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Feb
2026
The Canadian Muslim Vote: Response to the Closure of the Office of the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia
Written by The Canadian Muslim Vote Published in News
[The Canadian Muslim Vote] honour and thank Amira Elghawaby for the leadership, vision, and courage she brought to her role as Canada’s first Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia.
The Canadian government has announced that the standalone federal offices dedicated to combatting Islamophobia and antisemitism are being abolished and replaced with a
new Advisory Council on Rights, Equality & Inclusion.
new Advisory Council on Rights, Equality & Inclusion.
WHAT THIS MEANS
The Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia (held by Amira Elghawaby) and the (currently vacant) Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism will no longer be separate federal roles.
Instead, a diverse council of experts and leaders will advise the government on rights, inclusion, and hate in all its forms.
The Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia (held by Amira Elghawaby) and the (currently vacant) Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism will no longer be separate federal roles.
Instead, a diverse council of experts and leaders will advise the government on rights, inclusion, and hate in all its forms.
WHAT AMIRA HAS ACCOMPLISHED
National Influence
As the first person in this role, Amira established a federal bridge between Muslim communities and government policy.
Education and Awareness
Her office released The Canadian Guide to Understanding and Combatting Islamophobia — the first government-level resource of its kind in Canada.
Policy Advice
She advised federal departments on issues from online hate to community safety.
Public Consciousness
She worked to reframe public narratives about Muslim Canadians, spotlighting the rich diversity of Muslim identities and experiences.
National Influence
As the first person in this role, Amira established a federal bridge between Muslim communities and government policy.
Education and Awareness
Her office released The Canadian Guide to Understanding and Combatting Islamophobia — the first government-level resource of its kind in Canada.
Policy Advice
She advised federal departments on issues from online hate to community safety.
Public Consciousness
She worked to reframe public narratives about Muslim Canadians, spotlighting the rich diversity of Muslim identities and experiences.
A True Ally to TCMV Amira’s support wasn't just policy-based — it was personal and present.
She consistently showed up for The Canadian-Muslim Vote, attending and supporting:
- TCMV Fellowship programming
- Community summits and leadership spaces
- Conversations focused on civic engagement and Muslim political participation
She recognized the importance of grassroots civic work and treated community organizations like TCMV as partners, not afterthoughts.
This shift to an Advisory Council signals a new federal approach to equity.
As this new structure forms, it will be vital that targeted attention to Islamophobia and antisemitism continues, and that the legacy of advocacy and community partnership Amira helped build remains central.
