Canada appoints first anti-Islamophobia official to protect Muslims

Amira Elghawaby, the first anti-Islamophobia official in Canada, was appointed following an anti-Islamophobia summit held after the tragic killing of Afzaal family in a deliberate attack in Ontoario in 2021.

She emphasized the importance of addressing the rise in Islamophobia in Canada, particularly with the ongoing trial related to the Afzaal family’s tragic case.

Elghawaby highlighted that any criminal act with a biased motivation targeting a particular community or its members based on their identity is considered during sentencing.

She expressed her concern regarding the security of the Muslim community which she expressed in a recent interview despite the majority being respectful and supportive, the rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes in Canada remains a pressing issue.

To combat this alarming trend, her office is collaborating with various organizations to launch a practical guide on anti-Muslim hate later this month.

Key components of the guide include recognizing anti-Muslim hate as a harsh reality in Canada, emphasizing the need for contingency plans to respond to attacks on Muslims, enhancing security measures at mosques, especially during larger gatherings like the Muslim Eid festival prayers, and improving response times to hate crimes.