Urgent: Ottawa’s Gaza Response Erodes Muslim-Canadians’ Belonging

UPDATE: Ottawa’s response to the ongoing crisis in Gaza is significantly eroding the sense of belonging among many Muslim-Canadians, warns Amira Elghawaby, the federal special representative on combating Islamophobia. In an urgent interview with The Canadian Press, Elghawaby highlighted the profound emotional toll the situation has taken on communities across Canada.

Elghawaby stated, “This ongoing, horrifying situation is deeply, deeply damaging the sense of belonging that people feel.” As the conflict escalates, the emotional distress has grown palpable amid increasing reports of civilian casualties. Following the October 2023 attack by Hamas militants, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals in Israel, Israel’s military offensive has led to the death of nearly 60,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

The situation is dire. Airstrikes have targeted ambulances and hospitals, creating chaos and fear. The UN World Food Program recently reported “new and astonishing levels of desperation” in Gaza, with 100,000 women and children suffering from severe acute malnutrition and a third of the population going days without food. Israel, however, disputes these claims, arguing that aid restrictions stem from concerns of food being misappropriated by Hamas.

Elghawaby emphasized the compounded grief felt by Muslim-Canadian families, particularly as they perceive Ottawa’s response as inadequate. “Devastated is not even strong enough a word to describe how people are feeling,” she said. Many are not just concerned for their loved ones; they are also questioning Canada’s commitment to international humanitarian law. Elghawaby noted that fear grows “with each day that passes without meaningful action” from the Canadian government.

She explained that her role does not include dictating Canada’s foreign policy but rather providing insights into how policies affect Muslim communities. “How can it be — is what people are asking me — that international humanitarian law is violated in this way, and nothing is actually happening, or not enough is happening?” Elghawaby stated that communities want every tool available to ensure compliance with humanitarian law, including potential sanctions and a full arms embargo on Israel.

Moreover, she criticized the slow progress of a Canadian program designed to facilitate the resettlement of Gaza relatives. Despite accepting 5,000 applications, fewer than 1,200 visas have been issued, indicating a troubling gap in the government’s support for affected families.

Elghawaby also addressed the stigma facing those advocating for Palestinian rights, noting that peaceful protesters and petitioners have been unfairly labeled as anti-Semitic or terrorist sympathizers. “They continue to face all sorts of branding as being terrorist sympathizers,” she asserted, calling for a more nuanced understanding of the call for humanitarian rights.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the call for urgent action from the Canadian government grows louder. Elghawaby’s statements reflect a broader sentiment among Muslim-Canadians, who feel increasingly alienated as they grapple with the dual challenges of personal loss and perceived governmental inaction.

The emotional and psychological impact of the situation in Gaza is resonating deeply within Canadian Muslim communities. As the crisis unfolds, the need for a compassionate and decisive response from Ottawa has never been more critical.

Stay tuned for further developments on this urgent issue.