In the News: Relative of Victim Rejects Day Against “Islamophobia”

Attentat à la mosquée de Québec, Il n’y a pas d’islamophobie au Québec, selon une proche d’une victime (Attack on Quebec City Mosque, There is no Islamophobia in Quebec, Says Relative of Victim), TVA Nouvelles, 2018-01-23

A year after the terrorist attack on the Quebec City Mosque, the debate about the proposal for a national day against Islamophobia continues to generate debate.

Appearing on the “Denis Lévesque” show, a relative of one of the victims of the shooting denounces the attitude of Muslims communities who demand that such a day be instituted.

“They come to interfere in the affairs of Quebec,” insists Zahra Boukersi. After 22 years living in Quebec, this French-language professor lost a family member on January 29^th 2017.

The title of this TVA Nouvelles article is misleading. Madame Boukersi did not say that “Islamophobia” does not exist. In fact, she opposes even the use of that term. She also opposes holding a day against “Islamophobia” and she criticizes the length (4 days) of the commemorations of the January 29^th attack. She does not deny the existence of anti-Muslim sentiment, but she says that she and her family have never been targets of such a prejudice. On the contrary, Madame Boukersi says that she has been attacked verbally by Muslim women, not by Québécois, for not wearing the veil. Furthermore, she adds, that if Québécois sometimes express anti-Muslim sentiment, it is perhaps because, in her opinion, they have been incited by some Muslims who insistently push themselves to public attention.

See also:

• NO to a Day Against “Islamophobia”, David Rand
• Zahra Boukersi, Radio interview, Paul Arcand, 985 fm, 2018-01-16