Talks

Upcoming

Christchurch
Title: Seen: How New Zealand Muslims Perceive Themselves—And Are Perceived
MDS Talks Series - Talk 4
🗓️ 29th August 2025
⏰ 06:30 PM - 08:00 PM
📍Undercroft 101, The Undercroft at University of Canterbury, Ground floor, Puaka-James Hight Building, University of Canterbury, Ilam, Christchurch 8041, Christchurch

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Hamilton
Uniting for Collective Wellbeing - the NZPsS Conference for 2025
🗓️ 30th August 2025
⏰ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
📍University of Waikato, Hamilton

MDS Contribution:

Symposium: Community-Led Science in the Service of Collective Wellbeing - chaired by Usman Afzali

Presentations

Tuba Azeem. Muslim Diversity Study: Inception and Co-Design
Dr. Farah Shawkat. Understanding Data Collection Dynamics: A Qualitative Exploration of Research Assistants’ Experiences in the Muslim Diversity Study
Jamila Badis. Latent Profile Analysis of Islamophobia in Aotearoa: A Population-Level Examination
Dr. Usman Afzali. Religious Discrimination and Wellbeing: Descriptive Insights from the Muslim Diversity Study

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Hamilton
Title: Seen: How New Zealand Muslims Perceive Themselves—And Are Perceived
MDS Talks Series - Talk 5
🗓️ 31st August 2025
⏰ 06:30 PM - 08:00 PM
📍S Block Room S.1.04 - University of Waikato, Hillcrest Road, Hamilton

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Palmerston North
Title: Seen: How New Zealand Muslims Perceive Themselves—And Are Perceived
MDS Talks Series - Talk 6
🗓️ 19th September 2025
⏰ 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
📍University of Massey, Palmerston North

Past

Anchored: How Muslim Faith Buffers Discrimination in Aotearoa
MDS Talks Series - Talk 3
🗓️ 29th June 2025
⏰ 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
📍The University of Auckland, Auckland
👥 100+ attendees

Speakers:

Mufti Shakir (Imam of Avondale mosque). How religiosity helps with resilience.
Dr Usman Afzali (MDS Principal Investigator). Muslim Diversity Study Wave 1 findings.
Mr Ikhlaq Kashkari (Community Leader and Ex-President of NZMA). The importance of MDS and how MDS and similar data could be used for advocacy.
Miss Sara Youssef (NIYA Co-Chairperson). The lack of such MDS and similar data in the past for advocating purposes, and the importance of availability of such data now.
Mr Yahia Ayoub's (NSIA Representative). Brotherhood and spirituality.
Ms Shahela Qureshi (Uni of Auckland Muslim Chaplain). The importance of spirituality and connection with MDS.
Asem Arif (MC).

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First Muslims in Asia Pacific (MAP1) Conference
🗓️ Saturday 3 May 2025
⏰ 9:30am-4:00pm
📍Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington
🔗 Book of Abstracts url
👥 150+ attendees
👥 30 presenters

MDS Contribution:

Dr Usman Afzali (MDS Principal Investigator). Co-organiser.
Dr Farah Shawkat (MDS Collaborator and Research Assistant). Presentation: Understanding Data Collection Dynamics: A Qualitative Exploration of Research Assistants' Experiences in the Muslim Diversity Study in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Miss Jamila Badis (MDS Research Assistant). Presentation: Demographic and Personality Factors Associated with Islamophobia in New Zealand.

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Findings from the Muslim Diversity Study: Impact of religion on social attitudes, resilience, wellbeing, and discrimination - Community relevance and future directions
MDS Talks Series - Talk 2
🗓️ Friday 2 May 2025
⏰ 5:30-8:00pm
📍Kilbirnie Mosque, Wellington
👥 57 attendees

Speakers:

Sheikh Mohamed Zewada (Imam of Kilbirnie mosque). The importance of scientific research for the Muslim community.
Dr Usman Afzali (MDS Principal Investigator). Muslim Diversity Study Wave 1 findings.
Mr Ayman Zewada (VicMuslims Representative & Event MC). Why I chose to study psychology?
Ms Fozia Ahsan Rao Gratitude on behalf of the community.
Ms Falak Naz Closing remarks.

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Muslim Diversity Study: Insights into Building a National Study with New Zealand’s Muslim Communities
🗓️ Friday 2 May 2025
⏰ 11:10am-12:00pm
📍Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research (CACR), Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington
🔗 Site url
👥 20+ attendees

Speakers:

Prof Joseph Bulbulia (CACR Director). Opening.
Dr Usman Afzali (MDS Principal Investigator). Main Presentation.

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Voices of Our Community – Insights from the Muslim Diversity Study: Impact of religion on social attitudes, resilience, wellbeing, and discrimination
MDS Talks Series - Talk 1
🗓️ Mon 14 April 2025
⏰ 5:30-8:00pm
📍University of Otago, Dunedin
🔗 Site url
👥 40+ attendees

Speakers:

Prof Will Sweetman (HoP, Religion Programme). Opening.
Dr Najib Lafraie (Academic). Welcoming Address.
Dr Usman Afzali (MDS Principal Investigator). Muslim Diversity Study Wave 1 findings.
Ruwayda Warsame (MUSA Secretary). Importance of MDS for youth.
Dr Mohammed Rizwan (OMA President). Reflections on MDS from the Muslim community perspective.
Dr Mai Tamimi (Community Representative). Thanks on behalf of the community.
Dr Muhammad Hassan (MC)

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Navigating Data Collection Challenges in Muslim Community Research
School of Social Science Research Seminar
🗓️ Thu 03 Apr 2025
⏰ 12:00-1:30pm
📍Richardson Building, University of Otago, Dunedin

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Five Years after March 15
🗓️ Monday 26 Feb 2024
⏰ 5:00pm-6:00pm
📍Pipitea Campus, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington
🔗 Site url

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Promoting MDS: Participation, Recruitment, and Support
🗓️1st December 2023
📍Al-Taqwa Mosque, Auckland
👥 30+ attendees

Speakers:

Abdullah Kalantan (Research Assistant)
Ayyan Ali (Research Assistant)
Dr. Iman Hussain (Research Assistant)

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Promoting MDS: Participation, Recruitment, and Support
🗓️1st December 2023
📍Women’s Pioneer Hall, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland
👥 20+ attendees

Speakers:

Abdullah Kalantan (Research Assistant)

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Promoting MDS: Participation, Recruitment, and Support
🗓️20th November 2023
📍Auckland City Islamic Centre, Auckland
👥 50+ attendees

Speakers:

Abdullah Kalantan (Research Assistant)

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Promoting MDS: Participation, Recruitment, and Support
🗓️17th November 2023
📍Manawatu Muslims Association (MMA), Palmerston North
👥 15+ attendees

Speakers:

Dr. Usman Afzali (MDS Principal Investigator)

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Promoting MDS: Participation, Recruitment, and Support
🗓️17th November 2023
📍The Center for Culture-Centered Approach to Research and Evaluation (CARE), Te Kunenga ki Purehuroa Massey University, Palmerston North
👥 10+ attendees

Speakers:

Dr. Usman Afzali (MDS Principal Investigator)

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Promoting MDS: Participation, Recruitment, and Support
🗓️12th November 2023
📍 Afghan Hazara Community, Christchurch
👥 12+ attendees

Speakers:

Dr. Usman Afzali (MDS Principal Investigator)

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Mental Health Awareness and Introduction to MDS
🗓️11th November 2023
📍 Al-Noor Mosque, Christchurch
👥 10+ attendees

Speakers:

Dr. Usman Afzali (MDS Principal Investigator)

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Promoting MDS: Participation, Recruitment, and Support
🗓️ 5th November 2023
📍 Pakuranga Mosque, Auckland
👥 20+ attendees

Speakers:

Dr. Usman Afzali (MDS Principal Investigator)

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Promoting MDS: Participation, Recruitment, and Support
🗓️ 5th November 2023
📍 North Shore Islamic Association, Auckland
👥 8+ attendees

Speakers:

Dr. Usman Afzali (MDS Principal Investigator)

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Promoting MDS: Participation, Recruitment, and Support
🗓️ 4th November 2023
📍 Ahlulbayt Foundation, Auckland
👥 15+ attendees

Speakers:

Dr. Usman Afzali (MDS Principal Investigator)

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Promoting MDS: Participation, Recruitment, and Support
🗓️ 3rd November 2023
📍 University of Auckland Clock Tower Musalla, Auckland
👥 9+ attendees

Speakers:

Dr. Usman Afzali (MDS Principal Investigator)

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Promoting MDS: Participation, Recruitment, and Support
🗓️ 9th September 2023
📍 Afghan Association of New Zealand, Auckland
👥 26+ attendees

Speakers:

Dr. Usman Afzali (MDS Principal Investigator)

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Promoting MDS: Participation, Recruitment, and Support
🗓️ 9th September 2023
📍 Masjid Al-Farooq, Auckland
👥 10+ attendees

Speakers:

Dr. Usman Afzali (MDS Principal Investigator)

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Promoting MDS: Participation, Recruitment, and Support
🗓️ 8th September 2023
📍 Avondale Islamic Centre, Auckland
👥 12+ attendees

Speakers:

Dr. Usman Afzali (MDS Principal Investigator)