Last week, the Angus Reid Institute released a survey on Islamophobia in Canada. The findings are troubling but not the least bit surprising given the federal and provincial governments’ inaction to implement policies that seriously tackle the multi-faceted, nation-wide phenomenon.
Islamophobia stubbornly persists across all Canada
Between February 8 and 10, 2023, 1,623 Canadians and 807 persons from Quebec were surveyed. 52 per cent of residents in Quebec have an unfavourable view of Islam. This figure drops to 39 per cent in the rest of Canada. For those who would like to play into the complex relationship between English-Canada and Quebec to make the latter look more Islamophobic, I wouldn’t give them any satisfaction. I don’t see any merit to the notion of being less harmful than the others, since the harm, here posed by Islamophobia across the country, is confirmed and validated by the survey.
When Canadians were asked whether the country has a problem with Islamophobia, Canadians respondents were evenly divided, with 50 per cent saying it does and 50 per cent saying it does not. Those most likely to view Islam negatively, in Quebec and in the rest of Canada alike, are also most likely to say there is no problem with Islamophobia.
It’s important to understand the difference between holding negative views, which is certainly problematic, and actively acting upon these views to hurt and discriminate against Muslims – Islamophobia in action.
Religious tolerance and acceptance- but for who?
In Quebec, the negative views about Islam are part of a long and complex relationship with organized religion and in particular, the Catholic Church. The survey showed that Judaism, Sikhism, and Islam are least liked, whereas Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity are less despised. I don’t understand the reasons behind these differing attitudes.
Why are Hinduism and Buddhism viewed more favourably? Can this be explained by their ‘invisibility’ in the Canadian public sphere? Can this be attributed to the quasi-inexistence of negative mainstream news reports about these religions, generally speaking? Can it be the fact that Islam and Judaism are part of the monotheist religions and thus branded as guilty by association? But in that case, why does Christianity’s reputation get a relative ‘pass’ in Quebec despite the province’s deep grudges against Catholicism? Is it the deeply rooted, yet latent, Catholic culture that allows Christianity to be tolerated and even appreciated?
From perception to legislation
Politicians can leverage negative perceptions of Islam and discomfort around Muslims into Islamophobic legislation that’s discriminatory on the basis of faith? In Quebec, this is what Bill-21, now law, purposely did. It turned feelings of discomfort around Muslim women wearing hijab into a law against that very demographic.
According to the survey results, the percentage of Quebecers who said they’d be comfortable if one of their co-worker wore a turban (understood as a Sikh practice) is 68 per cent, quite similar to those who would feel comfortable with their co-worker wearing a hijab, at 65 percent. However, 81 per cent, 75 percent and 82 percent, respectively, would feel comfortable with a Star of David, Kippa, or a crucifix.
Some religious affiliations and symbols are deemed more suspicious than others.
Instead of changing people’s perceptions through awareness campaigns and public education, federal and provincial legislation (anti-terrorism in 2001 and 2015, proposed Niqab ban in 2015; Bill 21 in Quebec) are exploiting these views and turning them into policies.
This is what I describe as surfing the wave of Islamophobia.
A generational problem?
The results of this survey show population’s polarized views, which is not surprising. Social media is playing a major role in shaping public opinions. Tackling Islamophobia won’t successfully achieved without re-examining the role of media, traditional and online, and its participation in spreading misinformation, conspiracy theories, lies, hate against minoritized and marginalized groups, Muslims included.
Another interesting point raised in the results, is the correlation between two factors – age and education – and ‘views of Islamophobia index’. According to an index that measures views from ‘very positive’ to ‘very negative’, older Canadians are more likely to view Islam very negatively than younger ones, while younger Canadians are more likely have a very positive outlook on the matter.
Immediately, one can easily point fingers at the older generation as the culprits. But this would be too simplistic.
There is wide gap between holding negative views about Islam and systemic or violent Islamophobia – from discriminating against Muslim candidates in job interviews to committing crimes against Muslims, verbally or physically assaulting them on the streets.
Older age doesn’t necessarily mean make people more Islamophobic.
If people of certain generations hold negative views about Islam that doesn’t automatically make them Islamophobes. Rather, I would describe them as ignorant. It is very important to remind readers that the majority of those behind Islamophobic crimes in Canada are young men, usually under than 30 years old. That is the case for the Quebec City Mosque shooter, who killed 6 Muslim men; and the London Ontario van attacker, who killed a Muslim family on their daily wall. Both perpetrators were respectively, 28 and 20 when they committed their crimes.
Half of those who viewed Islam very negatively held a high school diploma or less, while the those who viewed it very positively were more likely to have graduated from university.
To me, this relationship is more relevant. I understand it as strong evidence that our schools’ curriculums need to combat islamophobia and educate youth. However, this shouldn’t be the only facet we should diligently emphasize.
Immediate need for anti-Islamophobia strategy, policies
In Canada, if we wish to seriously and effectively combat Islamophobia, we should work on multiple levels. Naming a Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia is important but shouldn’t be the end of the road.
Islamophobia isn’t a matter that Muslims only should be involved in solving. It is a societal problem.
Three different levels of governments should be involved. Changing the public’s views is a long-term target that can be achieved through educational programs and media campaigns, whereas assuring the safety of Muslims, especially Muslim women wearing hijab, is a more concrete and urgent matter. Last week, a Muslim woman wearing a hijab was threatened in a Toronto subway station. She ran for her life between subway cars until a bystander helped her activate the emergency button. The perpetrator should be found and charged.
Taking hate incidents seriously and passing laws that are targeting hate incidents is key. Challenging legislations, federal and provincial, that systematically discriminate against Muslims is crucial: Bill-21 in Quebec, Canada Revenue agency targeting Muslim charities, refusal of the government to repatriate Muslim Canadians detained in Northern Syria and the perpetuation of anti-terrorism legislation, to name few.
These are the hard and difficult issues that governments don’t want to look at nor reverse and challenge them. Instead, they stop at superficial levels and mere words.
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