In light of the alarming upsurge in violent occurrences linked to Islamophobia nationwide, the Islamophobia-Motivated Incident Reporting Tool (IMIRT) app has been launched with the goal of creating a safer and more inclusive community.
The project, which has the backing of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, was developed in tandem with other organizations and will work in tandem with the National Council of Canadian Muslims.
Imam Ibrahim Hindi of the University of California emphasized the significance of the app as a means for the Muslim community to report such incidents. The creation of the app addresses a crucial gap, acknowledging that many victims of hate, particularly within Muslim communities, may not always feel comfortable approaching law enforcement directly. The third-party app offers an alternative platform where individuals can report incidents with greater comfort and confidence.
Mohammed Hashim, the Executive Director of the Canadian Foundation for Race Relations, underscored that the app's purpose extends beyond mere statistics. Instead, it serves as a vital tool to augment safety within the community, providing an avenue for individuals to contribute to a collective effort to combat Islamophobia.
The introduction of IMIRT comes in response to a discernible escalation in hate crime incidents, particularly since the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza. Toronto Police reported a significant uptick in hate crimes, leading to 54 arrests and 117 charges between October 7, 2023, and January 10, 2024. The police force has already received over 145 online submissions since the inception of the hate writing web form.
Notably, anti-Semitic incidents have surged by 168% since October 7, compared to the same period the previous year. Additionally, anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian, and anti-Arab incidents have risen by 23%, contrasting with a 12% increase in the preceding year. The IMIRT app stands as a proactive response to address these concerning trends, fostering community engagement and resilience against hate-based incidents.
