(Ottawa) A journalist and human rights activist, who has previously accused Quebeckers of being influenced “by anti-Muslim sentiment”, has just been appointed as a representative of the fight against Islamophobia by the government of Justin Trudeau.
The Prime Minister announced the appointment of Amira Elghawaby in a press release Thursday as Canada’s special representative in charge of the fight against Islamophobia.
She will act as a “spokesperson, advisor, expert and representative in the federal government’s efforts to combat “Islamophobia, systemic racism, racial discrimination and religious intolerance”.
On July 11, 2019, Mr.me Elghawaby denounced the Islamophobia of Quebecers in a column published in theottawa citizen. “Unfortunately, the majority of Quebecers seem influenced not by the rule of law, but by anti-Muslim sentiment,” she wrote. The article was co-authored by Bernie Farber, president of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network and former director of the Canadian Jewish Congress.
The two authors opposed Bill 21 on the prohibition of religious symbols, which had just been adopted by the government of François Legault. They were based on a Léger poll according to which 88% of Quebecers who had a negative perception of Islam supported this legislation.
They also accused Prime Minister François Legault of denying the existence of Islamophobia. “Politicians who continue to pander to xenophobic tendencies must be called to the mat,” Ms.me Elghawaby and his co-author. She was also on the board of directors of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network.
More details to come.