About SASI

The South Asian Studies Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley brings together South Asian scholars and students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to create a nexus point for programs and activities that support our vision.

The Institute fosters inter-disciplinary scholarly research, community and public engagement on issues related to South Asia and the Canadian South Asian Diaspora. The Institute initiates, directs and implements the development, maintenance and enhancement of scholarship, research and engagement in collaboration with faculty, students and community. The Institute takes direction from UFV's strategic goals to be a leader of social, cultural, economic and environmentally responsible development in the Fraser Valley.

The Institute is a repository of the pioneering history of immigrant settlers who make up the Canadian South Asian Diaspora. We also undertake much needed contemporary research that benefits academia, members of the community, government, organizations and agencies as well as global scholars and interested persons.

Project History

The historical and contemporary presence of Muslim communities in Canada, particularly South Asian Muslims in B.C., has often been obscured. Our research project focuses on their contributions and covers three major timelines: early migration to BC, mid-20th-century migration, and recent migration to Canada. Exploring the diverse sects and cultural integration of Islam, including Sunni sub-sects like Wahabi, Salafi, Barelvi, and Deobandi, as well as Shia sub-sects like Twelver Shi'ism and Ismailism, along with Sufism, we aim to promote understanding and welcome feedback for future enhancements.

Our Team _{2024 to present}

Dr. Satwinder Bains Dr. Satwinder Bains provides overall direction, management, and support for research.
She leads the outreach component and community engagement with the goal of creating educational and participatory materials.

Thamilini Jothilingam Thamilini Jothilingam leads the archival recording, manages content development, and supports the oral history interviews, transcription, and narratives. She supports student researchers, community historians, and community leaders.

Annet Holierhoek Annet Holierhoek oversees the website's development and design, ensuring alignment with project goals. She collaborates with researchers and designers to maintain accuracy and accessibility, integrating feedback and media seamlessly.

Dr. Anushay Malik Dr. Anushay Malik, PhD, Senior Lecturer at SFU, is the contracted consultant who leads the research on the project. She brings a wealth of knowledge, lived experience, and research expertise as a young Muslim Canadian scholar.

Kiara Dabreo Kiara Dabreo conducts historical and archival research on early South Asian Muslim immigrants in BC, creating an archival collection, preserving records, and cataloging key individuals, organizations, and settlement locations.

Research output

Samarah Saddique Samarah Siddique contributes to the BC Muslim Social History Project as a Research and Cataloguing Assistant. She conducts interviews with South Asian Muslim community members across BC and digitally archives their narratives.

Research output

Sadhik Preet Singh Sadhik Preet Singh contributes to the BC Muslim Social History Project as a video editor and transcriber, also conducting interviews with South Asian Muslim community members across BC to document their stories.

Saumyaa Gelani Saumyaa Gelani contributes to the South Asian Muslims in BC Project as a Research Assistant and plays a key role in the website’s design. She ensures that the design is engaging and easy to use.

Rashneet Rashneet contributes to the South Asian Muslims in BC Project as a graphic designer and research assistant. She develops the project’s design identity and creates the foundational website design.

Arnav Mehta Arnav Mehta contributes to the project by developing and hosting the website. He implements animations, ensures smooth functionality, and optimizes the platform to align with the project’s goals.