THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Monday, October 3, 2022
(22)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights met this day at 4:11 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Salma Ataullahjan, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnot, Ataullahjan, Gerba, Hartling and Jaffer (5).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Ravalia (1).

Participating in the meeting: Barbara Reynolds, Procedural Clerk, Committees Directorate; Robert Mason and Brendan Naef, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 3, 2022, the committee continued its study of such issues as may arise from time to time relating to human rights generally. (Topic: Islamophobia in Canada)

WITNESSES (by videoconference):

Moncton Muslim Association:

Abdal Khan, President.

Ummah Mosque and Community Centre:

Imam Abdallah Yousri, Executive Director.

Sabeel Muslim Youth and Community Centre:

Mostafa Hanout, Vice-Chairman.

Canadian Muslim Chaplain Organization (CMCO):

Adil Afzal, Senior policy and islamophobia expert.

As an individual:

Amina Abawajy, Education Advisor, Human Rights and Equity Services, Dalhousie University.

Abdal Khan, Imam Abdallah Yousri and Mostafa Hanout each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:16 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:19 p.m., the committee resumed.

Adil Afzal and Amina Abawajy each made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:11 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 6:13 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to discuss a draft agenda (future business).

At 6:42 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Sébastien Payet

Clerk of the Committee