Justice For All Canada Holds Successful Parliamentary Briefing on UN Day to Combat Islamophobia |
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March 24th, 2023
Justice For All Canada, in partnership with the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project (URAP), held a successful parliamentary briefing on the United Nations' first Annual day to Combat Islamophobia. The event was held on March 21st, 2023, and co-sponsored by Hon. Salma Zahid, who also participated as a speaker.
During the briefing, speakers shared their experiences and expertise in challenging global and nationwide Islamophobia. The panel of experts and advocates included Sahada Alolo from the Ottawa Muslim Women's Organization, Dr. Monia Mazigh (human rights activist and author), Kayum Masimov (Project Coordinator at URAP), Imam Muhammad Suliman from the Ottawa Muslim Association, and Aiden Alexio (Policy Researcher from Justice For All Canada). The program opened with remarks by MP Zahid, with a strong focus on the impact on Muslim women in Canada.
MP Zahid also offered valuable insights on the subject and highlighted the need for concrete action to end anti-Muslim discrimination and violence.
Canadian leaders in attendance were MP Peter Julian, MP Rob Oliphant, MP Iqra Khalid and MP Sameer Zuberi, as well as Hon. Sen. Margo Greenwood and Hon. Sen. Mary Coyle.
"Given how the UN has dedicated a global observance to address the dangers of Islamophobia, it’s high time for Canadian leaders to step up and support measurable actions to safeguard the rights of Canadian Muslims and implement foreign policies that effectively counter the global rise of anti-Muslim discrimination," said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada.
“Islamophobia is real and present. But nowhere is it so acute as in China and the ongoing genocide against Uyghur Muslims. China—the second largest country in terms of its economy and military—is using its power to eradicate Islam from the daily lives of Uyghurs by imposing a state-approved Islam “compatible” with the Chinese Communist Party’s mission,” said Kayum Masimov, Program Coordinator of URAP.
Recent shocking Islamophobic incidents in Canada, including the 2017 Quebec shooting massacre and the London, Ontario, Afzhal family van attack, were also discussed during the briefing, highlighting the urgency of the issue.
According to the UN, there has been a surge in anti-Muslim hate speech and attacks worldwide in recent years. The UN has warned that the rise of Islamophobia threatens global peace and security, calling on governments to combat this phenomenon.
In coordination with the program, Justice For All Canada also released a report entitled "Islamophobia Leads to the Persecution and Genocide of Muslim Minorities." The report analyzes the genocidal impact of state-sponsored anti-Muslim policies in China, Burma, the Central African Republic, and India.
To conclude the briefing, Justice For All Canada’s policy researcher, Aiden Alexio, summarized the report and presented actionable takeaways for MPs and Senators in attendance.
Report Summary;
Action-oriented recommendations for the Canadian government;
A copy of the report can be accessed here.
About Organizer
Justice For All Canada is a non-profit human rights and advocacy organization dedicated to promoting the human rights of Muslim minorities facing genocide worldwide. The organization works to raise awareness about the plight of persecuted religious minorities and to advocate against state-sponsored atrocity crimes.
Justice For All Canada, in partnership with the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project (URAP), held a successful parliamentary briefing on the United Nations' first Annual day to Combat Islamophobia. The event was held on March 21st, 2023, and co-sponsored by Hon. Salma Zahid, who also participated as a speaker.
During the briefing, speakers shared their experiences and expertise in challenging global and nationwide Islamophobia. The panel of experts and advocates included Sahada Alolo from the Ottawa Muslim Women's Organization, Dr. Monia Mazigh (human rights activist and author), Kayum Masimov (Project Coordinator at URAP), Imam Muhammad Suliman from the Ottawa Muslim Association, and Aiden Alexio (Policy Researcher from Justice For All Canada). The program opened with remarks by MP Zahid, with a strong focus on the impact on Muslim women in Canada.
MP Zahid also offered valuable insights on the subject and highlighted the need for concrete action to end anti-Muslim discrimination and violence.
Canadian leaders in attendance were MP Peter Julian, MP Rob Oliphant, MP Iqra Khalid and MP Sameer Zuberi, as well as Hon. Sen. Margo Greenwood and Hon. Sen. Mary Coyle.
"Given how the UN has dedicated a global observance to address the dangers of Islamophobia, it’s high time for Canadian leaders to step up and support measurable actions to safeguard the rights of Canadian Muslims and implement foreign policies that effectively counter the global rise of anti-Muslim discrimination," said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada.
“Islamophobia is real and present. But nowhere is it so acute as in China and the ongoing genocide against Uyghur Muslims. China—the second largest country in terms of its economy and military—is using its power to eradicate Islam from the daily lives of Uyghurs by imposing a state-approved Islam “compatible” with the Chinese Communist Party’s mission,” said Kayum Masimov, Program Coordinator of URAP.
Recent shocking Islamophobic incidents in Canada, including the 2017 Quebec shooting massacre and the London, Ontario, Afzhal family van attack, were also discussed during the briefing, highlighting the urgency of the issue.
According to the UN, there has been a surge in anti-Muslim hate speech and attacks worldwide in recent years. The UN has warned that the rise of Islamophobia threatens global peace and security, calling on governments to combat this phenomenon.
In coordination with the program, Justice For All Canada also released a report entitled "Islamophobia Leads to the Persecution and Genocide of Muslim Minorities." The report analyzes the genocidal impact of state-sponsored anti-Muslim policies in China, Burma, the Central African Republic, and India.
To conclude the briefing, Justice For All Canada’s policy researcher, Aiden Alexio, summarized the report and presented actionable takeaways for MPs and Senators in attendance.
Report Summary;
- China - Uyghur Muslims in Occupied East Turkestan face severe persecution and genocide. Two million Uyghurs are detained in “re-education camps, " facing grave human rights abuses. Uyghurs within and outside the camps face significant suppression of their religious beliefs and practices. US and Canadian governments have recognized the oppression of the Uyghurs as a genocide.
- Burma - The systematic promotion of Islamophobia and the negative narratives of Rohingya are essential drivers in their 2017 genocide by the Burmese military. The US and Canada formally recognized the mass killings perpetrated against Rohingya Muslims. The Gambia filed a case under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice, seeking redress for the atrocities. However, there has been little accountability of perpetrators.
- Central African Republic (CAR) - Due to political unrest and unstable conditions combined with Islamophobic narratives, Muslim minorities in CAR suffered from genocide, mass displacement and have disproportionately been the victims of sectarian violence since 2013.
- India - The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s increased use of Islamophobic narratives has made them complicit in Muslim minority persecution. This includes open calls for Muslim genocide, discriminatory laws, and grave human rights abuses against Muslims in Kashmir. If a concerted effort to stop the genocidal processes in India is not made, nationalist government supporters will act on their declared plans for a Muslim genocide.
Action-oriented recommendations for the Canadian government;
- Recognizing the role that Islamophobia plays as a driver of genocide.
- Classifying genocidal situations as something to be prevented and punished under the Genocide Convention.
- Establishing an office to advise the government on how to take the lead on combatting Islamophobia globally and support the Special Representative to Combat Islamophobia.
- Pursue sanctions pursuant to the Magnitsky Act against perpetrators of human rights abuses
- Mobilize the international community to hold governments accountable for the grave human rights committed.
- Bring immediate relief to the victims of humanitarian crises.
A copy of the report can be accessed here.
About Organizer
Justice For All Canada is a non-profit human rights and advocacy organization dedicated to promoting the human rights of Muslim minorities facing genocide worldwide. The organization works to raise awareness about the plight of persecuted religious minorities and to advocate against state-sponsored atrocity crimes.