Amira Elghawaby is Canada's first anti-Islamophobia advisor | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Amira Elghawaby is Canada's first anti-Islamophobia advisor

AFP | | Posted by Lingamgunta Nirmitha Rao
Jan 27, 2023 11:28 AM IST

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised Elghawaby's appointment as "an important step in our fight against Islamophobia and hatred in all its forms."

Canada on Thursday appointed its first special representative on combatting Islamophobia, a position created following several recent attacks on Muslims in the country.

An active human rights campaigner, Elghawaby is the communications head for the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and a columnist for the Toronto Star newspaper.(source:Twitter/@gary_srp)
An active human rights campaigner, Elghawaby is the communications head for the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and a columnist for the Toronto Star newspaper.(source:Twitter/@gary_srp)

Journalist and activist Amira Elghawaby will fill the post to "serve as a champion, advisor, expert and representative to support and enhance the federal government's efforts in the fight against Islamophobia, systemic racism, racial discrimination and religious intolerance," a statement by the prime minister's office said.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Also Read | Covid-19 fatalities in Canada cross 50,000

An active human rights campaigner, Elghawaby is the communications head for the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and a columnist for the Toronto Star newspaper, having previously worked for more than a decade at public broadcaster CBC.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised Elghawaby's appointment as "an important step in our fight against Islamophobia and hatred in all its forms."

"Diversity truly is one of Canada's greatest strengths, but for many Muslims, Islamophobia is all too familiar," he added.

Over the past few years, a series of deadly attacks have targeted Canada's Muslim community.

Watch | ‘Islamophobia in India’: Pak cries foul over suspended BJP MLA’s Prophet insult

In June 2021, four members of a Muslim family were killed when a man ran them over with his truck in London, Ontario.

Four years earlier, six Muslims died and five were injured in an attack on a Quebec City mosque.

In a series of tweets Thursday, Elghawaby listed the names of those killed in the recent attacks, adding: "We must never forget."

The creation of the new job had been recommended by a national summit on Islamophobia organized by the federal government in June 2021 in response to the attacks.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On