Report highlights surge in Islamophobia, racism against Palestinians in Canada

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - A report released Wednesday revealed a dramatic rise in Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism in Canada amid Israel's genocide in Gaza.

Titled "Islamophobia on the rise: Taking action, confronting hate and protecting civil liberties together," it was published by Canada's Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

The report said the number of hate incidents targeting Muslims or Palestinians reported to the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) increased by 1,300% in the final quarter of 2023, encompassing harassment, vandalism, defamation and threats of violence.

Noting the alarming scale of hate incidents, including doxing and intimidation of Palestinian activists and their allies, the report revealed that university campuses have become hotspots for such hostility, where students advocating for Palestinian rights have faced verbal assaults, threats and even physical violence.

Testimonies from affected communities revealing how this wave of hate is creating a climate of fear and vulnerability was also included in the 78-page report.

The report also cited remarks by Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s special representative on combatting Islamophobia, from a meeting of the committee.

"Between October 7, 2023, and March 2024, over 1,000 incidents of Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism were reported. The overwhelming majority of these cases involve harassment, discrimination and violations of civil liberties," she said.

The report also included a part about "systemic Islamophobia" embedded in Canadian institutions and said that Quebec’s Bill 21, which prohibits public servants from wearing religious symbols, disproportionately affects Muslim women and exacerbates Islamophobia.

The Standing Committee issued a series of urgent recommendations, including a call for the federal government to publicly denounce anti-Palestinian racism and allocate greater resources for mosque security and hate crime units in police forces.

It also advocated for introducing anti-Islamophobia education in schools to address ignorance and foster cultural understanding.

The report further stressed that education, community engagement and meaningful policy reforms are essential to combating Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism in Canada.

It called for enhanced research to understand these interconnected forms of hate while urging policymakers to work closely with Muslim and Palestinian communities to develop effective solutions.