2025 Muslim Mental Health Conference

From Marginalisation to Meaning: Islamophobia, Mental Health, and the Revival of Islamic Psychology

23rd and 24th October 2025
Day 1: Islamophobia, Mental Health, and Collective Healing

The first day of the conference centres on the urgent need to understand and respond to the psychological and social consequences of Islamophobia. Through trauma-informed, faith-aligned, and anti-oppressive approaches, sessions will explore:

  • The lived experience of Islamophobia and its psychological impacts

  • Islamophobia in healthcare, law, and community settings

  • Collective trauma, youth mental health, and refugee experiences

  • Strategies of sumud (steadfastness), resilience, and faith leadership in the face of Islamophobia.

Day 2: Islamic Psychology: Re-rooting the Discipline

The second day shifts towards revival and restoration, highlighting the global growth of Islamic Psychology and the renewed commitment to re-grounding the discipline in its authentic intellectual and spiritual traditions. Sessions will cover:

  • Building Islamic Psychology programs and training the next generation.

  • Applied Islamic Psychology in therapy, education, and spiritual care.

  • Tazkiya Therapy as a framework for transformation and healing.

  • Integrating Islamic Psychology into interventions, with lessons from the Islah Men’s Behaviour Change Program.

  • International Book Launch on Islamic Psychology.

Venue: Western Sydney University, Bankstown City Campus, Bankstown, NSW.

Abstract submissions are now open closed

Accommodation packages available for Interstate and International delegates, email conference@missionofhope.org.au for more information

Conference Partner

Conference Supporters


International Association of Muslim Psychologists

Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARRTS)

Keynote and International Speakers

Dr Amber Haque - International Keynote

Clinical Psychologist (United States)

Topic: The Growth and Challenges of Islamic Psychology

Dr Bagus Riyono MA - International Keynote

President - International Association of Muslim Psychologists.

Topic: Tazkiya Therapy: An Islamic Psychology Framework for Healing and Transformation.

Dr Yassir Morsi - National Keynote

Political Science Lecturer and Provisional Psychologist.

Topic: Navigating Islamophobia During a Genocide..

Dr Diana Setiyawati - International Speaker

Secretary - International Association of Muslim Psychologists.

Topic: Exploring Quran as Psychological Guidance

Speakers & Panelists

Dr Habib Bhurawala

Associate Professor - Australian Islamic Medical Association

Topic: Islamophobia and Discrimination: Experience of Muslim Healthcare Professionals in Australia.

Sharara Attai

Co-Executive Director - Islamophobia Register Australia

Topic: Reported Psychological Impacts of Islamophobia.

Rita Jabri Markwell

Solicitor - Birchgrove Legal and AMAN


Topic: Risk Education and Medico-Legal Challenges for Mental Health Care workers.

Mohamed Dukuly

Social Worker - STARRTS

Topic: Refugee Youth and Mental Health

Assala Sayara

Social Worker, PhD Candidate

Topic: Decolonial and Islamic Approaches to Palestinian Refugee Mental Health: The Haweyate Refugee Mental Health Program in Hittin Refugee Camp, Jordan.

Ms Paz Roman

Counsellor - NSW Health

Topic: Sumud: Collective healing for a collective wound.

Sondus Sammak

Provisional Psychologist - CEO, Six Degrees

Topic: Helping Hands: A peer-led model for Mental Health for Muslim Youth.

Osman Mah

Leadership Coach, Inspiring Educator, Engineering Leader

Topic: Cracking the Crescent Ceiling: From Hidden Barriers to Full Flourishing for Muslim Professionals

Dina Hadjer Shurti

Psychologist - Salam Holistic Psychology

Topic: Beyond Symptom Management: Integrating Holistic and Islamically Grounded Approaches in Perinatal Mental Health care.

Shaykh Wesam Cherkawi

Chaplain and Community Educator

Topic: Building Community Resilience in the face of Islamophobia.

Shaykh Alaa Elzokm OAM

School Counsellor and Imam

Topic: Faith Leaders as First Responders: Navigating Compassion Fatigue.

Hanan Dover

Clinical and Forensic Psychologist

Topic: Integrating Islamic Psychology into Interventions: Lessons from the Islah Men's Behaviour Change Program.

Rafik Tanious

School Liason Project Officer, Counsellor and Trainer - STARRTS

Topic: Bearing Witness in Silence: Moral Injury and the Psychosocial Toll of Genocide Exposure and Media Dehumanisation in the context of working with people with refugee experiences.

Program

Important Dates

Presenter Application Open Date

04th August, 2025

Presenter's Application Close Date

01st September, 2025 

Successful Presenters Notified

12th September, 2025

Program Available

25th September, 2025

Registration Ends*

Registration may close earlier when seating capacity reaches maximum. 

Conference Dates

23rd & 24th October, 2025

2025 Conference Committee

Hanan Dover


Conference Convenor and (Clinical and Forensic Psychologist)

Khaled Kamalmaz


Psychologist

Nooria Mehraby


Senior Psychologist and Trainer

Haisam Haidar


Psychologist

General Conference Enquiries:

Conference@missionofhope.org.au

Conference Convener: Hanan Dover, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist

Founder, Executive Member, Mission of Hope