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Elle Canada faces backlash for removing pro-Palestine lawmaker from trailblazer list

Social media users have voiced outrage after the fashion and lifestyle magazine removed Sarah Jama from a list of eight Canadians 'paving the way for those behind them'
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Sarah Jama, a member of provincial parliament in Canada, at a pro-Palestine rally, 2024 (Wikimedia Commons/Cassadyysmith)
By Mera Aladam
Published date: 3 September 2024 16:09 BST | Last update: 2 months 2 weeks ago

Social media users have voiced outrage after Canada's leading fashion and lifestyle magazine removed Sarah Jama, a Black, Muslim and female politician known for her pro-Palestine advocacy and opposition to the war on Gaza, from a list of "eight incredible Canadians".

On 19 August, Elle Canada published an article titled: "These Eight Incredible Canadians Have Broken The Glass Ceiling," which featured a number of trailblazing Canadian women, including two trans women.

Jama, an Ontario member of provincial parliament, made her way onto the list as an outspoken advocate for the Palestinian cause and as a disability activist. 

According to a section explaining why the 29-year-old was included, Jama was identified as "a voice for the marginalised" due to her actively "taking on geopolitical issues or fighting for the rights of those living with disabilities".

However, on Saturday, a day after the article was published, Jama was removed as Elle faced a stream of criticism for including two trans women in the list.

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Following the backlash, Elle removed the word "women" from the article, removed the byline of the journalist who wrote the piece, and deleted the section on Jama.

The article began with a disclaimer which has since been updated and now reads: This original article represents the opinions of a political personality but does not reflect the opinions of the publishers of ELLE Canada and its parent company, KO Media or any other ELLE affiliates. Following a number of concerning messages posted online and received by our magazine, the publisher chose to edit the original version of the article in order to protect everyone’s safety. Its byline was also removed. The original version of the article is still available in print, in our September issue.

Following the changes, social media users questioned why the section on Jama was removed and began sharing an archived link of the article.

In a series of posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Muslim Advisory Council of Canada asked why Jama was removed and demanded an explanation from Elle. 

Several users also asked whether Jama was removed due to her race and religious affiliation, with some labelling the move "racist and Islamophobic." 

"@SarahJama_ was removed from an online tribute in @ElleCanada just hours after it was posted, without explanation. This tribute to eight trailblazers suddenly became seven in yet another disturbing erasure of a Black woman who shows solidarity with those undergoing the worst of crimes," one user wrote. 

Elle also faced accusations of "excluding and delegitimising pro-Palestinian voices in Canada".

Since the war on Gaza began, several Canadian students and employees - who have publicly expressed support for the Palestinian cause - have either faced suspensions, firings, or calls for them to not be hired based on their political stance.

"@ElleCanada why did you remove @SarahJama_? Does one of the first politicians in Canada to stand up against genocide and intensive bullying and removal from her "progressive" caucus not count as trailblazing enough? Or did it make your delicate readers uncomfortable?" one user wrote.

Following the article being updated, Jama responded to another post on X by saying she had not "received any threats so it wasn't for my safety."

Middle East Eye reached out to Jama for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

Fae Johnstone, a spokesperson for the LGBTQ+ rights group Momentum, voiced her "disappointment" on Jama being removed, noting that her own inclusion had "sparked another wave of anti-trans bigotry and hatred".

Other social media users expressed similar criticisms against Elle, writing that the decision caused a spike in LGBTQ+ bigotry.

MEE reached out to Elle Canada for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

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