By Canadian Press

Ottawa appoints special representative to combat Islamophobia

Jan 26, 2023 | 9:40 AM

TORONTO, Australia — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced the appointment of Canada’s first special representative to combat Islamophobia.

Amira Elghawaby, a journalist and human rights advocate, will serve as an advisor and expert as the federal government works to fight religious intolerance and systemic racism.

In a news release today, Trudeau says he is looking forward to working with Elghawaby, and calls her appointment an “important step” to combat Islamophobia and build a country where everyone is respected.

Speaking at an event to mark her appointment, Elghawaby says she is deeply honoured and humbled to serve the Muslim community in the new role.

She says the position was created to address a “painful, even deadly reality of Islamophobia in this country” and that despite the ideal of multiculturalism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism continue to be present in Canadian society.

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Ahmed Hussen, the federal Diversity and Inclusion minister, says the special representative will be supported by staff.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 26, 2023.

The Canadian Press