Sisters’ Chai & Chill: Home between classes for Muslim student
A look into a community that inspires connection, sisterhood and reflection.

The boardroom at the University of Toronto Mississauga’s (UTM) Student Centre looks different than usual—chairs are pushed aside, carpets and blankets form a loose circle, and plates of food line the walls. The space is rearranged biweekly by the Muslim Student Association (MSA) for Sisters’ Chai & Chill, a gathering that offers Muslim women a low-pressure environment to connect and unwind.

For Ayishah Maqsoodi, now part of the organizing team, Chai & Chill represents a tradition that has carried on through different student cohorts of the MSA. 

“Chai & Chills are something that we do every single year,” said Maqsoodi. “My sister used to go to UTM, and she would talk about them.” Having participated in Chai & Chills as a first-year student, Maqsoodi eventually joined the MSA as a member of the Islamic Education Department. “So, it’s an ongoing thing.”

While Chai & Chill has remained a consistent part of MSA’s program, its organization has evolved. In previous years, the event followed a more structured model with a traditional setup of tables and chairs. It would often feature a speaker for 30 minutes, followed by a group discussion afterward. This year, organizers deliberately moved away from a lecture setup. 

“Instead of sitting in classrooms, we sit in a circle on carpets with blankets,” Maqsoodi shared. “It’s more of a picnic type of vibe.” 

This year, organizers focused on curating an open, enjoyable atmosphere. “We stepped up the food game a lot,” she added. “We decided that this year, we’re going to put an effort into making things aesthetic, because people love aesthetics. It’s very pretty. Good food. Good vibes.” 

However, the allure of Sisters Chai & Chill goes beyond presentation. It typically includes a guided discussion, with topics ranging from faith and identity to student life. For instance, organizers would lead discussions on how to maintain religious commitments with busy schedules, navigating loneliness or difficulties of wearing the hijab (headscarf worn by some Muslim women as an expression of faith). 

These topics serve as starting points, opening up space for attendees to reflect or share their experiences if they feel comfortable.

Participants’ reflections

Eiliyah Naveed, a member of the Islamic Education Department, shared that she was drawn to Sisters’ Chai & Chill because it provides a sister-only space. 

Naveed discovered the event through MSA’s Instagram (@utmmsa) in her first year. And it offered a perfect opportunity for her to connect with like-minded peers. 

“I wanted to surround myself with other Muslim girls who were like-minded and shared the same values as me,” said Naveed. “It was a low-maintenance and low effort kind of space, where you can just be yourself with girls that share the same values as you.”

For Naveed, community does not require sameness in interests or majors. What matters are opportunities for connection and dialogue. 

“As long as we are in this environment, we feel safe together,” said Naveed. “We feel comfortable, and we’re able to talk about very vulnerable topics.” 

“You don’t usually get to talk about [sensitive topics] in university settings. That’s why [Sisters’ Chai & Chill] provides a sense of community for me,” Naveed concluded. 

Ritaj, a second-year life science student, shared that Sisters’ Chai & Chill offers both connection and a pause from her busy routine. “I really like the gathering of the sisters,” said Ritaj. “It’s a good way to take a break from life, as well as studying and everything.” 

She described the event as quietly reflective. “Coming to this gathering forces you to think about things that you never thought about before.”

When asked whether there was a specific moment in Sisters’ Chai & Chill that stood out to her, Ritaj shared, “The whole community is staying with me.”

To Ritaj, each gathering inspires a lingering impact. “When the event ends, I reflect on what was said. There are a lot of people who share their personal experiences and thoughts. It really hits.” Ritaj said, “I can see a change in myself after each reflection. I feel like this is the best thing.”

Another third-year student, who chose to remain anonymous, attended Sisters’ Chai & Chill, which meant pushing herself out of a long period of isolation. She described feeling disconnected throughout much of her university experience.

“In some of my classes, all my classmates are non-Muslims, which is not a bad thing… You don’t connect with people unless you have something in common.” She recalled feeling disconnected in her first two years in UTM. 

Attending Sisters’ Chai & Chill this year marked a turning point for her. “I pushed myself to join Chai & Chill. And, in simple words, I feel so alive again.”

She elaborated that as an international student, finding community has been especially difficult. “I came here [Sisters’ Chai & Chill] in my first year once, and I never came back because I got busy.” However, the return felt necessary for her. 

“Recently, I decided I really need to join. Because it gets very hard to do things at all on your own. Having a Muslim community makes a huge difference.”

A warm invitation 

With Ramadan (a holy period of fasting for Muslims) underway, community conversations feel especially present. For Maqsoodi, Ramadan immediately brings to mind the masjid (a Muslim place of worship). 

“When I think of the word ‘community’, I think of the masjid, 100 per cent,” Maqsoodi said. “That’s where everyone comes together, showing care and support. It’s so beautiful.”

Maqsoodi said that she was concerned about losing her religious connection in university. However, she found a community that supports her religious connection through MSA.

“The MSA is my home on campus,” shared Maqsoodi. Although it’s not the same as being in a masjid, there is that sense of community, and the sisterhood is unreal.”

Naveed echoed that sentiment. “If you’re somebody who’s lacking connection or feels out of place on campus, coming to our MSA events would be the perfect thing for you. Everyone here is very welcoming and non-judgmental. It’s where you will find friends.” 

She shared that MSA events have the power to provide a sense of “home” for Muslim students on campus. 

Beneath the carefully arranged tables and blankets, Chai & Chill offers something more lasting than aesthetics. Because sometimes, a community is built sitting on the floor between classes over a cup of chai.