Islamophobia in Canada: A Muslim Psychiatrist’s Perspective
摘要
Despite Canada being a diverse and developed country that is considered to be highly inclusive and progressive, Islamophobia is a major issue in this Commonwealth nation. In fact, Canada has the highest number of targeted killings of Muslims among G7 nations. In this chapter, I discuss Islamophobia in Canada from the perspective of a Muslim psychiatrist. I highlight how there has been an intensification of Islamophobia in Canada since the horrific terror attacks perpetrated by Hamas against Israelis on 7 October 2023 and how this has adversely affected the mental health of my patients who identify as Muslim. I also discuss how the ongoing Israeli military attacks on Gaza and the West Bank are traumatising for Muslim mental health patients in Canada. I conclude by showcasing the work of the Youth Coalition Combating Islamophobia (YCCI)—a collective of Muslim youth and their adult mentors in Canada, dedicated to raising awareness, promoting change and combating Islamophobia that was created in the wake of the deadly Islamophobic terror attack that took place in London, Ontario on the 6 June 2021. I also highlight The Canadian Guide to Understanding and Combatting Islamophobia: For a more inclusive Canada, published by the Government of Canada.