Nadine Osman
An Indian ex-pat living in Ontario, Canada, was fired from his real-estate job and removed from his position as chair of a school council over an Islamophobic tweet he posted earlier in the month.
Ravi Hooda protested Brampton City’s decision to extend noise bylaw exceptions to mosques and tweeted, ‘Separate lanes for camels and goat riders, allowing slaughter of animals at homes in name of sacrifice, Bylaw requiring all women to cover themselves from head to toe in tents to appease the piece [sic] fools for votes.’
Hooda was reacting to the decision made on April 30 by the Mayor to extend a (1984) noise bylaw exemption for church bells to all faiths. This would allow mosques in the city to broadcast the adhan (call to prayer) during Ramadan.
‘The Muslim community can proceed with the sunset azan because it’s 2020 & we treat all faiths equally. #Ramadan,’ tweeted Mayor Patrick Brown.
The Islamophobic message prompted an immediate backlash on social media and the Peel District School Board removed him from the Council chair and launched a formal investigation.
On May 5, Peel Schools and his real-estate employer ReMax announced his removal from both jobs.
A spokesman for Peel Schools said, ‘The Principal has begun an investigation. The individual is being removed from their role as School Council Chair and won’t be able to participate on the Council in any other capacity. Islamophobia is not acceptable and a clear violation of our Safe and Accepting Schools Policy.’
His employer ReMax said they “do not share nor support the views of Mr Hooda.”
“We can confirm he has been terminated and is no longer affiliated with RE/MAX. Multiculturalism & diversity are some of the best qualities in our communities, and we are committed to upholding these values in all that we do.”
Mayor Brown commended ReMax for taking quick action to end their partnership with Hooda. ‘Hate and Islamophobia have no place in our community discourse,’ said Brown.