A Call to End Islamophobia Everywhere on Global Islamophobia Day
March 15th, 2025
On this International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Justice For All Canada stands in solidarity with Muslim communities and minorities worldwide in confronting rising anti-Muslim hate, discrimination, and systemic racism. We highlight recent concerning events showing that Islamophobia remains deeply entrenched in Canada and globally, with few concrete actions from governments.
A 2024 report revealed systemic Islamophobia within Canada’s healthcare system, exposing discrimination in hospitals and clinics nationwide. Muslim patients and professionals endure racial profiling, a lack of access to essential care due to bias, and denial of religious accommodations. Meanwhile, Bill 21, which continues to marginalize Muslim women, will be challenged by Canada’s Supreme Court this year. The repressive law has forced Muslim teachers, public servants, and others out of their jobs for wearing the hijab. The presence of such laws in Canada shows how state policies institutionalize Islamophobia under the guise of “secularism”, despite the country's commitment to freedom and diversity.
The past year has also seen a disturbing 1300 percent rise in hate crimes against Muslims in Canada, including a surge in violent attacks, vandalism, and threats targeting mosques and community centres. In January 2024, a mosque in Mississauga was attacked when rocks were thrown at its windows.
Globally, Islamophobia has also intensified with no end in sight, particularly in the United States and Europe. In the U.S., advocacy groups documented a record number of anti-Muslim incidents in 2024, including a 70 percent rise in physical assaults, workplace discrimination, and hate-fuelled rhetoric by political figures. Additionally, France and Switzerland have reinforced similar Quebec style state-sanctioned discrimination against Muslim women by maintaining bans on Muslim attire such as the hijab and niqab in public spaces.
Israel’s ongoing genocidal onslaught in Gaza and remaining occupied territories has further fuelled Islamophobic narratives. Across North America and Europe, Muslims who speak out against the violence in Gaza have faced professional and academic retaliation, social media censorship, and public harassment. U.S.-based student and permanent resident Mahmoud Khalil was unjustly arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in March 2025 after his green card was revoked, in retaliation for his lawful advocacy for Palestinian rights at Columbia University. In Canada, students, journalists, and activists advocating for Palestinian rights have been doxxed, threatened, and even dismissed from their positions.
There have been notable government efforts emerging to combat Islamophobia despite these ongoing challenges. In February 2024, Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, launched a national resource aimed at addressing anti-Muslim hate: "The Canadian Guide to Understanding and Combatting Islamophobia: For a More Inclusive Canada”. The important publication recognized Anti-Palestinian Racism (APR) as a critical issue intertwined with Islamophobia, particularly as media, political discourse, and public institutions each contribute to the systemic erasure and vilification of Palestinian identity. Justice For All Canada also acknowledges that APR is a troubling phenomenon experienced by Palestinians from other faith backgrounds, including Christians.
On this International Day to Combat Islamophobia, we call on all levels of government, civil society, and individuals to take concrete steps against Islamophobia and APR. The weaponization of Islamophobia to silence criticism of state policies and war crimes is a troubling pattern that must be addressed. A commitment to human rights means addressing both systemic discrimination and the violent consequences of unchecked hate. Canada must do more to ensure that all Muslims, regardless of their background, can live with dignity, safety, and equal opportunity.
Next steps: calling on individuals to take action:
On this International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Justice For All Canada stands in solidarity with Muslim communities and minorities worldwide in confronting rising anti-Muslim hate, discrimination, and systemic racism. We highlight recent concerning events showing that Islamophobia remains deeply entrenched in Canada and globally, with few concrete actions from governments.
A 2024 report revealed systemic Islamophobia within Canada’s healthcare system, exposing discrimination in hospitals and clinics nationwide. Muslim patients and professionals endure racial profiling, a lack of access to essential care due to bias, and denial of religious accommodations. Meanwhile, Bill 21, which continues to marginalize Muslim women, will be challenged by Canada’s Supreme Court this year. The repressive law has forced Muslim teachers, public servants, and others out of their jobs for wearing the hijab. The presence of such laws in Canada shows how state policies institutionalize Islamophobia under the guise of “secularism”, despite the country's commitment to freedom and diversity.
The past year has also seen a disturbing 1300 percent rise in hate crimes against Muslims in Canada, including a surge in violent attacks, vandalism, and threats targeting mosques and community centres. In January 2024, a mosque in Mississauga was attacked when rocks were thrown at its windows.
Globally, Islamophobia has also intensified with no end in sight, particularly in the United States and Europe. In the U.S., advocacy groups documented a record number of anti-Muslim incidents in 2024, including a 70 percent rise in physical assaults, workplace discrimination, and hate-fuelled rhetoric by political figures. Additionally, France and Switzerland have reinforced similar Quebec style state-sanctioned discrimination against Muslim women by maintaining bans on Muslim attire such as the hijab and niqab in public spaces.
Israel’s ongoing genocidal onslaught in Gaza and remaining occupied territories has further fuelled Islamophobic narratives. Across North America and Europe, Muslims who speak out against the violence in Gaza have faced professional and academic retaliation, social media censorship, and public harassment. U.S.-based student and permanent resident Mahmoud Khalil was unjustly arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in March 2025 after his green card was revoked, in retaliation for his lawful advocacy for Palestinian rights at Columbia University. In Canada, students, journalists, and activists advocating for Palestinian rights have been doxxed, threatened, and even dismissed from their positions.
There have been notable government efforts emerging to combat Islamophobia despite these ongoing challenges. In February 2024, Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, launched a national resource aimed at addressing anti-Muslim hate: "The Canadian Guide to Understanding and Combatting Islamophobia: For a More Inclusive Canada”. The important publication recognized Anti-Palestinian Racism (APR) as a critical issue intertwined with Islamophobia, particularly as media, political discourse, and public institutions each contribute to the systemic erasure and vilification of Palestinian identity. Justice For All Canada also acknowledges that APR is a troubling phenomenon experienced by Palestinians from other faith backgrounds, including Christians.
On this International Day to Combat Islamophobia, we call on all levels of government, civil society, and individuals to take concrete steps against Islamophobia and APR. The weaponization of Islamophobia to silence criticism of state policies and war crimes is a troubling pattern that must be addressed. A commitment to human rights means addressing both systemic discrimination and the violent consequences of unchecked hate. Canada must do more to ensure that all Muslims, regardless of their background, can live with dignity, safety, and equal opportunity.
Next steps: calling on individuals to take action:
- Share the government’s new Islamophobia resource with fellow educators, your local MP, and communities to take action.
- Read and share our Global Islamophobia Report to understand the rise of Islamophobia in India, East Turkestan, Myanmar-Burma, and Central African Republic.
- Support our Palestinian Statehood Action Alert by urging Canada to uphold international law.
- Amplify Muslim voices by challenging Islamophobic narratives in media, politics, and public discourse. Participate in our Words of Justice Campaign.