A Peel District School Board council chair was fired after allegedly posting an Islamaphobic tweet last week.
Ravi Hooda, who was announced as the chair in 2019, responded with a now-deleted tweet to Brampton City Mayor Patrick Brown announcing that mosques would be allowed to have its calls to prayer during Ramadan.
Our noise by law originally passed in 1984 only included an exemption for Church bells. It will now include all faiths within the permitted hours & decibel levels. The Muslim community can proceed with the sunset azan because it’s 2020 & we treat all faiths equally. #Ramadan pic.twitter.com/WGPmf8fA5b
— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownont) April 30, 2020
In a statement, Macville Public School Principal Robin Perri said that the school board immediately conducted an investigation of what Perri called a “disturbing, Islamaphobic tweet.”
Perri added that the comments did not create an “inclusive and safe” space.
Today we shared a message with Macville staff and families after learning about hurtful Islamophobic comments that were made by a parent in our community. Full message: https://t.co/x7ibFe8GHt
— MacvillePS (@MacvillePS) May 5, 2020
“We immediately conducted an investigation into the matter, as the content is a clear contravention of the Peel District School Board’s Safe and Accepting Schools Policy 48. As a result, the individual is being removed from the role of School Council Chair and will not be able to participate on School Council, in any capacity,” Perri said.
She said views do not reflect the values of the Macville Public School community, nor those of the Peel board.
“Comments like these are upsetting and hurtful, and never acceptable.”
Perri said, according to Peel board’s policy, schools must always honour the rights of others by “refraining from actions that may be motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate against identifiable groups,” which includes Islamophobic comments.
Hooda was also a real estate partner with RE/MAX, who has now terminated their partnership.
“We 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,” said the real estate company.
“Multiculturalism & diversity are some of the best qualities in our communities, and we are committed to upholding these values in all that we do.”
We 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.
— RE/MAX Canada (@REMAXca) May 5, 2020