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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Montreal, Quebec, October 3rd, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) extends an open invitation to the Montreal community to partake in its city wide Mosque Open Doors event, taking place at number of mosques in the Montreal area on Sunday October 7th, 2012.
Visitors will be given a tour of the mosque, as well as be able to view presentations and displays on various topics. Volunteers will be on hand to answer visitor’s questions. Free literature and refreshments will be available. Please visit the link below to see a full list of all the Montreal mosques participating in this event.
WHAT: Mosque Open Doors event
WHERE: Various Montreal area mosques and Islamic centers
WHEN: October 7th,
2012, from 12pm to 5pm
As the mosque is a religious institution, visitors are requested to dress modestly and remove their shoes when entering the prayer room.
CONTACT:
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
Ph.: (514) 748-8427
E-mail: muslimcouncil@gmail.com
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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]]>Montreal, Quebec, September 29th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) welcomed the return of Canadian Omar Khadr back to Canada, after a decade in Guantanamo Bay and a year after he was eligible for repatriation.
“As Omar Khadr’s case moves out of Guantanamo and into the Canadian system, we hope that at last justice will be served in this case,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “It is about time that Canada brought Omar Khadr home from Guantanamo, as it is a disgrace that we were the only Western nation left to have a citizen in a detention facility that imprisons children and operates outside the rule of law.”
Khadr was captured as a child soldier in Afghanistan at the age of 15 and was held for over seven years in detention at Guantanamo Bay, without due process or conviction. In 2009 the Federal Court of Canada ruled that it was obligatory for the Canadian government to immediate repatriate Khadr, as a principle of fundamental justice, and in 2010, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Canadian government had violated Khadr’s charter rights.
“According to UN bodies and many agencies, such as Amnesty International, there have been numerous human rights violations in Omar Khadr’s case,” Elmenyawi said. “The allegations of abuse and torture, the violation of his charter rights, his status as a child soldier, unlawful detention, and the failure to meet international standards for a fair trial -the Canadian government must act without delay to investigate all of these issues, serve justice and free Omar Khadr at last.”
CONTACT:
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
Ph.: (514) 748-8427
E-mail: muslimcouncil@gmail.com
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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Montreal, Quebec, September 14th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) condemned the recent violence following protests in the Middle East over the release of an online film that negatively depicts Islam and Muslims and extends its condolences to the families of the deceased.
“The filmmaker desires to create hatred and division and to react with violence is to fall into their trap,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Such violence will only lead to more violence and will not advance the religious, political or social interests of any group. Although we are disgusted by the message of the film, our response must be balanced and such acts of violence are in no way justified. To take the life of an innocent person is like taking the life of all of humanity and these senseless acts go against the very teachings and values of our Prophet.”
“As such occurrences become more common, we must address the root of the issue and we call on all countries around the world to combat defamation of religion and protect religions from such hate speech. Such laws must also restrict those who only seek to offend religious sentiments, sow discord and create hatred against people of other faiths. We also ask all Muslims to avoid acting with emotion in such instances and to instead work intelligently to deconstruct the false stereotypes about our religion, and to increase their efforts to show our true teachings and values. Though we are all upset to see such hateful attacks against our religion, we must persevere in the face of such intimidation and not let our actions be determined by such racist attacks against us.”
MCM encourages all Canadian Muslims to open their homes and mosques to their neighbours; to help spread a true understanding of Islam and to counter the efforts of those seeking to spread negative messages about Muslims.
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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Montreal, Quebec, September 4th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) extends its congratulations to the winners of this week’s provincial election, as well to all members and leaders of the other parties participating in the election, appreciating their efforts and determination.
“The election campaign brought to light many serious issues on the minds of all the people of Quebec, we hope all elected officials will come together to work hard to serve the interests and betterment of our people and our province,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Now is the time to buckle down and put an end to the divisive and imaginary issues and focus on the real issues and problems of importance to our province. We hope the government will act immediately to root out corruption, improve the economy, education and health system, while respecting the equality of all Quebecers and not infringing on the rights of any.”“We will be closely watching the performance of Ms. Marois as premier of Quebec and call on her to demonstrate true leadership in governing for the welfare of all communities. She faces a serious task of healing the wounds caused to many minority groups during the election and must work to eradicate racism, hate and xenophobia, while preserving civil liberties and social harmony. We also call on the opposition parties to take very seriously their role in the National Assembly, to ensure accountability and balance, and to look out for the interests of all Quebecers.”
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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Montreal, Quebec, September 4th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) extends its congratulations to the winners of this week’s provincial election, as well to all members and leaders of the other parties participating in the election, appreciating their efforts and determination.
“The election campaign brought to light many serious issues on the minds of all the people of Quebec, we hope all elected officials will come together to work hard to serve the interests and betterment of our people and our province,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Now is the time to buckle down and put an end to the divisive and imaginary issues and focus on the real issues and problems of importance to our province. We hope the government will act immediately to root out corruption, improve the economy, education and health system, while respecting the equality of all Quebecers and not infringing on the rights of any.”“We will be closely watching the performance of Ms. Marois as premier of Quebec and call on her to demonstrate true leadership in governing for the welfare of all communities. She faces a serious task of healing the wounds caused to many minority groups during the election and must work to eradicate racism, hate and xenophobia, while preserving civil liberties and social harmony. We also call on the opposition parties to take very seriously their role in the National Assembly, to ensure accountability and balance, and to look out for the interests of all Quebecers.”
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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Assalamou alaikoum wa rahmatou Allahi wa barakatouh,
Montreal, Quebec, August 15th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its concern today over the recent comments by Parti Québécois leader Pauline Marois, announcing her intention to ban the hijab, kirpan and kippah from the work place for public servants, should her party win the upcoming provincial election.
“Such a move would absolutely violate both the Quebec and Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and it is preposterous for her to even suggest such a thing,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM “Instead of focusing on the real issues that Quebecers are concerned about, such as our economic problems, health care, education and corruption, the PQ is fixated on spreading xenophobic ideas in a desperate attempt to regain power through spreading hate and Islamaphobia, curbing rights, manufacturing crisis and dividing our society.” ]]>
“We strongly advise all Quebecers to make a conscious decision and send a strong message this election to the PQ, that such bigoted sentiment and targeting of religious communities are not acceptable. The PQ claims to be concerned with protecting the values of Quebec, yet they care nothing for the rights and freedoms that our nation was founded upon and are only fueled by spreading racism, hate and discrimination. It is unfortunate to see those who wish to be leaders more obsessed with creating social division than social harmony.”
MCM encourages all Quebecers who are eligible to vote to ensure they are registered to do so and to exercise their democratic right on September 4th, 2012. For more information about the elections, including when and where to vote and the candidates of your riding, please visit http://www.electionsquebec.qc.ca.
CONTACT:
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
Ph.: (514) 748-8427
E-mail: muslimcouncil@gmail.com
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 275,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 1,200,000 in Canada and 1.9 billion worldwide.
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Assalamou alaikoum wa rahmatou Allahi wa barakatouh,
This is to let you know that the moon has not been sighted in accordance with our agreed upon criteria. Therefore, the first day of Ramadan 1433 will be on Saturday, July 21st, 2012, in shaa Allah Taala.
Furthermore,
I would like to remind you that this year's recommendation for Sadaqat-ul-Fitr is
$8.00 per person.
Please don't forget to support and include in your duaa all our brothers and sisters who are struggling to change in many places around the world and those who are either suffering under occupation or confronting famine and hardship.
Ramadan Mubarak and best wishes to all
Wa assalamou alaikoum wa rahmatou Allahi wa barakatouh]]>EMERGENCY COMMUNITY APPEAL
Montreal, Quebec, July 9th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal urges all Canadian Muslims to donate generously to the relief efforts in Syria, and make an abundance of prayers for them, as the violent internal conflict continues to rock the country due to protests against the oppressive rule of Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad.
“It has been over a year since this brutal violence has erupted in Syria and the situation is deteriorating day by day,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “These are our brothers and sisters and they are giving their lives to seek what are basic human rights for everyone -justice, freedom and democracy. They are in desperate need of emergency aid, shelter, food, water and medical assistance. As Muslims, we believe that giving in charity never diminishes wealth, so we should give without hesitation and pray for all the people in Syria, that there is a just and peaceful resolution to this conflict soon.”
According to the United Nations, over 22,000 have already been killed in the conflict. Several cities have been besieged, with Syrian armed forces opening fire of civilians. The number of refugees forced to abandon their homes and possessions and seek protection in neighbouring countries is estimated at over 100,000 and growing.
MCM, together with JMF, will be collecting donations to send to Syria. Cheques should be made out to JFM with a memo note of “MCM Syria Relief.” MCM also encourages immediate donations to Human Concern International (http://humanconcern.org), Islamic Relief Canada (http://www.islamicreliefcanada.org) or to any other trustworthy, registered Canadian charity organization.
CONTACT:
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
Ph.: (514) 748-8427
E-mail: muslimcouncil@gmail.com
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 250,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 1,100,000 in Canada and 1.9 billion worldwide.
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Montreal, Quebec, July 8th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) applauded the recent announcement from FIFA to overturn its ban on hijab for Muslim female soccer players.
“We welcome this decision, which both protects the individual rights and freedoms of the players and also ensures safety and comfort during athletic play and sport,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “While some would seek to pass laws that are discriminatory and violate our basic freedoms of religion and expression, FIFA has demonstrated that the ban was not about passing judgement on the religious dress code of its players, but rather about safeguarding its players’ well-being. We applaud them for taking the necessary steps to fully investigate the matter and come to a reasonable solution.”
FIFA’s International Football Association Board reversed the ban that was placed on the wearing of hijab in FIFA competitions five years ago.
Two prototypes of sport hijabs have been approved, which FIFA’s medical committee have determined do not pose a threat to player safety on the field.
CONTACT:
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
Ph.: (514) 748-8427
E-mail: muslimcouncil@gmail.com
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 275,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 1,200,000 in Canada
and 1.9 billion worldwide.
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