Attacks: Muslim council pushes Canada to strengthen hate laws

the National Council for Canadian Muslims had been calling

A Canadian Muslim organisation has said that it will soon start conversations with the country’s federal and provincial governments about strengthening hate laws and adding more white supremacist groups to Canada’s list of terrorist organisations.

This comes in the wake of what police have called a hate-motivated attack in London, east-central Canadian province of Ontario, Sunday, which left four members of a Muslim family dead and their nine-year-old boy seriously hurt.

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In the days since the horrific crime, the National Council for Canadian Muslims had been calling for a summit on Islamophobia with all levels of government.

Fatema Abdalla said the council was ready to discuss reviewing and strengthening laws around hate crimes and terrorism with thw Canadian authorities.

“Because they continue to spread hate, they continue to spew violence, and it’s a rising concern,” she said Thursday. “Over 250 white supremacist organisations still exist and haven’t been dismantled and haven’t been added onto the terrorist list.”

Abdalla said this is a problem that affects more than just Muslims. “It’s Islamophobia, it’s attacks on women, attacks on the Jewish community, and minorities in Canada,” she added.

Canada’s justice minister’s office said in a statement that it was committed to protecting the safety and security of all Canadians, and that it’s always willing to listen and continue to look for ways to constructively improve laws.