Recent Coverage


Muslim group proceeds with libel suit against Stephen Harper and spokesman over ‘terrorist’ comment

National Council of Canadian Muslims files statement of claim in Ontario Superior Court after failing to get apology from Prime Minister’s Office for comment linking organization to terrorist group. Toronto Star | May 26, 2014 OTTAWA — A national Muslim council is proceeding with a lawsuit against Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his chief spokesman for allegedly linking the organization to a terrorist group. The National Council of Canadian Muslims has filed a statement of claim in Ontario Superior Court after failing to get an apology from the ...

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Canadian plea for release of Al Jazeera staff

Thomas Mulcair, the leader of Canada's official opposition, has urged the country's prime minister to help secure the release of Al Jazeera staff being held in an Egyptian prison. In a letter sent to the prime minister's office on Wednesday, Mulcair said that Al Jazeera's Mohamed Fahmy, a Canadian citizen, and two of his colleagues were "imprisoned for the peaceful expression of their right to free speech". "Canada needs to send a strong message to the government of Egypt to respect human rights and defend freedom of expression," the MP wrote. Mohamed Fahmy and ...

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Muslim groups call on Quebec government to rebuild bridges after divisive charter debate

MONTREAL — Religious groups that felt targeted during the divisive debate over the Parti Québécois’s proposed charter of values have called on premier-elect Philippe Couillard to help mend fences between Quebecers and restore the province’s reputation as a welcoming place for immigrants. “They need to continue to communicate the message that Quebec is a welcoming and open society and that people who come to Quebec will not have to choose between their religious identity and their potential employment,” said Ihsaan Gardee, executive director of the National ...

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Montreal-area candidate steps down after anti-Islam Facebook post

BY THE CANADIAN PRESS ST-NICOLAS, Que. - A Parti Quebecois candidate pulled out of the provincial election campaign Thursday after posting a graphically worded anti-Islamic message on his Facebook page. Jean Carriere stepped aside after the photo started to make the rounds on social media Wednesday. The photo was of a half-naked white woman holding up her middle finger with the words "(expletive) Islam." Carriere told a Radio-Canada journalist he posted the photo because he felt it was pro-feminist. PQ Leader Pauline Marois confirmed Thursday ...

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In dispute with Muslim organization, PMO wrong to allege skeletons in the closet

By: Natalie Brender  Toronto Star | February 25, 2014 Never forget: these are charged words for Canada’s ethnic or religious groups when it comes to keeping alive the memory of historical atrocities “back home.” But they’re also charged words, in more problematic ways when they’re used to justify grudge-holding and witch-hunts against individuals or groups who may have said inflammatory things in the past that no longer reflect their present positions. When this plays itself out against the background of global conflicts and ethnic groups within Canada, it ...

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PMO’s slander insults all Muslims

Letters to the Editor, Toronto Star Re: Prime Minister’s remarks very troubling for Canadian Muslims, Feb. 3 As a Canadian Jew, I am appalled that the Prime Minister’s Office would slander National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) as having terrorist ties. NCCM is Canada’s most conscientious and reputable Muslim civil liberties organization. It is a responsible and essential voice of reason, integrity and human rights for all. NCCM had pointed out that the PM’s delegation to Israel included a prominent Islamophobic spokesperson and a representative of the ...

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Why Stephen Harper Owes Canadian Muslims an Apology

By Omer Aziz | The Globe and Mail February 5, 2014 Among moderate and educated Muslims – that is, the tens of thousands of Muslims who populate Canadian businesses and universities – there is a quiet insecurity many of us share. After 9/11, the Taliban, al-Qaeda, the Iraq War, and so on, this is the dragging fear that “we” may be labeled and libeled as one of “them,” where “them” can refer to an endless catalogue of reprehensible groups. Each time there is a terrorist attack or a mass killing – the Norway massacre, the Sandy Hook killings, the ...

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Edmonton police set to unveil official hijab that Muslim officers can wear on duty

Joseph Brean | National Post, November 24, 2013 The Edmonton Police Service is to reveal a prototype official hijab for its officers this week, following testing to ensure its safety. It is understood the Muslim headscarf would be black, and designed to be worn underneath the standard police cap. Unlike a traditional hijab, it is to be affixed with tear-away snaps, and designed so as not to obstruct an officer’s vision, or even breathing, during a struggle or other dynamic situation. It is being tested by the force’s tactics training unit, though a final ...

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Canadian Muslim group concerned U.S. speakers will spread ‘misinformation’ about Islam

Paola Loriggio September 13, 2013 | The Canadian Press TORONTO -- A Canadian Muslim organization is calling on Ottawa to spell out how it decides whether to allow controversial foreign speakers into the country ahead of a planned appearance by two conservative American bloggers. The National Council of Canadian Muslims worries Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer will spread "hate and misinformation" about the Islamic faith when they speak at a Toronto-area hotel Tuesday evening, the group's executive director said. Though it disagrees with their message, the group ...

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Former McGill grad student from Egypt wins grievance against professor

By Anne Leclair September 5, 2013 | Global News MONTREAL – Amr El-Orabi has been back in Egypt since last November, when he left Canada after receiving an alleged death threat from his supervising professor. An investigation by McGill University’s grievance committee recently ruled in his favour. But the details of the decision and any possible sanctions against the professor are confidential. “I did move on with my life but I still have the feeling that this person ruined what I was looking for,” said El-Orabi, who is pleased with the grievance’s outcome ...

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