New Poll Shows 1 in 4 Canadians Believe Anti-Muslim Prejudice is Becoming More Acceptable

– For Immediate Release –

NCCM notes correlation between poll and increased hate crimes targeting Muslims

(Ottawa – May 21, 2019) The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a prominent civil liberties and advocacy organization, is deeply concerned to learn of a new poll showing that more than a quarter of Canadians feel it has become “more acceptable” to be prejudiced against Muslims over the past five years. The survey of just over 1,000 Canadians was conducted in April this year by Ipsos.

“This new data, while concerning, is not a surprise to us at NCCM. In recent years we have noticed a rise in anti-Muslim and other racist sentiments in our communities and our political discourse, and this has a dangerous effect on minority communities – and indeed all Canadians – right across the country,” says NCCM Executive Director Mustafa Farooq.

The poll further established that nearly half of respondents said racism was a ‘serious problem’ in Canada – a belief borne out in recent hate crimes data released by Statistics Canada. Last month, new numbers revealed a disturbing 151 percent increase in hate crimes targeting Muslims in 2017.

“It is clear that the kinds of prejudicial attitudes highlighted in this poll today can absolutely translate into tangible dangers for our communities. That’s why NCCM and other advocacy groups are working hard to challenge racism and intolerance at both the systemic and ground levels. In the coming months, we will be launching campaigns to tackle the growing phenomenon of online hate, as well as the rise of white supremacist movements which threaten our collective wellbeing and safety,” added Farooq.

The NCCM is an independent, non-partisan and non-profit organization that is a leading voice for Muslim civic engagement and the promotion of human rights.

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