25 years since 9/11, Canada is not further ahead on tackling Islamophobia: advocates
TORONTO — Twenty-five years after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center spurred widespread surveillance and hostility against Muslims around the world, the work of countering Islamophobia in Canada still rests largely on those it targets, a major Islamic organization said in the lead-up to the anniversary.
Twenty-five years after the 9/11 terror attacks, Canada continues to struggle with tackling Islamophobia, according to advocates. After the attacks, many Islamic institutions in Canada tried to build bridges with their communities, as Muslims faced increasing fear and suspicion. Safwan Choudhry, a spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Canada, explained that they opened their mosques and community centers to neighbors and joined vigils for the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks.
However, despite more avenues for outreach and public education, Choudhry believes "it feels as though nothing has changed and we’re not further ahead." The recent increase in hate crimes against Muslims, from 142 in 2021 to 204 in 2025, highlights the ongoing issue. Experts point to rising tensions amid the Israel-Hamas war and social media as key contributors.
Furthermore, the elimination of the office of the special representative on combating Islamophobia has been criticized as a "slap in the face" for Muslims who have consistently faced discrimination. Critics argue that recent laws creating new offences for intimidating or obstructing someone outside a religious or cultural institution signal a "strengthening of the national security state" and a sidelining of any scrutiny toward Islamophobia.
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