Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that he has appointed a Special Representative to Combat Islamophobia in Canada.
Amira Elghawabi is a former journalist, co-founder of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network and was instrumental in founding the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), the largest Muslim organization in the country.
As special envoy, Elgawabi will lead the federal government’s fight “against Islamophobia, systemic racism, racial discrimination and religious intolerance,” according to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office.
In particular, she will advise the Trudeau government on what policies and legislation should be enacted to counter the “threat” of Islamophobia.
Her appointment was welcomed by Stephen Brown, Chief Executive Officer of NCCM.
“While at NCCM, Amira was a passionate advocate, fighting many critical battles for our community at a time when we needed a champion,” Brown said. “Actually, I’m not sure what NCCM would be without Amira.
“We look forward to continuing to work with her, her office and all those who want to address the threat of Islamophobia in Canada,” he said.
The appointment comes on the eve of the sixth anniversary of the murder of six Muslims who were gunned down during worship at a Quebec mosque on January 29, 2017. Another 19 were injured, some seriously.
“Since 2017, 11 people have died in Canada as a result of anti-Muslim acts of violence,” Brown said.
Trudeau said, “No one in our country should be hated because of their faith,” adding, “The appointment of Ms. Elgawabi as Canada’s first Special Representative to Combat Islamophobia is an important step in our fight against Islamophobia and hatred in all its forms. .”
There are about 1.8 million Muslims in Canada, and the population is estimated at 38 million.
