Since immigrating to Canada in the late 1990s, Salma Zahid has been a passionate and engaged member of the Scarborough community. She has a strong background in governance and public policy, and currently works as a senior advisor for the Ontario government in the office of the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade. Salma also brings an extensive background in community service and volunteerism, particularly with organizations aimed at helping youth and families. She has served as Chair of the Regent Park Duke of York Public School Parent Council, and was instrumental in the development of the Youth Reading Club and Skating Program. Salma has also been an active volunteer with a number of local food banks, as well as her local mosque, Jamia Abu Bakar. Salma’s community involvement, particularly with groups dedicated to supporting youth and women’s issues, has earned her the Diamond Jubilee Medal for Meritorious Community Service. Salma holds a Master’s in Educational Management and Administration from the University of London’s Institute of Education and an MBA from Quaid e Azam University in Pakistan. Salma, her husband Salman, and their sons Umaid and Usman are proud and longtime residents of Scarborough.
Track Record on Palestine (from MuslimsVote.ca)
Called for a Ceasefire
Defended Free Speech on Campus
Condemned Genocide and Displacement in Gaza
Called to Recognize Palestine
Visited the West Bank
Voted YES to the NDP Gaza Motion
14 House of Commons Interventions
14 Parliamentary Committee Interventions
2 Parliamentary Petitions
Endorsed Vote Palestine Campaign
Salma Zahid has been an advocate for Palestinian rights, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, an end to the Israeli siege, and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to provide essential aid to civilians. She has publicly supported South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, alleging genocide, and has visited the West Bank and Jordan to gain a firsthand understanding of the challenges faced by Palestinians. Zahid, as chair of the Canada-Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Group, has actively worked with other MPs to urge the Canadian government to take a stronger stance in support of Palestinian human rights and has presented a petition in Parliament calling for sanctions on the Netanyahu government and a two-way arms embargo. Her commitment to a two-state solution, her condemnation of violence against civilians, and her concern about rising Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in Canada underscore her engagement with the issue.
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