“I found Dr Hend Zaki’s workshop an important first step towards understanding Islam, and particularly the day to day issues many Muslim people face in New Zealand. Hend’s approach is evidence-based, combining postgraduate research with individuals’ stories and group discussion. I left with greater understanding and insight, and practical things that I can do to be a better colleague towards Muslims in my workplace. I also want to complement Hend on how she leads the workshops. Hend speaks of kindness as being an important characteristic of being Muslim, and she demonstrated that in the way she accepted and welcomed everyone willing to learn”

“Hend Zaki’s ‘Cultural Competency Workshop: Islam, Muslims and Identity’ was an incredibly educational and empowering opportunity to learn more about Islam and Muslims. Attending Hend’s workshop was a safe place to take on my journey to fill my gap in understanding the core values of Islam. We finished by identifying simple steps to support Muslims better. Hend is a wonderful facilitator who brings knowledge backed by research and lived experiences”

“Hend’s research findings deeply resonated with me, as I found the stories surrounding them remarkably similar to my own experiences growing up in New Zealand. The themes she explored, such as cultural identity, trying to find and practice the ‘pure’ Islam, social challenges and challenges around being an immigrant, mirrored the narratives and struggles I encountered in creating my own identity as a New Zealander. This connection not only validated my personal history, but also highlighted the universal nature of these experiences, and the need to address the issues that may be present. I believe her work emphasises the importance of bringing these shared experiences to light, especially in terms of the work to be done going forward to create awareness and ensure those affected are appropriately supported. Thank you for the work you have done on this subject matter Hend. ”

“Hend is a deep thinker who excels at drawing together knowledge, experiences and perspectives from a diverse range of sources to deliver insightful advice and actionable recommendations. She takes a considered and measured approach but always has the courage to champion her values and drive forwards her vision of a more equitable workplace and world. Hend has a remarkable capacity for work and is usually committed to several strategic initiatives at once. Even so, she always has the time to support, connect, empower and uplift others, deftly navigating challenging conversations as she goes. ”

“As a Muslim, I really appreciated Hend’s research topic, which highlighted the ordinary life and viewpoints of Muslims, a contrast to the extreme view that researchers and media usually portray about Muslims. The insights were very educational and eye-opening, and I believe this can be a good start to many discussions of identity and diversity at work and in the community. During the presentation, Hend experienced a few technical glitches, which she navigated very gracefully so it did not cause any major disruption to the audience. A very good testament to her public speaking skills indeed. Overall, I found her presentation and research very valuable.”