Muslim Council of Montreal calls on all mosques to ensure adequate security systems are in place

January 10, 2012
COMMUNITY ALERT

Montreal, Quebec, January 9th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) calls on all mosques and Islamic institutions to take the necessary measures to ensure that their facilities are equipped with adequate surveillance and alarm systems.

“It is alarming to see the rising number of attacks of vandalism and hate taking place at our religious institutions and our communities must protect themselves,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “In order to help keep our communities safe, we strongly urge all institutions to ensure they have all the required operational security equipment to deter such attacks, such as intrusion detection security systems, closed-circuit surveillance cameras, fire alarm systems, proper lighting etc. Staff should also be properly trained to ensure they know how to operate the security infrastructure, and together with regular members of the congregation should be trained to identify and report any unusual activities in or around the institutions. All of these measures should be undertaken immediately so that our communities can practice their faith in peace, without fear of attack.”
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Minister Kenney Expresses Solidarity with the Muslim community at the Outaouais Islamic Centre

January 7, 2012
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Gatineau, January 6, 2012 - The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, visited the Outaouais Islamic Centre in Gatineau, Quebec, to show solidarity with the Muslim community on behalf of the Government of Canada. The mosque was vandalized with hateful messages overnight on Thursday, January 4. Minister Kenney spoke with Muslim faithful who were at the Mosque for the Friday prayer service. He reiterated Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s strong condemnation of these heinous attacks and our government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable religious minority communities both at home and abroad, through initiatives such as the Security Infrastructure Program (SIP) and the Office of Religious Freedom. The Mosque leadership also expressed their gratitude to the Government for facilitating the key security upgrades they have made through the SIP program.
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Gatineau mosque attacked by vandals twice in same week

January 6, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, January 6th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its alarm over the second attack of vandalism in one week at the Outaouais Islamic Centre in Gatineau, Quebec.

Graffiti containing anti-Islamic and anti-Arab messages were found on the walls of the mosque on Thursday. It is the third time in the last month and the fourth time in the last four months that the mosque has been a victim of vandalism. Earlier this week, vandals attempted to set fire to two cars in the mosque parking lot. Two windows of the mosque were also broken.

“The increasing number of attacks against Islamic institutions in Canada point towards the serious problem of Islamaphobia, racism and hate,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “There must be zero tolerance for such violent, hateful acts committed against any community and it must be made clear that such attacks go against the values of our charter and constitution. It is time for our government officials to also recognize the gravity of these attacks and to take concerted action to ensure that they do not happen again.”
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Muslim Council of Montreal alarmed over attack of vandalism at Gatineau mosque

January 3, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, January 3rd, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its concern over an attack of vandalism at the Outaouais Islamic Centre in Gatineau this Monday.

The vandals attempted to set fire to two cars in the mosque parking lot, in addition to smashing the windows of the cars. Two windows of the mosque were also broken. It is the second time in the last month and the third time in the last four months that the mosque has been a victim of vandalism.

“Canada is a place of peace, tolerance, diversity and pluralism and such hateful actions go against all the values of our charter, constitution and country,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “It must be made clear that such violent acts of hate and racism that target religious institutions have no place in our country and will not be tolerated. We call on all Canadians to speak out against such attacks and work together to promote peace and social harmony.”
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Muslim Council of Montreal alarmed over attack of vandalism at Montreal mosque

December 22, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, December 22nd, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its concern over a recent attack of vandalism at the Abou Hourira mosque in Verdun. Graffiti messages were found on the walls, doors and windows of the mosque.

“Canada is a place of peace, tolerance, diversity and pluralism and such hateful actions go against all the values of our charter, constitution and country,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Attacks such as these ones that specifically target religious institutions are becoming alarmingly common in Quebec, highlighting the grave problem of Islamaphobia, anti-Semitism and all forms of racism and hate in general. We call on all Canadians to speak out against such attacks and work together to promote peace and social harmony.”
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Muslim Council of Montreal welcomes ruling allowing hijab to be worn by government correctional officers

December 21, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, December 21st, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) applauded the recent settlement reached between the Quebec Public Security Department and the provincial human rights commission to allow its correctional officers to wear the hijab.

“We welcome this settlement, which both safeguards the rights and freedoms granted in the Canadian and Quebec charter and constitution and also ensures the well-being of government correctional officers,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “This is not a political issue, but rather a matter of human rights and as the decision from the commission demonstrates, the regulations concerning freedom of religion and freedom of conscious are very clear and distinct and must be upheld and respected. The Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms clearly prohibits religious discrimination in the work force and to fire someone because of their decision to wear the hijab was against the very values and freedoms of both Quebec and Canada.”
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Muslim Council of Montreal dismayed over singling out of Canadian Muslims for attack

December 19, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, December 19th, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its concern over the increased targeting of the Canadian Muslim community, specifically in the media and by certain members of the National Assembly.

“Recently one of our local Imams, Mr. Foudil Selmoune, was seriously maligned in the media, after his comments in a news interview were severely distorted and taken wholly out of context,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “After first asking him to explain certain aspects of the penal code in Islamic jurisprudence, his response was unfairly twisted in le Telejournal Radio-Canada and Le Devoir, and he was attacked as being a ‘propagandist’ for Sharia law in Quebec, when in fact at no time did he ever suggest that the Sharia penal code should be imposed anywhere in Canada. It is not the first time we have seen such sensationalist reporting and yellow journalism targeting members of our community and it is completely unacceptable and unjustified.”
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