Canada's Muslims face 'perfect storm' amid rising xenophobia
A rise in anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric in Canada is leading to increased violence, with a recent attack on a Toronto mosque highlighting the blend of xenophobia and Islamophobia. Community leaders and experts warn of a 'perfect storm' as hate incidents are not taken seriously enough.
Toronto, Canada – Ahmed (a pseudonym), a 14-year-old, was attacked with his family after night prayers at the Toronto Islamic Centre in mid-March during Ramadan. The assailant hurled racist insults, grabbed Ahmed by the collar, and pushed him violently. The teenager said he couldn't sleep afterward, and his younger siblings were traumatized.
The attacker reportedly shouted, "Did the Liberals bring you here?" referring to Canada's Liberal Party government, which has faced accusations of encouraging mass immigration. Experts see this as a dangerous blend of anti-immigrant sentiment and Islamophobia. Amira Elghawaby, Canada's former special representative on combatting Islamophobia, called it a "perfect storm" of dangerous false narratives.
Canada has seen deadly anti-Muslim violence: the 2017 Quebec City mosque shooting (6 killed) and the 2021 London, Ontario vehicle attack (4 killed). According to research, Canada tops G7 nations in targeted killings of Muslims. Simultaneously, a housing crisis and rising food costs have fueled anti-immigrant sentiment. In 2024, a majority of Canadians said there is "too much immigration" for the first time in over two decades.
Fahad Ahmad, a criminology professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, said Muslims are often seen as a "lower-order problem," leading to less media coverage and fewer resources compared to anti-Jewish hate. He noted that since late 2023, media coverage of anti-Jewish threats far outweighs that of anti-Muslim incidents.
In response to a series of threats, the Toronto Islamic Centre implemented a buddy system to ensure no one attends or leaves alone. General manager Shaffni Nalir said the mosque community mobilized to protect itself, not wanting to be seen as victims but as community members. He described the attack as "very definitely xenophobic" and part of a message that Muslims "don't belong" in Canada.
The Canadian government launched an Action Plan on Combatting Hate in 2024 with 270 million Canadian dollars. However, the Carney government recently closed the offices of the envoys on Islamophobia and antisemitism, replacing them with an advisory council on rights, equality, and inclusion. The National Council of Canadian Muslims expressed disappointment, saying the community needs sustained leadership. The government stated the new council will build on past work and address hate through anti-racism strategies.
Ahmed emphasized the importance of education: "Muslims aren't what you hear in the media. Muslims aren't different."
