Gazan Canadians: Response to the Closure of the Office of the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia

Amira Elghawaby made history as Canada’s first Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, bringing lived realities into public policy, amplifying communities too often dismissed, and insisting that anti-Muslim hate be treated as a real threat to safety and belonging.

Her Role Mattered: For the first time, anti-Muslim hate was addressed was addressed at the federal level as a systemic issue, not a side conversation.

She listened to communities, amplified lived experiences, and pushed institutions to recognize how Islamophobia affects safety, dignity, and belonging.

In 2026, the role was ended and folded into a broader “rights and inclusion” framework, even as Islamophobia remains present and growing in many spaces.

We believe this work requires continuity, focus, and a dedicated mandate, not dilution.

Thank you Amira Elghawaby for the work you carried, the conversations you opened, and the impact that continues.