MEDIA ADVISORY: Over 20 Calgary Organizations Raise Concern Over Anti-Palestinian Racism Following City Hall Exchange Involving Keffiyeh
Joint letter calls for review of public participation procedures and anti-racism training for elected officials
More than 20 Calgary-based organizations have submitted a joint letter to Mayor Jeromy Farkas and Calgary City Council following a May 6 public exchange involving Tuka Ali, a Calgary-based award-winning educator, public speaker and youth advocate, whose keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian cultural symbol, became the subject of remarks during the meeting.
The signatories, which include Muslim, Arab, Palestinian, Jewish, and allied community organizations, are asking City Council to review the incident and consider measures aimed at addressing concerns related to anti-Palestinian racism, public participation, and cultural expression within civic institutions.
The letter follows a public hearing on the City's "Safer Together" initiative, when Councillor Dan McLean characterized presenter Tuka Ali as "non-inclusive" while referencing her keffiyeh. McLean’s comment inaccurately cast Palestinian cultural expression as incompatible with inclusion. Ali was not provided an opportunity to respond during the exchange.
The coalition argues that the incident raises broader questions about how Palestinian identity and symbols are understood and discussed in public institutions, as well as how concerns regarding anti-Palestinian racism are addressed within municipal settings. According to the joint letter, its presence in civic space should not be treated as inherently divisive, threatening, or non-inclusive. The organizations' letter describes the incident as part of a wider symptom of anti-Palestinian racism and the treatment of Palestinian cultural and political expression in public spaces. Among the measures proposed in the letter are:
The Arab Canadian Lawyers Association (ACLA) defines anti-Palestinian racism as “a specific form of anti-Arab racism that silences, excludes, erases, or dehumanizes Palestinians and their narratives.” The incident has generated concern among community organizations, elected officials, and residents regarding the role of Palestinian cultural symbols in public discourse and the responsibilities of public institutions when addressing allegations of racism and discrimination. Public institutions have a responsibility to protect equal civic participation. Palestinian residents and community members must be able to appear before Council without their cultural identity being treated as a basis for suspicion. The diverse, interfaith coalition has contributed to the public significance of the issue and reflects a growing interest in how anti-Palestinian racism is defined, recognized, and addressed in Canadian public life.
Media Contact
Walaa Katoue, Chief Media Officer, Justice For All Media Watch [email protected]
The signatories, which include Muslim, Arab, Palestinian, Jewish, and allied community organizations, are asking City Council to review the incident and consider measures aimed at addressing concerns related to anti-Palestinian racism, public participation, and cultural expression within civic institutions.
The letter follows a public hearing on the City's "Safer Together" initiative, when Councillor Dan McLean characterized presenter Tuka Ali as "non-inclusive" while referencing her keffiyeh. McLean’s comment inaccurately cast Palestinian cultural expression as incompatible with inclusion. Ali was not provided an opportunity to respond during the exchange.
The coalition argues that the incident raises broader questions about how Palestinian identity and symbols are understood and discussed in public institutions, as well as how concerns regarding anti-Palestinian racism are addressed within municipal settings. According to the joint letter, its presence in civic space should not be treated as inherently divisive, threatening, or non-inclusive. The organizations' letter describes the incident as part of a wider symptom of anti-Palestinian racism and the treatment of Palestinian cultural and political expression in public spaces. Among the measures proposed in the letter are:
- Anti-racism training that includes anti-Palestinian racism;
- A review of procedures governing public participation at Council meetings;
- Formal engagement with affected community organizations.
The Arab Canadian Lawyers Association (ACLA) defines anti-Palestinian racism as “a specific form of anti-Arab racism that silences, excludes, erases, or dehumanizes Palestinians and their narratives.” The incident has generated concern among community organizations, elected officials, and residents regarding the role of Palestinian cultural symbols in public discourse and the responsibilities of public institutions when addressing allegations of racism and discrimination. Public institutions have a responsibility to protect equal civic participation. Palestinian residents and community members must be able to appear before Council without their cultural identity being treated as a basis for suspicion. The diverse, interfaith coalition has contributed to the public significance of the issue and reflects a growing interest in how anti-Palestinian racism is defined, recognized, and addressed in Canadian public life.
Media Contact
Walaa Katoue, Chief Media Officer, Justice For All Media Watch [email protected]