The Rise of Divisive Harmful Rhetoric!
Four years after the terrorist attack on worshipers at a Quebec City mosque, the Canadian Lebanese Academic Forum (CLAF) is alarmed by the persistent phenomenon of Islamophobia in Quebec, the sign of which was lately reflected by the Bloc Quebecois leader Mr. Yves-Francois Blanchet in his racist, harmful, and divisive anti-Arab and anti-Muslim rhetoric.
Mr. Blanchet’s recent comments are attempts to sow the seed of doubt on the professional history of a potential leader and his suitability to represent Canadian values and capacity to lead a Canadian frontline post simply because that leader is from Arab or Muslim background. Mr. Blanchet’s latest comments against Mr. Alghabra are acts of violence against all Arab and Muslim communities in Canada, and have the potential to fuel hate and justify new attacks on these communities. In fact, throwing accusations at others as being part of a “political Islamic movement” and suggesting that an Arab Muslim in a leadership position is a potential risk is nothing but an ideological attack to gain political points.
Mr. Blanchet’s racist statements are typical of those of White supremacists that think they can carry forward biased attacks without any implications on their political careers. His statements speak of his narrow understanding of Canada as an exclusive White society. Whereas, we at CLAF believe that Canada is a place where all peoples and cultures are embraced and celebrated. Arab and Muslim communities are essential parts of Canada’s mosaic, and for Mr. Blanchet to think that he can treat them as second-class citizens only creates a harmful divide among Canada’s diverse communities.
Four years ago, innocent Muslims were violently attacked and targeted while praying. That attack was fuelled by hate speech, anti-Arab and anti-Muslim rhetoric, and Mr. Blanchet’s recent racist statements were nothing but a reflection of such hate that continues to fuel violence against these communities.
To the wise voices in the Bloc Quebecois, we call you to reject racist voices in your ranks and correct the course by denouncing Mr. Blanchet’s position, removing your trust in his leadership, and making active efforts to remedy the damage that has been done! His statements can only be seen for what they are: violent racist, and divisive.
Racism against Indigenous, Blacks, Arabs, Muslims, Jews, LGBTQ+, and other Canadians from different backgrounds is entrenched in some minds in our midst in Canada. It becomes much more dangerous for a country when such racism enters the political sphere.
The Canadian Lebanese Academic Forum founding board
Four years after the terrorist attack on worshipers at a Quebec City mosque, the Canadian Lebanese Academic Forum (CLAF) is alarmed by the persistent phenomenon of Islamophobia in Quebec, the sign of which was lately reflected by the Bloc Quebecois leader Mr. Yves-Francois Blanchet in his racist, harmful, and divisive anti-Arab and anti-Muslim rhetoric.
Mr. Blanchet’s recent comments are attempts to sow the seed of doubt on the professional history of a potential leader and his suitability to represent Canadian values and capacity to lead a Canadian frontline post simply because that leader is from Arab or Muslim background. Mr. Blanchet’s latest comments against Mr. Alghabra are acts of violence against all Arab and Muslim communities in Canada, and have the potential to fuel hate and justify new attacks on these communities. In fact, throwing accusations at others as being part of a “political Islamic movement” and suggesting that an Arab Muslim in a leadership position is a potential risk is nothing but an ideological attack to gain political points.
Mr. Blanchet’s racist statements are typical of those of White supremacists that think they can carry forward biased attacks without any implications on their political careers. His statements speak of his narrow understanding of Canada as an exclusive White society. Whereas, we at CLAF believe that Canada is a place where all peoples and cultures are embraced and celebrated. Arab and Muslim communities are essential parts of Canada’s mosaic, and for Mr. Blanchet to think that he can treat them as second-class citizens only creates a harmful divide among Canada’s diverse communities.
Four years ago, innocent Muslims were violently attacked and targeted while praying. That attack was fuelled by hate speech, anti-Arab and anti-Muslim rhetoric, and Mr. Blanchet’s recent racist statements were nothing but a reflection of such hate that continues to fuel violence against these communities.
To the wise voices in the Bloc Quebecois, we call you to reject racist voices in your ranks and correct the course by denouncing Mr. Blanchet’s position, removing your trust in his leadership, and making active efforts to remedy the damage that has been done! His statements can only be seen for what they are: violent racist, and divisive.
Racism against Indigenous, Blacks, Arabs, Muslims, Jews, LGBTQ+, and other Canadians from different backgrounds is entrenched in some minds in our midst in Canada. It becomes much more dangerous for a country when such racism enters the political sphere.
The Canadian Lebanese Academic Forum founding board
