Canadian Muslims denounce ‘appalling attack’ in Quebec

-For Immediate Release-

(Ottawa – October 21, 2014) The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a prominent Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, categorically condemns the recent attack on two Canadian soldiers at a mall parking lot near Montreal which has left one soldier dead and another injured.

See: Globe & Mail – Suspect in Quebec attack was on Ottawa’s radar, had passport seized

“Canadian Muslims denounce this appalling attack and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” says NCCM Executive Director Ihsaan Gardee.

Early reports have indicated that the now deceased suspect was on an RCMP watch list and may have been motivated by violent extremist ideology.

“Our message to anyone who espouses, endorses, or in any way supports this ideology of violence is that your actions have nothing to do with our faith,” says Gardee.

In July 2005, the NCCM coordinated a national statement by over 120 Canadian Imams which condemned terrorism and religious extremism. On June 4, 2014, the NCCM called upon Canadian Muslim communities to renew their efforts to combat radicalization towards extremist violence and the NCCM joined the Canadian Council of Imams in denouncing ISIS and its violent extremism.

More recently, the Islamic Social Services Association, in conjunction with the NCCM, launched the handbook United Against Terrorism which is designed to give communities information and tools to counter radicalization towards violent extremism and build civic engagement.

The NCCM is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit grassroots advocacy organization. It is a leading voice for Muslim civic engagement and the promotion of human rights.

CONTACT: Ihsaan Gardee, Executive Director, 613.254.9704 or 613.853.4111

-30-