TRENTON, Canada

A Toronto-area school board has become the first in Canada to introduce an anti-Islamophobia program.

The Peel District School Board did its homework and found that about one-quarter of its 153,000 students – Kindergarten through Grade 12 in 244 schools – were Muslim.

“The launch of the strategy demonstrates the Peel District School Board’s commitment to ensuring that Muslim-identifying students feel affirmed and have a safe and inclusive learning environment,” the board said in an email interview with Anadolu.

The comments were gathered by Manon Edwards, the board’s communications manager.

The Peel board’s initiative received an A+ from the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM).

“Peel District School Board is the first school board in Canada to develop an anti-Islamophobia strategy of its kind,” NCCM Education Programs Manager Aasiyah Khan said in an email interview.

In fact, Khan said Peel might be the first in North America to create the program.

But changes like this do not happen overnight.

Former board trustee Nokha Dakroub (2014-2022) is a social worker and activist who had previously mentioned the danger of Islamophobia as it affects students.

In August, she said it was time to take concrete action, and at a board meeting that month, she put forth a notice of motion to create the anti-Islamophobia strategy. The idea was officially adopted at a board meeting in September of that year.

The following is the official record of the motion passed by the board.

“Be it resolved, that Peel District School Board commit to an anti-Islamophobia strategy. That staff report out on its efforts to develop an anti-Islamophobia strategy, specifically provide information on what, if any, actionable items and accountability measures are in place, including plans to regularly provide this information to the broader community.”

“Be it further resolved, that the Peel District School Board mandates anti-Islamophobia training for all staff.”

The final version was adopted in January 2023.

“I’m very excited,” Dakroub told Mississauga.com news after the policy was passed.

It is called by the somewhat long-winded name “The Affirming Muslim Identities and Dismantling Islamophobia Strategy.”

Whatever you name it, Khan said it is a policy that was badly needed.

“In recent times, we (NCCM) have been getting almost one call a day in regards to incidents of hate, racism, or Islamophobia in schools,” she commented in the email.

“It is a very real problem that students, teachers and school staff face within the system and must be addressed. Schools should be the safest place for our students.”

Stripped down to its basics, the program instructs teachers and other staff how to deal with Islamophobia if it arises.

The plan, to be introduced over a four-year period, tackles Islamophobia through education created with community partners like NCCM, annual anti-Islamophobia training, staying in touch with Muslim groups and encouraging Muslim student associations.

“(It is) an anti-Islamophobia strategy that is created by and for those who are consistently impacted by direct or indirect forms of hate and racism within the school system,” Khan said.

The Peel board knows this strategy will be a great aid to its students who are of the Muslim faith.

“The Peel School Board realizes that Islamophobia impacts the experiences of our Muslim students, their families and our staff,” the board said. “As such, we strive every day to ensure the safety, well-being and mental health of our Muslim students and staff.”

The Peel board’s action is a big plus, but the NCCM knows there is no time for recess when it comes to schools.

“We will continue to work with school boards across the country to develop anti-Islamophobia strategies similar to that of the Peel District School Board; this is an important step in the right direction,” Khan said.