https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/education-islamophobia-muslim-schools-1.7041144
Although there have long been calls for more attention on combating Islamophobia in Canadian schools, it's been an infrequent topic of discussion, with just a handful of Ontario school boards beginning work in recent years on developing an anti-Islamophobia strategy. (Laura Pedersen/CBC)
Although there have long been calls for more attention on combating Islamophobia in Canadian schools, it's been an infrequent topic of discussion, with just a handful of Ontario school boards beginning work in recent years on developing an anti-Islamophobia strategy.
Canada is "in a moment where we acknowledge that equity and inclusion is important," but it's imperative to move beyond talk into action, said Aasiyah Khan, director of education at the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM).
This includes providing practical ways for educators to "actually take this [subject] and translate it into a classroom," she said.
"What does that look like in terms of your lesson plans? How do we adopt an anti-Islamophobia lens or an anti-racist lens in our classroom policies or practices?"
WATCH | How are officials combating rising Islamophobia in schools?:
25 days ago
Duration 2:06
Islamophobia has become more prevalent in schools, especially since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, but few boards have strategies to fight prejudice against Muslim students — something a new Senate report says would make a big difference.
Through partnerships like these, the council's team has for years been leading workshops, sharing resources and developing strategies alongside teachers, school board officials and post-secondary instructors. The national group also helps advocate on behalf of students and parents when incidents arise.
Islamophobia is "not a one-off problem. It's a systemic issue that requires all kinds of interventions," Khan said.
WATCH | CBC Kids News explores Islamophobia and why it's an issue in Canada:
23 days ago
What is Islamophobia? Why is it an issue in Canada, where multiculturalism and diversity are celebrated? And what is being done to address it?
Toronto police reported last week a "staggering" rise in hate crimes since Oct. 7. Earlier this month, British Columbia's human rights commissioner decried a surge of discrimination and violence against Muslim and Jewish people on Canada's West Coast. These come amid a landmark Senate report that flagged Islamophobia as a persistent problem in Canada requiring urgent action.
"Islamophobia is a classic example of othering, and it's really important to be aware of it first of all — to recognize that it exists in society and then combat it in very proactive ways."
Teachers and administrators can work to dispel Islamophobia in different ways, from stocking libraries with books that normalize Muslim culture to calling out overt racism, says Rahat Zaidi, a professor at the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary. (Craig Chivers/CBC)
With the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, some schools this fall cancelled or muted their Islamic Heritage Month celebrations, Khan said. She also referred to reports that the council received of over-policing of Muslim, Palestinian and Arab students.
"When we look at our equity and inclusion policies ... we are asking students to bring their whole selves into this [school] space: to celebrate who they are, to acknowledge and honour their histories. But for some reason, what we're finding right now is when it comes to Palestine, all of that is being silenced," she said.
"This conflict has actually exacerbated what we've been seeing before," she said, adding that some are comparing the atmosphere today to the suspicion, stereotyping and intense Islamophobia of the period following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.
Although there have long been calls for more attention on combating Islamophobia in Canadian schools, it's been an infrequent topic of discussion, with just a handful of Ontario school boards beginning work in recent years on developing an anti-Islamophobia strategy. (Laura Pedersen/CBC)
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Although there have long been calls for more attention on combating Islamophobia in Canadian schools, it's been an infrequent topic of discussion, with just a handful of Ontario school boards beginning work in recent years on developing an anti-Islamophobia strategy.
Canada is "in a moment where we acknowledge that equity and inclusion is important," but it's imperative to move beyond talk into action, said Aasiyah Khan, director of education at the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM).
This includes providing practical ways for educators to "actually take this [subject] and translate it into a classroom," she said.
"What does that look like in terms of your lesson plans? How do we adopt an anti-Islamophobia lens or an anti-racist lens in our classroom policies or practices?"
WATCH | How are officials combating rising Islamophobia in schools?:
Islamophobia is rising in schools, but few boards have strategies to fight it
25 days ago
Duration 2:06
Islamophobia has become more prevalent in schools, especially since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, but few boards have strategies to fight prejudice against Muslim students — something a new Senate report says would make a big difference.
Where we've been
The NCCM is among the groups that received funding to build resources and create training for educators about Islamophobia. Khan was also a co-author of the Peel District School Board's anti-Islamophobia strategy — the first of its kind in Canada and a move followed by boards in Toronto and London, Ont.Through partnerships like these, the council's team has for years been leading workshops, sharing resources and developing strategies alongside teachers, school board officials and post-secondary instructors. The national group also helps advocate on behalf of students and parents when incidents arise.
Islamophobia is "not a one-off problem. It's a systemic issue that requires all kinds of interventions," Khan said.
WATCH | CBC Kids News explores Islamophobia and why it's an issue in Canada:
Islamophobia in Canada: Why it’s a problem and what’s being done about it | CBC Kids News
23 days ago
What is Islamophobia? Why is it an issue in Canada, where multiculturalism and diversity are celebrated? And what is being done to address it?
Why action is needed now
Since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in southern Israel and the Israeli government's bombardment of the Gaza Strip in response, Canadian authorities have recorded an alarming increase in anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian and antisemitic occurrences.Toronto police reported last week a "staggering" rise in hate crimes since Oct. 7. Earlier this month, British Columbia's human rights commissioner decried a surge of discrimination and violence against Muslim and Jewish people on Canada's West Coast. These come amid a landmark Senate report that flagged Islamophobia as a persistent problem in Canada requiring urgent action.
- Some Palestinian and Muslim Canadians fearful 'simply for existing' as Israel-Hamas war continues
- Listen
How to combat rising antisemitism and Islamophobia in Canada
"Islamophobia is a classic example of othering, and it's really important to be aware of it first of all — to recognize that it exists in society and then combat it in very proactive ways."
Teachers and administrators can work to dispel Islamophobia in different ways, from stocking libraries with books that normalize Muslim culture to calling out overt racism, says Rahat Zaidi, a professor at the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary. (Craig Chivers/CBC)
With the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, some schools this fall cancelled or muted their Islamic Heritage Month celebrations, Khan said. She also referred to reports that the council received of over-policing of Muslim, Palestinian and Arab students.
"When we look at our equity and inclusion policies ... we are asking students to bring their whole selves into this [school] space: to celebrate who they are, to acknowledge and honour their histories. But for some reason, what we're finding right now is when it comes to Palestine, all of that is being silenced," she said.
"This conflict has actually exacerbated what we've been seeing before," she said, adding that some are comparing the atmosphere today to the suspicion, stereotyping and intense Islamophobia of the period following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.
