Social media post by Whitby mayor attracts anti-Muslim hate speech

Anti-Muslim hate reared its ugly head once again over the weekend after Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy dropped in for lunch with ICNA Sisters Whitby – a not-for-profit group of Muslim women who provide park clean-ups, parenting programs, mental health workshops and more in the community.

Roy, as she does after attending any community event, shared a photo on social media. Hate-filled comments – which happens all too often in today’s rage-fueled society – followed, with Roy calling the responses “deeply alarming.”

Within hours, the post attracted hundreds of comments. The majority, Roy said, were “racist, anti-Muslim, demeaning and threatening.”

“Some targeted the Muslim women in the photo because of how they were dressed or questioned whether they belong in Canada. Some mocked their faith and culture. Many crossed the line into outright hate speech.”

The Whitby mayor said it was not an isolated incident.

“Over the past two years, Whitby has experienced several disturbing incidents of hate, including anti-Muslim graffiti, repeated acts of antisemitic vandalism, and – just weeks ago – hateful online rhetoric directed at Muslim Welfare Home in Whitby. While these actions may represent a small minority of voices, their impact on those targeted is significant.”

Roy said she has attended events hosted by Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh communities since she was elected mayor four years ago and has celebrated alongside seniors, veterans, Indigenous communities, newcomers, accessibility advocates, environmental groups, business owners, youth leaders, 2SLGBTQIA advocates and allies and many more groups.

“As mayor, I represent every resident of our town. That means people of every race, faith, culture, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and political perspective. Everyone. And I take that responsibility seriously.”

“Every single Whitby resident deserves to feel seen, welcomed, and represented by their local government. That is how I have approached this role since being elected in 2022, and it is how I will continue to approach it, she added. “To those in our Muslim community who were hurt by the comments on this post, please know this: you belong here.”