Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council

In a major investigation published by @nytimes, journalist @NickKristof documents deeply disturbing testimonies of rape and the use of sexual violence, including sodomy, as tools of interrogation, humiliation, and abuse against Palestinians in Israeli detention centres and prisons. The report raises serious concerns regarding violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including the prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment under the Geneva Conventions and the Convention Against Torture. Canada cannot remain silent in the face of credible allegations of sexual violence and abuse against Palestinians in Israeli detention. We urge Prime Minister @MarkJCarney and Foreign Affairs Minister @AnitaAnandMP to publicly condemn these acts, support immediate independent international investigations, and pursue meaningful accountability measures, including targeted sanctions against individuals and entities implicated in these serious violations of international law. nytimes.com/2026/05/11/opi…

According to @save_children, Israeli attacks on #Lebanon have killed or injured more than four children/per day (on avg) in the first 25 days of the “ceasefire” that came into effect last month. Email Prime Minister @MarkJCarney and Minister @AnitaAnandMPurging urging Canada to use its diplomatic leverage to push for an end to Israel’s ongoing aggression in #Lebanon and uphold ceasefire obligations. send email: speakupforchange.ca/campaign/End-A…

We urge Prime Minister @MarkJCarney and Foreign Affairs Minister @AnitaAnandMP to uphold Canada’s obligations under international humanitarian law by imposing targeted sanctions and using all available diplomatic measures to push for a real and permanent ceasefire alongside unrestricted humanitarian access for civilians in #Gaza.

In this report, @AmnestyNow condemns Israel’s systematic destruction of high-rise buildings and demands that this be investigated as war crimes of wanton destruction and collective punishment. “The destruction of these high-rise buildings in #Gaza City is part of a broader pattern of relentless destruction of critical infrastructure, which, alongside repeated waves of mass displacement under inhumane conditions and the denial of life-saving humanitarian aid, had been key features of Israel’s genocide, amounting to the prohibited act of deliberately inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction, in whole or in part.” We urge Minister of Foreign Affairs @AnitaAnandMP to uphold Canada's obligations under international law by supporting independent war crimes investigations. amnesty.ca/human-rights-n…

CMPAC has concluded the 'Gaza: Beyond the Ceasefire Canada West Tour' across #Vancouver, #Edmonton, and #Calgary, meeting and bringing together community members, student groups, advocates, and local leaders for critical conversations on #Gaza, advocacy and Canadian foreign policy. Throughout the tour, CMPAC engaged directly with communities across Western Canada alongside @OmarSShakir, @AmiraElghawaby, Dr. @aalkassem , and CMPAC ED @kalqazzaz, facilitating discussions focused on humanitarian response and sustained community mobilization beyond the ceasefire. In addition to the public events, the tour created important opportunities to meet with community leaders, groups and student organizers, strengthen existing relationships, build new partnerships, and continuing to develop long-term capacity with the intention of advancing principled and accountable Canadian foreign policy through informed advocacy and collective action.

CMPAC joined community members in St. Albert, Alberta, to visit Ali Wahad Noor and hear directly from him about the violent #Islamophobic attack he experienced after Friday prayer on May 1st. Mr. Noor spoke about the physical an emotional impact of the assault, sharing how he was followed, verbal assaulted with racial and islamophobic slurs and physically attacked while returning home from the mosque. Albertan Muslim community members also spoke about the growing fear and concern many Muslims are experiencing amid rising Islamophobia across the country. Meaningful action is needed at every level to address rising Islamophobia and strengthen protections for Muslim communities so they can live, worship and participate in public life safely and with dignity.

"The Ottawa-based International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group @ICLMG says the provisions would create 'a mass surveillance capability regime.'" ctvnews.ca/politics/artic…

A good turnout in Calgary for the GAZA: Beyond the Ceasefire CMPAC Canada West Tour, bringing together community members for an important conversation on advocacy and the ongoing realities facing Palestinians in Gaza beyond the ceasefire. The event featured @OmarSShakir, former Palestine Director at Human Rights Watch, @AmiraElghawaby former Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, Dr. @aalkassem trauma surgeon and humanitarian leader, along with CMPAC director @kalqazzaz whom all shared perspectives on humanitarian response, civil liberties, and the importance of sustained public engagement and advocacy on Gaza. The discussion emphasized the importance of informed advocacy, community mobilization and meaningful engagement in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Canada, alongside Australia and New Zealand (CANZ countries) reaffirmed before the @UN Security Council today that Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem are illegal under international law condemning acts of violence and terror perpetrated by extremist Israeli settlers against Palestinians and their property across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The joint statement further recognized that ongoing settlement expansion, movement restrictions, demolitions, and forced evictions continue to undermine the territorial integrity and viability of a future Palestinian state. The remarks also expressed serious concern regarding the Israeli government’s approval of 34 new settlements and significant infrastructure investments designed to further entrench settlement expansion and fragmentation across the West Bank. The CANZ countries reiterated their opposition to annexation, forcible displacement, and unilateral measures that violate international law and undermine Palestinian self-determination. Importantly, the countries reiterated their condemnation of Israel’s discriminatory death penalty law. While a strong statement, Canada should ensure that its new foreign policy matches its stated stances. This includes supporting concrete accountability measures and using economic and diplomatic leverage to strongly challenge these ongoing violations and uphold international law and. #cdnpoli international.gc.ca/world-monde/in…

Yesterday Prime Minister @MarkJCarney referenced the 'State of #Palestine' in his recent readout following his conversation with President Mahmoud Abbas. We are hopeful that this reflects a step toward strengthening bilateral relations with Palestine and a broader shift in Canadian foreign policy consistent with the recognition of Palestinian statehood. Canada should pursue meaningful support for Palestine, including medical and humanitarian relief, reconstruction and long-term development efforts in Gaza. Canada’s approach must also include support for credible accountability measures in accordance with the #ICC and #ICJ in response to Israel’s ongoing violations of international law. Palestinians possess the right to self-determination, including the right to determine their political future and systems of governance. Decisions concerning Palestinian leadership, governance and national direction should remain matters to be determined through internal Palestinian processes, free from foreign interference. #cdnpoli

Last night in #Calgary, CMPAC was honoured to convene community leaders, organizers and advocates for an important evening of discussion and strategic engagement. Joined by CMPAC Executive Director Khaled Al-Qazzaz and former Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia @AmiraElghawaby , the gathering focused on the realities facing Muslim communities in Calgary and across Canada, including political engagement, advocacy, Islamophobia, and strengthening community voice within charitable frameworks. Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed their insights and experiences. We look forward to continuing these conversations across the country.

Email Prime Minister @MarkJCarney and Minister @AnitaAnandMP urging Canada to use its diplomatic leverage to push for an end to Israel’s ongoing aggression in #Lebanon and uphold ceasefire obligations. send email: speakupforchange.ca/campaign/End-A…

CMPAC was honoured last weekend to host the launch event for Dr. @AnverEmon’s report, Humanitarianism & the Exclusion of Muslim Charities from the Financial Sector, at the University of Toronto, featuring presentations from CMPAC Executive Director @kalqazzaz and @AmiraElghawaby. The report examines the downstream and often unintended consequences of Canada’s anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist financing, and sanctions regimes on Canadian Muslim charities, particularly those engaged in humanitarian work. Importantly, the report not only documents a longstanding issue affecting the Canadian Muslim community, but also advances concrete recommendations toward a more equitable and transparent path forward. Read the full report: utoronto.scholaris.ca/items/9f800e39…

At the @psac_afpc National Equity Conference this week in Winnipeg, CMPAC Executive Director @kalqazzaz spoke on the Domestic Human Rights panel. He engaged with #union members from across Canada on the growing impact of legislation that risks infringing on Charter-protected rights and freedoms, particularly Bill C-9 and its implications for civil liberties and organizing. #cdnpoli

Email Prime Minister @MarkJCarney and Minister @AnitaAnandMP urging Canada to use its diplomatic leverage to push for an end to Israel’s ongoing aggression in #Lebanon and uphold ceasefire obligations With 2659 killed, 8183 injured, and over 1 million displaced, Israel’s continued military aggression in Lebanon, despite the existence of a declared ceasefire, raises serious concerns under international humanitarian law and has caused devastating harm to civilians, including deaths, injuries, and mass displacement. Canada must respond in a manner consistent with its legal and moral obligations, and its stated commitment to the protection of civilians. SEND AN EMAIL NOW speakupforchange.ca/campaign/End-A…

Our voices are being heard. This is precisely why sustained engagement matters. We urge you to continue contacting the Senate and to persist in raising concerns regarding Bill C-9. As Senator David Wells told the Senate committee: “Colleagues, when an amendment removes from the Criminal Code a protection already provided by law, and when that change was not part of the bill as originally introduced, the very least that should be required is a thorough review of that decision, supported by genuine consultations, including targeted consultations with religious groups concerned, many of whom have already voiced their concerns. We have all heard them through the phone calls we receive and the messages in our inboxes,” This underscores the importance of continued public input at this stage. We must remain engaged, ensure our concerns are clearly communicated and call for meaningful scrutiny and consultation. catholicregister.org/item/3855-bill…