Quebec is once again demanding the departure of Canada’s special representative responsible for combating Islamophobia, Amira Elghawaby.
The latter recommended, in a letter to CEGEPs and universities, to increase the number of Muslim, Palestinian and Arab professors on campus.
The information, first reported by The Quebec Journal, was confirmed Friday morning by The Canadian Press, which was able to consult Ms. Elghawaby’s letter.
Quebec’s Minister of Higher Education, Pascale Déry, quickly took to social media to express her indignation and demand the special representative’s resignation.
1/3 Amira Elghawaby needs to mind her own business. We are talking about the same person who has insulted Quebecers on several occasions. She has no legitimacy to ask our colleges and universities what to do. We repeat: she must resign. https://t.co/X0GggmECGN
— Pascale Déry (@PascaleDery) September 13, 2024
“Amira Elghawaby should mind her own business,” Ms Déry said.
“The mere fact of suggesting the hiring of professors on the basis of religion goes against the principles of secularism, but also the criteria linked to excellence in our establishments.”
According to Minister Déry, Ms. Elghawaby “insulted” Quebecers “on several occasions.”
“She has no legitimacy to ask our colleges and universities what to do. We reiterate: she must resign.”
The minister ended her message by stating that anti-Semitism is on the rise on campuses.
“I will spare no effort to ensure that our institutions do everything possible to restore a healthy and safe environment for all students and to counter bullying and hatred,” she promised.
In 2019, Amira Elghawaby sparked controversy in Quebec when she wrote in a column that Quebecers seemed to be influenced by “anti-Muslim sentiment.”