Amira Elghawaby is a Canadian journalist, human rights advocate, and public servant who was appointed in January 2023 as Canada’s first Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia. In this role, she provides strategic advice to the Government of Canada on legislation, policies, and programs affecting Canadian Muslim communities, and works closely with federal departments on issues related to online hate, anti-racism, discrimination, and community safety.

Ms. Elghawaby has been a leading public voice in raising awareness of the harms of Islamophobia and its impact on Canada’s shared values, championing human rights, freedom of religion, and inclusion at national and international forums, including the United Nations. In spring 2025, her Office published The Canadian Guide to Understanding and Combatting Islamophobia, the first national guide of its kind issued by a government.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Elghawaby was a contributing columnist with the Toronto Star and held senior roles in strategic communications and human rights advocacy with several national organizations, including the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, the National Council of Canadian Muslims, and within Canada’s labour movement. She is a founding board member of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, has served two terms as a Commissioner on the Public Policy Forum’s Canadian Commission on Democratic Expression, and currently sits on the National Security Transparency Advisory Group.

In recognition of her leadership and public service, Ms. Elghawaby was awarded the King Charles Coronation Medal in 2025.