Hate crime against Muslims rising

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This article was published 21/09/2017 (2949 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The hateful incidents Syrian refugee families on Dufferin Avenue have experienced recently — threats, vandalism and Islamophobic graffiti — are not isolated cases, they’re the tip of the iceberg, says the head of an Islamic organization that’s trying to prevent them.

“More and more we are documenting cases at various Islamic organizations and mosques across the country,” said Shahina Siddiqui, president of the Islamic Social Services Association.

“Most concerning is the fact that what gets reported to police is just a very small number of what is actually transpiring.”

In June, Statistics Canada reported a five per cent increase in hate crime incidents targeting the Muslim population in 2015.

Hate crimes targeting Muslims rose to 159 incidents in 2015 from 99 incidents in 2014, StatCan said. The total number of criminal incidents motivated by hate was 1,362, — 67 more than a year earlier.

Winnipeg police said on Thursday they are investigating the situation on Dufferin Avenue. Siddiqui said Bear Clan Patrol members have asked Islamic Social Services to help them connect with the Syrian families — not all of whom are Muslim. An Arabic-speaking volunteer with the association has offered to act as an interpreter for the Bear Clan members who want to help the refugees, she said.

Newcomers often don’t know that such incidents are not normal in Canada, or that they have the right to live in safety and that their security is as important as any other Canadian resident’s, Siddiqui said.

Islamic Social Services is working with the community on how to deal with hate incidents, while at the same time educating the public and helping them get to know Manitoba’s Muslim community. On Oct. 8, Islamic Social Services is holding a workshop for the community on Canada’s justice system and how it works in Canada “from policing to prosecution,” she said.

During Islamic History Month in October, the organization has organized the first Manitoba Muslim Fair, with major Muslim organizations — both Shia and Sunni — setting up information booths at the legislature on Oct. 3. The fair is open to the public for people to learn of the history of Muslims in Manitoba and their contributions, institutions and organizations. On Oct. 15, it’s holding its annual Multicultural Tea Fest that brings Winnipeggers from diverse backgrounds and cultures to meet and learn about each other while enjoying tea and dainties.

In November, the association is organizing a public forum on Shariah Islamic law to dispel misinformation as well as address claims by Islamophobes that Motion 103 — a motion first proposed by Ontario Liberal MP Iqra Khalid calling on the federal government to condemn Islamophobia in Canada and “all forms of systemic racism and religious discrimination” — is a sign Shariah is creeping into Canada.

“People need to know that demonization of Islam has led to the dehumanization of Muslims,” Siddiqui said.

“Through our ignorance and silence we continue to condone racism and religious bigotry against Muslims in Canada and elsewhere.”

That can have deadly consequences. On Jan. 29, six Muslim men were shot dead during prayers at a mosque in Quebec City.

“Please remember that Canadian Muslims are still reeling in their grief and trauma and every new hate incident raises the level of fear,” Siddiqui said.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca