Iqra Khalid, a long-serving Liberal Member of Parliament, secured her fourth term with a lead of more than 5,000 votes over her rival.

Salma Zahid, another prominent Muslim and Pakistani-origin politician, also retained her seat, securing over 21,000 votes.

Both Khalid and Zahid have been recognized for their consistent advocacy on issues related to human rights, immigration, and inclusivity. Their re-election is being seen by many as a reflection of the increasing political engagement and influence of Canadian Muslims.

More than ever before, Muslims made their electoral power known in Canada’s 2025 general election.

Muslim Canadians are urging political leaders to move beyond symbolic gestures and adopt concrete policies to combat Islamophobia and uphold human rights—both domestically and abroad.

The urgency of these demands is heightened by the alarming rise in Islamophobia in Canada, Canada currently holds the grim distinction of leading G7 nations in targeted killings of Muslims.

Despite the ongoing challenges faced by the Muslim community, the issue has received little attention in election debates.

Canada’s foreign policy on Gaza is under scrutiny, with Muslim voters expecting the next government to show leadership and integrity.

Recently, The Advocates’ Society canceled an event with Syrian peace advocate Tareq Hadhad after he condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza. Though they apologized, the incident highlighted growing intolerance toward pro-Palestinian voices.

While progress has been made—such as the 2023 appointment of Amira Elghawaby as Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia—advocates say more is urgently needed.

She emphasized the need for education that goes beyond awareness to active resistance against Islamophobia.

Source: AboutIslam.net

Vice President Harris and Walz, the governor of Minnesota, are trying to woo Muslim voters furious over President Joe Biden’s administration’s staunch backing of Israel during its year-old war in Gaza against Hamas.

Harris has pledged continued support for Israel while emphasizing her push for a ceasefire, words Walz echoed on Thursday, while promising a role for Muslims.

“Vice President Harris and I are committed that this White House… will continue to condemn in all forms anti-Islam, anti-Arab sentiments being led by Donald Trump, but more importantly, a commitment that Muslims will be engaged in this administration and serve side by side,” Walz said during an online meeting organized by Emgage Action, a Muslim American advocacy group that recently endorsed Harris.

The Nov. 5 election between Harris and Republican Trump is expected to be tight, especially in battleground states like Michigan, home to a large Muslim American population. The U.S. continues to back Israel as it targets Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Though Emgage has endorsed Harris, other Muslim groups have urged supporters not to back her in the election, especially after Democrats rejected requests for a Palestinian speaker at the party convention in August.

Harris has offered no substantive policy differences on Israel from Biden, who stepped aside as presidential candidate in July.

Trump has said he would reinstate a “travel ban” he imposed as president restricting the entry into the United States of people from a list of largely Muslim-dominant countries. Biden rolled back the ban shortly after taking office in 2021.

“The scale of death and destruction in Gaza is staggering and devastating,” Walz said. Harris is working to ensure “the suffering in Gaza ends now, and the Palestinian people realize the right to dignity, freedom and self determination.”

The Israeli military offensive in Gaza has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians, Palestinian health authorities say. Israel was responding to an incursion by Hamas gunmen on Oct. 7, 2023, which Israel says killed around 1,200 people and abducted about 250 hostages.

Gaza has suffered a humanitarian crisis with nearly all its 2 million people displaced and widespread hunger in the enclave.

Other speakers at the event included Democratic U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen from Maryland and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who both suggested that Harris could represent a shift from Biden’s approach in the Middle East.

“I know she is a listener. She is able to change her mind,” Ellison said, adding Harris was not born in the 1940s, as Biden and Trump were. “I’m not promising you a rose garden” if Harris is elected, Ellison said. “But we’ll be pushing on a door that’s not locked.”

It was unclear whether Walz, the first speaker, remained on the Zoom call to listen to other remarks. He took no questions.

While other Muslim groups have not supported Republican candidate Donald Trump, some are backing Green Party candidate Jill Stein.

Source: Reuters