Muslim Council of Montreal

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

2012-01-10T12:00:57Z

COMMUNITY ALERT

Montreal, Quebec, January 9^th, 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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MCM welcomes the “Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program”, recently announced by The Honourable Vic Toews, Canada's Minister of Public Safety. The program will help provide funding for security infrastructure improvements for not-for-profit organizations, including places of worship that have a history of hate-motivated incidents.

For more information about the Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program, including the eligibility criteria, please visit: http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/prg/cp/sip/index-eng.aspx. The deadline to submit applications is February 9^th, 2012.

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 275,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 1,200,000 in Canada and 1.9 billion worldwide.

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Minister Kenney Expresses Solidarity with the Muslim community at the Outaouais Islamic Centre

2012-01-07T21:06:31Z

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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.

]]> Minister Kenney issues statement condemning acts of vandalism at mosque in Gatineau

English: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/statements/2012/2012-01-06.asp

Photos:

Left: Minister Kenney reiterates our government’s condemnation of these attacks to faithful attending Friday prayer service at the Outaouais Islamic Centre.

Right: Minister Kenney speaks with members of the Muslim community in Gatineau.

Gatineau mosque attacked by vandals twice in same week

2012-01-06T19:41:18Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, January 6^th, 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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“We call on all Canadians to speak out against such attacks and work together to promote peace and social harmony. There is also a need for increased training for the police departments to help recognize potential hate motivated crimes and to dedicate more resources to preventing such criminal acts. Religious institutions and other community organizations that are often targets for such crimes should also be helped to install adequate security systems to help deter such attacks.”

MCM calls on the Gatineau police department to thoroughly investigate the incident as a potential hate crime and to move quickly to bring the perpetrators of this criminal act to justice. MCM further urges all officials and members of the community to exercise increased caution and report any suspicious individuals or activity to the authorities immediately.

CONTACT:

Salam Elmenyawi

Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)

Ph.: (514) 748-8427

E-mail: info@muslimcouncil.org

Website: http://www.muslimcouncil.org

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Muslim Council of Montreal alarmed over attack of vandalism at Gatineau mosque

2012-01-03T17:34:24Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, January 3^rd, 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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MCM asks the Gatineau police department to investigate the incident as a potential hate crime and to move quickly to bring the perpetrators to justice. MCM further urges all officials and members of the community to exercise increased caution and report any suspicious individuals or activity to the authorities immediately.

CONTACT:

Salam Elmenyawi

Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)

Ph.: (514) 748-8427

E-mail: info@muslimcouncil.org

Website: http://www.muslimcouncil.org

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Muslim Council of Montreal alarmed over attack of vandalism at Montreal mosque

2011-12-23T03:27:00Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, December 22^nd, 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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MCM is further disturbed to see the growing trend of inflammatory statements from certain members of the media and Quebec politicians, singling out the Canadian Muslim community for attack and instigating suspicion, hostility and hate towards them.

“It is not surprising to see an increase in incidences of Islamaphobia when our own politicians and media are spewing seeds of hate against our communities,” Elmenyawi said. “Enough of this irresponsible, divisive rhetoric that is having serious ramifications and causing so much hurt.”

MCM urges all officials and members of the community to exercise increased caution and report any suspicious individuals or activity to the authorities immediately.

CONTACT:

Salam Elmenyawi

Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)

Ph.: (514) 748-8427

E-mail: info@muslimcouncil.org

Website: http://www.muslimcouncil.org

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Muslim Council of Montreal welcomes ruling allowing hijab to be worn by government correctional officers

2011-12-21T22:20:03Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, December 21^st, 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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MCM thanks the commission for ruling that the restrictions on religious articles of clothing worn by the correctional officers were discriminatory and a violation of the provincial and federal charter of rights. In order to ensure the safety of its staff, the Public Security Department will provide a Velcro-fastened hijab upon request for religious reasons. Correctional Service Canada also permits for its Muslim guards to wear the hijab in the federal penitentiary system.

“It is disturbing to see the Parti Quebecois calling the settlement ‘excessive’ and ‘completely unacceptable’”, Elmenyawi said. “It is time for them to stop infringing on the rights guaranteed to all Canadians in the charter and constitution and stop sowing seeds of Islamaphobia, and instead commit to working towards social cohesion and harmony.”

The settlement came after a complaint filed by a Canadian Muslim female correctional officer at Bordeaux jail, who was fired from her position in March 2007 because she refused to remove her hijab.

CONTACT:

Salam Elmenyawi

Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)

Ph.: (514) 748-8427

E-mail: info@muslimcouncil.org

Website: http://www.muslimcouncil.org

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Muslim Council of Montreal dismayed over singling out of Canadian Muslims for attack

2011-12-19T21:09:26Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, December 19^th, 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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MCM encourages all Canadians to practice critical thinking and discernment when reading, listening or watching the news and to question and challenge the assumptions and messages being made, especially when they single out a group of people for attack, as well as to remember that all media is a construction of reality and all statements must first be verified before being accepted as fact.

“We also remind all our politicians to respect their office and the National Assembly of Quebec’s history, democratic status and its representation of all Quebecers,” Elmenyawi said. “It is time to stop passing motions without first seeking public consultation and to stop passing motions and bills singling out minority groups for attack and suspicion. This is not conducive to social harmony and a prosperous future for our society and they would do well to stop indulging groups intent on promoting intolerance and prejudice.”

MCM invites all members of the media, National Assembly and the general public to make an effort to understand the Canadian Muslim communities better and to feel free to visit their local mosques for more information or any questions they may have.

CONTACT:

Salam Elmenyawi

Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)

Ph.: (514) 748-8427

E-mail: info@muslimcouncil.org

Website: http://www.muslimcouncil.org

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Muslim Council of Montreal dismayed over banning of face veil in citizenship ceremonies

2011-12-14T04:47:47Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, December 13^th, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its dismay over Monday’s announcement by Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney banning Muslim women from wearing facial veils when taking their Canadian citizenship oath.

“It is outrageous to hear our federal ministers say that the wearing of a face veil by a woman who elects to do so out of her own free will in accordance to her religious obligations is against Canadian values,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Mr. Kenney forgets that the protection of religious freedoms and expression, as well as respect and tolerance for the religious beliefs and practices of others, are also Canadian values that we cherish in our multicultural country. So long as the women wearing the face veil identify themselves and do not pose any harm to anyone else, it is not Mr. Kenney’s place to deny them their rights and freedoms.”

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Mr. Kenney stated that in order to prevent citizenship fraud it is required to be able to actually see the faces of the people to ensure they are reciting the oath. However, MCM notes that the oath-takers at a citizenship ceremony routinely recite the oath en masse, making it difficult to even ascertain that those with uncovered faces are reciting. Moreover, those desiring citizenship are not just required to vocalize the oath, but to sign it as well, given that the recitation is mostly symbolic and that some, like those with speech defects and children, are not able to recite it.

“By suggesting that the women covering their face are not in fact reciting the oath is casting unjustified suspicion on their commitment to Canada and only seeks to marginalize the Canadian Muslim community,” Elmenyawi said. “Why are only they singled out while no provisions are taken to ensure that everyone is reciting? Instead of perpetuating negative stereotypes and fueling suspicion against innocent law-abiding Canadians, our government would be better served to seek a compromise to accommodate the religious beliefs of others when needed.”

“We are also disturbed to see Mr. Kenney stating that the face veil is not a religious obligation, as though he is qualified to interpret the rulings of Islamic jurisprudence and tell others how to observe their faith,” Elmenyawi said. “While all Muslim women do not choose to wear the face veil, the wearing of it is still from a legitimate mainstream school of thought in Islam. His comments regarding the Hajj only further demonstrate his utter lack of understanding. It is also preposterous to suggest that all Canadian Muslim women who wear the face veil are extremists, or that they are not equal, productive, contributing members of Canadian society. If a woman chooses to dress a certain way out of her own free will, she should not be made to feel as though she is not a legitimate Canadian, or that she is against Canadian values.”

CONTACT:

Salam Elmenyawi

Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)

Ph.: (514) 748-8427

E-mail: info@muslimcouncil.org

Website: http://www.muslimcouncil.org

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