We were horrified to learn that an individual attempted to set fire to a Jewish temple in Westmount, QC earlier this morning.
We are also relieved that a suspect was quickly arrested by police authorities and hope for the strict enforcement of laws addressing hate-motivated acts.
This rising climate of tension and hate in Quebec, illustrated notably by recent serious acts of Islamophobia and antisemitism, can no longer be allowed to continue.
Those responsible for these crimes should face the harshest possible punishments under the law.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister launched Canada’s new Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality, and Inclusion as a response to combat rising hate.
Canada is the leading G-7 country when it comes to Islamophobia motivated murders in the past decade. No other minority religious community in Canada has faced this kind of hate motivated murder in recent memory. Tackling such a problem means taking on hate across the board and working with all communities to build a real plan forward, including on the crisis of Islamophobia.
We will be watching the developments of this council carefully in hopes that it will meet its mandate to tackle all forms of hate, including rightfully standing up for Black, Muslim, Jewish, Indigenous, and Sikh communities, amongst many others.
Our community still heals from the cost of hate.
On June 6th, we will mark the 5th anniversary of the terrorist killing of three generations of a Muslim family in London, Ontario. Every year on January 29th, we also commemorate the 6 Muslim men murdered in the Quebec City Mosque.
We are constantly reminded of these incidents, as hatred targeting our community continues to intensify across the country.
Even as the Prime Minister was speaking, our staff was speaking to Hamilton police about a school bus that serviced an Islamic school in Hamilton that was attacked and vandalized with Islamophobic graffiti.
Hate of all forms, including anti-semitism and Islamophobia, must be tackled. We will continue to call for the protection of all communities. We look forward to sitting down with members of this council to ensure our community’s concerns are acted upon.
We are disturbed and shocked by the targeting and damaging of a school bus in Hamilton, ON that serviced an Islamic school in the area.
It is alleged that someone may have targeted the school bus in a parking lot full of school buses, vandalized it with Islamophobic graffiti, and damaged the bus including shredding bus seats.
We are in touch with the school, community members, and all authorities, including the Hamilton Police, regarding the situation.
The targeting of a school bus that services Muslim children during a time of rising Islamophobic violence is alarming to the highest degree. While we cannot confirm the motivation behind this attack at this time, and we will wait until the police have a final determination, it is extremely concerning.
We call on all leaders to denounce what happened, and to work with community members to stem this tide of Islamophobia.
We will have more to say as the situation evolves.
Last week, we joined representatives of Muslim organizations in the Ottawa Muslim Advisory Council to the Mayor, who held their first meeting with Mayor Sutcliffe.
In the wake of rising Islamophobia in Ottawa, they discussed the need for establishing anti-Islamophobia training for Ottawa city staff working with vulnerable people and rapid response protocols to violent incidents of Islamophobia.
We thank Mayor Sutcliffe for his commitment to continue meeting with the advisory council in the coming months.
This week, NCCM’s representatives testified in front of the Senate Human Rights Committee on Parliament Hill regarding Bill C-9, alongside other national Muslim groups.
Hear their thoughts here.
Today, Canada, alongside a number of its allies, published an important statement condemning the numerous and continuous violations of international law by Israel.
We note, for the first time in our view, that Canada clearly spells out that any Canadian construction projects or business operations in Palestinian territories, including on land in which illegal settlements currently stand, can be met with legal and reputational consequences.
This is an important step in the right direction. It is further imperative that the government clarify what steps Canada will take to ensure that no Canadian businesses will have continued or future involvement in illegal settlements on Palestinian land, including in the sale of settlement products or projects.
Today, Canada, alongside a number of its allies, published an important statement condemning the numerous and continuous violations of international law by Israel.
We note, for the first time in our view, that Canada clearly spells out that any Canadian construction projects or business operations in Palestinian territories, including on land in which illegal settlements currently stand, can be met with legal and reputational consequences.
This is an important step in the right direction. It is further imperative that the government clarify what steps Canada will take to ensure that no Canadian businesses will have continued or future involvement in illegal settlements on Palestinian land, including in the sale of settlement products or projects.
Statement by the leaders of Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom on the situation in the West Bank. https://t.co/72icmeiQW9
See this very important statement from MP Salma Zahid on the need for Canada to match words with action when it comes to Israel and human rights.
As Ms. Zahid notes, it is time for further sanctions on Netanyahu and his cabinet as a whole. It is time to act.
Please see my statement on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, his flagrant disregard for human rights and international law, and the need for Canada to impose sanctions on the Netanyahu government that keeps in his position. Canada must back words with action.
In light of the San Diego mosque shooting, it is time for Canada to reassess the threat of violent Islamophobia.
An alleged manifesto shows that the San Diego shooters drew inspiration from the 2017 Quebec City mosque shooter and the 2021 white nationalist truck attacker. These individuals killed 10 Muslims in Canada and injured many more.
It is time for Canada to ban groups like the Second Sons who espouse similar white nationalist, anti-Muslim ideologies. Canada has already banned other similar groups like the Base and the Three Percenters, which the Muslim community specifically called out.
It’s time to raise our voices again. Enough is enough.
Canada sanctioned Itamar Ben-Gvir - a step in the right direction.
The treatment of these civilians—including those from Canada—on the latest flotilla is utterly horrific.
It is deeply disturbing and totally unacceptable.
The decision by the Prime Minister in putting sanctions on Itamar Ben-Gvir was a step in the right direction.
But given how many times Canada has had to summon the Israeli Ambassador, it is time for broader sanctions to be implemented, in line with the call from over 200 ex Canadian diplomats.
These include Magnitsky sanctions on those in the Netanyahu government as well as a ban on illegal Israeli settlement goods.
Thank you, Prime Minister Carney, for your clear message in relation to the despicable conduct of Minister Ben-Gvir and the Israeli state authorities of Canadian citizens.
The treatment of these civilians—including those from Canada—on the latest flotilla is utterly horrific.
It is deeply disturbing and totally unacceptable.
The decision by the Prime Minister in putting sanctions on Itamar Ben-Gvir was a step in the right direction.
But given how many times Canada has had to summon the Israeli Ambassador, it is time for broader sanctions to be implemented, in line with the call from over 200 ex-Canadian diplomats.
These include Magnitsky sanctions on those in the Netanyahu government, as well as a ban on illegal Israeli settlement goods.
The abominable treatment of civilians aboard the flotilla, including that which is documented in footage shared by Itamar Ben-Gvir, is unacceptable.
Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs has directed officials to summon the Israeli ambassador to demand assurances regarding the safety and security of Canadians involved.
Canada has already imposed strict sanctions on Mr. Ben-Gvir, including asset freezes and a travel ban, in response to his repeated incitement of violence. The protection of civilians and respect for human dignity must be upheld everywhere, at all times.
Please see this important statement from @BramptonGraham on the need for Canada to renew our fight against Islamophobia and hate, in light of the mass murder at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
Our hearts and duaas continue to go out to the community.
It is time we back up our words with action.
I'm horrified by the shooting that killed three worshippers at the Islamic Center of San Diego. This act of violence is a devastating reminder of the consequences of Islamophobia, bigotry, and the normalization of hate. No one should ever fear for their safety while gathering to worship.
My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the entire community affected by this tragedy.
Please see this important statement from @JeromyYYC on the need for Canada to renew our fight against Islamophobia and hate, in light of the mass murder at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
Our hearts and duaas continue to go out to the community.
It is time we back up our words with action.
An attack on any one of us is an attack on all of us. I am deeply saddened by the deadly attack at the Islamic Center in San Diego.
A place of worship should be a place of peace, reflection, and community. I am thinking of the victims, their loved ones, and the first responders. No one should fear for their life because of their faith. We stand with the Muslim community in San Diego, and with Muslim communities here in Calgary, who will be feeling this violence deeply.
Hatred targeting people because of their religion has no place in our society. We must confront it directly and stand together against those who seek to divide communities through fear and violence.
As Calgarians, we must double down on being a city where people of every faith and background feel safe, respected, and welcome.
Please see this important statement from @MaritStiles on the need for Canada to renew our fight against Islamophobia and hate, in light of the mass murder at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
Our hearts and duaas continue to go out to the community.
It is time we back up our words with action.
Yesterday, a senseless act of violence claimed the lives of three people at the Islamic Centre of San Diego. My heart is broken for the victims, their loved ones, and everyone who has been impacted by this horrific incident.
Every place of worship should be safe for people practicing their faith. Ontario New Democrats stand firmly against Islamophobia, and all forms of hate, as we hold each other close during this time of grief.
Please see this important statement from @KayabagaArielle on the need for Canada to renew our fight against Islamophobia and hate, in light of the mass murder at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
Our hearts and duaas continue to go out to the community.
It is time we back up our words with action.
Places of prayer should be sanctuaries of peace, never scenes of death.
My heart is with the victims, their families, and the Muslim community in San Diego. Hate cannot win.
Please see this important statement from @carolynhparrish on the need for Canada to renew our fight against Islamophobia and hate, in light of the mass murder at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
Our hearts and duaas continue to go out to the community.
It is time we back up our words with action.
Once again, a devastating terrorist attack on an Islamic Centre in San Diego. Three innocent deaths. Two extremist teens’ suicides. Hate rhetoric is not free speech! Guns are a plague on society. How much longer……?
Please see this important statement from @EvanLSolomon on the need for Canada to renew our fight against Islamophobia and hate, in light of the mass murder at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
Our hearts and duaas continue to go out to the community.
It is time we back up our words with action.
The deadly attack at the Islamic Center in San Diego over the weekend is horrifying and deeply disturbing. No one should ever be targeted because of their faith, and violence driven by hatred has no place in our societies.
To Muslim communities in Canada who are shaken by this news: we stand with you. You should be able to live, pray and gather in safety and dignity, free from fear or intimidation. We will continue to confront Islamophobia, protect communities and defend the values of inclusion and respect that make Canada strong.
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L'attaque fatale qui a eu lieu cette fin de semaine au Centre islamique de San Diego est effroyable et profondément troublante. Personne ne devrait jamais être pris pour cible en raison de sa foi, et la violence motivée par la haine n'a pas sa place dans nos sociétés.
Aux communautés musulmanes du Canada qui sont bouleversées par cette nouvelle : nous sommes à vos côtés. Vous devriez pouvoir vivre, prier et vous rassembler en toute sécurité et dignité, à l’abri de la peur et de l’intimidation. Nous continuerons de lutter contre l’islamophobie, de protéger les communautés et de défendre les valeurs d’inclusion et de respect qui font la force du Canada.
Please see this important statement from @SameerZuberi on the need for Canada to renew our fight against Islamophobia and hate, in light of the mass murder at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
Our hearts and duaas continue to go out to the community.
It is time we back up our words with action.
Shocked by the senseless shooting at a mosque in San Diego, California, that left three killed.
We must confront Islamophobia and hate, and help foster dignity and respect for all.
Please see this important statement from @gary_srp on the need for Canada to renew our fight against Islamophobia and hate, in light of the mass murder at the Islamic Center of San Diego.
Our hearts and duaas continue to go out to the community.
It is time we back up our words with action.
Horrified to learn of the Islamophobic attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego this weekend that killed three individuals. I’m thinking of the family and loved ones of the victims, and the entire Muslim community in the United States.
To Muslims in Canada who are undoubtedly shaken by this event: we stand with you.
Hate will never have a place in our society.