The Liberals no longer have unconditional Muslim support

In recent years, the assumption that the Liberal Party holds unwavering support with Canada's Muslim community has been increasingly challenged. A decade of Conservative governance, which ended in 2015, was marred by divisive identity politics and direct affronts to Canadian Muslims—including proposals to ban the niqab, and to establish hotlines for reporting so-called "barbaric cultural practices"—triggering most Canadian Muslims to gravitate towards Justin Trudeau and the Liberals, driven more by apprehension of a conservative resurgence than by genuine allegiance. But as the Muslim community observed the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia on Jan. 29, Trudeau's government has faced criticism for its lack of progress on key matters, including its failure to address legislation and policies that perpetuate systemic Islamophobia. But worse, Trudeau’s stance on the situation in Gaza has drawn strong condemnation, particularly in light of the devastating killing of 30,000 Palestinian lives, an event the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and a United States court has suggested may constitute genocide. Throughout the past seven years, this day has marked a somber, yet crucial occasion, with politicians from various quarters visiting mosques across the country to demonstrate their support for the Muslim community, and to champion their fundamental right to safety and dignity in Canada. But this year, the prime minister, his cabinet, and all his caucus members—who have not acknowledged the genocide in Gaza—struggled to find a mosque to welcome them. In a significant move, the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), the largest Muslim civil liberties organization in Canada, announced at a press conference the cancellation of their scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau. The group expressed a loss of faith in the productivity of dialogue with the prime minister, citing a disconnect between the government's proclaimed support for international bodies like the United Nations and the ICJ, and its actions that seemingly undermine these institutions. NCCM's CEO Stephen Brown specifically criticized the Liberal government for its lack of response to the ICJ's provisional measures in a case led by South Africa that alleges genocide, viewing it as indicative of the government's doublespeak. This bold decision by the NCCM to disengage from talks with the prime minister reflects a broader sentiment of disillusionment among Canadian Muslims, marking a pivotal moment in their relationship with the current administration. From the very inception of Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, the prime minister has faced a cold reception from Muslim community groups which have refused to host him in their spaces. The few institutions that did hold meetings with prime minister were met with several protesters chanting “shame,” while the PM hurriedly departed to his motorcade. This rift between Trudeau and the Muslim community is poised to deepen, especially as the Liberal government reaffirms its support for Israel. Tensions further escalated when Ahmed Hussen, the minister of international development, announced a halt in funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This decision, justified by unverified Israeli claims that a minuscule fraction of UNRWA's staff in Gaza were implicated in the attacks of Oct. 7, has sparked controversy. With the allegations yet to be proven and calls for an independent inquiry growing louder, this move has further strained relations and fuelled discontent within the community. The bottom line is clear: the Liberal government's steadfast support for Israel persists, regardless of the consequences for innocent lives lost through indiscriminate killing and the collective punishment by halting aid to UNRWA. This unwavering stance, even in the face of actions that challenge the principles of international law, underscores a troubling commitment to political alliances over humanitarian considerations. The Liberal government’s rhetoric and symbolic gestures to Canadian Muslims has become increasingly hollow. Canadian Muslims are no longer swayed by the government’s doublespeak and sweet nothings. The message leading up to this Jan. 29 and the NCCM cancellation, supported by most major Muslim organizations, make it abundantly clear that trust in and support for Prime Minister Trudeau and his government are no longer a given. Naved Bakali is an assistant professor of anti-racism education at the University of Windsor. He's the author of Islamophobia: Understanding anti-Muslim Racism Through the Lived Experiences of Muslim Youth (Brill/Sense 2016), and co-editor of the volume: The Rise of Global Islamophobia in the War on Terror: Coloniality, Race, and Islam (Manchester University Press 2022). Faisal Kutty, a lawyer and legal academic, is an associate professor of law emeritus at Valparaiso University. He is also an affiliate faculty member at the Center for Security, Race, and Rights at Rutgers University. Follow him at @faisalkutty. The Hill Times

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The Liberals no longer have unconditional Muslim support

This rift between the prime minister and the Muslim community is poised to deepen, especially as the Liberal government reaffirms its support for Israel.

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