"That is why I suggest adding the number of Palestinian casualties since October 7, as it would be a form of dehumanization not only to Palestinians but to Muslims to exclude them. It would also make the more sense to include this data as this is the point you are trying to make in your article: to fight hate in all its forms."
January 30, 2024
To:
Allison Hanes, Columnist, Montreal Gazette
Marilena Lucci, Editor in Chief, Montreal Gazette
Jeff Blond, Managing Editor, Montreal Gazette
Dear Allison Hanes, Marilena Lucci, and Jeff Blond,
I am writing to indicate a minor omission in your article: “Fighting hate in all its forms,” published on January 30 in Montreal Gazette.
As a Muslim woman, I must start by expressing my appreciation for your column, as we must be reminded that hate in all its forms should be forbidden, fought, and prosecuted.
In each event, we realize how we have been dehumanized as a community and how normalized Islamophobia has come to be. We have become way too familiar with this type of hate.
We also realize how hard it is to fight Islamophobia and any hate, especially since it has unfortunately surged instead of decreasing over the years.
I especially enjoyed this part of your article that I can’t help but agree with:
Islamophobia is not the only brand of toxin poisoning the well.
The forces of hatred and division are rising, not receding, in a public square dominated by polarizing politics and uncivil discourse. And many “others” are feeling the disconcerting glare of suspicion, intolerance and enmity. This includes, but is not limited to, racialized minorities, the LGBTQ2+ community and Indigenous Peoples.
This part makes us reflect on how hate can be amplified when your identity intersects with the “others.” It is also easy to fall into the trap of not addressing certain types of hate when they are overshadowed by others in the public discourse.
That is why I suggest adding the number of Palestinian casualties since October 7, as it would be a form of dehumanization not only to Palestinians but to Muslims to exclude them.
It would also make the more sense to include this data as this is the point you are trying to make in your article: to fight hate in all its forms.
I hope Montreal Gazette will make this small change and continue writing and publishing about Islamophobia.
Sincerely,
Fatima Haidar,
Media Analyst, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East