Does Quebec have more difficulty with diversity within its society than others? This question, which regularly comes up in the news, offends many Quebecers, some would say rightly so. As Quebecers, we observe this discussion with a good dose of skepticism and frustration, while recognizing that, like all other societies, we have our share of challenges that we must face.
However, after following the reactions of the political and media class to Amira Elghawaby’s recommendations last week, we have seriously questioned how we got here as a society. It is sad to admit it, but it is time to recognize that there is a problem in our perception and treatment of Muslims in Quebec.
On most issues, we, Quebecers, are lucid and thoughtful. However, when Muslims speak up to defend themselves or when they make suggestions of a more political nature, many Quebecers seem to lose their ability to draw conclusions from what they see and hear from them.
At least this is the feeling that emerges from several recent speeches which tend more towards feeling than reality by mixing all sorts of concepts such as Islamophobia, political Islam, petromonarchies or even minorities seeking to destroy our customs and cultural norms.
In our opinion, these comments sound more like conspiracy theories than measurable observations. Let’s take a step back and stick to the facts. In 2019, the Quebec government not only conceded that Islamophobia exists, but it confirmed that it does indeed exist in Quebec.
As for the creation of the position of special representative responsible for the fight against Islamophobia by Ottawa, this is also based on facts and measurable needs. This post emerged in the wake of hate crimes perpetrated against Muslims because of their faith. The most tragic case took place here in Quebec, the assassination of six men while they were praying. Furthermore, there is no evidence of a conspiracy by Muslims, Jews or other minorities to secretly control our government to the detriment of Canadian society, contrary to what some people casually insinuate. aware of the devastating impacts of their words.
Even more, Amira Elghawaby is not the first to recommend that universities hire more Muslim and Arab people. This is not to indoctrinate students or Islamize institutions, but to allow those in charge to get closer to these groups and understand that they are, ultimately… normal.
There was little reaction when former Chief Justice MacDonald highlighted the underrepresentation of Muslims, Arabs and Palestinians, and called for greater diversity on university faculties. But when it is a woman wearing the hijab who makes the same kind of recommendation, the National Assembly itself must react.
By asserting that the differential treatment of religious minorities is unacceptable, the Coalition Avenir Québec government, the leader of the Bloc Québécois, Yves-François Blanchet, and numerous columnists have exposed their hypocrisy on the issue. The unanimous vote by which the National Assembly demands the resignation of Amira Elghawaby, while Bill 21 is still in place in Quebec, illustrates both the inconsistency and the bad faith of her speech.
The facts suggest that a significant proportion of Quebec’s political and media class has lost its ability to remain balanced in its comments concerning Quebecers of the Muslim faith. Criticizing Amira Elghawaby’s recommendations is not in itself problematic; on the contrary, it is part of a healthy national dialogue, essential to addressing the challenges facing our society, including that posed by Islamophobia. Even within Muslim communities, opinions differ.
However, the continued denigration that we are currently witnessing in the public arena calls into question the legitimacy of members of the Muslim minority to exist as full-fledged Quebecers.
The reality, in 2024, is that Muslims are Quebecers who actively participate in the life of our society. Managing the issue of diversity requires that we get rid of speeches that foment fear and that attribute the worst intentions to some of our fellow citizens.
The key to this lies in the facts, which we must approach together in a rational and constructive manner, because no one gains by turning away from this collective duty.
* Have co-signed this letter:
Organizations: AEMUDM (Association of Muslim Students of the University of Montreal); Ahl-ill Bail Islamic Organization — Montreal; UQAM Muslim Student Association; Loupérivoise Islamic socio-cultural association; Bel-Agir; Canadian Arab Congress; Mauricie Islamic Cultural Center; Rayan Center; Canadian Council of Muslim Women, Montreal Chapter; ICC Brossard; Capital Mosque; Muslim Students Association of Concordia; Muslim Students Association of McGill; Muslim Students Association of Concordia University; SSM — MAW Muslim Awareness Week; Islamic Center of Outaouais.
Individuals: Abdelhamid Hazem, software developer; Abderrahim Tazi, property manager; Adil Ahmad, engineer; Bakry Alsaieq, union advisor; Eddy Marhaba, engineer; Faisal Malik, chaplain; Hassan Ridha, student; Imran Shariff, imam; Maryam Laoufi, student; Messen Slimane, retired; Millur Rob, social worker; Mohamed Badawy; Mohamed Labidi, retired; Nour Erafii, student; Salam El-Mousawi, community activist; Salam Kassef, student; Samer Elniz, teacher; Samira Laouni, consultant speaker; Haithem Jebali, engineer.