Canada Appoints First Representative To Fight Against Islamophobia

Canada has appointed its first special representative on combatting Islamophobia.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Thursday that human rights advocate Amira Elghawaby would take up the post, with a mandate to end Islamophobia and to offer advice on government policies, legislation and other programmes.

“Diversity truly is one of Canada’s greatest strengths, but for many Muslims, Islamophobia is all too familiar.

"We need to change that. No one in our country should experience hatred because of their faith.

“Elghawaby’s appointment is an important step in our fight against Islamophobia and hatred in all its forms."

For years, Muslim community leaders in Canada have called on authorities at all levels to tackle racism, hate-motivated violence, and the prevalence of far-right groups.

In June 2021, four members of a Muslim family were killed when a man ran them over with his truck in London, Ontario.

A gunman also killed six Muslim men as they prayed at a mosque in Quebec City in 2017.