CCMW Expresses Deep Concern Over Elimination of Federal Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia Role

Written by Canadian Council of Muslim Women

Published in News

The Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) expresses serious concern regarding the federal government's decision to eliminate the position of the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia and replace it with an advisory council structure.

The role of the Special Representative was created as a direct response to the urgent and well-documented rise in Islamophobia in Canada, including acts of violence, systemic discrimination, and the ongoing marginalization of Muslim communities. The establishment of this office represented a significant and hard-fought commitment by the federal government to recognize Islamophobia as a distinct and pressing form of hate requiring dedicated leadership, accountability, and coordinated national action.

CCMW recognizes the meaningful contributions made by the current Special Representative, Amira Elghawaby, whose leadership has helped elevate public awareness, support community engagement, and strengthen policy discussions around anti-Muslim hate and discrimination. In her role, Amira has served as an inspiring role model for Canadian Muslim women, and as a Muslim women’s organization, we are truly saddened by this decision. The decision to eliminate this dedicated position risks undermining the progress achieved in recent years and raises concerns about the federal government's long-term commitment to addressing Islamophobia in Canada.

While CCMW acknowledges the government's stated intention to replace the envoy roles with an advisory council and maintain staff support, advisory mechanisms cannot substitute for the visibility, independence, and accountability provided by a designated national representative focused exclusively on combating Islamophobia.

CCMW calls on the federal government to ensure that any new structure strengthens, rather than weakens, Canada’s national response to Islamophobia and meaningfully centres the voices of those most affected.

Canadian Council of Muslim Women

The story of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) begins in 1982 when a group of dynamic and devoted Muslim women from across the country congregated in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Led by the late founder of CCMW, Dr. Lila Fahlman, these women sought to mobilize their passion for social justice and faith in order to enrich their communities and work towards the common good of Canadian society.

This inaugural meeting led to the establishment of CCMW, a not-for-profit organization that works to provide equity, equality and empowerment for all Canadian Muslim women. For the past 30 years, its proud and accomplished roster of members have achieved and continue to achieve great milestones for Muslim women and Canada’s multicultural landscape. As a highly diverse organization, CCMW is firmly committed to the overarching vision of improving the status of Muslim women to remain true to their Islamic heritage and Canadian identity.