AhlulBayt News Agency - Community leaders, activists and politicians have gathered across Canada to endorse a charter that condemns Islamophobia amid a reported rise in anti-Muslim bigotry and hate crimes.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims’ (NCCM) Charter for Inclusive Communities asserts that Islamophobia, like all other forms of racism, xenophobia and hatred, “has no place in Canadian society”.
It condemns all acts of hatred and discrimination against anyone, and the exclusion of marginalised communities from fully participating in society. It also calls on the government, civil society groups, public officials and all Canadians to help enact policies that will reduce and eliminate Islamophobia.
“Islamophobia is something that we need to name because it exists. It is something that we must tackle,” said Jagmeet Singh, a member of the Ontario provincial parliament, at a press conference on Monday in Toronto.
The Charter was unveiled simultaneously in six cities across Canada on Monday morning.
“I think it’s important that political leaders show leadership in changing the culture … Political leaders are in a great position to not only welcome and embrace, but to celebrate Islam and celebrate the Muslims that make up our country,” Singh said.
Singh, who is Sikh, described being harassed while growing up in Windsor, Ontario, and said he sometimes endured verbal abuse when he was mistaken for being Muslim.
“As a Sikh, my response and the Sikh community’s response is not to say, ‘No, we’re not Muslim.’ The Sikh response and the Canadian response is to say, ‘No, that’s wrong,’” Singh said.
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