Canada Muslim Leaders, Officials Urge Concrete Steps to Tackle Rising Islamophobia
Canadian officials marked the International Day to Combat Islamophobia on Saturday by urging citizens to stand against discrimination targeting Muslim communities.
However, a prominent civil rights organization has voiced concerns that government efforts remain insufficient to address the growing incidence of hate.
Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s Special Representative on Combating Islamophobia, issued a statement highlighting that Muslims in Canada continue to encounter systemic challenges, violence, and bias, CTV News reported.
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She noted that Islamophobia manifests in various forms, including racism, stereotypes, and hostility. In her remarks, Elghawaby cautioned that Islamophobia extends beyond individual acts of discrimination and profiling, often resulting in Muslims being unfairly perceived as greater security risks on institutional and societal levels.
Elghawaby also pointed to steps taken by the federal government, noting that Ottawa has expanded support for initiatives such as the Canada Community Security Program and Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy.
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Governor General Mary Simon released a separate statement, urging Canadians to reject hatred. She expressed concern over the rising hostility directed at Muslims, saying it is both “unacceptable and devastating for the victims and their families,” while warning that such actions erode Canada’s social fabric.
Despite these official statements, the Canadian Muslim Forum has called for more concrete measures. The organization’s president, Samer Majzoub, said in an interview that “stronger hate speech laws and stronger interventions” are necessary.
The forum is advocating for additional funding to enhance security at mosques, improve educational efforts about Islamophobia in schools and workplaces, and eliminate systemic bias within governmental institutions.
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Majzoub also cited Quebec’s Bill 21 as a source of institutional discrimination.
The legislation prohibits public sector employees in certain roles, such as teachers and police officers, from wearing religious symbols while on duty. Critics argue the law disproportionately affects Muslim women who wear the hijab.
In January, the Supreme Court of Canada agreed to hear a challenge to Bill 21 brought by several organizations opposing the measure.
Source: Agencies
