Islamic Discrimination Awareness Marked by Hamilton on Anniversary of Islamophobia Incident
In a significant step towards promoting religious tolerance, the Hamilton City Council has officially recognized January 29 as the Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia. This decision follows a call for recognition at the national level, as initiated by the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM).
The Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia commemorates the tragic terrorist attack on the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec in 2017, where six worshippers lost their lives. Gustavo Rymberg, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Hamilton, has emphasized the importance of commemorating this event, stating that the right to pray peacefully was shattered on that fateful day.
Councillor Matthew Green expressed that with this motion, they are standing together against Islamophobia, hatred, and intolerance. The support for this motion comes from diverse faith communities, underscoring the shared values of peace, respect, and unity.
The Hamilton City Council's decision is part of a national campaign to commemorate the lives lost and look towards a more tolerant future. January 29 is now officially recognized nationally in Canada as the National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia, a designation made by the federal government in 2021.
This day serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring everyone has the right to safely practice their faith, free from discrimination. Gustavo Rymberg reiterates this sentiment, stating it is the duty of everyone to work towards this goal.
Unfortunately, incidents of Islamophobia are not isolated to Quebec City. In Hamilton itself, there was an attempted firebomb at the Ibrahim Jame Mosque in Ward 3 in September 2016. The city council unequivocally denounced this attack.
The recognition of January 29 is not just a symbolic act. Various Muslim organizations across Canada, such as the Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) and about 75 other Muslim organizations, have called for national recognition and related commemorative actions. Symbolic acts like wearing a green square have also been adopted in awareness campaigns, reflecting solidarity and remembrance on this day.
As a result, January 29 has national status in Canada, with multiple cities, organizations, and communities actively observing and honoring it as a day to remember victims of Islamophobia and promote counteraction against it. The Hamilton City Council's decision is a testament to the city's commitment to promoting religious harmony and fostering a more inclusive society.
- Despite efforts towards promoting religious tolerance, ongoing war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and politics continue to fuel prejudice and intolerance, as demonstrated by the attempted firebomb at the Ibrahim Jame Mosque in Hamilton.
- General-news outlets frequently report on cases of Islamophobia, such as the commemoration of January 29 as the Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia, highlighting the importance of promoting religious harmony and fostering a more inclusive society.
