A recent report by the Angus Reid Institute sheds light on the diverse views that Canadians hold toward Islam and Muslims. The report, which surveyed Canadians across the country, found that 36 per cent of Canadians outside of Quebec have a negative view of Islam, compared with 56 per cent within Quebec. However, there are some promising and encouraging data points that suggest the potential for positive change in attitudes toward Islam and Muslims in Canada.
One significant finding in the report was that younger Canadians are more likely to have a positive view of Islam and Muslims than are older Canadians. Statistically, we know that diverse, racialized, and minority populations have been growing in Canada over the past two decades. Therefore, younger Canadians are more likely than older ones to know Muslims within their classrooms, communities, and workspaces. Normalized experiences of everyday interactions help to eradicate conceptions of fear and othering that may arise from not knowing who Muslims are.
The study also finds a direct correlation between level of education and the type of attitudes Canadians hold toward Islam and Muslims. Those with positive views were more likely to have graduated from post-secondary education, while half of those with negative views had a high-school diploma or less. Studies have shown that level of education has a salutary effect on Islamophobia. Education plays a critical role in eradicating Islamophobia, as individuals may have opportunities to engage with differentiated frameworks of thought and to examine base judgments alongside meaningful evidence.
While the data points mentioned above are promising, it is important to note that there is still work to be done in addressing Islamophobia in Canada. The fact that a significant percentage of Canadians still hold negative views toward Islam is concerning and highlights a crucial need for continued efforts to combat Islamophobia.
Agenda segment, June 10, 2022: Ending Islamophobia in Ontario
Education and normalized experiences of interaction with diverse communities are key factors in shaping attitudes toward different groups of people. We need purposeful design and action so that Canada can work to create a more accepting, inclusive, and therefore thriving society.
Over the past few years, there has been a noticeable rise in Islamophobia in Ontario. This can be seen in the increasing number of hate crimes and incidents targeting Muslim individuals and communities. Its worst manifestation came in London, where four members of a Muslim family were intentionally mowed down by a truck and killed in an act of hate. The fear and mistrust of Islam and Muslims have been fuelled by misinformation produced by the industry of Islamophobia. A recent study published by Jasmine Zine, a professor of sociology and religion & culture at Wilfrid Laurier University, states that “Islamophobia in Canada manifests within a political, cultural, economic, and social ecosystem.” The rise of Islamophobia in Ontario is extremely concerning and emphasizes the critical need for continued efforts to combat discrimination and promote understanding and the honouring of diverse cultures and religions.
Agenda segment, February 27, 2023: Ending discrimination at the Peel District School Board
In an effort to address the rise of Islamophobia in Ontario, the Muslim Association of Canada was granted funding by the provincial government to build a platform that provides practical tools and resources to educate public-school administration, staff, students, and parents on Islam and Muslims. The initiative has been a resounding success, with many schools and individuals in the community benefitting from the educational resources and information provided at islamawareness.ca.
The platform aims to dispel many of the myths and stereotypes surrounding Islam and Muslims and provides accurate information on the religion. Educators and community members have commented that it has helped them spark conversations and address topics related to Islam and Muslims effectively within their educational spaces.
The success of this initiative highlights the fact that community-based partnerships and relevant resources developed by the Muslim community can work to reduce the impacts of Islamophobia within Ontario.
Purposefully designing opportunities for communities to interact and build genuine relationships is also essential in combatting Islamophobia. Interfaith programs provide an opportunity for individuals from different faiths to come together and engage in open and respectful dialogue. By sharing their beliefs, experiences, and traditions, participants can gain a deeper understanding of one another’s faiths and cultures, which helps break down stereotypes and reduce prejudice.
Toronto mosque holds open house after anti-Islam protest
For more than a decade, MAC’s Masjid Toronto, located near Toronto’s city hall, has organized open-door events to combat Islamophobia. By inviting neighbours and members of the wider community to visit mosques and learn about Islam, Muslim communities can foster greater understanding and promote acceptance of their religion and culture.
Sports build camaraderie and break linguistic and cultural barriers, promoting unity. Faith-based independent schools’ participation in interfaith sports programs are also an effective way to facilitate friendship. When students from different faiths participate in sports and other activities, they can build relationships and develop a greater appreciation for one another's beliefs and cultures.
Actively supporting and developing initiatives that can nurture young Canadian Muslims to be unapologetic about their faith and proud of their identity is one of the most important steps in combating Islamophobia and creating a vibrant society. When young Canadian Muslims have safe and supportive environments in which they can express themselves and know and practise their faith authentically, they are encouraged to fully realize their own potential, contribute meaningfully to their communities, and share that identity with their peers in a healthy way — thus reducing tensions and identity conflicts that may cause them to waiver in the face of Islamophobia.
MAC Olive Grove School's Muslim girls' volleyball team competing at a Region of Peel Secondary Schools Athletic Association Junior Girls Volleyball Tournament in February 2023 at Jean Augustine High School. (Courtesy of the Muslim Association of Canada Olive Grove School)
One successful initiative — supported through a recent grant from the federal government — is a Muslim girls' basketball league. It has provided many young Muslim women with access to recreational activities and created a safe and supportive faith-based environment where they can express themselves freely and proudly. By encouraging young Canadian Muslims to participate in community-based initiatives such as this, we are helping to build a powerful future generation of Canadians who break barriers, connect, and build shared experiences and understanding. These young people will carry these experiences beyond the gym and develop skills that will help move beyond biases and prejudices to develop a vibrant and thriving community around them.
Programs and initiatives like the ones described above are integral to developing a resilient and truly pluralistic Canadian society. We must collectively envision a future in which the generations ahead can live in and build an interconnected narrative that upholds values that bring out the best in humanity.
The silver lining in the Angus Reid report is the hopeful finding that suggests attitudes toward Islam and Muslims in Canada are changing for the better. However, there is still work to be done to address Islamophobia and promote a more inclusive society — and we need to take systemic steps to foster this positive change.
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