Clerics & Preachers

Meeting between Trudeau and Muslim leaders in Quebec called off after many refuse to attend Many Muslim leaders have attacked the government over its stance on the war in Gaza

(CBC) A meeting between Muslim leaders in Quebec and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau planned for this afternoon north of Montreal — weeks ahead of a critical byelection in the city — was cancelled after many of those invited refused to attend, CBC News has learned. “Many members […]

Academics & Education

Appeal Court upholds Quebec law that bars teachers, police from wearing religious symbols Civil liberties groups argued law discriminates against Muslim women who wear head coverings

(CBC) The Quebec Court of Appeal has upheld the province’s controversial secularism law in a ruling on challenges to the law’s constitutionality released Thursday afternoon. The heavily anticipated judgment is 290 pages long and quashes a previous exception, made by Superior Court […]

Government & Politics

Muslim groups say MPs won’t be welcome in mosques until they call for Gaza ceasefire In letter to MPs, Muslim groups call for restoration of UNRWA funding, condemnation of Israeli 'war crimes'

(CBC) With Ramadan just around the corner, a national Muslim organization and several local congregations are warning members of Parliament they won’t be welcome in their mosques until they call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, demand restoration of funding for the UN’s aid agency and […]

Academics & Education

UBC student group sues Jewish non-profit and former contractor, claiming defamation over pro-Hamas stickers 'Offensive' stickers were work of terminated contractor who acted alone: Hillel B.C.

(CBC) The Social Justice Centre (SJC) at the University of British Columbia is suing a prominent Jewish organization and one former contractor for defamation after pro-Hamas stickers bearing the SJC’s logo were placed on campus in November. The stickers said “I [heart] […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

B.C. minister Robinson stepping down over remarks that angered pro-Palestinian groups B.C. minister steps down over Middle East remarks

(Canadian Press) British Columbia’s Post-Secondary Education Minister Selina Robinson is stepping down over her remarks that modern Israel was founded on “a crappy piece of land,” after her repeated apologies failed to quell the outcry from pro-Palestinian groups and others. Premier David […]

Academics & Education

Principal apologizes for asking student to remove Palestinian flag from online profile National Council of Canadian Muslims says similar incidents occurring in school boards across Canada

(CBC) The principal of an Ottawa public school has apologized for asking an elementary school student to remove the Palestinian flag as their profile picture. The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) confirmed the incident took place during an online class last week. […]

Books

Markham Public Library removed Islamic history displays but returned them after review: CEO Catherine Biss apologized for 'hurt' and 'confusion' caused by situation

(CBC) Markham Public Library removed Islamic Heritage Month displays from its branches after it received complaints from the community amid the Israel-Hamas war, but put the displays back the same day following a management review, its CEO says. At a news conference on Tuesday, Catherine […]

Books

Markham Public Library apologizes after email suggests taking down Islamic Heritage Month displays Employee email suggested library was going to pull displays, library says email is inaccurate

(CBC) Markham Public Library apologized on Monday for an employee email posted online that suggested it was going to take down Islamic Heritage Month displays. According to images shared on social media of the email, Markham Public Library (MPL) was going to […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Trudeau announces Amira Elghawaby as Canada’s first representative to combat Islamophobia 'No one in our country should experience hatred because of their faith,' Trudeau says

(CBC) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the appointment of a special representative on combating Islamophobia that will advise the federal government on how to better fight discrimination against the Muslim community. Human rights activist Amira Elghawaby will be responsible for serving “as […]

Academics & Education

School board admits mistake using ‘Free Palestine’ as example of violence in dress code Advocates from London's Palestinian community say they were hurt to see the slogan in new guidelines

(CBC) The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) is facing criticism for using the slogan “Free Palestine” as an example of a label on clothing that could incite violence. The example appeared in guidelines outlining the new dress code for students. It sparked complaints from community […]

Academics & Education

Hearings on constitutionality of Quebec’s secularism law underway in Court of Appeal Opponents of law argue government's use of notwithstanding clause to protect law goes too far

(CBC) Opponents of Quebec’s secularism law — known as Bill 21 — argued before the province’s Court of Appeal Monday that the CAQ government went too far in pre-emptively invoking the constitutional notwithstanding clause in order to protect the law from court […]