Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia
As Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, Ms. Elghawaby will serve as a champion to support and enhance the federal government’s efforts in the fight against Islamophobia, systemic racism, racial discrimination and religious intolerance.
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Mandate
The Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia serves as a champion, advisor, expert and representative to the Canadian government, for the purpose of enhancing efforts to combat Islamophobia and promote awareness of the diverse and intersectional identities of Muslims in Canada.
The mandate for Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia is multifaceted and includes:
- providing guidance and advice to support the Government of Canada’s efforts to combat Islamophobia in Canada
- providing advice to inform the development of policies, legislative proposals, programs and regulations that could affect Muslim Canadians
- providing guidance and advice to ministers to inform and improve efforts to track and monitor incidences of anti-Muslim hatred and violence across Canada
- supporting efforts to address systemic racism and Islamophobia through public education and awareness
- promoting public awareness and understanding about Muslim communities in Canada by reframing narratives and combatting stereotypes, including highlighting diverse and intersectional Muslim identities through participation in commemorations and public events
- proactively engaging with diverse stakeholders in Canada, including all of the varied Muslim communities around the country and other stakeholders, to advance community-informed solutions, policies and actions
- offering guidance to responsible ministers to contribute to training, in support of national security agencies
- promoting Canada’s activities in combatting Islamophobia on official Government of Canada communication channels
About Amira Elghawaby
Amira Elghawaby, previously a journalist and human rights advocate, was appointed as Canada’s first ever Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia in January 2023.
Since her appointment, Ms. Elghawaby has been providing strategic advice to the Government of Canada on legislation, policies, and programs impacting Canadian Muslim communities. She also worked closely with federal departments to address issues related to online hate, anti-racism, discrimination and community safety.
Additionally, Ms. Elghawaby has worked to raise public awareness on the challenges Islamophobia poses to Canada’s shared values, championing human rights, freedom of religion and inclusion on national and global platforms, including at the United Nations.
In spring 2025, her Office published The Canadian Guide to Understanding and Combatting Islamophobia, the first of its kind to be launched by a national government.
Prior to Ms. Elghawaby’s appointment, she was a contributing columnist at the Toronto Star and held roles in strategic communications and human rights at various national organizations, including at the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, at the National Council of Canadian Muslims, and in Canada’s labour movement.
Ms. Elghawaby is a founding board member of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network and has served two terms as a Commissioner on the Public Policy Forum’s Canadian Commission on Democratic Expression. She currently sits on the National Security Transparency Advisory Group.
In 2025, Ms. Elghawaby was awarded the King Charles Coronation Medal for her leadership.
Video message from the Special Representative
My name’s Amira Elghawaby, and I’m Canada's first ever Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia.
I’m grateful to be in this role because Canada is my home; it’s where I grew up and learned to be proud of all that makes me who I am. I believe in the commitment of fellow Canadians like you in helping combat the hate and Islamophobia that seeks to make us want to hide or diminish who we are.
I invite you to learn more about our office mandate and the work of my team.
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