News Releases & Statements


NCCM denounces arson of Peterborough mosque; calls for hate crime investigation

Says such acts "do not represent" Canadian society -For Immediate Release- (Ottawa - November 15, 2015) The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a prominent Muslim civil liberties & advocacy organization, denounces the arson of a mosque in Peterborough, Ontario, which happened Saturday night. According to media reports, a fire broke out at the Kawartha Muslim Religious Association's mosque, Masjid Al-Salaam, at approximately 11 p.m. on November 14th. No one was inside the mosque at the time. "This attack is very disturbing. The mosque is regularly ...

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NCCM condemns terrorist attacks in Paris

Expresses condolences to the families of the victims (Ottawa - November 13, 2015) The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a prominent Muslim civil liberties & advocacy organization, condemns today's horrific and despicable terrorist attacks in Paris, France. In a statement, the NCCM said: "Canadians are expressing deep shock and sharing in the immense grief felt around the world today at the tragic events currently unfolding in Paris, France. The NCCM categorically condemns these horrific attacks and all acts of violent extremism and terrorism wherever ...

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NCCM praises appointment of first-ever Muslim federal Cabinet Minister

Welcomes a government that “looks like Canada” (Ottawa, Canada – November 4, 2015) The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a prominent civil liberties & advocacy organization, today praises the appointment of the first Canadian Muslim to the federal Cabinet. Maryam Monsef was appointed today as Minister of Democratic Institutions. At age 30, the newly elected representative for Peterborough-Kawartha is also the first Afghan-born Member of Parliament and first female representative for her riding. “Minister Monsef’s journey as a refugee ...

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NCCM calls on Correctional Service Canada to investigate claims of religious discrimination in prisons

At least three human rights complaints launched in past year alone (Ottawa – November 3, 2015) The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a prominent civil liberties & advocacy organization, today calls on Correctional Service Canada to fully investigate complaints of religious discrimination against inmates in the country’s federal prisons. Two inmates have launched human rights complaints about their treatment. Mohammed Karim and Nicolas Hovanesian allege they endured religious discrimination at Grande Cache Penitentiary in Alberta. The allegations ...

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NCCM: Canadian Muslims congratulate Liberal Party on election victory

Says Canadians "expect decisive steps to protect civil liberties, promote social cohesion" (Ottawa - October 20, 2015) The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a prominent civil liberties & advocacy organization, today congratulates the Liberal Party of Canada and its leader Justin Trudeau on their historic victory in Canada's 42nd general election. "We commend the Liberal Party of Canada and Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau on their election victory and for running a campaign based on inclusiveness and on promoting the strength of a diverse Canada," ...

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NCCM: Canadian Muslims deeply disappointed by Stephen Harper’s refusal to condemn Islamophobia

-For Immediate Release- (Ottawa - October 7, 2015) The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a prominent Muslim civil liberties & advocacy organization, says that Stephen Harper's refusal to condemn Islamophobic incidents during the election campaign is profoundly disappointing to Canadian Muslim communities. During an interview with CBC News on October 6th, host Rosemary Barton specifically asked Mr. Harper for his response to recent incidents of assault against Muslim women in light of election campaigning about the niqab and citizenship oaths.  ...

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NCCM urges investigation of Toronto assault as potential hate crime

Calls on all political leaders to refrain from divisive rhetoric (Ottawa – October 5, 2015) The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a prominent civil liberties & advocacy organization, condemned the physical assault reported today of a Muslim woman in Toronto and called on authorities to investigate it as a potential hate crime. Safira Merriman was entering a Toronto mall when she was assaulted by a man at the doorway of the Shoppers Drug Mart. She was with her two daughters, ages four and nine. She filed a report with police and with the NCCM. “T...

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NCCM urges investigation of Quebec assault as potential hate crime

(Version français suivra) -For Immediate Release- Praises Quebec National Assembly for rejecting Islamophobia (Ottawa – October 2, 2015) The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a prominent civil liberties & advocacy organization, condemned the physical assault reported on Tuesday of a Muslim woman in Anjou, a suburb of Montreal, Quebec and called on authorities to investigate it as a potential hate crime. According to a media report the victim – a pregnant Quebec Muslim woman – was physically attacked while walking to get her daughter, when two ...

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NCCM welcomes release of Canadian journalist held in Egypt

-For Immediate Release- (Ottawa – September 23, 2015) The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a prominent civil liberties & advocacy organization, welcomes news of today’s decision by the President of Egypt to pardon and release Canadian citizen and journalist Mohamed Fahmy. Fahmy, a veteran journalist and former Cairo bureau chief for Al-Jazeera English, was originally detained, along with his colleagues, by Egyptian authorities on December 29, 2013. As a graduate from University of Calgary who previously worked for CNN, Fahmy was arrested as part ...

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NCCM to livestream federal election debate about issues impacting Canadian Muslim youth

(Ottawa – September 17, 2015) The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a prominent Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, announces that it is sponsoring the national livestream of an important election debate seeking to explore issues impacting Canadian Muslim youth. “Young, Canadian + Muslim” is the title of a debate planned for Friday, September 18th at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. Seats are already sold out; however, the NCCM will be video livestreaming the event across the country, in partnership with the online news portal rabble.ca. ...

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