Muslims across Canada say the current political climate poses a danger to youth from Islamic backgrounds, in light of the protests and heated statements made last month regarding schools teaching gender identity.

Last week, the Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) - which claims to represent 55,000 people in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec - issued an online statement calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, school boards, unions, and "some media" to apologize, due to "describing the peaceful protests of thousands of concerned parents as abhorrent."

The statement said, "On Wednesday, September 20, thousands of Muslims protested, joined by other religious groups, to express their concerns, demanding their rights as parents regarding the education of their children."

The statement added, "The remarks from Canadian leaders and school boards increase the likelihood that Muslim children will face bullying and increased harassment in schools, whether from teachers or peers."

The statement received hundreds of responses on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.

It is also supported by Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre and shared by Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe.

MAC said it wants schools to acknowledge religious rights and believes that "mandatory celebration or affirmation of LGBTQ, including direct or indirect imposition to participate in Pride events and activities, constitutes a violation of the legal rights of Muslims."

On the other hand, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in response to a question on Thursday about whether he would retract his statement based on the criticism directed at him, said he will always stand against intolerance when it exists.

He also noted that he "never said that a person who cares about parental rights is filled in some way with hate and intolerance."