Muslim Council of Montreal calls on Canada to condemn attacks against Egyptian demonstrators and demand end to Mubarak’s regime

February 5, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, February 5th, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its dismay over Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon’s announcement endorsing Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s gradual transition plan for his government, citing concern over Middle East stability and peace.

“It is unacceptable for Canada to continue showing support for a repressive regime in Egypt and deny its citizens their legitimate right to a political system that is based on justice, freedom and protection of all their rights,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Mr. Canon claims to be concerned with ensuring stability in Egypt, however this week’s violent attacks against the peaceful demonstrators in Tahrir Square and the oppressive and corrupt regime of Hosni Mubarak over the past 30 years have shown that not only are such remarks not in the interest and safety of the Egyptian citizens, but also they are more concerned with protecting selfish interests and superficial stability. The citizens of Egypt are seeking stability and peace as well and it is a shame that Mr. Canon is ignoring their voice.”

MCM calls on the Canadian government to demand the immediate resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and to end the violent attacks on the millions of demonstrators in Tahrir Square in Cairo, as well as in numerous other cities across Egypt. Many Western nations, including the U.S.A., Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain have already called for the immediate resignation of President Mubarak.

“Canada must strongly condemn the atrocious attacks on the demonstrators in Tahrir Square and speak out in defense of their right to assemble and protest, without fear and intimidation,” Elmenyawi said. “The Egyptians have spoken and their message is clear: the brutal regime of President Mubarak must be ended to open the doors for real change, justice and peace. The freedom, safety and dignity of millions of Egyptian citizens cannot be sacrificed for the sake of appeasing other’s unjustifiable fear.”

MCM calls on Canada and the international community to recognize the organized attacks on the peaceful demonstrators and to hold accountable those who are responsible for orchestrating them. Canada must be a conscious voice for justice and peace in speaking out for the cause of freedom and democracy in Egypt and the right of the citizens of a nation to peacefully protest against the oppressive and corrupt governmental regime, without being attacked, terrorized and humiliated. 

Millions of demonstrators have been protesting in Tahrir Square since January 25th, 2011, against the government of President Mubarak. Earlier this week, pro-Mubarak thugs stormed the square, some of them on horses, camels and in cars, attacking the peaceful demonstrators with rocks, Molotov cocktails, whips and knives. It is unclear how many were killed and injured in the brutal attacks.

 

CONTACT: 

Salam Elmenyawi

Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)

Ph.: (514) 748-8427

E-mail: info@muslimcouncil.org

Website: http://www.muslimcouncil.org

 

The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) is an umbrella organization representing a number of Islamic institutions in the Montreal region. There are over 225,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 1,000,000 in Canada and 1.9 billion worldwide.

 

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