The war in the Middle East has led to a rise in hate crimes against Muslims in Canada, even in places that are designed to be safe spaces.
Shelters are now reporting an increase in hate directed at Muslims, with one saying that women are feeling unsafe in shelters.
One woman, whose identity is being protected due to safety concerns, said she had experienced various forms of domestic violence; and while she was looking for a way out, she was faced with a new fear of being targeted in mainstream shelters. “It definitely makes women think twice about shelters,” she said.
Nisa Homes is a women’s shelter that provides services to Muslim women across Canada. It was founded eight years ago to provide culturally sensitive social services.
Shelter officials say they have seen an increase in incidents of Islamophobia experienced by their clients and those looking to access their services.
According to the shelter, their helpline saw a 350% increase in calls related to Islamophobia from 2022 to 2023. Calls related to racism increased by 62%.
Officials also reported that the volume of their calls has also increased by 46% since October and 135% since the beginning of the year.
