Researcher who raised concerns about Quebec Islamophobia leaves anti-radicalization centre

A researcher at Montreal's new anti-radicalization centre has left his job daysafter writing an opinion piece raising concerns about Islamophobia in Quebec.

Hicham Tiflati's article, titled"Quebec needs to confront its Islamophobia problem," was published Dec. 14 in the Toronto Star without the centre's knowledge.

"While Islamophobia and anti-Muslim animus exists throughout Canada, the nature of it in Quebec seems to be unique, and quite worrisome," he wrotein the op-ed.

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Tiflatitold CBC Newsthe article isbased on interviews with Muslims in Quebecwho don't feel welcome in the province.

In it, healso cites a2015 Quebec Human Rights Commission surveythat found 43 per cent of Quebecers believe we should be suspicious of anyone who openly expresses their religion, and49 per cent of peopleexpressedsome uneasiness around the sight of Muslim veils.

But Tiflati says the piece has been misquotedby French-language media outlets and that his reputation has been tarnished.

"This is just a form of character assassination," he said.

Tiflatisaid the decision to leave his job as a researcher at the centre was mutual.

"We decided that it was better for me as someone who cares about the centre," he said.

A representative from the anti-radicalizationcentre confirmedit no longer has ties to Tiflati but would not offer any further information.

The centre, intended to helpfamilies worried their children or relatives may be turning towards extremism,was officially inaugurated this November.