One of the efforts by the government of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is to appoint journalist and human rights defender Amira Elghawaby as the country’s first anti-Islamophobic representative.
“Diversity is truly one of Canada’s greatest strengths, but for many Muslims, Islamophobia is all too familiar. We have to change that,” Trudeau said, quoted by The NationalSaturday (28/1).
“No one in our country should feel hatred for their beliefs,” he said.
“The appointment of Ms. Elghawaby as Canada’s first Special Representative in the fight against Islamophobia is an important step in our fight against Islamophobia and hatred in all its forms,” continued Trudeau.
Elghawaby’s appointment comes ahead of the second National Day of Remembrance for the Quebec City Mosque attack. Six worshipers were shot dead and 19 others injured in an Islamophobic attack on the Islamic Cultural Center in 2017.
Canada has designated January 29 as the National Day of Remembrance of the Attack on the Quebec City Mosque and Action Against Islamophobia last year to honor the victims of the 2017 attacks and to condemn Islamophobia and all other forms of religious hatred and intolerance.
As Special Representative for Combating Islamophobia, Elghawaby will advise the Canadian government on the development of inclusive policies and programs. It will also highlight the significant contributions made to the country by Muslims.
A contributing columnist for the Toronto Star, Elghawaby currently chairs the strategic communications department of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.
“It is an honor for me to serve in this role. I want to thank Mr. Trudeau for his work in the fight against Islamophobia and in ensuring that Canadian institutions are inclusive of Canadian Muslims and for all people,” he wrote in a tweet.
“I look forward to meeting with elected officials, policy makers and community leaders across the country to amplify the voices of Canadian Muslims and work together to fight discrimination and hate in all its forms,” he said. .
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