Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s special representative on combating Islamophobia, on October 31, 2023, to discuss the fears and concerns of Canadian Muslims, Arabs, and Palestinians.
In a tweet following the meeting, Trudeau said that these communities are worried about their loved ones, their rights, and their safety. He also pledged to continue working to combat Islamophobia and all forms of hatred.
“When I met with @AmiraElghawaby yesterday, we spoke about these fears and the work we must continue to do together to combat Islamophobia and all forms of hatred,” Trudeau tweeted.
Islamophobia has been a growing problem in Canada in recent years. In 2021, there was a significant increase in hate crimes against Muslims, including the deadly attack on a Muslim family in London, Ontario.
The Canadian government has taken some steps to address Islamophobia, including appointing Elghawaby as its special representative on combating Islamophobia and developing a national action plan against Islamophobia. However, there is still much more work to be done.
Trudeau’s meeting with Elghawaby and his commitment to combating Islamophobia are a welcome step. However, it is important to remember that words alone are not enough. The Canadian government must take concrete action to protect Muslims and other minority communities from hate and violence.(*)