Olive Tree Foundation Supports National Effort to Combat Rising Islamophobia on Campuses

With reports of Islamophobic incidents in Canada surging by 1,200% since October 2023, many involving Muslim students on university and high school campuses, a new national initiative has taken shape to respond with data-driven advocacy.

The Olive Tree Foundation provided a grant to support the Data-Driven Muslim Student Advocacy Initiative, led by the Islamophobia Research Hub at York University under the direction of Dr. Nadia Z. Hasan. 

The project aimed to empower Muslim student leaders through evidence-based research and advocacy training.

The initiative included a national survey of Muslim student experiences, a Muslim Student Leaders Summit held on August 15–16, 2025, and a follow-up study assessing the impact of student-led solutions. 

The summit gathered young Muslim leaders from across Canada for two days of workshops, networking, and skills-building sessions focused on combating Islamophobia and advancing inclusion in education.

The project was delivered in collaboration with the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), which helped organize the summit and mentor student leaders. 

The Olive Tree Foundation’s grant supported materials and event coordination, helping make the national gathering possible.

By funding this initiative, the Olive Tree Foundation continued its mission of responding to community needs, strengthening Muslim communities and supporting projects that promote equity, knowledge, and social change across Canada.