Canadian Muslim group slams government’s decision to dissolve offices for combatting Islamophobia, antisemitism

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) on Wednesday criticized the government's decision to dissolve the Office of the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia and a similar office for combatting antisemitism as Ottawa announced the creation of a new Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion.

In a statement, NCCM said it was "deeply disappointed" by the decision, noting that the office on combatting Islamophobia was established following a deadly terrorist attack that killed four members of a Muslim family in London, Ontario in 2021.

"Since then, we've continued to see the rise of Islamophobia across Canada. The Canadian Muslim community deserves sustained and dedicated leadership," the statement said, adding that the group is also concerned about the dissolution of the Office on Combating Antisemitism "at a time when hate is on the rise."

NCCM head Stephen Brown thanked Canada's outgoing first special representative on combating Islamophobia, saying: "We extend our sincere thanks to Amira Elghawaby for her exemplary and tireless service and advocacy for our community."

While the organization acknowledged the creation of a new advisory body, it said it would closely monitor the government's approach moving forward.

"While an Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion is being created in lieu of these offices, we will continue our work on combatting Islamophobia," the statement said.

Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, told reporters in Ottawa that the two roles would be integrated into a broader framework.

"It's about folding in those two positions into a new committee on national unity and an advisory committee on rights, equity and inclusion," Miller said, adding that "those two roles, I think, played an important part in identifying these issues that have become, in the case of Islamophobia and antisemitism, quite polarized, in part, because of what we've seen in the war in Gaza."

Noting that the move was not driven by budget concerns, he said: "This isn't a cost-saving operation. It is about making sure that we have an advisory council that will report to me and the prime minister."

In a separate news release, the government said the newly created Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion will be tasked with fostering social cohesion, combating racism and hate, and advising the minister under the Canadian Multiculturalism Act.

The council's membership will be announced at a later date, according to the statement.