Hawzah News Agency- As the country’s federal election enters its pivotal final phase, Muslim Canadians are emphatically urging the next government to move beyond symbolic gestures in addressing Islamophobia and are instead demanding decisive action to combat it.

The grim statistics underscore the dangers Muslims face in Canada, a country that, as of 2024, held the unfortunate distinction of experiencing the highest number of targeted killings of Muslims among G7 nations.

Among these incidents was the killing of six Muslims at a Quebec mosque in 2017, and the deliberate murder of four members of a Muslim family, run down by a truck in London, Ontario, in 2021.

Despite these harrowing events, the critical issue of Islamophobia has struggled to find substantial space in the political discourse leading up to the April 28 elections.

Reem Sheet, an official with the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), representing 200,000 supporters within Canada’s 1.8 million Muslim population, warned that the stakes for the community are unprecedented.

In an interview with Anadolu, she stressed the urgent need for political leaders to implement concrete policy measures addressing the concern of Canadian Muslims.

“Canadian Muslims are looking for real commitments on issues like a national strategy to combat Islamophobia, concrete action on hate crimes, and a clear stance on global human rights, especially when it comes to Gaza,” said Sheet.

She pointed to the disturbing developments south of the border, where Trump’s administration has openly targeted pro-Palestinian activists with deportations and entry bans. Many Canadian Muslims view these developments with anxiety, concerned that similar actions could gain traction domestically if not decisively countered.

The threats to civil liberties and freedom of speech are not limited to the US, as Canadian institutions have recently shown troubling signs of intolerance towards pro-Palestinian voices.

“Unfortunately, Islamophobia continues to rise across Canada. Hate crimes against Muslims are still happening.

“We’ve seen some important progress, but more needs to be done. We need education that doesn’t just talk about Islamophobia, but combats it.”

“We continue to engage with all candidates and we’re calling on all leaders to commit to protecting human rights, combatting Islamophobia, and standing against hate in all its forms,” she said.

Canada’s position on Israel’s war on Gaza is also a critical concern, with Sheet emphasizing that Canadian Muslims are closely watching the responses of political leaders and expect more than just sympathetic statements.

Canada has a responsibility to lead with integrity, and that includes pushing for a ceasefire, an end to the blockade, and accountability for human rights violations,” she said.

Sheet also addressed the role of Canadian media in shaping public perceptions and attitudes toward Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims in general, emphasizing the media’s power to influence societal views.

Source: Anadolu Agency