Montreal, Oct 10, 2024— The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) condemns the ongoing efforts by some Canadian officials, columnists, and others to defame Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia. This targeted smearing seeks to discredit Elghawaby's work by portraying her support for the civil rights of Palestinian protestors as divisive and inappropriate.  The ARPCF points out that Elghawaby is simply doing her job in advocating for freedom of expression, including Muslims and pro-Palestinian voices in Canada.

“Amira Elghawaby is fulfilling her role with integrity, speaking out against Islamophobia and other forms of discrimination in order to create a safe, inclusive environment for Muslims and Palestinians in Canada. To claim that her efforts are divisive or extreme is to distort the fundamental purpose of her position,” said Jamila Ewais, Lead Researcher at ARPCF. “Elghawaby is not advocating violence or extremism but rather promoting an inclusive environment where everyone, including Palestinians and Muslims, can feel safe and enjoy the same rights as any other group.”

The criticism against Elghawaby almost exclusively focuses on her support for Palestinian activism and protesters, accusing her of being divisive or advocating extremism. As such, the ARPCF considers these allegations to be clear examples of Anti-Palestinian Racism (APR) that aim to prevent her from supporting the civil rights of the pro-Palestinian movement in Canada. Despite these baseless accusations, Amira Elghawaby has made significant strides in her role as Canada's Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia. She has advocated for policy changes to address systemic Islamophobia, led public education campaigns to raise awareness about the harms of discrimination, and built alliances with marginalized groups to foster inclusivity. Her work has also included supporting Muslim communities affected by hate crimes and defending the rights of Palestinians, ensuring that free speech and activism are protected. Elghawaby’s commitment to upholding human rights and creating a safer, more inclusive environment for Muslims and pro-Palestinian voices in Canada remains vital to the fight against Islamophobia and racism.

Elghawaby’s work is an asset that needs to be protected. Amira Elghawaby’s appointment as Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia came in response to deadly attacks against the Muslim community, reflecting the government's commitment to addressing hate and upholding the human rights of Muslims in Canada. Her role is essential in creating a society where Muslims, including pro-Palestinian voices, are not dehumanized but are valued and protected. The ARPCF supports policies that safeguard free speech, jobs, and dissent without fear of reprisal or smear campaigns. Criticism against Elghawaby for advocating Palestinian rights and standing against Islamophobia is rooted in discrimination and must be challenged. The Trudeau government has a responsibility to defend her efforts and ensure her role is upheld, reaffirming Canada’s commitment to combating Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism.

About the ARPCF – The mandate of the Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) is to create public awareness about racism in Canada.  This mandate falls in line with the Foundation’s broader purpose of monitoring and combating manifestations of racism, xenophobia, and discrimination by increasing public awareness of such biases.

For more information, please contact Jamila Ewais, 514-389-8668
ARPCF, [email protected]  www.cjpmefoundation.org

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