MONTREAL — Canadian officials and Muslim leaders are marking International Day to Combat Islamophobia today, calling for Canadians to push back against hate directed at the country’s Muslim communities and stand up for their rights.
Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, issued a statement Saturday, saying Muslims in Canada face systemic barriers and are subjected to violence and discrimination.
Elghawaby also touted actions the federal government has taken to tackle islamophobia, saying Ottawa has stepped up support for the Canada Community Security Program and Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy.
Gov.-Gen. Mary Simon issued a statement of her own Saturday asking Canadians to resist engaging in bigotry amid what she called a recent rise in hostility against Muslims.
But in Montreal, Samer Majzoub, president of the Canadian Muslim Forum, said he wants to see the federal government crack down on hate speech directed at Muslims.
He also wants to see Ottawa intervene against Quebec’s secularism law, which bans public employees like teachers and police officers from wearing religious symbols on the job.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 15, 2025.
Joe Bongiorno, The Canadian Press