Montreal, Jan 29, 2025 — The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) solemnly remembers the devastating attack on the Québec City Mosque -- Canada’s deadliest act of violence in a place of worship -- and expresses its unwavering solidarity with the victims’ families and the Muslim community. Today marks the 8th anniversary of the shooting, where six Muslim men lost their lives. On this National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia, we reminder ourselves of the persistence of Islamophobia in Canada and the urgent need to combat it.
“The rise in Islamophobia across Canada since October 7, 2023, has been deeply troubling, marked by an alarming increase in hate crimes, harassment, and vandalism targeting Muslims.” Said Jamila Ewais, a researcher of the ARPCF. Political leaders, including Québec Premier François Legault, have contributed to this climate by making inflammatory statements, such as equating Muslims performing prayers in public with radicalism. This rhetoric stigmatizes Muslim Canadians and deepens social divisions.
Incidents of Islamophobia in Canada have risen dramatically in the past 15 months following October 7, 2023, concurrent with the launch of Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza and the growing popularity of pro-Palestine protests across Canada. The troubling rise was outlined in a recent report by the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, which looked at systemic Islamophobia and its impacts, particularly on visibly Muslim women, who face disproportionate violence and discrimination. The report highlighted:
- a 1,300% increase in hate incidents targeting Muslims or Palestinians in the final quarter of 2023, according to data from the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM);
- a 400% increase in cases related to employment discrimination, harassment, and mistreatment in schools, according to the Muslim Legal Support Centre; and
- a 212% spike in Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian hate incidents in the Waterloo region compared to the previous year.
These alarming trends underscore the growing hostility faced by Muslims, fueled by inflammatory rhetoric, online hate, and geopolitical tensions. The ARPCF calls on Canadian leaders to denounce Islamophobia and address it as a systemic issue through meaningful reforms. This includes implementing recommendations from the National Summit on Islamophobia and the Standing Committee’s report, such as improving education on Islaophobia, combating online hate speech, and supporting vulnerable communities. Policies must also safeguard the civil liberties of Muslims and ensure all Canadians can practice their faith without fear. On this solemn anniversary, we urge all Canadians to honor the victims of the Québec Mosque attack by fostering understanding, promoting inclusion, and holding those who spread hate accountable. Let this day mark a renewed commitment to combating Islamophobia and building a safer, more just society.
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
The whole or parts of this press release can be reproduced without permission.
– 30 –