OP-EDs
Combat hate by building goodwill and tearing down walls
By: Ihsaan Gardee, Executive Director, National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM)
First published in Toronto Star.
The families of the victims of last year’s horrific Quebec mosque attack recently learned they would have to endure another difficult period of delay as the judge postponed the sentencing of the shooter.
Tragically, more families are facing the unspeakable pain of losing loved ones to bigoted violence in the wake of Saturday’s attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that claimed the lives of Jewish worshipers on a ...
Government Must Rebuild Trust with Canadian Muslims on National Security
By Ihsaan Gardee
The Hill Times | June 11, 2018
Once bitten, twice shy. That’s the sense within Canadian Muslim communities when it comes to the Liberal government’s proposed overhaul of national security law under Bill C-59.
The legislation was back before the House last week after examination by the Public Safety and National Security Committee.
Let’s not forget where this first started. Under the previous government, Canadian anti-terrorism laws quickly morphed into overreaching and draconian policies. This was coupled with Muslim communities facing ...
Bill 62: The European experience shows us it’s a bad idea
By Mihad Fahmy
The Globe and Mail | October 25, 2017
To understand the effects of Quebec's Bill 62, it is important to understand what is going on in Europe. Driving the wedge deeper into an already divided society, Quebec politicians are copying policies that produce predictable results: rising xenophobia, violence against minorities and discrimination.
Historically, Canada has had a more accommodating approach to individual liberty than European countries, where the case law and legal discourse is built on the premise that public spaces and, by extension, public ...
Concrete action and results on human rights are needed
A UN report raises questions about Canada’s human rights. The parliamentary committee studying discrimination and systemic racism should take note.
By Amira Elghawaby
Policy Options | September 20, 2017
The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage has begun hearing from witnesses as part of its study of Islamophobia, religious discrimination and systemic racism. After a summer of anti-Muslim rallies and hate incidents and crimes, there is little doubt Motion 103 is necessary —despite past opposition from some Conservative members.
This isn’t the view only ...
Canada must call Islamophobia what it is – racism
By Sehrish Amjad
The Ottawa Citizen | August 30, 2017
Canadian officials were in Geneva this month to answer critical questions about the country's human rights record.
The appearance before the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination comes every four years and is an opportunity for racialized communities to hold our governments to account for their action, or inaction, on promoting racial equity in a pluralistic society. This year, there was a painful omission.
Canada omitted identifying Islamophobia as a form of racism in its official report. ...
Hate laws put reasonable limits on freedom of speech
By DARKO PRODANOVIC and ESSA ABDOOL-KARIM
Toronto Star | August 8, 2017
"It is time for us to take our masculinity back and beat the living hell out of these [Muslims]. Pin them down on the ground, and beat them until they pass out. And when they're passed out, you beat them further; and when they're on the ground passed out, kick them, break a kneecap, break an elbow, press their hands backwards turn their wrists sideways, start breaking these guys down."
This is a particularly egregious excerpt from one of Kevin J. Johnston's Freedom Report videos, in which he ...
Quebec media has perpetuated stereotypes about Muslim Canadians
It's time for change, writes Amira Elghawaby
By: Amira Elghawaby
This year, Canada celebrates its 150th birthday. Ours is a country of rich history—but not all Canadian stories are told equally. In this special report, This tackles 13 issues—one per province and territory—that have yet to be addressed and resolved by our country in a century and a half
New Eid stamp, unveiled this May. Photo courtesy of Canada Post.
I hadn’t been this excited about a stamp since I collected them back in Grade 6.
Canada’s first commemorative Eid stamp ...
Losing our religion: How anti-Muslim sentiment threatens religious freedom
Some Muslim women in our circles are now seeking religious edicts that deem it acceptable to remove the head scarf in order to feel safe.
By Amira Elghwaby and Asma Maryam Ali
Toronto Star | July 21, 2017
Through disproportionate negative media portrayals, along with the despicable rise of terrorism, the Islamic faith is constantly under scrutiny; it is everyone’s to inspect, analyze, and judge.
This has led to the unfortunate reality that ordinary citizens seem to believe Muslims in Canada should not have the same rights as everyone else. The most recent, ...
History of Muslims in Canada reminds us all of who we are
By Amira Elghawaby and Hassam Munir
Ottawa Citizen | July 1, 2017
There’s nothing like a birthday to inspire introspection.
For Canadian Muslims, the opportunity to commemorate and celebrate our history since pre-Confederation comes at a critical juncture. Those who hold bigoted and racist views have become more vocal – emboldened by populist politics that can fuel fear of the “other” and engender the disillusioned to turn against minority communities. If ever there was a time to fully acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of various communities to ...
Inclusion isn’t just a buzz word — and Canada can prove it
Considering that we have just marked the 35th anniversary of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms, now is a good time as any to review exactly why Canadians have something valuable to share — and where there is room for improvement.
By Amira Elghawaby
Toronto Star | April 26, 2017
Many years ago, then-UN Secretary General Kofi Annan announced that the world needs more Canada. We heard it again from former American president Barack Obama in 2016, and even more recently from UN special rapporteurs who were visiting the nation’s capital earlier this month.
But ...