Amira El-Ghaouabi, consultant of the brand new federal authorities’s anti-Islamophobia, apologized Wednesday for earlier remarks concerning the unfold of Islamophobic sentiment in Quebec.
El-Ghaouabi, who was named a particular consultant to fight Islamophobia final week, made the remarks earlier than assembly Bloc Quebec chief Yves-François Blanchett, who requested the assembly to retract her 2019 remarks.
She stated, “I wish to say that I’m very sorry for the best way my phrases carried them, and the way I damage the individuals of Quebec, and that’s what I’ll specific to Mr. Blanchett.”
“I perceive that the phrases and the best way you stated them have offended the individuals of Quebec. I’ve been listening very rigorously. I heard you and I understand how you are feeling and I’m sorry.”
The controversy pertains to an opinion column co-authored by Algawabi with Bernie Farber, former CEO of the Canadian Jewish Congress, that appeared within the Ottawa Citizen in 2019.
Witness: Al-Ghawabi apologizes
Forward of her assembly with Bloc-Kebekwe chief Yves-François Blanchett, newly appointed federal anti-Islamophobia consultant Amira El Guabi discusses the significance of getting “troublesome conversations”.
The column feedback on Quebec’s controversial Invoice 21, which bans provincial public servants from sporting non secular symbols comparable to headscarves.
“Sadly,” El Ghouabi and Farber wrote, “the vast majority of Quebecers appear to be swayed not by the rule of regulation, however by anti-Muslim sentiment.”
Within the column, El Goabi and Farber say they got here to this conclusion after a survey by Léger Advertising and marketing discovered that 88 p.c of Quebecers with unfavourable views of Islam overwhelmingly assist banning non secular symbols for public servants.
“I believe she would not know Quebec. She would not know our historical past and I might be comfortable as a citizen, as a pacesetter of the celebration and as an anthropologist, to debate Quebec’s historical past along with her,” Blanchett stated Wednesday morning.
Requires the resignation of Ghawabi
Jean-François Roberge, Quebec’s minister in command of the French language, stated earlier this week that the guabi “appears to be overcome with anti-Quebec sentiment.”
“All I did was attempt to justify her hateful feedback,” he stated. “This does not fly. She ought to resign and if she would not, the federal government ought to take away her instantly.”
After listening to her apology, Roberge stated El-Ghawabi was attempting to elucidate her remarks simply days earlier.
“I am glad she apologized however she nonetheless has to resign,” he stated.
Earlier on Wednesday, as he went to a caucus assembly, Conservative Get together chief Pierre Poilievre doubled down on his name for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take away El Guabi from her new place.
Talking in French, Poilifry stated he supported efforts to fight Islamophobia, however accused Trudeau of selecting somebody who insulted Quebecers.
Trudeau is as soon as once more selecting to divide Canadians by appointing somebody who has made anti-Quebec, anti-Jewish, and anti-police remarks.
He should appoint somebody who can unite us all within the battle in opposition to racism and Islamophobia. pic.twitter.com/ZnL2RNmPsK
And[مدش].@tweet
Talking earlier than Guabi’s apology on Wednesday, Trudeau stated Quebecers’ views on non secular symbols are based mostly on the province’s historical past of dwelling beneath an “oppressive church,” not racism.
“Quebecers will not be racist,” Trudeau stated. “Quebecers are among the many individuals the strongest advocates for particular person rights and freedoms, together with many different Canadians.”
Guabi is certified for the job of reaching out to each secular and spiritual Quebecers, Trudeau stated.
After the assembly, Al-Ghawabi described her dialog with Blanchett as a “constructive” dialogue and “a chance to listen to one another.”
Al-Ghawabi stated that, as a Muslim, she understands what it means to be judged and handled with prejudice. She stated she apologized to Blanchett once more in personal.
“I need to deliver individuals collectively. I need individuals to pay attention and Mr. Blanchett has proven that he does too, and he had an excellent dialogue and [we] Wanting ahead to extra alternatives for dialogue.”
