“Islamophobia in Canada Study” sessions held in Masjid As-Salaam Burnaby & in Sheraton, Vancouver.

   By: Anwer Qadir, Masjid As Salaam, Bby
The Senate of Canada – Standing Senate Committee on Human Right is conducting a study ‘Islamophobia in Canada”. As part of this study and process to consult with Muslim community and Muslim leadership across Canada, the Senate committee selected 4 Mosque across Canada.
Masjid Al-Salaam & Education Centre, Burnaby is one of those selected mosques for Senate Committee’s visits and direct participation in this study.
On September 6th, the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights visited Masjid Al-Salaam & Education center.                                                                                      The delegation include:
Senator Salma Ataullahjan,
Committee Chair
Senator David M. Arnot
Senator Bev Busson
Senator Mobina S. B. Jaffer
Along with Committee Secretary Sebastian Payet and officials.
Anwer Qadir – Secretary Board, Masjid Al-Salaam, welcomed the Senate Committee on behalf of Masjid Al-Salaam, BC Muslim Association, and the Muslim community across BC.
Imam Yahya Momla started the program with recitation of Holy Quran, which is followed by a tour of Masjid’s facility.
Senator Ataullahjan – Chair, mentioned that the committee is studying, the role of Islamophobia with respect to physical violence, online hate and discrimination against Muslims. The study will also examine the sources of Islamophobia, its impact on individuals (including mental health, intersectional and intergenerational impacts), and possible solutions and government responses.
The audience shared with the committee, the Muslim community situation in BC due to Islamophobia, online hate, discrimination due to faith and gender-based islamophobia.
Our homeland Canada is known across globe as place which thrive due to its diversity, tolerance and inclusivity. However, we are witnessing things that if not address result in collapse of such harmonious society.
From Quebec Mosque shooting in 2017 where 6 people were martyred, 19 children become orphan, to London, Ontario where a family was killed on sidewalk because of their faith. Not far from here (Burnaby), a Mosque was experienced attempted arson.
Islamophobia is one of the most misunderstood subject and wider society and government is not aware of its true impact on Muslim community.
The audience thanked the Committee for studying this core issue and emphasized the importance of understanding the root cause and making tangible recommendations along with action plan.
Asad Gondal, President BCMA, Tazul
Al – Chairperson Women Board, Masjid Al-Salaam, Tariq Tayyab – BCMA Media, Yousef Siraj, Sharina Khan and Yasin Taqi also shared their views, challenges, experiences and suggestions to address this grave situation. Member of RCMP Burnaby Detachment also attended this session.
The Committee Chair and Senators expressed thanks for the hospitality,
program management, openness, and material discussed during the session; and stated that the member of public can also submit their experiences and suggestion through their website https://sencanada.ca/en/committees/ridr/44-1
The Committee is also conducted Townhall session and obtained testimonial from members of public on Sept 7 at Sheraton, Vancouver.