As Quebecers, we are responding to the controversy surrounding the appointment of Amira Elghawaby to the post of Canadian Special Representative in charge of the fight against Islamophobia.
Tuesday, M.me Elghawaby apologized “sincerely” for “the way her words hurt” Quebecers. She also expressed the desire to continue the dialogue with the aim of exchanging and “learning”. Several meetings with Quebec political leaders are planned in the days to come.
We are sensitive to the concerns that have been raised since her appointment, but the challenge she faces is daunting and we believe that Ms.me Elghawaby to exercise and fulfill the mandate for which she was appointed.
We are ready to contribute to a constructive dialogue surrounding these complex and sensitive issues and we are committed to combating all prejudices, whatever they may be.
*Signed this letter:
Charles Taylor, philosopher, professor emeritus, McGill
Jack Jedwab, President, Association for Canadian Studies
Julius Grey, lawyer, constitutional and human rights expert
Samira Laouni, Founding President, COR
Michel Seymour, philosopher
Boufeldja Benabdallah, co-founder and spokesperson of the Mosque of Quebec
Linton Garner, activist and community worker
Ehab Lotayef, community activist, poet, IT manager
Anne Lagacé Dowson, freelance journalist and commentator
Frank Baylis, President, “No to Bill 21”
Eric Maldoff, CM, Ad. E., Partner, Lapointe Rosenstein, Marchand, Melançon
Joel DeBellefeuille, CEO, Founder, Red Coalition
Alain Babineau, Director, Racial Profiling and Public Safety, Red Coalition
Eve Torres, Community Activist
Fareed Khan, founder, Canadians United Against Hate
Ndeye Marie Fall, former senior official at UNESCO and president, Collective for the promotion of intangible heritage in Francophonie (CPPIF)
Miriam Taylor, Independent Researcher, Special Advisor in Community Relations, Metropolis Institute
Lori Schubert, Executive Director, Quebec Writers’ Federation (QWF)
Nargess Mustapha, activist and community organizer
Samaa Elibyari, Canadian Council of Muslim Women, Montreal
Toula Drimonis, freelance columnist and author
Hassan Guillet, retired engineer and lawyer
Geoffrey Chambers, community activist
Kerline Joseph, Vice-President, International Orientation Committee-CIO, UNESCO Chair Women and Science for Development in Haiti
Moayed Altalibi, Islamic organization AHL-ILL BAIT
Andrew Caddell, Language Policy Working Group
Eric Pouliot-Thisdale, Researcher, Department of History, University of Montreal
Éric Émond, philanthropist, interviewer
Mohammed Labidi, Leader, Muslim Community of Quebec City
Susan Pinker, psychologist, columnist