National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) Action Alert: Addressing Palestine and Islamophobia in Canada

There are no words to describe the pain of watching the brutal killing of innocent civilians and children – no matter where it happens or who it happens to. The news and images of those under immense suffering in the besieged Gaza Strip have broken our hearts. I know that we all fear the brutality that is yet to come.

But we are also seeing the rise of hatred here in Canada as well. Over the past 48 hours, we have received dozens of reports of anti-Arab racism, anti-Palestinian racism and Islamophobic incidents from all over the country, and the rate of hate is only increasing.

What makes this devastating reality even worse is that all levels of our government in Canada, with rare exceptions, are not doing what needs to be done to stand for human rights and international law and order. 

At almost every single level of government, we continue to see the failure to appropriately recognize the humanity of all those who suffer, including Palestinian civilians. The many children living under occupation who were killed have committed no crime. The pain and suffering of Jewish civilians, as well, is truly tragic.

At such horrific times, we need to see principled leadership.

It should go without saying - that Palestinians are not “human animals.” And yet Canada has refused to condemn such statements uttered by Israeli leaders.

It is our job as Muslims and Canadians to ensure that our leaders live up to our commitment to the dignity of all civilians.

We all need to step up and do this work, now more than ever.

The NCCM team is working day and night to get out there and talk to Canadians, the media, officials at all levels, and law enforcement to make it clear that Canada must push for the path toward peace and stand for justice above all. 

We need your help.

Today, we are urgently asking you to do three things:

1. Please sign our letter-writing campaign to hold our leaders to account. 

They must condemn the siege and bombing of Gaza, which the United Nations has affirmed constitutes a war crime. They must recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court in the region to hold war criminals accountable. Canada must also publicly stand for justice and peace in this situation. We should not support any action that could result in further civilian death. 

To send the letter, click here

2. Report all acts of racism and islamophobia to NCCM at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Whether you see or experience hate in the street, at your job, at school, or you witness it in the media, please contact us. Our communications, education and legal teams are working to help all those affected, and we need your help to stop the rising tide of anti-Arab racism, anti-Palestinian Racism and Islamophobia across the country. 

3. Donate today to support our work to stand up for what is right at all levels of government and community. 

You can donate by credit card at www.nccm.ca/donate or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for other ways to donate (e-transfer, direct deposit etc.)

The task ahead is monumental. But there is no time to lose. 

Wa salaam,  

Stephen Brown, CEO of NCCM