Despite long standing calls for increased attention to this issue, it has only recently gained traction, with a few Ontario school boards taking steps to develop anti-Islamophobia strategies.
Despite long standing calls for increased attention to this issue, it has only recently gained traction, with a few Ontario school boards taking steps to develop anti-Islamophobia strategies.
In the wake of a concerning spike in anti-Muslim occurrences, experts stressed the immediate need to prioritize combating Islamophobia in Canadian classrooms.
Despite long standing calls for increased attention to this issue, it has only recently gained traction, with a few Ontario school boards taking steps to develop anti-Islamophobia strategies, the CBC News reported.
Aasiyah Khan, the director of Education at the National Council of Canadian Muslims, stressed the urgency of moving beyond rhetoric to concrete action, providing practical tools for educators to address Islamophobia in their lesson plans and classroom policies.
The NCCM, along with other groups, has secured funding to develop resources and training programs for educators on Islamophobia.
The Peel District School Board’s groundbreaking anti-Islamophobia strategy, authored by Khan, has set a precedent for other boards in Toronto and London.
The conflict commenced on October 7 with an unexpected assault by Hamas, resulting in considerable casualties. Subsequently, there has been a notable upswing in incidents of hate and discrimination within educational settings.
Since the Hamas attacks in southern Israel and the subsequent Israeli government’s actions in Gaza, Canada has witnessed a disturbing rise in anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian, and antisemitic incidents.
Toronto police reported a “staggering” increase in hate crimes, aligning with a landmark Senate report that highlighted Islamophobia as a persistent and urgent problem in Canada.
Rahat Zaidi, a professor at the University of Calgary, pointed out that Islamophobia is a systemic issue requiring various interventions.
The current atmosphere is compared to the post-9/11 period, with incidents of discrimination, stereotyping, and intense Islamophobia on the rise.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has led to the cancellation or muted celebrations of Islamic Heritage Month in some schools.
Reports also suggested over-policing of Muslim, Palestinian, and Arab students.
Zaidi cited the importance of inclusive spaces for conversations within the wider school community.
She recommended practical steps for educators, such as stocking age-appropriate books with Muslim characters and actively countering instances of overt racism.
However, she warned against putting Muslim students on the spot, advocating for productive conversations instead.
The recent Senate report recommended a multimedia campaign on Islamophobia and the creation of school resources.
Both Khan and Zaidi stressed the crucial role of supporting educators with practical training, addressing the need for resources and guidance in addressing these sensitive issues in the classroom.
The Israel-Hamas conflict has stirred tensions on Canadian university campuses, leading to criticism of student unions and societies at institutions like York University and Toronto Metropolitan University.
Discussions on freedom of expression have raised concerns among academics as dissent transforms into personal attacks, potentially chilling free expression.
Shannon Dea, a University of Regina philosophy professor and dean of arts, notes the challenging atmosphere on campuses, citing escalating incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also expressed deep concern over the “terrifying” surge in antisemitism and Islamophobia in Canada amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Trudeau reiterated his call for a humanitarian pause in the conflict to free hostages, allow the evacuation of foreign nationals, and deliver essential aid to Gaza residents.
He condemned acts of violence, including Molotov cocktails thrown at synagogues, emphasizing that such actions are unacceptable in Canada. Trudeau urged Canadians to unite against hate and lead by recognizing each other’s pain and fear.
“This needs to stop. This is not who we are as Canadians. This is something that is not acceptable in Canada, period,” said in the report.
“This is a time where we need to lead … That’s the responsibility of every single Canadian, to see how we are recognizing each other’s pain and fear and move forward on it,” he added.
Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, who is Jewish, highlighted the heightened sense of fear among Jewish Canadians, calling for vigilance against hate speech and extremist activities during demonstrations.
“What I would say right now is I’ve never seen a time when Jewish Canadians have felt as scared, as angry, as frustrated in a country that we’ve been part of since before Confederation,” he said.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada Minister, Marc Miller, had earlier said that individuals evacuating from the war-torn Gaza Strip to Canada will undergo evaluation on a case-by-case basis, as reported by Immigration.ca.
Miller emphasized the government’s current focus on evacuating Canadians from the conflict-ridden region, citing security and policy considerations.
Despite the uncertain financial situation of the refugees, he assured that those arriving in Canada from Gaza would be treated humanely. The approach to support for evacuees will depend on individual circumstances, as assessed by the IRCC.
Canada has actively participated in facilitating the safe passage of over 400 individuals connected to the country, part of ongoing negotiations between Israel and Egypt mediated by Qatar. The government has identified 75 individuals permitted to stay in Egypt for 72 hours, consisting of Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible family members without Canadian immigration status. Additionally, four Canadians have already left Gaza with the assistance of a third party, despite warnings from Global Affairs Canada regarding the volatile situation at the Rafah border.
In response to the ongoing crisis, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly expressed concern, condemning Hamas attacks and urging the release of hostages. Canada is allocating $20 million from a previously announced $60 million in aid to UN and Red Cross organizations for humanitarian assistance in Gaza, the West Bank, and neighboring areas. Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen emphasized that the funds will not go to Hamas.
