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Ruba Ali Al-Hassani - Lancaster University. Lancaster, , GB

Ruba Ali Al-Hassani

Postdoctoral Research Associate | Lancaster University

Lancaster, UNITED KINGDOM

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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

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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 Post

2016-09-25

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.

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Wahhabism: The Ideology of Hate

The Huffington Post

2016-09-15

The article discusses Wahhabism, Saudi Arabia's official state ideology, which also inspires terrorism and misogyny.

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Human Rights Advocacy, Sectarianism, and Other Biases

1001 Iraqi Thoughts

2015-04-17

The article discusses the anti-Shia sectarianism that has been normalized by, and which guides, international human rights organizations reporting on Iraq.

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Early Elections or Restorative Elections?

Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy

Ruba 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.

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From Iraq to Canada: We Want a Homeland

Inside Arabia

Ruba 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.

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Corruption and Exploitation of Gender in Iraq (Part I of III)

Inside Arabia

Ruba 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.

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Maintaining the Feminist Spring of Iraq’s October Revolution (Part III of III)

Inside Arabia

Ruba 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.

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Corruption and Deepening Gender Inequalities in Iraq (Part II of III)

Inside Arabia

Ruba 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.

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Casting Out Intersectionality Through Racial Profiling

Ontario Human Rights Commission 2015-2016 Annual Report

Ruba 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.

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Iraq Protests Battle for State Sovereignty

Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy

Ruba 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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