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Biography
Ruba Ali Al-Hassani is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Lancaster University's Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion and a legal sociologist. Her research employs interdisciplinary methodologies to Iraqi studies, Law, transitional Justice, crime, social control, and social movements. Ruba is also a contributing writer at Inside Arabia and The New Arab. Her commentary and analysis have been featured on networks throughout North America, Europe, and the Middle East, including the BBC and CBC, and in four languages. She co-founded the Canadian Association for Muslim Women in Law and is a board member at the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture. She has taught at York University and Trent University. Ruba holds a B.Sc. in Psychology & Sociology, a M.A. in Criminology, and an LL.M. in transitional justice, as she completes her PhD at Osgoode Hall Law School, Canada.
Industry Expertise (5)
Religious Institutions
Law Enforcement
Social Media
Writing and Editing
International Affairs
Areas of Expertise (8)
Middle Eastern Affairs
Iraqi Affairs
Iraqi Politics
Counter-Terrorism
War on ISIS / Daesh
Islamophobia
Racial Profiling
Anti-Shia sectarianism
Education (4)
Trent University: B.Sc. (Hons), Sociology, Psychology 2004
University of Toronto: M.A., Criminology 2005
Osgoode Hall Law School, York University: LL.M., Transitional Justice in Iraq 2008
Osgoode Hall Law School, York University: Ph.D., Socio-Legal Iraqi Studies 2017
Currently working towards the Ph.D.
Affiliations (3)
- Co-Founder, of Canadian Association of Muslim Women in Law
- Board Member, Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture
- Regional Representative, Iraqi Orphan Aid Foundation
Links (1)
Languages (3)
- English
- Arabic
- French
Media Appearances (11)
Ruba Ali Al-Hassani: Working With Survivors
Muslim American Leadership Alliance print
2016-11-25
"This year [2016], MALA is spotlighting individual stories from men and women who take a stand to eliminate violence against women, both nationally and globally. Our community looks forward to supporting UN Women’s Orange the World Campaign to support efforts to end violence against women and girls worldwide. UN Women and partners around the world are marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, launching from International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25th until UN’s International Human Rights Day on December 10th."
Canada's Muslims embrace their country – even when it doesn't embrace back
The Christian Science Monitor print
2017-02-20
Did an interview with The Christian Science Monitor and spoke on behalf of the Canadian Association of Muslim Women in Law. In this interview, I addressed the rise of Islamophobia in Canada.
Nearly 35,000 Civilians Displaced from Mosul (Iraq)
Press TV tv
2017-03-03
Interview with Press TV, where the displacement of thousands of civilians from Mosul, Iraq, is discussed.
Multi-faith groups in Canada form protective rings around mosques
Press TV tv
2017-02-04
An interview with Press TV, where the aftermath of the Quebec mosque shooting was discussed.
Protesters in Boston denounce President Trump's immigration ban
Press TV tv
2017-01-29
Interview with Press TV, where the Trump administration immigration/Muslim ban was discussed
Demonstrations turn ugly in Washington DC
Press TV tv
2017-01-20
An interview with Press TV, which discussed Donald Trump's inauguration, and hate crimes/rhetoric across the US and Canada.
Iraq defending whole world against Daesh with Mosul push: Jaafari
Press TV tv
2016-10-19
An interview with Press TV, in which the Iraqi operation to liberate Mosul from ISIS was discussed.
Iraqi PM: Battle for Mosul enters final stage
Press TV tv
2017-03-18
An interview with Press TV discussed the final stages of the Iraqi operation to liberate Mosul from ISIS.
Iraq Baghdad Bombing
BBC World Service Radio radio
2016-07-04
An interview with BBC World Service Radio discusses the tragic bombing in Karradah, Baghdad, which killed over 400 Iraqi civilians, and the aftermath.
The Environics Survey of Muslims in Canada 2016”
Vancouver's Co-op Radio 100.5 FM radio
2016-05-02
An interview on behalf of the Canadian Association of Muslim Women in Law with Vancouver's Co-op Radio discussed the Environics Survey of Muslims in Canada, as well as Muslim sentiments regarding discrimination, representation, and identity.
Discussing Mental Health in the Muslim Community
CHIN Radio Ottawa 97.9 FM radio
2016-05-13
An interview with CHIN Radio Ottawa addressed the lack of a solid and open discourse around mental health in the Arab and Muslim communities, and what steps must be taken to bring about change.
Event Appearances (2)
Stories told through social mobilization for, and understanding of, the Welfare State
the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Young Leaders’ Regional Thematic Network - Workshop Theme: “Know Your Rights: Towards More Active Participation of Youth in the Application of the Social Protection & Welfare Law” Baghdad, Iraq (via video conferencing)
2015-09-18
Empathy: An Important Step Towards Personal and National Reconciliation
The Annual Conference of the Institute of War and Peace Reporting – Conference Theme: “Combating Social Extremism” Baghdad, Iraq (via video conferencing)
2015-04-25
Articles (10)
Women’s Bodies, Hair, and Clothing: What’s There to Normalize?
The Huffington Post2016-09-25
The article discusses the international obsession with women's bodies - particularly Muslim women's bodies. This obsession results in hijab and burkini bans in Europe, as well as in Muslim women's attempts to normalize the hijab, and the social repercussions. The article also discusses a Muslim woman's experience with alopecia.
Wahhabism: The Ideology of Hate
The Huffington Post2016-09-15
The article discusses Wahhabism, Saudi Arabia's official state ideology, which also inspires terrorism and misogyny.
Human Rights Advocacy, Sectarianism, and Other Biases
1001 Iraqi Thoughts2015-04-17
The article discusses the anti-Shia sectarianism that has been normalized by, and which guides, international human rights organizations reporting on Iraq.
Early Elections or Restorative Elections?
Tahrir Institute for Middle East PolicyRuba Ali Al-Hassani
2020-09-14
Iraq's protest movement & slated elections for next June underscore a need to rebuild the public's trust in state institutions & advance accountability. In my first piece for Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, I discuss how restorative justice could address such concerns.
From Iraq to Canada: We Want a Homeland
Inside ArabiaRuba Ali Al-Hassani
2020-02-29
This article discusses the parallels between the October Revolution in Iraq's slogan "We Want a Homeland" and compares it to Wetʼsuwetʼen protests in early 2020, claiming ownership of Native lands.
Corruption and Exploitation of Gender in Iraq (Part I of III)
Inside ArabiaRuba Ali Al-Hassani
2020-03-27
Where there is corruption there is exploitation and violation of human rights. Iraq’s October Revolution shakes the foundation of a corrupt system built on women’s and girls’ exploitation. This article is the second installment of a three-part series that addresses the roots and forms of corruption and ties it to the October Revolution.
Maintaining the Feminist Spring of Iraq’s October Revolution (Part III of III)
Inside ArabiaRuba Ali Al-Hassani
2020-04-24
Where there is corruption there is exploitation and violation of human rights. Iraq’s October Revolution shakes the foundation of a corrupt system built on women’s and girls’ exploitation. This article is the third installment of a three-part series that addresses the roots and forms of corruption and ties it to the October Revolution.
Corruption and Deepening Gender Inequalities in Iraq (Part II of III)
Inside ArabiaRuba Ali Al-Hassani
2020-04-10
Where there is corruption there is exploitation and violation of human rights. Iraq’s October Revolution shakes the foundation of a corrupt system built on women’s and girls’ exploitation. This article is the second installment of a three-part series that addresses the roots and forms of corruption and ties it to the October Revolution.
Casting Out Intersectionality Through Racial Profiling
Ontario Human Rights Commission 2015-2016 Annual ReportRuba Ali Al-Hassani and Hodan Mohamed
2016-02-16
This paper discussed the importance of redefining the terms commonly used to counter racial profiling in the workspace and policing. It was written for the Ontario Human Rights Commission conference and annual report for 2015-2016.
Iraq Protests Battle for State Sovereignty
Tahrir Institute for Middle East PolicyRuba Ali Al-Hassani
2021-01-20
Too often, developments in Iraq are discussed through the lens of a U.S.–Iran proxy war, quite visibly excluding the voices of Iraqi citizens and protesters demanding political, economic, and social justice. Iraq's October Revolution is a movement that has triggered a turning point in Iraqi history. It has found its place in Iraq’s social consciousness & the battle for state sovereignty.
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