Council of Muslims Against Antisemitism calls on Social Work Educators to Confront All Forms of Extremism

May 26, 2024

Open Letter to Social Work Educators: Upholding Human Rights and

Confronting Extremist Ideologies

Dear Esteemed Social Work Educators,

As members of the Council of Muslims Against Antisemitism (CMAA) - a

coalition of Muslim professionals, scholars, and activists committed to justice,

peace, and interfaith harmony - we write to you with an urgent call for moral

clarity and courageous leadership in your institutions and classrooms.

We are deeply concerned by the alarming rise in antisemitism across Canada and

globally, often fueled by extremist ideologies that distort religious beliefs to justify

violence, hatred, and the erosion of fundamental human rights. As Muslims, we

speak from within our own communities to confront a hard truth: Islamist

extremism, in particular, has perpetuated virulent forms of antisemitism and

gender-based violence, and continues to threaten Jews, Muslims, and democracies

alike.

We are committed to the Canadian values of pluralism, justice, and freedom of

expression. These values are under assault when radical ideologies - whether from

the far right, far left, or Islamist extremes - find refuge in our academic institutions

under the guise of political activism. We have seen firsthand how spaces meant for

learning have become unsafe for Jewish students and others who dissent from

dominant narratives, particularly since the events of October 7, 2023, and the

ensuing wave of violence and hate.

At the University of Toronto, for example, on May 14, 2024, our organization was

blocked from sharing a peaceful message condemning terrorism - specifically, the

actions of Hamas - from a Palestinian student. We were not advocating for one

side in a complex political conflict but simply upholding the sanctity of human life

and the rejection of hate. The refusal to even allow that message to be shared

stands in stark contrast to the open platform afforded to groups promoting

antisemitic and eliminationist rhetoric.

As social work educators, you occupy a vital role in shaping the ethical framework

and critical thinking of future professionals. We urge you to:

• Speak out against antisemitism in all its forms, including that which emerges from Islamist ideologies.

• Create space for courageous, respectful dialogue-especially when it challenges dominant narratives.

• Promote religious literacy that distinguishes Islam-a faith rooted in compassion and justice-from the political ideology of Islamism, which manipulates religion for authoritarian ends.

• Recognize and address the ways radicalization-whether religious or political-harms not only the targeted groups but also the fabric of our shared society.

We endorse the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, which draws a clear line between legitimate criticism of governments-including Israel-and antisemitism disguised as activism.

To remain silent in the face of rising hatred is to abandon the very principles social

work stands for. We call on you to affirm your commitment to inclusive anti-oppression practice by confronting all forms of extremism, including those that

arise within marginalized communities.

Let us ensure that our campuses, our profession, and our country remain places

where diverse voices can be heard, and where human dignity is protected for all.

With respect and shared purpose,