NCCM welcomes PQ candidate’s resignation; calls for party to condemn Islamophobia

-For Immediate Release-

(Ottawa, Canada – March 13, 2014) The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a prominent civil liberties & advocacy organization, welcomes the resignation of Parti Québécois (PQ) candidate Jean Carrière following news that he posted an anti-Muslim photo on social media. The image, posted on Facebook, featured a topless model extending a middle finger, with the inscription “F- Islam”.

“We welcome the news of Mr. Carrière’s resignation. His Facebook posting is deeply offensive to all Canadians and runs contrary to universal values of acceptance, inclusion and respect.  We are calling upon all of Quebec’s leaders and candidates, including Premiere Pauline Marois, to clearly denounce bigotry and Islamophobia,” says NCCM’s Executive Director Ihsaan Gardee.

“This latest incident is a continuation of a spectrum of harassment and violence against Quebec Muslims, especially women, which has spiked following the introduction of the PQ’s divisive and unconstitutional secular charter, and upon which the party continues to rely on as part of its platform in the current provincial election.

“Elections should not be contested at the expense of the safety and well-being of a province’s minorities,” says Gardee.

“Quebec Muslims are urged to report any incident of harassment or violence directed towards them or their institutions to the proper authorities, as well as to NCCM so that a clear record can be kept for further appropriate action,” adds NCCM’s Human Rights Coordinator Amy Awad.

Background: