Wahida C. Valiante
Encyclopedia
Wahida Valiante is currently the National President and founding member of the Canadian Islamic Congress
(CIC) and the Chair of Islamic History Month Canada. She is a Canadian trained social worker and therapist who specializes in couple and family therapy
, family mediation, domestic violence
, and post traumatic stress disorder.
She has made numerous presentation
s and training to academic institution
s and professionals, both nationally and internationally, on the development of human personality
and the role of religion
and family
.
She has presented several major papers on contemporary theories of family therapy and towards the development of an alternative model of treatment based on the Qur’anic
concept of human personality and human relationships. She is a pioneer in the field of developing therapeutic interventions for treating family conflict and intergenerational issues, from an Islamic concept integrating both the contemporary and the Muslim traditions in psychotherapy
.
She is a published author on South Asia
n family, South Asian Women, Domestic Violence and Social Work interventions. She has also published several papers on the methodology of providing culturally, racially and religiously appropriate social work intervention to families who have experienced domestic violence, child abuse
, intergenerational conflict and sexual abuse
. In 1999 she was the recipient of an award for her outstanding work in the field of violence against women and children.
Wahida Valiante has demonstrated a long outstanding commitment on many levels to health
, social and community
issues and has initiated many health related counseling programs for women and children since 1993 as a well as a Social Club for Muslim Women and the Ontario School of Islamic Studies. She sits on several organizational committees whose focus includes the alleviation of child poverty
and implementation of social reform.
In 2010 she was identified as one of The 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World. The document states that "The individuals in this publication have been nominated and selected because they are influential as Muslims, deriving their influence from their religious identity. They are considered influential because their work impacts all fields of work and particularly, the religious endeavors of the Muslim world."
before the 1947 Partition
. She is a direct descendant of Mu'īnuddīn Chishtī
. While still an infant, her father died in a hunting
accident in Kashmir, and only a decade later her mother died from the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm
. After the passing of both her parents there was little to tie her and her siblings to their native land and they eagerly accepted the opportunity to move to England
. There she obtained her A levels only to be intrigued by the prospects of studying in Canada
. In 1961 she arrived in Canada and began studying towards a degree in Chartered Accounting
. She married in 1963 and has two children.
later in life while still balancing the many obligations of home and family, making the University of Toronto Dean's List
of Scholars in both 1990 and 1991.
She holds a BSW from York University
and an MSW from the University of Toronto
, as well as a diploma in Family Mediation. She is trained in Brief Solution Focused Therapy
; trauma, loss, grief and Post Traumatic Stress Disorders; and race relations leadership.
She received her Clinical and Counseling training from two Toronto hospital
s specializing in Psychosocial Assessment and Family Interventions from Multi-theoretical and Multi-Model approaches with Psychiatric Patients, Families and Groups. She has extensive experience in working with refugee
s from war
torn countries: especially with women and children, who were victim of rape
, trauma
, and psychological violence
.
Canadian Islamic Congress
The Canadian Islamic Congress refers to itself as Canada's largest national non-profit and wholly independent Islamic organization without affiliation to any foreign group, body, or government and says it represents -- Sunni and Shi'a Muslims, men and women, youth and seniors...
(CIC) and the Chair of Islamic History Month Canada. She is a Canadian trained social worker and therapist who specializes in couple and family therapy
Family therapy
Family therapy, also referred to as couple and family therapy, family systems therapy, and family counseling, is a branch of psychotherapy that works with families and couples in intimate relationships to nurture change and development. It tends to view change in terms of the systems of...
, family mediation, domestic violence
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
, and post traumatic stress disorder.
She has made numerous presentation
Presentation
Presentation is the practice of showing and explaining the content of a topic to an audience or learner. Presentations come in nearly as many forms as there are life situations...
s and training to academic institution
Academic institution
Academic institution is an educational institution dedicated to education and research, which grants academic degrees. See also academy and university.- Types of academic institutions include :...
s and professionals, both nationally and internationally, on the development of human personality
Personality type
Personality type refers to the psychological classification of different types of individuals. Personality types are sometimes distinguished from personality traits, with the latter embodying a smaller grouping of behavioral tendencies. Types are sometimes said to involve qualitative differences...
and the role of religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
and family
Family
In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children...
.
She has presented several major papers on contemporary theories of family therapy and towards the development of an alternative model of treatment based on the Qur’anic
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
concept of human personality and human relationships. She is a pioneer in the field of developing therapeutic interventions for treating family conflict and intergenerational issues, from an Islamic concept integrating both the contemporary and the Muslim traditions in psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a general term referring to any form of therapeutic interaction or treatment contracted between a trained professional and a client or patient; family, couple or group...
.
She is a published author on South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
n family, South Asian Women, Domestic Violence and Social Work interventions. She has also published several papers on the methodology of providing culturally, racially and religiously appropriate social work intervention to families who have experienced domestic violence, child abuse
Child abuse
Child abuse is the physical, sexual, emotional mistreatment, or neglect of a child. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Children And Families define child maltreatment as any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or...
, intergenerational conflict and sexual abuse
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is the forcing of undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When that force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or molester...
. In 1999 she was the recipient of an award for her outstanding work in the field of violence against women and children.
Wahida Valiante has demonstrated a long outstanding commitment on many levels to health
Health
Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...
, social and community
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
issues and has initiated many health related counseling programs for women and children since 1993 as a well as a Social Club for Muslim Women and the Ontario School of Islamic Studies. She sits on several organizational committees whose focus includes the alleviation of child poverty
Child poverty
Child poverty refers to the phenomenon of children living in poverty. This applies to children that come from poor families or orphans being raised with limited, or in some cases absent, state resources. Children that fail to meet the minimum acceptable standard of life for the nation where that...
and implementation of social reform.
In 2010 she was identified as one of The 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World. The document states that "The individuals in this publication have been nominated and selected because they are influential as Muslims, deriving their influence from their religious identity. They are considered influential because their work impacts all fields of work and particularly, the religious endeavors of the Muslim world."
Early life
Wahida Valiante the youngest of four children, was born in Mirpur, formerly part of KashmirKashmir
Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term Kashmir geographically denoted only the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range...
before the 1947 Partition
Partition of India
The Partition of India was the partition of British India on the basis of religious demographics that led to the creation of the sovereign states of the Dominion of Pakistan and the Union of India on 14 and 15...
. She is a direct descendant of Mu'īnuddīn Chishtī
Moinuddin Chishti
Sultan-ul-Hind, Moinuddin Chishti was born in 1141 and died in 1230 CE. Also known as Gharīb Nawāz "Benefactor of the Poor" , he is the most famous Sufi saint of the Chishti Order of the Indian Subcontinent. He introduced and established the order in South Asia...
. While still an infant, her father died in a hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
accident in Kashmir, and only a decade later her mother died from the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm
Cerebral aneurysm
A cerebral or brain aneurysm is a cerebrovascular disorder in which weakness in the wall of a cerebral artery or vein causes a localized dilation or ballooning of the blood vessel.- Signs and symptoms :...
. After the passing of both her parents there was little to tie her and her siblings to their native land and they eagerly accepted the opportunity to move to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. There she obtained her A levels only to be intrigued by the prospects of studying in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. In 1961 she arrived in Canada and began studying towards a degree in Chartered Accounting
Chartered Accountant
Chartered Accountants were the first accountants to form a professional body, initially established in Britain in 1854. The Edinburgh Society of Accountants , the Glasgow Institute of Accountants and Actuaries and the Aberdeen Society of Accountants were each granted a royal charter almost from...
. She married in 1963 and has two children.
Education
As a dedicated mother and working parent, she returned to universityUniversity
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
later in life while still balancing the many obligations of home and family, making the University of Toronto Dean's List
Dean's List
A Dean's List is a category of students in a college or university who achieve high grades during their stay in an academic term or academic year. In secondary schools, or high schools, the term Consistent Honor List or Honor Roll is more common, but Dean's List and Consistent Honor List are...
of Scholars in both 1990 and 1991.
She holds a BSW from York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
and an MSW from the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, as well as a diploma in Family Mediation. She is trained in Brief Solution Focused Therapy
Solution focused brief therapy
Solution focused brief therapy , often referred to as simply 'solution focused therapy' or 'brief therapy', is a type of talking therapy that is based upon social constructionist philosophy. It focuses on what clients want to achieve through therapy rather than on the problem that made them seek help...
; trauma, loss, grief and Post Traumatic Stress Disorders; and race relations leadership.
She received her Clinical and Counseling training from two Toronto hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
s specializing in Psychosocial Assessment and Family Interventions from Multi-theoretical and Multi-Model approaches with Psychiatric Patients, Families and Groups. She has extensive experience in working with refugee
Refugee
A refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
s from war
War
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
torn countries: especially with women and children, who were victim of rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
, trauma
Psychological trauma
Psychological trauma is a type of damage to the psyche that occurs as a result of a traumatic event...
, and psychological violence
Psychological abuse
Psychological abuse, also referred to as emotional abuse or mental abuse, is a form of abuse characterized by a person subjecting or exposing another to behavior that may result in psychological trauma, including anxiety, chronic depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder...
.
Publications
- International Conflict and mediation, Religious and Multicultural Perspective: Novalis, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada, 2004
- Raising Children as the Citizens of the World, The Quest for Sanity: The Muslim Council of Britain, United Kingdom. September 2002.
- Reflections on Ramadan, From Violence to Blessing: Novalis, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada, 2002
- Multi-Cultural and Multi-Racial Family Practice in the 90s, The Journal of Ontario Association of Professional Social Workers: Vol. 21, No.1. Spring 1994.
- Domestic violence in the South Asian family: Treatment and Research Issues, South Asian Symposium 1992: A Reader in South Asian Studies. University of Toronto Press 1993.
- Social work practice with South Asian Women: Issues, Concerns, and Problems, South Asian Symposium 199l: A Reader in South Asian Studies. University of Toronto Press 1992.
Academic Presentations
- Towards the Development of an Islamic Approach to Family Therapy, X111 World Congress of Psychiatry, Cairo, September 10–15, 2005, Egypt.
- Family Therapy and Muslim Families: A Solution Focused Approach. Presented at the Mediterranean Congress in association with World Psychiatric Association, the Italian Institute for Transcultural Mental health, the World Islamic Association for Mental Health (WIAMH), the Italian Society of Transcultural Psychiatry, Eastern Mediterranean Council for Mental Health in Narni (Terni), Italy 9–14 June 2003
- Family Therapy and Canadian Muslim Families, Short Course for Imams, Community leaders and all those interested in working with Muslim families.” Canadian Islamic Congress, Toronto: 4th Sept 2005.
- Children: Our Most Valuable Resource, National Children’s Alliance (NCA) Symposium, Marc.26.2004, Kananaskis, Alberta
- Muslim Women as a Minority in Canada: Changing the Status Quo. Presented at the International Symposium: Islam in Canada: 28–30 May 2004
- Li-Tara’afu: to Know One Another. Presented at the second International Muslim Women’s conference, Trinidad, Dec.12th.2003
- Family Therapy and Muslim Families: A Solution Focused Approach. Presented at the Mediterranean Congress in association with World Psychiatric Association, the Italian Institute for Transcultural Mental health, the World Islamic Association for Mental Health (WIAMH), the Italian Society of Transcultural Psychiatry, Eastern Mediterranean Council for Mental Health in Narni (Terni), Italy 9–14 June 2003
- Reflections on Muslim Families: The challenges and opportunities. Presented at the Sixth General Congress of the World Islamic Call society, Indonesia, 18-23 Sept 2000.
- The Qur’an, Gender and Social Work practice. Joint Conference of the International Federation of Social Workers and the International Association of School of Social Work, held in Montreal, July 29-August 2, 2000.
- Muslim Families at a Cross Road. Presented at the conference of the World Call Society, Trinidad, 1999.
- Strengthening Families from an Islamic Perspective. Presented at National Family Service Conference, held in Toronto, October 1997.
- Introduction to Islamic Concepts of Human Psyche and Muslim Tradition in Psychotherapy. Presented at the Orthopsychiatric Conference, held in Toronto, March 1997.
- Towards The Development of an Islamic Approach to Family Therapy. Presented at the 23rd annual conference of Association of International Muslim Social Scientist, held in Chicago, Nov 1995.
- Collaboration: A Social Development Approach to Community Development. Presented at the third national conference of multicultural health, held in Montreal, May 1995.
- Partnerships: A cross-cultural perspective. Presented at Family Service Conference, held in Nov. 1994. Halifax
Invited Presentation
External links
- CIC website: http://www.canadianislamiccongress.com/
- Not going to happen again—For whom??
- Welcome to Gaza's Killing Fields where Palestinian Children live.
- Islamic History in Perspective
- Western Racism - The Real Threat to Islam's Renewal
- Let me tell you a story...
- It is the clash of families, not of civilizations, stupid! Article discussing family structure changes, and women's role in society. Published in Media Monitors Networks May 2003
- The Echoes of the Past. Article discussing anti-Islam media agenda. Published in Media Monitors Networks August 2002
- Relations with Countries of the Muslim World. A Position Paper presented to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade by the Canadian Islamic Congress, May 6, 2003.
- The slave named Bilal. Article published in World Crisis web February 2004
- Bienvenidos a los campos de exterminio de Gaza donde viven los niños palestinos Article about Gaza Dec 2009]
- Brief solution focused therapy and Muslim families
- Children: Our Most Valuable Resource
- Who are the victims here? Article in Globe and Mail November 6, 2000
- Discussing attempted murder of hijab wearing woman November 2009