Ottawa’s Gaza Stance Undermining Muslim-Canadians\u2019 Sense of Belonging, Says Federal Representative
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Canada\u2019s response to the war in Gaza is causing many Muslim-Canadians to feel alienated and disillusioned, according to Amira Elghawaby, the federal government’s special representative on combating Islamophobia, the Canadian Press reported. In a recent interview, Elghawaby said Ottawa\u2019s perceived inaction in response to Israel\u2019s military campaign in Gaza has severely affected the emotional well-being and sense of belonging of Muslim communities across Canada. She linked this impact to a broader \u201cdehumanization of Palestinian and Muslim life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Appointed in February 2023, Elghawaby\u2019s role is to advise the federal government on how policies, including those related to foreign affairs, affect Muslim Canadians. She noted that many have been horrified by the Israeli offensive and aid restrictions following October 2023 war. Since then, Gaza\u2019s health ministry reports nearly 60,000 Palestinians killed. Aid organizations, including the UN World Food Program, have warned of severe malnutrition, particularly among children and women, amid widespread hunger.<\/p>\n
Elghawaby stressed that despite official statements from Ottawa, many Muslim-Canadians feel the government is not doing enough to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law. While she said she does not have the mandate to assess policy decisions, she emphasized the frustration felt in the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s growing despair,\u201d she said, pointing to widespread concern that legal norms are being violated without consequence. Communities are urging Canada to consider stronger measures such as sanctions or an arms embargo. Elghawaby also highlighted ongoing challenges in Ottawa\u2019s resettlement program for Gazan relatives of Canadians.<\/p>\n
Although 5,000 applications were accepted, fewer than 1,200 visas have been issued. She warned that people advocating for Palestinian rights continue to face backlash, with many being unfairly labeled as antisemitic or pro-terrorism, despite peaceful protests. \u201cThese individuals are calling for basic human rights and the upholding of international law,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ottawa’s Gaza Stance Undermining Muslim-Canadians\u2019 Sense of Belonging, Says Federal Representative …………………… Canada\u2019s response to the war in Gaza is causing many Muslim-Canadians to feel alienated and disillusioned, according to Amira Elghawaby, the federal government’s special representative on combating Islamophobia, the Canadian Press reported. In a recent interview, Elghawaby said Ottawa\u2019s perceived inaction in response …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":129941,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_108372464460192_245495985553329":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-129942","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-iran"],"yoast_head":"\n