Canada appoints Muslim woman to new post to combat Islamophobia

Ottawa: In Canada, activist Amira Elghawaby got appointed as its first-ever representative on dealing with Islamophobia there, Agence France-Presse reported.

The journalist cum activist will serve as a champion, advisor, expert and representative and will support the federal government's efforts to combat Islamophobia as well as racism, racial discrimination and religious intolerance.

Several attacks against Muslims have registered in the country in recent years. The national summit on Islamophobia, conducted by the Canadian government in June 2021 in response to the attacks, led to the creation of a new job.

Elghawaby holds the position of communications head at the Canadia Race Relations Foundations and is a columnist for the Toronto Star newspaper. She has worked at the public broadcaster CBC for more than a decade.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised Elghawaby's appointment, saying that it was an important step in the country's fight against Islamophobia as well as "hatred in all its forms".

Islamophobia and discrimination are unacceptable. Period. Today, we’re appointing @AmiraElghawaby as Canada’s first Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia to help end this hate – and to build a better future for everyone. More here: https://t.co/revaJmTvAa

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 26, 2023

He said that when diversity is one of Canada's most priced strengths, for many Muslims, Islamophobia is too familiar.

Muslims in the country have faced a series of lethal, targeted attacks in the recent few years. In June 2021, four members of a Muslim family were killed after a man ran them over with a truck.

Around four years ago, six Muslims were killed, while five got injured after an attack on the Quebec City mosque.

On Thursday, Elghawaby, in a series of tweets, listed the names of those killed in the recent attacks on the Muslim community. AFP quoted her, "We must never forget."