Rachel Notley’s far-left policies have put her at risk of losing the support of the Muslim community in Alberta.

Despite repeating the hollow talking points on diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism, Notley’s radical views including her attacks on school choice, the carbon tax and anti-freedom views have placed her popularity with over 200,000 Muslim Albertans on unsteady footing. 

Leaning on the usual crutch of being friends with Black Lives Matter activists might not be enough for the former NDP premier this time around.  

There are now over a dozen Islamic schools in Alberta, each of which are put at risk by Notley’s ideological attacks on charter and private schools.

Meanwhile, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has been shoring up support with the religious group, who she says share a lot in common with Albertan conservatives — including their desire for faith-based education.

After being elected leader of the United Conservative Party (UCP) last October, the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Calgary gave Smith their “full support” in her initiatives. 

Jibril Ibrahim, a leader in the Albertan Muslim community, told The Counter Signal why Smith has won over so many Muslims.  

“The reason that we are supporting Danielle Smith is, we met with her several times, and we discovered that she is the type of leader who is willing to listen to people’s concerns, and she will do something about it,” Ibrahim said.

Ibrahim said that many from the Muslim community told Smith they want school calendars to include not just traditionally Western holidays like Christmas, but also important holidays for religious minorities. In 2021, the Edmonton Public School Board took steps to address these concerns, and Ibrahim believes Smith will encourage the whole province to provide similar accommodations. 

“Other politicians, when we told them the same thing, we haven’t received anything back from them,” he said. 

Ibrahim further pointed to Smith accommodating a significant number of Muslims who were unable to access conventional mortgage financing due to Islamic law. 

Smith heard these concerns and introduced a policy to allow interest-free halal banking options for Albertans alongside the Alberta Council of Imams and the Al Rashid Mosque. 

Under Halal financing, applicants will have the option to pay fees and charges instead of interest payments. 

“That issue she has taken right away and she has acted on it,” Ibharim said. 

Earlier this month, Smith joined the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at and others to break the Ramadan fast.

This article was written with files from Keean Bexte.