City of Toronto officially launches new ‘Toronto For All’ Anti-Islamophobia Campaign to celebrate acceptance without exceptions

The City of Toronto, with guidance from a Community Advisory Council and the National Council of Canadian Muslims, launched a new ‘Toronto For All’ public education campaign to raise awareness about the realities of Islamophobia present in our community and to help to remind Torontonians that acceptance comes without exceptions.

The ‘Toronto For All’ campaign brings attention to Islamophobia in the city and calls on Torontonians to both confront and eliminate it. The campaign will appear on transit shelters throughout Toronto, on City social media channels and on the City’s website.

“I am proud to lend my support to this initiative as I believe it has the potential to make a profound impact on reducing Islamophobia in our city. The Community Advisory Council, consisting of diverse Muslim community members and leaders, offered their invaluable expertise and insights to the outstanding creative team. Through their unwavering dedication, they worked together, across and through differences, alongside the committed staff, to shape this campaign and make it truly representative of our shared goals,” said Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee.

The City, joined by the National Council of Canadian Muslims and a Community Advisory Council made up of diverse Muslim community members, educators and leaders engaged in a collaborative and detailed process to develop a meaningful and impactful design concept. The final campaign design highlights the need for Torontonians to accept without exceptions, celebrating and respecting the faith and cultural practices of Muslims in Toronto.

“Experiences of Islamophobia are not a rare occurrence for Muslims in Toronto and across Canada, we are thrilled to stand with the City of Toronto as we launch a campaign, that we hope will encourage reflection and inspire people to work together to push back against Islamophobia and all forms of hate and racism,” said Aasiyah Khan, Director of Education Programs, National Council of Canadian Muslims

Information and resources about Islamophobia and what Torontonians can do to end it, are available on the ‘Toronto For All’ campaign webpage.

This is the 13th ‘Toronto For All’ campaign launched by the City in partnership with community partners and organizations. The goal of the ‘Toronto For All’ public education initiative is to generate dialogue amongst Toronto residents to create a city that says no to all forms of discrimination and racism. Previous campaigns have focussed on topics including anti-East Asian racism, anti-Black racism, ageism and anti-Semitism which are available on the Toronto For All webpage.

“Islamophobia has no place in our city. We must unite to create an inclusive and welcoming Toronto where hatred, discrimination, and racism are unequivocally rejected. Through our Toronto For All campaigns, we can confront the reality of Islamophobia and combat all forms of hatred. I hope each and every Torontonian will join us in standing against Islamophobia and striving for a brighter future. Together, we can build a city that is safe and inclusive for all, ” said Councillor Shelley Carroll (Don Valley North), Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee.