“Canadian universities should foster a more inclusive and accommodating environment for Muslim students, allowing them to maintain their religious identity and practices alongside their studies,” said Amira Elghawaby, former Canadian government special representative on combating Islamophobia.
In an interview with Lazourd Al Nashed, a journalism student at Carleton University, for University Affairs, Elghawaby emphasized that in a multicultural country like Canada, educational institutions have a responsibility to provide students, faculty, and staff with adequate religious accommodations, such as prayer spaces and considerate scheduling during important occasions like Ramazan or Eid.
She highlighted positive examples at several universities where students organize iftar gatherings during Ramazan and invite peers from other faiths, reflecting a spirit of mutual respect and diversity on campus.
However, Elghawaby also noted that challenges remain, including limited access to prayer spaces and exams scheduled on religious holidays, which can create difficulties for Muslim students trying to balance their faith and academic commitments.
Amira Elghawaby emphasized that religious freedom, equality, and freedom of expression are core values of a democratic society, and that all Canadians must unite to protect them, particularly at a time when certain laws and policies are raising concerns about religious rights.
She urged university administrations to make use of the published guidelines on understanding and addressing Islamophobia and to ensure that students’ voices are included in decision-making processes.
Elghawaby served as Canada’s special representative on combating Islamophobia for the past three years. The role was established to provide guidance, advice, and expertise to the Canadian government. It was officially discontinued on February 4, along with the position of special representative on combating anti-Semitism. Both roles have now been replaced by a new federal advisory council on rights, equality, and inclusion.
You can read the full interview here:
Q&A with Canada’s former special representative on combating Islamophobia
