Office on Islamophobia
We supported the establishment of the Office on Islamophobia. Now, we work closely with the Special Representative to combat Islamophobia nationwide.
WHAT'S
HAPPENING
Office on Islamophobia
Rising Islamophobia in Canada heightens the urgency of the Office of the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia in Canada.
The Special Representative’s role is to inform policies, legislative proposals, programs, and regulations within the Government of Canada that directly and indirectly affect Muslim Canadians.
Islamophobia has already resulted in violence and the killing of Canadians: women and men, young and old. Systemic Islamophobia manifests as discrimination in our schools and workplaces. It is also an ongoing concern at CSIS, the CBSA, and the CRA.
Without an office in government oriented toward combatting Islamophobia, institutional responses will remain fragmented and inefficient.
The role of the Special Representative was itself borne out of an NCCM recommendation at the 2021 National Action Summit on Islamophobia, held in the aftermath of the terrorist attack that killed four members of the same Muslim family in London, Ontario. NCCM worked tirelessly across partisan lines to support the federal creation of the Office.
Since the Office’s successful establishment, NCCM has worked closely with the Special Representative on long-standing urgent priorities for our community – from better oversight for our national security agencies, to preventing unfair auditing practices against Muslim charities, to challenging public discourse on all Canadians standing up for Palestinian human rights.
NCCM HAS SUCCESSFULLY PUSHED FOR:
- The creation of an appropriately funded Federal Office on Combatting Islamophobia.
- The creation of municipal offices on Islamophobia in the City of London and Brampton.
Special Representative on Islamophobia, Amira Elghawaby speaking at a press conference
IMPACT STATS
134
National policy-related meetings completed by the Office on Islamophobia in 2023.
2
Major jurisdictions have created Special Offices on Islamophobia, or anti-Muslim hate, including Australia and the European Union
#1
Canada leads the G-7 when it comes to anti-Muslim killings over the past 7 years motivated by Islamophobia. The Special Office on Islamophobia was designed to challenge both physical and systemic discrimination and to help institutionalize the fight against hate in Canada.
A SNAPSHOT | OUR WORK
2021 - NCCM Launched Push for Creation of Federal Office on Islamophobia
After the tragic terrorist attack that took the lives of the Afzaal family in London, Ontario, NCCM made a promise: We would never stop fighting for real, structural change to tackle Islamophobia in Canada.
One of our key demands at the 2021 National Summit on Islamophobia was the creation of a federal office to combat Islamophobia—a permanent, well-resourced institution dedicated to addressing anti-Muslim hate at every level.
After relentless advocacy, including testimony before Parliament, direct engagement with federal leaders, and mass mobilization of communities, the government committed to establishing this office.
2023 - Amira Elghawaby Appointed as the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia
We are incredibly proud to join Amira Elghawaby, a former NCCM colleague, on her historic appointment as Canada’s first Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, by the Prime Minister on January 29, 2023 at Toronto’s IMO Mosque.
Amira has long been a leading voice in the fight against Islamophobia, advocating for policies that protect human rights and challenge systemic discrimination. During her time at NCCM, she played a key role in advancing public awareness, media advocacy, and community mobilization.
Her appointment was a direct response to years of advocacy calling for real, structural solutions to address anti-Muslim hate. This role is critical in ensuring that the federal government takes concrete steps to combat Islamophobia at every level.
2023 - NCCM Helped Push Back Against Criticism of the Office
The Special Representative’s Office has faced pushback since its inception.
On January 31, 2023, just four days after the Office’s establishment, a parliamentary motion in the National Assembly of Quebec denouncing the representative’s appointment was supported by the Coalition Avenir Québec, the Quebec Liberal Party, and the Parti Québécois..
2024 - Annual Report by the Special Representative
Special Representative Elghawaby released a seminal report on the work of the Office in its first year, which has included guidance and advice to the federal government on polices impacting Muslims in Canada. It also includes the results of meetings with communities and stakeholders, as well as raising awareness about Islamophobia and its impacts.
2024 - NCCM Successfully Pushed for Government of Canada to Commit to Adopting Anti-Palestinian Racism
We were proud to see Amira Elghawaby, a former NCCM colleague and Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, announce that the Government of Canada will officially recognize anti-Palestinian racism—making Canada the first G7 nation to do so.
This is important as the move does the following:
- Recognizes the unique discrimination Palestinians face, including dehumanization and systemic exclusion.
- Acknowledges the growing attacks on Palestinians and their allies for speaking up on human rights and justice.
- Affirms that advocacy for Palestinian rights must not be silenced through smear campaigns or institutional barriers.
Canada’s recognition is an important step in pushing back against the rising tide of hate and discrimination. It sets a precedent for other nations to follow and strengthens the call for justice and human rights.
This recognition must lead to concrete actions—policy changes, protections for free expression, and accountability for those enabling hate.
NCCM remains committed to ensuring that all communities, including Canadian Palestinians, are able to live without fear.
CANADIANS ARE STILL AT RISK
Help us challenge the fight against all forms of hate, including Islamophobia, at the structural level.
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Unjust laws change when voices come together. By sending an email today, you help push for stronger policies to combat Islamophobia and discrimination.
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Justice requires action. Action requires resources. Your donation supports legal aid, advocacy for policy change, and the fight against Islamophobia at every level. Give today and stand up for the right of Canadian Muslims.