The Quebec government has again demanded the resignation of Canada’s special envoy to fight Islamophobia. The Quebec government made the claim after it sent a letter to college and university heads recommending the hiring of more Muslim, Arab and Palestinian professors.
Le Journal de Quebec published the first report on the August 30 letter. A spokesperson for Canadian Heritage said the letter had been sent to educational institutions across the country.
Amira Elghawabi said in her letter that since the war between Israel and Hamas started in October 2023, the atmosphere on the campuses has been terrible. He gave several suggestions to alleviate this tension in educational institutions. These include supporting greater freedom of expression and academic freedom, briefing campus leaders on civil liberties and Islamophobia, and hiring more faculty of Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian descent.
Quebec’s higher education minister immediately condemned the suggestion and demanded Elghawabi’s resignation. The Education Minister said that it should fuel its own wheels. Appointment of professors on the basis of religion is against the secular policy of the province.
