PSAC is proud to celebrate Arab Heritage Month, an opportunity to celebrate the Arab community and their many contributions to the labour movement and society.

The Arab community is a diverse ethnic group that includes people from the Middle East and parts of North Africa. There are Arabs of many faiths, including Coptic Christians, Catholics and Druze although most identify as Muslim (Sunni, Shia, or Ismaili). While many Arabs speak Arabic, there are also over 25 regional languages that reflect the rich and unique history of the community.  

Join our virtual panel

To celebrate Arab Heritage Month, PSAC is hosting a webinar with prominent Arab labour leaders, social justice activists and authors to recognize the contributions and challenges encountered by the Arab community in our workplaces and communities. 

Register for the virtual panel today:

When: Saturday April 20, 2024 2:00 to 4:00 pm EDT

Introduction: Sharon DeSousa, National Executive Vice-President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada
Moderator: Alex Silas, Regional Executive Vice-President, National Capital Region, PSAC
Panelists:

• Wassim Garzouzi: Senior Partner, Raven Law LLP
• Dania Majid: Co-Founder and President of the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association
• Ahmad Gaied: Secretary-Treasurer of the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL)
• Najwa Zebian: activist, author, speaker, and educator.

Want to know more about Anti-Arab Racism?

Anti-Arab racism is defined as discrimination, prejudice, and violence against people of Arab origin. A recent poll conducted by EKOS Research Associates, found 79% of Canadians acknowledge prejudice against Arabs is a growing problem in Canada. Arabs are often depicted using negative stereotypes by the media, politicians, and community leaders, and this is frequently amplified following conflicts involving the Middle East.

Arab workers also face systemic racism in Canadian workplaces including racial profiling, workplace barriers and negative stereotypes about Arab culture. Most Arabs, regardless of religion, also experience Islamophobia in the workplace.

Recently, there has been a rise of a specific form of racism, anti-Palestinian racism, which silences, excludes, erases, stereotypes, defames or dehumanizes Palestinians and the narrative of their very existence. Anti-Palestinian racism can result in workplace discrimination and like all forms of racism, there is a direct link between anti-Palestinian sentiment and violence inflicted on the Palestinian community in Canada and globally.

As a union, PSAC is committed to fight for safer and more inclusive workplaces for all our members, including Arab members. Now more than ever, this fight requires action from all levels of government, institutions, unions, and allies.

Register for PSAC’s upcoming virtual panel to learn more:

Additional resources

• Marginalized and Misunderstood: Survey on Attitudes on Arabs and Anti-Arab Racism in Canada 
• Navigating Employment and Freedom of Expression Amid the Israel-Palestine Conflict: Questions and Answers
• Palestinian Human Rights Issues in Canada: A legal and tactical guide
• Job Consequences for Palestine Support Activities: What are my employee rights?
• Anti-Palestinian Racism: Naming, Framing and Manifestations