Montreal, Quebec, August 26th, 2010- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its shock over the recent arrests in Ontario on terror-related charges. RCMP officers arrested Canadian citizens Misbahuddin Ahmed, Hiva Alizadeh and Khurram Sher on Wednesday and Thursday.
“We stand united with all our fellow Canadians against all criminal acts and in the ongoing efforts to safeguard the security and well-being of our nation,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “However, we must remember that everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty and the accused have the right to be tried in a transparent and fair court of law, with the protection of their constitutional rights. Civil rights and charter protections are not forfeited to target individuals on mere suspicion, nor can we pass judgment and conviction without concrete evidence and due process.”
MCM reiterates its condemnation for all acts of terrorism
and extremism. At the same time, it urges the Canadian public to exhibit calm
and wait for the full details of the case to unfold, before rushing to hold the
accused guilty. MCM calls on the media to especially exercise restraint and
avoid sensationalistic reporting, particularly in light of the fact that none
of the evidence against the accused has been released.
“We further ask the RCMP, CSIS and the Ontario Police
Department to set an example for the nation in exhibiting sensitivity towards
the Canadian Muslim community,” Elmenyawi said. “The accused and the case
should be described in an accurate and balanced manner, avoiding exaggeration,
judgment and rhetoric that may be used in a negative way against the community.
We remind everyone that innocent people have been accused of similar charges in
the past, only to later have the charges dropped. It is important to look at
all of the facts and not get hysterical.”
CONTACT:
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
Ph.: (514) 748-8427
Fax: (514) 747-9139
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 200,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 900,000 in Canada and
1.7 billion worldwide.
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Montreal, Quebec, August 24th, 2010- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) thanks the Canadian government for its pledge to match all donations made to Canadian registered charities earmarked for the Pakistan flood relief efforts.
“We applaud the generosity of our government and encourage all Canadians to donate abundantly,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “The victims of the floods remain in critical need of emergency assistance and with each passing day the need for food, clean water, shelter and medical aid increases drastically. There is no time to lose.”
The federal government announced this weekend that it will match dollar-for-dollar all eligible donations made by individual Canadians to registered charities between August 2nd and September 12th, in addition to the $33 million already pledged to the Pakistan flood relief efforts.
“Given that we are in the holy month of Ramadan when we should be increasing our acts of goodness and charity, Canadian Muslims should be at the forefront of giving and helping all those in need,” Elmenyawi said. “In addition to regular charity, one’s Zakat and Zakat-al-Fitr can also be given to this cause. Donations should be marked to indicate they are for the Pakistan flood relief efforts and whether they are charity or Zakat.”
MCM also calls on all mosques to continue their fundraising efforts during Taraweeh and Friday prayers. All mosques are also asked to report their collected donations to MCM and direct it to any trustworthy registered charity organization within the deadline to have the funds matched by the Canadian government. MCM has thus far transferred $25,000.00 to Pakistan to assist in the relief efforts and anticipates sending more this week.
The devastating floods are now in their third week and continue to spread. The latest estimates indicate that nearly 2,000 people have been killed, six million are homeless, and more than 22 million have been directly affected. The floods are estimated to have affected a fifth of Pakistan's total land area. The floodwaters have also destroyed thousands of schools, hospitals, roads, bridges and crop fields. The water-born diseases further threaten the health and safety of millions, particularly children. According to the UN, the number of people affected from the floods could exceed the combined total of those from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
MCM would like to thank all Canadians who have already donated to the relief efforts and reminds everyone to give thanks for their blessings and say a prayer for the victims, as well as for all those suffering around the world.
CONTACT:
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
Ph.: (514) 748-8427
Fax: (514) 747-9139
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 200,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 900,000 in Canada and 1.7 billion
worldwide.
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“The extent of
damage caused by these floods is beyond anything we can imagine,” stated Salam
Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “The UN has said that the number of people
affected from the floods could exceed the combined total of those from the 2004
Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and the 2010 Haiti
earthquake. These are not just cold facts, but behind each of these statistics
is a child who lost her parents or a family that lost their home and
livelihood. We implore all Canadians to open up their hearts and wallets and
not be blind to the suffering of so many innocent millions.”
According to the United Nations, at least 1,600 have been reported dead, while 20 million people have been affected by the flooding and over 6 million have been left homeless. The floodwaters have also destroyed thousands of schools, hospitals, roads, bridges and crop fields. Recent estimates indicate that one-fifth of Pakistan is still under water. The water-born diseases further threaten the health and safety of millions, particularly children. Despite the critical need of emergency relief funds, international support has been lacking. The UN has launched an appeal for $459 million in donations, but only 35% of this amount has thus far been received or committed.
“While we thank the Canadian government for upping its pledge from $2 million to $30 million, we ask the government to go a step further in encouraging all Canadians to also personally donate, by matching individual donations to charities dollar-for-dollar, as it did for the Haiti earthquake crisis. There is no time to waste, as millions are in dire need of food, clean water, shelter and emergency medical aid. Canada, as well as the international community, must answer the voiceless call of the suffering and not hold back from the world’s time of need.”
MCM would like to thank all Canadians who have already donated to the relief efforts and reminds everyone to give thanks for their blessings and say a prayer for the victims.
CONTACT:
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
Ph.: (514) 748-8427
Fax: (514) 747-9139
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 200,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 900,000 in Canada and
1.7 billion worldwide.
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Montreal, Quebec, March 27th, 2010- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) finds the recent Angus Reid poll indicating the general support of Canadians for Bill 94 to be misleading and reintegrates the need for more balanced and informed discussion on the matter.
“It would be interesting to see how many of those who voted in favour of the ban have actually ever interacted with a woman in niqab, so they could try to form an informed opinion based on their true experiences, as opposed to based on the stereotypes being propagated all around us,” Elmenyawi added.
According to the poll, 95% of polled Quebecers were in support of the Bill, with an average of 75% of the rest of Canadians approving of it. The poll was conducted among 1,004 adults online on Thursday and Friday.
“Bill 94
represents a bleak time for Quebec and Canada both, a period where the
government legislates discrimination against religious minorities and
xenophobia triumphs over tolerance,” Elmenyawi said. “This isn’t an issue of
whether someone is in favour of the niqab or not, rather whether we will
support freedom of religion and freedom of expression, or will we abandon our
Charter for more draconian measures and state interference.”
The proposed provincial law bans the wearing of the niqab for all those delivering or receiving governmental services, including government offices, hospitals, schools, daycares and other publicly funded institutions.
CONTACT:
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
Ph.: (514) 748-8427
Fax: (514) 747-9139
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 200,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 900,000 in Canada and
1.7 billion worldwide.
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Montreal, Quebec, March 24th, 2010- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its fears today of the beginning of a slippery slope eroding the human rights of minority groups in Quebec, with today’s introduction of Bill 94. The bill requires both public servants dispensing government services as well as citizens receiving the services to have their faces uncovered while doing so.
“In many ways the Bill represents a knee-jerk reaction by government officials in order to appease a certain sector of our society, at the expense of others and at the expense of our basic fundamental rights,” Elmenyawi said. “Instead of resolving such delicate issues by means of discussion and mediation, the government has resorted to take it upon themselves to legislate the dress code of its citizens, without regard to future repercussions resulting from the Bill or from any misinterpretations over its ambiguous language.”
MCM notes that the components of the Bill that call for women wearing niqab to momentarily uncover their faces for instances of security or identification are already done voluntarily by women in niqab, for example for the police, ID cards, airport checks, exams etc. Moreover, it is concerned with the vague wording of the Bill related to the matter of communication with the government, and is afraid of what that might be misinterpreted by some to entail. There is also the potential for the Bill to isolate or ostracize certain members of Quebec society and deprive them from their opportunities of integrating and becoming productive members of society.
“It is particularly disheartening to hear those promoting the Bill to repeatedly focus on certain values of our society, as if the Bill is protecting those rights and women wearing the niqab are against those rights,” Elmenyawi said. “We all abide by and hold dear the values of freedom and equality, including the women who chose of their own will and right to dress as they deem fit. To suggest otherwise is both insulting and demeaning to the intelligence and integrity of these women; moreover, it is counterproductive to the establishment of a harmonious state environment of respect, understanding and cooperation.”
MCM will continue to study the Bill in further detail and work with the provincial government to propose changes or clarifications to the Bill, to eliminate the current ambiguity and to demonstrate reasonable sensitivity and respect towards those affected by the Bill.
Bill 94 was presented in the Quebec National Assembly by Justice Minister Kathleen Weil to establish guidelines on the wearing of religious clothing in the public sector, namely as related to incidents of safety, communication and identification.
CONTACT:
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
Ph.: (514) 748-8427
Fax: (514) 747-9139
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 200,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 900,000 in Canada and
1.7 billion worldwide.
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Montreal, Quebec, March 24th, 2010- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) would like to express its gratitude and appreciation to the abundant support from citizens and journalists across the country in regards to the recent controversy over the niqab.
“These voices are coming from people of all walks of life, who may have different religious, cultural and personal beliefs, yet who are united as one by their universal values of respect, tolerance, human rights and freedom,” Elmenyawi said.
Quebec Immigration Minister Yolande James authorized the expulsion of a Muslim student, a permanent resident of Canada, from a government-sponsored French language class at Cégep St. Laurent, after she alleged refused to remove her face covering. The Canadian Human Rights Commission will study the case in the coming months.
CONTACT:
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
Ph.: (514) 748-8427
Fax: (514) 747-9139
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 200,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 900,000 in Canada and
1.7 billion worldwide.
-30-
Montreal, Quebec, March 24th, 2010- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) strongly condemned the recent hate crimes against a Waterloo mosque and a Montreal synagogue.
Vandals smashed windows at the Waterloo mosque on Friday March 19th and spray-painted offensive messages on the walls. At the Ahavath Israel d’Chasidei Viznitz synagogue in Outremont on Saturday March 20th, vandals defaced the bima (podium) with swastikas and threw prayer books and prayer shawls on the floor.
MCM urges all officials and members of the community to exercise increased caution and report any suspicious individuals or activity to the authorities immediately. MCM further calls for harsher penalties and zero-tolerance for all hate crimes and religious discrimination and suggests that the federal government initiate a countrywide campaign to raise awareness of hate crimes and racism within Canadian society and to fight these social ills.
MCM also
encourages all members of the community to fight crimes of hate, fear and
suspicion by the strengthening of relations with those of other faiths and
backgrounds. MCM will be conducting its Annual Mosque Open House program with
mosques around the city in early June, to continue its efforts of fostering
social harmony, respect and understanding.
CONTACT:
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
Ph.: (514) 748-8427
Fax: (514) 747-9139
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 200,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 900,000 in Canada and
1.7 billion worldwide.
-30-
Montreal, Quebec, March 24th, 2010- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) calls for increase efforts in fighting racial profiling, including anti-discrimination training and education about human rights, following the recent false arrest of a Canadian Arab student at a Montreal university.
Slimane Zahaf is a Canadian citizen of Arab origin. He is a computer specialist pursuing his MBA at UQAM and was singled out by police on suspicions of being a suicide bomber at the university last week.
“There is already enough hysteria being propagated against religious communities and immigrant communities in Quebec, racial profiling only exacerbates the situation,” Elmenyawi said. “It is time we say enough is enough and take measures to address and end such acts. We are committed to building a strong and prosperous nation, but that is only possible when we are all ready to come together to work for justice, human rights, respect and tolerance.”
The Quebec Human Rights Commission is currently conducting a consultation on the issue of racial profiling, by police, at schools and in other public services. The study is being done by CREMIS, a research center that is affliated with the Université de Montréal and Université du Québec à Montréal and is based on both court records and police reports.
CONTACT:
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
Ph.: (514) 748-8427
Fax: (514) 747-9139
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 200,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 900,000 in Canada and
1.7 billion worldwide.
-30-
Montreal, Quebec, March 15th, 2010- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) notes the persistent existence of discrimination against Muslims in Canada and calls on the government to act progressively to combat racism and discrimination against all people. According to the CBC-commissioned poll, one in three Canadians believes that Muslims and Aboriginal Peoples are frequent targets of discrimination.
“This news is certainly not a surprise for us, rather it reinforces what we have been stating all along,” said Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “It is time for the government to get serious about eradicating racism and discrimination against all people, instead of inflaming the issue and making matters worse. Acknowledging the problem is the first step in solving it and it is now time to stop merely talking and starting acting.”
]]> MCM notes that while a lesser percentage of people in Quebec recognized the existence of discrimination against certain visible minorities, a large number of the province’s Muslims suffer racism and discrimination on a regular basis. The poll found that Quebecers were more likely to say that blacks, Chinese, Pakistanis, East Indians and Aboriginal Peoples do not face discrimination.
“For years, Canada has been boasting of its multicultural identity, but in reality there remains much to be desired in terms of understanding, tolerance, justice and equality,” Elmenyawi said. “A recent report from Statistics Canada stated that by 2031, one-third of Canadians will be visible minorities. Thus, the onus is on all Canadians, as well as our government, to ensure we are heading towards a future based on respect, tolerance and social harmony, as opposed to one where racism and discrimination continue to plague our nation.”
MCM will be conducting its Annual Mosque Open House program with mosques around the city this spring, to continue its efforts of fostering social harmony, respect and understanding.
CONTACT:
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
Ph.: (514) 748-8427
Fax: (514) 747-9139
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 200,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 900,000 in Canada and 1.7 billion worldwide.
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Montreal, Quebec, March 5th, 2010- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) denounces in the strongest terms the recent decision of Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon to appoint Gerald Latulippe as president of The International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (Rights and Democracy).
“Mr. Latulippe’s public record shows his very xenophobic and discriminatory feelings against the Canadian Muslim community and against immigrants in general,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “It is preposterous to have a man who openly spreads unfounded racist and inflammatory notions appointed to a position where he is supposed to be a champion of human rights, freedom and democracy.”
]]> In the 2007 Bouchard-Taylor Commission over reasonable accommodation, Mr. Latulippe stated that the concentration of immigrants from Muslim countries in Montreal “undermined the proper functioning of Quebec society” and that they posed a threat to the national security of Canada. All three federal opposition leaders have unanimously objected to Mr. Cannon’s controversial appointment of Mr. Latulippe.
“It is clear that the Harper administration does not care to listen to the concerns of anyone except themselves,” Elmenyawi said. “Instead of building a stronger and healthier future for our country, the Conservative government’s dubious operating principles are destabilizing the very fabric of our nation and leading us down a very bleak and disturbing path.”
The International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development is a non-partisan human rights organization that is funded by Canadian taxpayers. Its mandate is to encourage and support the universal values of human rights and promote democracy around the world.
CONTACT:
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
Ph.: (514) 748-8427
Fax: (514) 747-9139
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 200,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 900,000 in Canada and 1.7 billion worldwide.
-30-
CONTACT:
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
Ph.: (514) 748-8427
Fax: (514) 747-9139
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 200,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 900,000 in Canada and 1.7 billion worldwide.
-30-
Montreal, Quebec, January 26th, 2010-The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) congratulates MCM director Kwasi Yeboah for receiving the 2010 Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy award.
The award was presented to Mr. Yeboah on January 18th, by Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay and the Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Committee of Montreal. Mr. Yeboah was recognized for his outstanding work in coordinating the Open Mosques project among local mosques, to help foster bridges of cooperation, understanding and social harmony in the Montreal community.
]]> “It is an honour to see a young member of our community awarded for his efforts,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Mr. Yeboah presents a fine example for all our youth, dedicated to positive contribution and civic engagement.”
The Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award is presented each year to individuals in Montreal who best exemplify Dr. King’s ideals. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated each year on the third Monday of January.
CONTACT:
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
Ph.: (514) 748-8427
Fax: (514) 747-9139
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 200,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 900,000 in Canada and 1.7 billion worldwide.
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“This despicable attack is far from being an isolated incident and instead of being an attack on a single centre, it is an attack on the values of respect, peace and tolerance that we all hold dear in our nation,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “In addition to strengthening the application of current laws, new policies and laws are needed to effectively fight hate, racism and discrimination within our society. A clear message must be sent out that hate crimes are atrocious acts which absolutely will not be tolerated.”
“We are grateful that no children were at the school at the time of the attack and that none were hurt,” Elmenyawi said. “We urge all members of the community to exercise increased caution and report any suspicious individuals or activity to the authorities immediately. We call on Hamilton police’s hate crime unite and chief arson investigator to take all possible measures to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
A Molotov cocktail was launched through a smashed window of the Islamic School of Hamilton, which is attended by 200 students from kindergarten to grade 8. The attack is estimated to have left damages of $3,000. The city is home to a Canadian Muslim community of 20,000.
CONTACT:
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
Ph.: (514) 748-8427
Fax: (514) 747-9139
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 200,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 900,000 in Canada and 1.7 billion worldwide.
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Montreal, Quebec, December 16th, 2009- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) applauds the recent decision from the Supreme Court of Canada to quash the security certificate against Hassan Almrei.
“We are grateful that our Federal Courts are doing what the Harper administration has repeatedly failed to do, namely uphold our constitutional values of justice and liberty,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “National security is undeniably a priority to us all, but the federal government cannot continue to sacrifice civil rights and charter protections to target individuals on mere suspicion without any solid evidence.”
]]> Under the security certificate, Hassan Almrei, a Syrian-born Toronto resident, was arrested in October 2001. He was released earlier this year, but remained subject to strict monitoring conditions, including an electronic tracking device worn on his leg. According to the ruling by Mr. Justice Richard Mosley, the case by CSIS against Mr. Almrei consisted of outdated and unreliable information and that CSIS and the federal ministers of public safety and immigration “breached their duties of utmost good faith and candour to the court by not thoroughly reviewing the information in their possession.”
MCM calls on the Canadian government and Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan to launch an impartial investigation to examine the abuses that have occurred and continue to occur under the name of security certificates. MCM further calls for the establishment of a system of checks and balances to protect the civil liberties of those involved and also asks the federal government to duly compensate the victims of the security certificates.
Security certificates still remain in place against three other Canadian Muslim men, Mohammad Mahjoub, Mahmoud Jaballah and Mohamed Harkat. The security certificate against Montreal resident Adil Charkaoui was revoked in September of this year following a ruling from the Federal Courts.
CONTACT:
Salam Elmenyawi
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)
Ph.: (514) 748-8427
Fax: (514) 747-9139
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 200,000 Muslims in Montreal, about 900,000 in Canada and 1.7 billion worldwide.
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