Former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi will converse to a Senate Committee on Human Rights on Monday, elevating considerations in regards to the rise in spiritual bigotry and Invoice 21 in Quebec — and predicting some “powerful” phrases for federal politicians.
Nenshi turned the primary Muslim mayor of a significant North American metropolis when he was first elected in 2010.
He says it usually overshadowed his ideas on transit and taxes.
Talking in Calgary on Saturday, Nenshi mentioned that his 11 years as mayor will not be a sign that there is no such thing as a downside in the case of Islamophobia in Canada.
“We all know that the charges of hate crime in Canada have elevated. We all know that we’re typically seeing a rise in spiritual bigotry, whether or not it’s anti-Semitism, Islamophobia or anti-Christian bigotry. However we additionally know that there are particular insurance policies within the nation which might be on the face of it discriminatory in the direction of Muslims, in the direction of Sikhs and in the direction of Orthodox Jews. I really feel that our political class has change into too ashamed to name it out,” Nenshi mentioned.
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Senators held public hearings final fall the place they heard experiences from Canadian Muslims who felt the impression of Islamophobia.
Some key themes raised throughout the hearings included the under-reporting of hate-motivated threats and violence and the challenges of regulating on-line hate.
Nenshi mentioned Monday that he’ll voice his opposition to Quebec’s Invoice 21, which bans sure public servants from carrying spiritual symbols at work.
Nenshi says the legislation targets some individuals — particularly Muslim girls who put on the hijab.
The aim behind the legislation is to protect Quebec’s standing as a secular state. Nenshi would not purchase the argument that the traditionally overwhelming presence of the Catholic Church in Quebec ought to justify Invoice 21.
“I do not assume you need to use previous discrimination to justify present discrimination. I’d most likely be just a little bit powerful on federal politicians and say, ‘Look, we want you to take some management on this,'” Nenshi mentioned.
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Canada’s first-ever particular consultant on combating Islamophobia, Amira Elghawaby, not too long ago apologized for her previous feedback about Quebec, which she made in an op-ed she co-authored in 2019.
Citing a ballot performed on the time, she instructed that “the vast majority of Quebecers appear to be swayed not by the rule of legislation however by anti-Muslim sentiments.”
“I really feel dangerous that she was crushed by that as a result of if you are going to put somebody in that place because the Islamophobia fighter, I am positive they’ve talked about Islamophobia up to now – that is why they’d the job. . They need not apologize for that,” Nenshi mentioned.
Calgary Skyview MP George Chahal says he helps Elghawaby and says continued requires her resignation are trigger for concern.
“I stand along with her as a result of her work is essential in ensuring we sort out and take care of Islamophobia, racism and discrimination throughout Canada.”
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Some leaders in Calgary’s Muslim group say what’s taking place with Invoice 21 is affecting Muslim households in all places.
Sheikh Abdi Hersy says Islamophobia is a actuality in all places in Canada.
“We reside with it day in and day trip. What occurs in Quebec impacts everybody. It impacts our youngsters.
“We have now kids who have been born and raised in Canada they usually really feel much less Canadian once they hear issues like this taking place of their communities and of their nation. We are able to do higher. Muslims are a part of the material of Canadian society and they need to be handled as such,” Hersy mentioned.
Based on Statistics Canada, the variety of police-reported hate crimes focusing on Muslim religions elevated by 71 p.c in 2021 from the earlier 12 months.
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