Muslim Council of Montreal dismayed over firing of all non-Christian chaplains in federal prisons

October 10, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, October 10th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its disappointment over the recent decision by Public Safety Minister Vic Toews to cancel the contracts of all non-Christian chaplains at federal prisons.

 

“This move by the Harper government is clear discrimination against all the inmates of other faiths, such as Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, Hindus and Buddhists,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “It is unreasonable to expect a Christian chaplain to be able to offer religious counsel and spiritual guidance to those of other faiths.”


MCM hopes that despite being denied contracts to work in the federal prisons as chaplains, religious leaders will still be allowed to volunteer their services, to ensure that the religious and spiritual needs of the inmates are not neglected while expected court challenges help restore rights and proper services.

 

 

 

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 300,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 1,250,000 in Canada and 1.9 billion worldwide.

 

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