By: Khadija Nadeem,
Miracle’s Editorial Member
Canada is home to over 1.5 million Muslims but systemic Islamophobia and racism continue to affect us and our community. These problems are rooted in policies that stigmatize and disparage Muslims but in these last couple of years, and unfortunately, , this recent Ramadan, instances that indicate hate crime and offensive, violent behavior against Muslims have increased significantly. The term islamophobia is defined as unfounded hostility toward Islam, including discrimination against Muslims and Muslim communities.
Not only is the term complex, but the way in which it is shown in everyday life is also deeper than what meets the eye. First of all, it isn’t only Muslims who are targeted by the discrimination of Islamophobia, often diverse ethnic and religious minorities are also victims of hostility under the assumption that they are Muslim. This can obviously make other minorities, as well as Muslims, feel insecure in public spaces and everyday encounters where they might feel singled out. Additionally, a large factor of how islamophobia presents itself to you is based on your gender. As a woman, you’re is more likely to experience anti-Muslimism sentiment particularly because of visible markers of the Muslim religion such as the headscarf, hijab, or burka. For Muslim men, indicators include beards, skin color, and cultural clothing. Regardless of men and women experiencing Islamophobia to varying likelihoods, the nature is always similar in terms of verbal abuse, physical assault, and threatening or offensive
behavior. One of the largest flaws in our system is how discrimination and racism are institutionally reproduced. In terms of Islamophobia, it’s very easy to reinforce through “counter-terrorism” initiatives in schools or workplaces. These all affect the way Muslim students and adults view their surroundings and can make them reluctant to participate and live their life to the fullest in favor of protecting themselves from being attacked.
Canada, specifically the lower mainland, has become a breeding ground for violence. Negative views of Muslims and the Islamic religion are not as uncommon as we would like to believe and under the camouflage of “protecting democracy, freedom, and the rule of the law” Islamophobia and racist ideologies flourish. Through policies instituted by the government, Muslim hate is being normalized leading to tragedies in our own neighborhoods. Globally, many Muslims report not feeling respected by those in the West and significant percentages of Western countries share this sentiment saying that the west does not respect Muslim societies. Specifically, 48% of Canadians say the West does not respect Muslim societies. Similar numbers were seen in European consensuses. Differences in culture, religion, and political interests may shape one’s opinion toward Muslims but definitions of islamophobia tend to attribute fear or hatred to Muslims. Especially in the areas we live in, populated strongly by the South or East Asian minorities (or majorities in our cities), that difference in culture or religion isn’t as significant. So logically, it makes sense to turn to a minority in our communities which are Caucasians. White supremacy groups are becoming larger and more common in the lower mainland as people of color continue to populate the area. Anyone with distinct hate toward Muslims has an interest that aligns with them and the government isn’t doing much to help. Leaders in our community are adamant to help but it seems as if the issue just isn’t a priority for our elected officials. For us, Islamophobia is more than just an issue that needs to be handled because it’s an inconvenience. This is a phenomenon that affects every part of our lives and is so significant that we don’t go a minute in our day without thinking about how we might be affected next. Just this past month of Ramadan, the blatant Islamophobia that has been on blast in our country is terrifying. On April 16, Toronto police reported that a group of men who had just finished their Taraweeh prayers were exiting the mosque and were randomly attacked in a drive-by shooting in Scarborough. The police immediately went to investigate if the deeply concerning crime was hate-motivated. During the week of April 21, packets in the Edmonton area were being mailed out containing what appeared to be anthrax, a serious infectious disease that occurs in soil. Mosques in the area were sent these packages that were later revealed to contain
innocuous substances. As an act potentially motivated by hate, it thoroughly shook the community and the police were demanded to condemn and investigate the packages. On April 29th in Toronto, a Muslim student’s face was depicted on a TikTok with bomb animations and lyrics that included “I am a terrorist”. The video has been taken down since but when the parents approached the school, they did not take the matter with the sense of concern and urgency expected. A situation like this fails to preserve student safety as is the job of school administration. As you can tell, the solemnity with which Islamophobia needs to be viewed by our government officials and leaders is significant and as a community, we need to push that narrative in the media as well as in our elections so that Muslims can have a voice when it comes to the violent and offensive attacks that take place against them.
The symbols we wear, the language we speak, and the habits that we carry with us do not hurt anyone but have ground to trigger hatred and annoyance in this place that is supposed to be a safe and comfortable home.
As Muslims, we’ve become hyper-aware of our own existence because that in itself makes others angry.
Our religion hurts no one, so we have to demand to exist without fear and to exist without being hated.
Laysa Lil Insana illa ma’ sa’aa
That man can have nothing but what he strives for.
