It has been a busy week of advocacy, so a quick update is in order:
- Islamophobia Envoy Announcement.
- City of London Islamophobia Work
- City of London Motion re: Bill 21.
- Board of Education Position
1. Islamophobia Envoy Appointment Announcement
This week, Ahmed Hussen, the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion announced that the federal government will appoint a Special Representative on Islamophobia. The Minister will work with Canadian Muslims on the appointment of same. This was a key element of the requests of Hikma and NCCM at the National Summit. We will keep a close eye on the follow up for this.
2. City of London Islamophobia Work
The City of London has created the “A London For All – Ending Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Racism in London” initiative. So far, 80 community representatives (including Hikma) plus approximately 30 community-based and public sector organizations have come together for multiple sessions to give the City feedback. The City will have a final session on January 18th to summarize the recommendations, which will then be presented to the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee on February 8th. If you have any suggestions, or would like more information, please email Rumina Morris, the City of London Director of Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression at rumorris@london.ca.
3. City of London Motion re: Bill 21
The momentum against Bill 21 is building. Cities across Canada are voicing their concerns. Jagmeet Singh, leader of the federal NDP, now says he would support the court challenge. We have to keep the pressure on our elected officials. First, please make sure you sign the petition if you have not already: https://www.nccm.ca/bill21/
Second, next week the City of London will be hearing a motion to show support against Bill 21 and to authorize $100,000 toward the legal fight (lead by NCCM) against Bill 21. We want to thank Mariam Hamou, Ward 6 Councillor; Ed Holder, Mayor; and Josh Morgan, Deputy Mayor, for co-sponsoring this motion. That is exactly the kind of principled leadership we appreciate seeing from our elected officials!
4. TVDSB supports the Our London Family Act
Thames Valley District School Board trustees passed a motion that the Chair write a letter to be shared with local MPPs and the NCCM in support of the changes to the education system as outlined in the Our London Family Act draft policy proposal. The motion passed unanimously and the letter will be sent in the coming weeks.
Hikma will be working with the TVDSB on more anti-Islamophobia programming.
We thank all of you for your support. There is a lot of work to be done, but as this week has demonstrated, we are making progress. Let’s keep up the momentum. You can help – make sure your Brothers and Sisters are on our mailing list. They can be added by replying to this email, or sending an email to communications@hikma.ca saying “add me”.
JAK,