Published On 1/7/2026
The National Council of Canadian Muslims described the incident of a Palestinian keffiyeh being forcibly removed from the neck of a female student during a graduation ceremony at a high school in the city of Saskatoon, as “the clearest example of anti-Palestinian racism,” stressing that the incident reflects a worrying increase in restrictions on the expression of Palestinian identity in educational institutions.
In a statement published on the “X” platform on Tuesday evening, the Council expressed its strong dissatisfaction with the incident, noting that witnessing this incident was “extremely disturbing.”
The Council stressed that every expression of Palestinian culture or identity, especially in universities, schools and graduation ceremonies, has in recent years been treated as if it were linked to terrorism and violence.
In its statement, the Council stressed that this behavior represents a blatant example of racism directed against Palestinians, stressing the need for all Canadian institutions to address these practices, while holding those responsible for them accountable to ensure that they are not repeated.
Details of the incident and the symbolism of the Keffiyeh
Video clips recently spread on social media platforms showed a student at Centennial Collegiate Secondary School in Saskatchewan province ascending to the podium to receive her diploma wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh, and then the teacher who handed her the certificate violently removed the keffiyeh from her neck.
The footage showed the state of astonishment that appeared on the student’s face for a few moments, before she insisted on putting the keffiyeh back on around her neck after receiving her diploma.
The Palestinian keffiyeh, with its traditional patterns, is a national and cultural symbol of the Palestinian cause that extends for more than a century, through which Palestinians express their adherence to their land and heritage.
The symbolism of the keffiyeh was not limited to the Palestinian interior, but went beyond it to become a global icon of solidarity with Palestinian rights, worn by Palestinians in the diaspora and supporters of their cause in various parts of the world, as an affirmation of solidarity and expression of identity.
