London, Ont. Muslim community reacts to national Islamophobia summit
There is mixed reactions among London's Muslim leaders to the sentiment and efficacy of the federal government's National Action Summit on Islamophobia.
The summit was aimed at giving representatives from Canada's Muslim community the opportunity to speak to political leaders about the growing concerns around Islamophobia.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s main message from Thursday's virtual summit was that, "There is no place in Canada for Islamophobia."
He added, “I’m here to listen to you on what our next steps should be to continue building a country where everyone is welcome, safe and respected.”
Imam Aarij Anwer of the London Muslim Mosque attended the summit and says it's a step in the right direction.
“Addressing the problem and calling it out as it is. And these are important first steps, we can’t overlook the significance of them.”
London Muslim Mosque Member Nawaz Tahir echoes that sentiment.
“I was happy to hear some comments by some cabinet ministers about some of the immediate steps they’re going to take, for example investigating the (Canada Revenue Agency) and the complaints about Muslim charities being targeted.”
However, both did not support the government's lack of response to concerns about Quebec's Bill 21 banning government workers from wearing religious symbols.
“What we’ve heard from our ministers, our leaders, is Muslim women are the most vulnerable because they’re visibly Muslim," Anwer says. "How can we say they’re vulnerable, they need to be protected while also having a law like Bill C 21 on the books?”
And although the summit was a step in the right direction, both also agree the work doesn't stop here.
“The strength of the summit will be based on the actions of the government in the next 60 days and that will be the true measure of whether or not the summit was a success,” Tahir says.
He hopes the government will consider the concerns raised during Thursday's summit and act quickly.
"I think a lot of the recommendations don’t even need parliament to be in session. Government can act on them tomorrow or Monday or next week.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.