A new reporting measure to combat Islamophobia and racism in Halton public schools is now available.
Launched by Muslim Advisory Council of Canada and supported by Halton Region, the initiative aims to address the growing concerns of discrimination faced by the region’s Muslim communities, who make up roughly 10 per cent of the population.
In the past year, the organization received “hundreds” of reports involving Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism and anti-Black racism.
“It's not ok if our community is being discriminated against, and it's also not ok if those issues are not addressed,” said Tabassum Wyne, the organization's executive director.
The tool enables families to report incidents and receive support from a service navigator, who helps them advocate for themselves and find solutions. The service navigator provides consultations based on the severity of the situation, guiding families through their options when addressing matters with schools and the board.
Wyne shared an example of a student who was subjected to insensitive remarks from a food monitor about the smell of their cultural food. “That’s cultural insensitivity,” Wyne noted.
The matter was resolved with the school committing to cultural training for staff, but the emotional toll on the child remained, she said. The service provided continued support to the family throughout the process.
“This is something that affects our community, not just when it happens, it stays with them. So this is why this program is so important to say, ‘No, we will not stand for hatred. We will not stand for racism,’” she said.
The tool will collect data on incidents while maintaining privacy, with the Halton District School Board only receiving information if families consent. The next step is to use the data to advocate for broader action, including ensuring there are anti-Islamophobia strategies in place and actively implemented at the school board and beyond.
The long-term vision is to create a more inclusive environment in Halton schools and foster unity between Muslim and non-Muslim communities.