The Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, today reaffirmed the Liberal government’s unwavering commitment to combatting Islamophobia and all forms of hate across Canada. Central to this effort is the recent release of The Canadian Guide to Understanding and Combatting Islamophobia: For a More Inclusive Canada, spearheaded by Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s first Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia.
“Our government will never shy away from calling out any form of hate, including Islamophobia,” said Minister Khera. “That’s exactly why we appointed Amira Elghawaby to help lead our work in protecting Muslim communities and rooting out hate wherever it appears. Thanks to Amira’s new guide, Canadians now have a vital tool to recognize, speak out against, and stop Islamophobia in its tracks.”
Launched on March 3, 2025, by Elghawaby’s office, the guide is a comprehensive resource designed to educate Canadians about the nature of Islamophobia, its detrimental impacts on Muslim communities, and actionable steps to foster inclusion. Available to the public, it aims to deepen understanding of the diverse and intersectional identities of Canada’s nearly 1.8 million Muslims—comprising almost 5% of the national population—and to counter the systemic barriers they face. Posts on X and statements from Elghawaby’s office highlight its role in sparking a “national conversation about the value of Canadian diversity,” a sentiment echoed by the government’s broader anti-hate initiatives.
Appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on January 26, 2023, following an open and merit-based selection process, Elghawaby has brought her extensive experience as a journalist and human rights advocate to the role. A former communications lead at the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and a founding member of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, she serves as a champion, advisor, and expert to enhance federal efforts against Islamophobia, systemic racism, and religious intolerance. Her mandate includes advising on policies, legislative proposals, and programs to ensure Muslim Canadians feel safe and respected in their communities.
The guide’s release builds on Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate, announced recently, which includes funding boosts for Elghawaby’s office and the new Canada Community Security Program. This initiative replaces and enhances the former Security Infrastructure Program, offering greater support to communities at risk of hate-motivated violence. Additionally, the updated Anti-Racism Strategy takes a whole-of-government approach to dismantling systemic discrimination, reinforcing the Liberal commitment to inclusion as a cornerstone of Canadian identity.
“Islamophobia has no place in Canada,” Minister Khera emphasized. “Our Liberal government stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Muslim communities in this fight. This guide is more than a resource—it’s a call to action for every Canadian to join us in building a safer, fairer, and more inclusive society.”
The timing is poignant, coming ahead of significant commemorative dates like the National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque Attack on January 29 and the International Day to Combat Islamophobia on March 15. Statements from Canada.ca underscore Elghawaby’s ongoing collaboration with Minister Khera and Prime Minister Trudeau, including recent discussions on November 5, 2024, addressing the intersections of Islamophobia with anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism amid global conflicts.
For more information on The Canadian Guide to Understanding and Combatting Islamophobia, or to access the resource, visit [insert relevant government link, e.g., Canada.ca/Islamophobia-Guide]. Canadians are encouraged to subscribe to the Office of the Special Representative’s newsletter for updates on this critical work.