The scene at an anti-Islamophobia rally in response to the killing of members of a Muslim family in London, Ont., in 2021.ALEX FILIPE/Reuters
Sheema Khan is the author of Of Hockey and Hijab: Reflections of a Canadian Muslim Woman.
Last month was rough in Ottawa, where three alleged hate crimes occurred within a span of just over two weeks.
On Aug. 11, a hijab-clad Muslim teenager was viciously attacked on an OC Transpo bus by a man who yelled anti-Muslim slurs, slapped her face violently, then threatened to slam her head against a bus window and kill her. A suspect was caught and charged with criminal harassment, assault, uttering threats to cause death/bodily harm, and inciting hate.
The shy young woman was traumatized to the point where, understandably, she cannot bring herself to use public transportation. In the aftermath of the incident (the fourth attack on a hijabi in Ottawa within 15 months), the Muslim community held a rally in support of the victim, while condemning hate and calling for safer public transit. As Imam Sikander Hashmi noted, while the attack was Islamophobic, public safety is a concern for all. What was most heartening was the presence of roughly 200 people who joined to express solidarity against hate.
Shockingly, on the afternoon of Aug. 27, an elderly Jewish woman was stabbed at an Ottawa grocery store. A 71-year-old was arrested and charged with aggravated assault; the stabbing was later determined to be a hate-motivated crime. Needless to say, the attack sent shock waves through the Jewish community, as it too has experienced an increase in hate-motivated incidents.
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That same day, children who arrived at a summer camp at the Stittsville Muslim Association found the N-word spray-painted on the premises. According to the acting imam, Ahmed Elemam, there is a significant African representation in the community. The hateful graffiti caused hurt and shock – especially to children.
In response, the association held a healing event a few days later. The wider Stittsville community responded, including representatives from local businesses, the Legion, the Rotary Club, faith groups and neighbours. The heartfelt community support really helped to cement the social cohesion that had felt so fragile.
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe spoke to each victim, showed up to community healing events and strongly condemned the wave of hate rippling through the fabric of the Canadian capital.Dave Chan/The Globe and Mail
Attendees were reminded that an act of hate against one member of our Canadian family is an attack against all. Shared with the attendees was the Islamic teaching that a Muslim is not a true believer unless you love for others that which you love for yourself. Since Muslims wish for safety and security in the aftermath of hate, it is incumbent to have that same goal for everyone. And so, heartfelt empathy was shared with the Jewish community. One speaker urged people to imagine if their mother or grandmother was attacked while shopping for halal food. That sentiment that was echoed by Muslim clergy at the event.
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Through the course of all three disturbing incidents, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has demonstrated leadership through empathy. He spoke personally to each victim, expressed his solidarity with each community by showing up personally to their events, and strongly condemned the wave of hate rippling through the fabric of the Canadian capital, saying “people should be able to go to the grocery store without experiencing the risk of violence. They should be able to take the bus without feeling afraid. They should be able to go to their place of worship without feeling intimidated.”
The healing event held by the Stittsville Muslim Association demonstrated the power of ordinary people from different backgrounds, walks of life and ages coming together for a common good – to uphold the dignity of each member of our Canadian family. For those who seek to destroy our social cohesion, we will stand up against your hate with love and respect for our fellow residents. It shouldn’t matter whether a victim is Muslim, Black or Jewish. There may be fundamental differences of opinion on some issues, but we should all agree that no one should be intimidated, harassed or be subject to violence here in Canada.
In the aftermath of the bus incident, Mr. Sutcliffe pledged the formation of a Muslim advisory council to address Islamophobia. While that is laudable, wouldn’t it be better to address hate not through silos of Muslim and Jewish communities, but instead with a group of representative members from different communities who will act cohesively to stand up to all acts of hate? And ask fellow Canadians to play an active part in building a stronger society based on respect for human dignity. We can no longer take the strength of our social fabric for granted.