A new survey suggests that many Canadians view relations between Muslim and Jewish communities as strained, with 43% describing them as “bad”, CTV NEWS reported on Sunday.
Conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies, the poll also found that concerns about intergroup relations extend beyond these communities, with 38% seeing tensions between Muslim and non-Muslim Canadians and 35% highlighting Indigenous and non-Indigenous relations.
Experts attribute the heightened concerns to global events, particularly the ongoing war in Gaza following the October 7, 2023. They stress the need for initiatives that foster mutual understanding and reduce division.
Officials combating Islamophobia and antisemitism emphasize that Canadian Muslims and Jews share common struggles against discrimination and call for efforts to counter hate-driven narratives.
Some analysts caution against framing geopolitical conflicts as religious disputes, urging a focus on human rights and political solutions. The findings highlight the importance of fostering dialogue and unity in an increasingly polarized climate.
