-centered initiatives that connect public finance with inclusive systems change. She is a Co-Chair for the Finance & Business Management Equity & Inclusion Committee and has served in leadership for the Employees of Color Resource Group. She holds a B.S. in Health Studies: Health Sciences and grounds her work at the intersection of finance, public health and racial equity.

Mawadda has co-organized countywide events for Arab American Heritage Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, helping create culturally affirming spaces. As an Arab and Muslim woman, she brings both lived experience and institutional insight to her work advancing racial equity, belonging, and narrative justice.

Emilie Azorr is a Program Specialist for the Homeless Services Department at Multnomah County where she is a family system program specialist. Emilie supports the family shelter system and manages contracts within the family team. Emilie has a Master of Science in Victim Services Management, and her primary background is in gender-based violence. She is extremely passionate about the impact of violence in communities, and how these impacts show up for the families she continues to support in the Homeless Services Department.

Emilie is a 3rd generation Arab American, with her family being one of the original Arab immigrant families to Multnomah County/Oregon. She has co-organized Multnomah County events for Arab American Heritage Month and participates in advocacy efforts with other SWANA employees to better improve the culture for SWANA people in her community. Emilie brings both lived experience and professional experience with advancing racial equity, advocating for belonging, and creating safety for people who have experienced harm from severe othering.