Government Commits to National Action Summit on Islamophobia

"We strongly believe that putting an end to Islamophobia requires that all levels of government take concrete action in addressing Islamophobia at an urgent and systemic level. From appointing a Special Envoy on Islamophobia, to removing discriminatory laws in Canada, to ensuring that anti-racism and anti-Islamophobia becomes part of our education system, to changing the way that municipalities deal with street harassment, a whole of government approach is needed." said Fatema Abdalla, Communications Coordinator with the National Council of Canadian Muslims, "The summit is an important and critical start. The outcome of the summit, in terms of concrete policy, will be the test of whether all governments and political parties are truly committed to preventing further loss of life."

A unanimous consent motion, led by NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, calling for the National Action Summit to take place before the end of July, was also unanimously supported.

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Salam Friends,

I know it's been an unimaginably tough week for all of us.

I've been staring at my screen.

Because this can't keep happening.

Today, we took a step - but make no step, one step - towards bringing policy change so that we can stop this kind of violence, and dismantle Islamophobia at its roots.

Today, in the House of Commons, the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth committed to the emergency ask by the community in the aftermath of the London terror attack. The government committed to a National Action Summit on Islamophobia convening leaders from all levels of government to chart a path forward for Canada in ending violence against Muslims.

We were able to take this important first step with the support and leadership of community members like you who signed our petition and amplified the call widely. Our community leaders, masajid, and allies also stood up and voiced their support for this urgent and important call by signing an open letter.

Like you, we strongly believe that putting an end to Islamophobia requires that all levels of government take concrete action in addressing Islamophobia at an urgent and systemic level. From appointing a Special Envoy on Islamophobia, to removing discriminatory laws in Canada, to ensuring that anti-racism and anti-Islamophobia becomes part of our education system, to changing the way that municipalities deal with street harassment, a whole of government approach is needed.

But make no mistake, this summit may be an important and critical start but the outcome of the summit, in terms of concrete policy, will be the real test of whether all governments and political parties are truly committed to preventing further loss of life.

Tomorrow is the funeral for our London family - it will no doubt be one of the toughest days for their loved ones, as it will be for many in the Muslim community in Canada.

For those of you wish to attend the funeral, the details are below. And for those who would like to attend one of the vigils around the country, please find one near you here.

We pray that you all take care of yourselves, find spaces of healing, hold your loved ones close, and pray for those we have lost.

Waslam,

Mustafa Farooq
CEO