FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, October 10^th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its disappointment over the recent decision by Public Safety Minister Vic Toews to cancel the contracts of all non-Christian chaplains at federal prisons.

 

“This move by the Harper government is clear discrimination against all the inmates of other faiths, such as Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, Hindus and Buddhists,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “It is unreasonable to expect a Christian chaplain to be able to offer religious counsel and spiritual guidance to those of other faiths.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, October 3^rd, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) extends an open invitation to the Montreal community to partake in its city wide Mosque Open Doors event, taking place at number of mosques in the Montreal area on Sunday October 7^th, 2012.

“The Open Doors event is a unique opportunity for members of different religious and cultural groups in Montreal to come together,” said Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Together we can build bridges of social cohesion in our communities, embracing and promoting feelings of respect, understanding, peace and goodwill.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, September 29^th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) welcomed the return of Canadian Omar Khadr back to Canada, after a decade in Guantanamo Bay and a year after he was eligible for repatriation.

 

“As Omar Khadr’s case moves out of Guantanamo and into the Canadian system, we hope that at last justice will be served in this case,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “It is about time that Canada brought Omar Khadr home from Guantanamo, as it is a disgrace that we were the only Western nation left to have a citizen in a detention facility that imprisons children and operates outside the rule of law.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, September 14^th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) condemned the recent violence following protests in the Middle East over the release of an online film that negatively depicts Islam and Muslims and extends its condolences to the families of the deceased.

 

“The filmmaker desires to create hatred and division and to react with violence is to fall into their trap,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Such violence will only lead to more violence and will not advance the religious, political or social interests of any group. Although we are disgusted by the message of the film, our response must be balanced and such acts of violence are in no way justified. To take the life of an innocent person is like taking the life of all of humanity and these senseless acts go against the very teachings and values of our Prophet.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, September 4^th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) extends its congratulations to the winners of this week’s provincial election, as well to all members and  leaders of the other parties participating in the election, appreciating their efforts and determination.

“The election campaign brought to light many serious issues on the minds of all the people of Quebec, we hope all elected officials will come together to work hard to serve the interests and betterment of our people and our province,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Now is the time to buckle down and put an end to the divisive and imaginary issues and focus on the real issues and problems of importance to our province. We hope the government will act immediately to root out corruption, improve the economy, education and health system, while respecting the equality of all Quebecers and not infringing on the rights of any.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, September 4^th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) extends its congratulations to the winners of this week’s provincial election, as well to all members and  leaders of the other parties participating in the election, appreciating their efforts and determination.

“The election campaign brought to light many serious issues on the minds of all the people of Quebec, we hope all elected officials will come together to work hard to serve the interests and betterment of our people and our province,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Now is the time to buckle down and put an end to the divisive and imaginary issues and focus on the real issues and problems of importance to our province. We hope the government will act immediately to root out corruption, improve the economy, education and health system, while respecting the equality of all Quebecers and not infringing on the rights of any.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, August 15^th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its concern today over the recent comments by Parti Québécois leader Pauline Marois, announcing her intention to ban the hijab, kirpan and kippah from the work place for public servants, should her party win the upcoming provincial election.

 

“Such a move would absolutely violate both the Quebec and Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and it is preposterous for her to even suggest such a thing,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM “Instead of focusing on the real issues that Quebecers are concerned about, such as our economic problems, health care, education and corruption, the PQ is fixated on spreading xenophobic ideas in a desperate attempt to regain power through spreading hate and Islamaphobia, curbing rights, manufacturing crisis and dividing our society.” Continue reading

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, July 8^th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) applauded the recent announcement from FIFA to overturn its ban on hijab for Muslim female soccer players.

 

“We welcome this decision, which both protects the individual rights and freedoms of the players and also ensures safety and comfort during athletic play and sport,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “While some would seek to pass laws that are discriminatory and violate our basic freedoms of religion and expression, FIFA has demonstrated that the ban was not about passing judgement on the religious dress code of its players, but rather about safeguarding its players’ well-being. We applaud them for taking the necessary steps to fully investigate the matter and come to a reasonable solution.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, June 30^th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) extends its congratulations to Mohammed Morsi and the people of Egypt, as Morsi took the oath of office on Saturday, becoming Egypt’s first freely elected president.

“The journey will be long and difficult, but we are hopeful that this represents the dawn of a new era for Egypt, with the promise of a better future for all Egyptians,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “The Egyptians have long suffered under the oppressive rule of Hosni Mubarak and have fought hard for a nation governed on the foundations of freedom, democracy, justice, peace and stability. It is time to extend our hands to Mr. Morsi, as he takes office and embarks on this daunting task, to send our good wishes and prayers for his success and also to assist him and help make this dream for a better Egypt possible.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, March 20^th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) calls on all Canadians to renew their commitment to fighting racial discrimination, in honour of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21^st.

“Although the most overt manifestations of racist laws and practices, such as slavery, the apartheid system in South Africa and discriminatory immigration laws, have long been dismantled and abolished, racism still remains a very serious and real problem in Quebec, Canada and all around the world,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Hate, discrimination, xenophobia and racial profiling continue to plague our societies and only by standing together against such unacceptable behaviour and speaking in one voice against it can we begin to work towards eliminating it.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, March 15^th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) strongly condemned this morning the recent inflammatory culture war being instigated by the Parti Québécois and the Journal de Montreal regarding the issue of halal meat in Quebec.

"Once again we have the PQ and Journal de Montreal seeking to create a mass hysteria and frenzy by deliberating twisting and misrepresenting the facts in this issue,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “While they would claim that halal meat slaughter contravenes ‘Quebec values’, the facts demonstrate that halal meat is slaughtered in accordance to food and safety quality control standards that are mandated by the federal government and this slaughter is regulated by both provincial and federal food-inspection standards."
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COMMUNITY ALERT

Montreal, Quebec, February 22^nd, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) calls on all mosque and community leaders to dedicate the upcoming Friday sermon to help raise awareness about the crisis in Syria and pray for peace.

“The situation in Syria is worsening and escalating day by day and the death toll continues to rise,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “The Syrian people are asking for peace, justice and freedom and for this they are being persecuted by their government. We ask all mosques to dedicate the Friday sermon this week to help raise awareness about the situation in Syria, and to encourage the people to increase their prayers on behalf of all the Syrian people.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, February 3^rd, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its concern over the racial profiling of members of the Montreal Muslim community.

Mr. Saad Allami was arrested, detained and accused of being a terrorist in January 2011, after giving a pep talk to his fellow employees at a telecommunications firm encouraging them to “blow away” the competition at a convention they were attending.

“Mr. Allami’s statements, when considered in the context of which they were given, were nothing to draw such alarm or suspicion,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “It is clear that his arrest was the result of racial profiling and a knee-jerk reaction to label him as a terror suspect simply due to his religious background. Had these same comments been uttered by someone of a different background, the police would not have rushed to arrest and label him/her without any additional evidence or investigation.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, January 6^th, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its alarm over the second attack of vandalism in one week at the Outaouais Islamic Centre in Gatineau, Quebec.

Graffiti containing anti-Islamic and anti-Arab messages were found on the walls of the mosque on Thursday. It is the third time in the last month and the fourth time in the last four months that the mosque has been a victim of vandalism. Earlier this week, vandals attempted to set fire to two cars in the mosque parking lot. Two windows of the mosque were also broken.

“The increasing number of attacks against Islamic institutions in Canada point towards the serious problem of Islamaphobia, racism and hate,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “There must be zero tolerance for such violent, hateful acts committed against any community and it must be made clear that such attacks go against the values of our charter and constitution. It is time for our government officials to also recognize the gravity of these attacks and to take concerted action to ensure that they do not happen again.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, January 3^rd, 2012- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its concern over an attack of vandalism at the Outaouais Islamic Centre in Gatineau this Monday.

The vandals attempted to set fire to two cars in the mosque parking lot, in addition to smashing the windows of the cars. Two windows of the mosque were also broken. It is the second time in the last month and the third time in the last four months that the mosque has been a victim of vandalism.

“Canada is a place of peace, tolerance, diversity and pluralism and such hateful actions go against all the values of our charter, constitution and country,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “It must be made clear that such violent acts of hate and racism that target religious institutions have no place in our country and will not be tolerated. We call on all Canadians to speak out against such attacks and work together to promote peace and social harmony.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, December 22^nd, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its concern over a recent attack of vandalism at the Abou Hourira mosque in Verdun. Graffiti messages were found on the walls, doors and windows of the mosque.

“Canada is a place of peace, tolerance, diversity and pluralism and such hateful actions go against all the values of our charter, constitution and country,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Attacks such as these ones that specifically target religious institutions are becoming alarmingly common in Quebec, highlighting the grave problem of Islamaphobia, anti-Semitism and all forms of racism and hate in general. We call on all Canadians to speak out against such attacks and work together to promote peace and social harmony.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, December 21^st, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) applauded the recent settlement reached between the Quebec Public Security Department and the provincial human rights commission to allow its correctional officers to wear the hijab.

“We welcome this settlement, which both safeguards the rights and freedoms granted in the Canadian and Quebec charter and constitution and also ensures the well-being of government correctional officers,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “This is not a political issue, but rather a matter of human rights and as the decision from the commission demonstrates, the regulations concerning freedom of religion and freedom of conscious are very clear and distinct and must be upheld and respected. The Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms clearly prohibits religious discrimination in the work force and to fire someone because of their decision to wear the hijab was against the very values and freedoms of both Quebec and Canada.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, December 19^th, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its concern over the increased targeting of the Canadian Muslim community, specifically in the media and by certain members of the National Assembly.

“Recently one of our local Imams, Mr. Foudil Selmoune, was seriously maligned in the media, after his comments in a news interview were severely distorted and taken wholly out of context,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “After first asking him to explain certain aspects of the penal code in Islamic jurisprudence, his response was unfairly twisted in le Telejournal Radio-Canada and Le Devoir, and he was attacked as being a ‘propagandist’ for Sharia law in Quebec, when in fact at no time did he ever suggest that the Sharia penal code should be imposed anywhere in Canada. It is not the first time we have seen such sensationalist reporting and yellow journalism targeting members of our community and it is completely unacceptable and unjustified.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, December 13^th, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its dismay over Monday’s announcement by Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney banning Muslim women from wearing facial veils when taking their Canadian citizenship oath.

“It is outrageous to hear our federal ministers say that the wearing of a face veil by a woman who elects to do so out of her own free will in accordance to her religious obligations is against Canadian values,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Mr. Kenney forgets that the protection of religious freedoms and expression, as well as respect and tolerance for the religious beliefs and practices of others, are also Canadian values that we cherish in our multicultural country. So long as the women wearing the face veil identify themselves and do not pose any harm to anyone else, it is not Mr. Kenney’s place to deny them their rights and freedoms.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, December 7^th, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) is disturbed by the recent alleged hate crime that occurred Sunday at the Hamilton Downtown Mosque, in Hamilton, Ontario.

“Canada is a place of peace, tolerance, diversity and pluralism and such hateful actions go against all the values of our charter, constitution and country,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “It is especially hurtful for these attacks to come as Muslims around the world are celebrating the start of the new Islamic year. All places of worship must be safe spaces for peaceful worship and reflection, especially in light of the fact that they are often frequented by innocent, young children. We thank the Hamilton police hate crime unit for investigating whether this constitutes as a hate crime and hope that they will be swift to apprehend the perpetrators.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, December 6^th, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) calls on all Canadians to help end violence against women, in commemoration of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada.

“This marks the 22^nd anniversary of the tragic murders that took place at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal and all Canadians should remember those innocent victims by renewing our pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about any form of violence against women,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Around the world, the numbers for abuse against women range from 15% to 71%. At times of war and in conflict zones, it is often girls and women who pay the heaviest price, becoming victims of war rapes, sexual slavery and forced prostitution. Here at home, 61% of Canadians say they know at least one woman who has been physically or sexually assaulted. We must speak out against this and say enough is enough.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, December 1^st, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) welcomed the recent removal of Abousfian Abdelrazik’s name from the United Nations Security Council terrorist blacklist this week.

“We congratulate Mr. Abdelrazik for his determination and success in having his name removed from this blacklist,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Since his return to Canada, Mr. Abdelrazik has been forced to live under crippling restrictions, despite his innocence and the lack of any evidence against him. He was unable to work, to travel and even to have a bank account. He was abandoned by his own Canadian government and left to suffer, but now he has a chance to resume a normal life and seek the justice he deserves.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, November 30^th, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) calls for harsher penalties for crimes motivated by hate, following the recent verdict of a suspended sentence for a woman who pleaded guilty to assault after pulling of a Canadian Muslim woman’s face veil at a Toronto shopping mall.

“Canada, and especially the Greater Toronto Area, is an increasingly pluralistic and multicultural society and it must be clear that hate motivated crimes will never be tolerated,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “The seriousness of such crimes is diminished when those found guilty are given suspended sentences and merely have to perform community service. Such verbal and physical attacks go against the very Canadian values and principles that we are all committed to and must be condemned in the strongest terms.”
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JOINT STATEMENT

Montreal, Quebec, September 9^th, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal and the Canadian Islamic Congress jointly expressed their dismay today over Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s comments in a recent CBC interview.

“Mr. Harper’s statements about the threat of ‘Islamicism’ are nothing more than anti-Muslim rhetoric and fear-mongering and we are shocked to see such remarks from the leader of our country,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Such divisive, demonizing language does nothing to promote security and unity; rather it will only serve to fuel the fire of suspicion, intolerance and hatred. The threat of terrorism is real, but it is a threat we face from extremists of all walks of life. Mr. Harper’s comments unfairly target the Muslim community and this is uncalled for, especially from the prime minister.”
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Montreal, Quebec, August 24^th, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) extends its congratulations to the people of Libya, as the country moves closer to freedom following the storming of Col Muammar Gadhafi’s Bab al-Aziziya compound in Tripoli by the Libyan Freedom Fighters.

“The Libyans have been bravely fighting for freedom for the past six months and we hope that gaining power over what was one of the final areas to remain under Gadhafi’s control will bring with it the swift establishment of a just state in Libya,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Gadhafi’s brutal and oppressive regime over the country and people of Libya is coming to an end and we hope to see him captured and brought to justice for all his atrocious crimes.”

“We regret the loss of all the innocent lives that have been lost in this war and we recognize the sacrifices of the thousands who gave their life for the freedom of their country. We pray for them and their families, and for all Libyans, hoping that these sacrifices will not have been in vain. We hope the international community will support the efforts of Libya in rebuilding their country and establishing a just and democratic state.” Continue reading

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, August 22^nd, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal extends its sincere condolences to the family of the late Honourable Jack Layton, federal leader of the NDP and the Official Opposition, in the wake of his death.

“Mr. Layton devoted his life to serving Canada and helping to secure a better future for all Canadians,” stated Salem Elmenyawi, president of the MCM. “The strength, courage and conviction he displayed in successfully leading a federal election campaign while fighting cancer speaks of the enormous sacrifice he made for his country and of the depth of his commitment to the public interest.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, July 31^st, 2011- Canadian Muslims, along with Muslims all around the world, will begin the holy month of Ramadan on Monday August 1^st 2011, following the sighting of the new crescent in a number of places around the world. Ramadan is the 9^th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims are prescribed to abstain from food, drink and conjugal relations from dawn to sunset.

“Ramadan is a spiritually uplifting and joyous occasion for all Muslims,” said Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “It is a time for Muslims to look inward at their hearts, to see how we can better serve God and all of humanity. Restraining from food and drink during the fast helps to open one’s heart to those in need, to engender compassion and mercy towards others, as well as to increase gratitude and appreciation for all of one’s blessings.” Continue reading

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, May 3^rd, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) congratulates the winners of the Canadian Federal Election and salutes all candidates for their efforts to serve the nation.

“We congratulate all the winners of the federal election and hope they will continue their efforts to work for the betterment of Canada and all Canadians,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “The election campaign was a good occasion for all citizens and politicians to discuss the issues that are important in our country and we were happy to have the opportunity to sit down with many of our MPs and future MPs for serious dialogue and reflection. We hope that this will not end now that the campaign is over and that all MPs across Canada will continue to work closely with their constituents, to listen to their voices and serve their welfare and best interest.

We hope to see good government, positive change and a brighter future for our country and look forward to working with all others to achieve this.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, April 27^th, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) rejects the recent allegations that the Al Sunnah Al Nabawiah Mosque in Montreal has any connections to terrorist organizations, individuals or ideology.

“Such stories unfairly target our communities and only serve the flame up suspicion and fear,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Objective analyses of the facts in this case reveal a very different picture. None of the mosque’s administrators or leaders have ever been accused of having terrorist connections or having been involved in terrorist activities. Moreover, the mosque routinely participates in mosques Open Doors events, inviting people of all backgrounds to visit the mosque. Over the many years that it has existed, numerous politicians have visited it, as well as members of various churches, synagogues and schools. The mosque operates very transparently and has nothing to hide from the public and there is nothing sinister, dangerous or illegal about its activities. On the contrary, it has always shown itself to be on the forefront of encouraging civic contribution, engagement and integration, as well as promoting social harmony and peaceful coexistence in our society.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE

Montreal, Quebec, April 23^rd, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) called on the United Nations and the Canadian government to condemn the violent crackdown on anti-government protestors in Syria by President Bashar al-Assad.

“Such violence against innocent protestors is a violation of both their basic human rights and international law,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Many innocent people have already been injured or killed, simply because they dared to ask for justice and freedom. Canada and the international community must condemn such attacks against peaceful demonstrators, while also sending a United Nations international team to investigate the violations of international human rights law and to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, April 16^th, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) condemned the recent attack on a Dorval mosque, in which vandals broke several windows and doors and stole a computer.

 

“It is indeed distressing that in a pluralistic and multicultural society such as ours, we have religious institutions being targeted again and again in crimes of hate and violence,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “These attacks go against the very Canadian values and principles that we are all committed to and must be condemned in the strongest terms.”

 

MCM calls for harsher penalties and zero-tolerance for all hate crimes and religious discrimination and further calls on the federal government to initiate a countrywide campaign to help raise awareness of hate crimes and racism within Canadian society and to fight these social ills.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, March 9^th, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) calls on the Canadian government and the international community to act immediately to halt the bloodshed in Libya.

“Immediate action is required by the UN and the international community, amid increasing reports of atrocities being committed by Gadhafi against the people of Libya,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “The regime and lethal crimes of Gadhafi must be condemned in the strongest manner and the men, women and children of Libya must be protected from the catastrophic death and destruction that Gadhafi has unleashed.”

MCM further calls on the Canadian government to coordinate with the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Conference and the Arab League to recognize the Libyan National Council, to implement ways to help the Libyan people during this crisis, and more specifically, to help them defend themselves in the face of these atrocities. MCM also calls for sanctions against any country supporting or cooperating with Gadhafi in his attack against the Libyan people.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, February 21^st, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) called on the Canadian government to strongly condemn the recent brutal crackdown on anti-government protestors by Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi.

“Gaddafi’s security forces and foreign mercenaries are using unwarranted lethal force against the peaceful protestors and have clearly been directed to shoot to kill,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Canada and the international community must pressure Gaddafi to immediately halt this atrocity, before the situation escalates any further and more innocent lives are lost.”
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Montreal, Quebec, February 14^th, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) denounced the recent bill tabled by Conservative MP Steven Blaney in the House of Commons, seeking to ban the wearing of face veils when voting in federal elections.

“The Conservatives are intentionally seeking to stir up trouble and are trying to use xenophobia against Canadian Muslims in a shameful attempt to gain votes,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “This is nothing more than an attempt at institutionalized discrimination. There is no place in a liberal democracy like Canada for the government to legislate discrimination against law-abiding members of religious minority groups.” 

MCM notes that Elections Canada did not report a single incident with face veils occurring in the 2008 federal elections. According to the Elections Canada Act, voters cannot be compelled to show their faces and many voters have no photo ID to compare their faces to. Continue reading

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Montreal, Quebec, February 11^th, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its concern over the recent vote from provincial legislators to ban the kirpan from the premises of the National Assembly of Quebec, as per a motion tabled by the Parti Quebecois.

“It is unacceptable to have such an utter lack of tolerance, respect and pluralism in a liberal democracy like Quebec and Canada,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Instead of requesting a sensible and reasonable compromise, such as wearing the kirpan sealed inside the clothing as the Supreme Court of Canada suggested, the National Assembly of Quebec acted with bigotry and discrimination. In order to ensure social harmony within such a culturally diverse place, it is essential to seek a just balance between the religious rights and freedoms of the individual and the security concerns of the state. We believe that the Quebec National Assembly wholly failed to do so in this case.” Continue reading

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, February 11^th, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) extends its congratulations to the Egyptian people, as Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak announced today his resignation.

“This is a historical moment for people of conscious around the world,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “After 30 years of economic, social, religious and political oppression at the hands of an unjust regime, the Egyptian citizens have at last an opportunity to establish a country based on justice, peace, freedom, human rights and dignity. We applaud the courage of the Egyptian demonstrators in opposing the tyrannical and corrupt rule of Mubarak in a peaceful manner and sending a clear message not only to their own government, but to governments and citizens all around the world.”

“We hope this will help bring about the end of such brutal regimes, in Egypt and around the world, and the start of a new world era. We hope that Mubarak’s resignation is a step towards real change in Egypt and a step towards the establishment of a political system that is based on justice, freedom and protection of human rights. Oppressive and tyrannical leaders around the world must take note of what has happened and realize that the ordinary people of a state, after being abused and repressed for so many years, will ultimately unite to seek the justice and freedom that is the right of every citizen of the world.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, February 11^th, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its extreme dismay over Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s refusal to step down from power, ignoring the millions who have been demonstrating in the streets for the past 17 days demanding his resignation and the end to his oppressive regime.

“Mubarak’s defiant and arrogant refusal to listen to the voice of both his citizens and the international community shows that he only cares about his own selfish interests and not for the true betterment of his country,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “There is no point for him to attempt a just gradual transition plan for his government, as he cannot begin to fix in a few short months the disaster he has created over the past 30 brutal years. His remaining in power will contribute nothing to the stability and peace in Egypt, rather it will only lead to more confrontation, violence, disorder and bloodshed of innocent lives.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, February 5^th, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its dismay over Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon’s announcement endorsing Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s gradual transition plan for his government, citing concern over Middle East stability and peace.

“It is unacceptable for Canada to continue showing support for a repressive regime in Egypt and deny its citizens their legitimate right to a political system that is based on justice, freedom and protection of all their rights,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Mr. Canon claims to be concerned with ensuring stability in Egypt, however this week’s violent attacks against the peaceful demonstrators in Tahrir Square and the oppressive and corrupt regime of Hosni Mubarak over the past 30 years have shown that not only are such remarks not in the interest and safety of the Egyptian citizens, but also they are more concerned with protecting selfish interests and superficial stability. The citizens of Egypt are seeking stability and peace as well and it is a shame that Mr. Canon is ignoring their voice.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Montreal, Quebec, January 18^th, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) strongly condemned the recent hate crimes against six Montreal Jewish institutions that were all attacked on the same night. Four synagogues, a school and a daycare had their windows smashed with rocks in the early hours of Monday morning.       

“We are thankful that none were hurt, yet such an orchestrated attack against places of worship and learning is both cowardly and heinous,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “We call on police authorities to act swiftly to investigate these hate crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice. As we have mentioned in the past, given the frequency of such attacks it is clear that in addition to strengthening the application of current laws, new policies and regulations are needed to effectively eradicate hate, racism and discrimination.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, January 13^th, 2011- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) met with a group of Egyptian Coptic Christians and Montreal Muslims at the Consul General of Egypt in Montreal last week, in the wake of the New Year’s Day bombing at the Church of Saints Mark and Peter in Alexandria, Egypt.

“We are all grieved and distressed by this atrocious attack, especially as it comes at what should have been a special time of year for Coptic Christians in Egypt and around the world,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “We send our condolences and express our sorrow to those who lost their lives or were injured, to their families and friends, to all members of the parish and to all others who mourn this attack around the world.”
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Montreal, Quebec, December 17^th, 2010- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its strong discontent today over Family Minister Yolande James’s announcement to ban most forms of religion in all government subsidized daycare centres in Quebec.

“Such a law is clearly in violation of the freedoms granted to us in our constitution and in the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, both in letter and spirit,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “We view it as explicit discrimination against the rights of religious communities to educate their children in the values and principles they hold dear.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, December 6^th, 2010- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) thanks Ms. Line Beauchamp, Quebec Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, for her objective and balanced statements regarding the government subsidies given to Dar Al Iman School, a private Islamic school in Ville St-Laurent.

“Dar Al Iman is a school run by professional, mainstream Canadian Muslims and it was the target of unfair accusations,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “We commend Ms. Beauchamp for representing all Quebec citizens equally and safeguarding their rights to due process and equal access to government subsidies. Such statements and actions show true leadership qualities and are to be applauded.”

MCM calls on all elected officials and members of the National Assembly of Quebec to respect the values of equality, freedom of religion and freedom of expression and refrain from unfairly attacking one part of society, without first having substantial evidence to back their claims.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, December 6^th, 2010- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) would like to thank all visitors and volunteers who helped make the 9^th annual Open Doors mosque event a success. The Open Doors event took place on December 5^th, 2010 at 12 different mosques in the greater Montreal area, welcoming all interested members of the public to visit the mosques and interact with Canadian Muslims.

“Such events are a means of helping to start a positive dialogue between different communities in our society and help to build bridges of mutual understanding and respect,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “The population of both Quebec and Canada is very diverse and this diversity is something that should be embraced and celebrated. We are committed to working with all our friends and neighbours to help build a strong, harmonious and prosperous Quebec and Canadian society.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, December 2^nd, 2010- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) extends a public invitation to the Montreal community to participate in an Open Doors event, taking place at number of mosques in the Montreal area on December 5^th, 2010.

“Fostering peace and goodwill in the community is the collective responsibility of all citizens,” said Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “We hope this Open Mosque event will be a means to open the channels of communication and build bridges of mutual understanding and respect.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, October 14^th, 2010- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) welcomes yesterday’s decision from the Ontario Court of Appeal in the case of R. vs, N.S., safeguarding the right of a sexual assault complainant to testify in court wearing her niqab. The Court ruled 3-0 to uphold an earlier ruling by the Supreme Court, after a lower court had previously ordered a woman to remove her niqab for her testimony.

“We applaud the court for protecting the religious freedoms of the complainant and also ensuring that the fairness of a trial is not compromised,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “To outright ban the wearing of the niqab would have allowed for the legalization of discrimination and disadvantaged certain individuals due to their personal and religious beliefs.”

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Montreal, Quebec, August 26^th, 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.”

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, August 24^th, 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 2^nd and September 12^th, in addition to the $33 million already pledged to the Pakistan flood relief efforts.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Montreal, Quebec, August 18^th, 2010- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) urges all Canadians to donate generously to help the relief efforts in Pakistan, following the monsoon rains and massive floods that devastated the country over two weeks ago.

 

“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.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, March 27^th, 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.

 

“This poll is hardly accurate of the views of all Canadians, as it would suggest that the majority of Canadians are against the values of our Charter,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “From the beginning, a rationed, reasonable discussion over the issue of the niqab has been forgone in favour of a emotionally charged hysterical debate that lacks the basic facts and information. The niqab is being presented as a symbol of oppression and radicalism, which is naturally turning people away from it and not allowing them the opportunity to understand anything substantial about what it really is, as well as diverting their attention away from the real question.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, March 24^th, 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.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, March 24^th, 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.

 

“We are overwhelmed by all the messages of support we have received from citizens around Canada, and also by all the letters to the editors, op-eds and editorials we have read in various Canadian newspapers,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “It is refreshing and uplifting to see such conscientious Canadians with a genuine concern for human rights and religious freedoms warning against the dangers of the state infringing on civil liberties by enforcing a ban against certain religious clothing. They have shown that this issue isn’t just about the niqab, rather it is about the values and freedoms guaranteed in our Charter.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, March 24^th, 2010- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) strongly condemned the recent hate crimes against a Waterloo mosque and a Montreal synagogue.

 

“Such hate crimes are heinous attacks on the values of respect, peace, tolerance and freedom that we all hold dear in Canada,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “We call on Waterloo and Montreal police authorities to act swiftly to investigate these hate crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice. 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.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, March 24^th, 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.

“Racial profiling is a serious social injustice that must be addressed immediately to avoid further deterioration of our social fabric and further erosion of civil rights and liberties in Canada,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Mr. Zahaf was singled out amongst all the other students to be questioned, detained, handcuffed, arrested and roughed up. On what basis did the police target him, except for the fact that he was Arab?”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, March 15^th, 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.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, March 5^th, 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.”

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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.

 

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Montreal, Quebec, January 14^th, 2010- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) urges all Canadians to donate generously to help the relief efforts in Haiti, following the devastating earthquake that struck the island nation earlier this week. Continue reading

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, January 4^th, 2010- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) condemns the recent firebombing attack on an Islamic school/mosque in Hamilton, Ontario, occurring in the early hours of Monday, January 4^th, 2010 and calls for increased vigilance against hate crimes.

“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.”

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OTTAWA - October 9, 2009-  In response to recent calls to ban the niqab (face veil) in Canada, a wide coalition of mainstream Canadian Muslim organizations in conjunction with Canadian Islamic scholars issued a statement today reaffirming the freedom of religion and conscience in Canada.

The statement read as follows:

“The recent calls to ban the niqab (face veil) in Canada are misplaced and contravene the fundamental principles of our free and democratic society.  All Canadians, whether Muslim or not, are guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms the freedom of religion and conscience. The state has no business in the wardrobes of the nation.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, September 30^th, 2009- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) calls on government and police officials to enact stricter laws against hate crimes, following the recent attack on a mosque/Islamic community center in Cote-des-Neiges. Vandals attacked Masjid Tebah, located on avenue Van Horne, in the early hours of September 21^st, 2009.

 

“In the past few years, we have seen a sharp increase in the number of attacks against our mosques, community centers and schools,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “We need more concrete measures from government and police officials to put an end to such despicable crimes. There are a few mosques that are even attacked 3-4 times a year. It is especially alarming to see how the attacks often coincide with hate messages against Islam propagated by number of talk show hosts.”

                                               

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MCM calls for an enquiry into abuses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal, Quebec, September 25^th, 2009- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) applauds yesterday’s decision from Federal Court Judge Danièle Tremblay-Lamer in taking necessary steps to drop the security certificate against Adil Charkaoui and for lifting all conditions on him.

 

“We congratulate Mr. Charkaoui in succeeding to clear his name and regain his freedom and also thank Judge Lamer for upholding the values of justice and liberty that were threatened by the government,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “We hope this is the beginning of the end of the nightmare caused by the security certificates and that similar rulings will soon follow for the remaining four Canadian Muslims being currently targeted.”

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Montreal, Quebec, June 7^th, 2009- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) welcomes the recent decision from the Federal Court of Canada ordering the Canadian government to bring Abousfian Abdelrazik home from Sudan within 30 days. Mr. Abdelrazik, a Canadian citizen, has been stranded in Sudan since 2003.

 

“We call on Mr. Harper to act swiftly and comply with the ruling, by issuing Mr. Abdelrazik an emergency passport and arrange for his transportation home,” said Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “He has suffered needlessly for many years and it is time for the Canadian government to put an end to this injustice. Abousfian Abdelrazik is a citizen and has a right to come home to Canada immediately.”

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Montreal, Quebec, May 25^th, 2009- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expresses its concern over the recent survey released by the Association for Canadian Studies stating that 40 per cent of francophones view non-Christian immigrants as a threat to Quebec society. This number has gone up 8 per cent since 2007.

 

“It has been one year since the Bouchard-Taylor commission’s report was released and yet the negative sentiments against immigrants persist and are growing,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “We would hope that sentiments of tolerance, respect and understanding would be increasing in our society, but instead we seem to be moving in the opposite direction.”

 

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Montreal, Quebec, Jan. 15th, 2009- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) calls on Canadian-based organizations to join in co-signing an open letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mr. Stephen Harper.

The letter demands that Mr. Harper take swift action in calling for an immediate ceasefire of Israeli attacks in Gaza, in addition to an end of the blockade on Gaza. Please see attached file for a full copy of the letter (Gaza-HarperLetter.pdf). Continue reading

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Muslim Council of Montreal demands the Canadian government take firm action against Israel's ongoing assault on Gaza

 

Montreal, Quebec, Jan. 4^th, 2009- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) strongly condemns Israel's ongoing assault on the Gaza Strip and calls on the Canadian government to intervene immediately and call for a ceasefire and an end to the blockade on Gaza.

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Montreal, Quebec, July 16^th 2008- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) calls on the Canadian government to promptly bring Omar Khadr back home to Canada for a fair trial, in light of newly released footage. The footage shows Omar being interviewed by CSIS agents in Guantanamo Bay in 2003.

 

"This video shows that the Canadian government was aware of Omar's mistreatment at Guantanamo Bay and yet they still did nothing to help him or bring him home," stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. "It is shocking and appalling for Mr. Stephen Harper to continue in his refusal to get involved and allow a Canadian youth to suffer like this. It is time to bring Omar home and to ensure that he will be treated fairly, as he rightly deserves."

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Montreal, Quebec, May 31^st, 2008- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) extends an open invitation to the Montreal community to partake in a weekend long Open Doors event, taking place at 17 different mosques in the Montreal area from May 31^st to June 2^nd, 2008.

 

"This Open Doors event is a unique opportunity for members of different religious and cultural groups in Montreal to come together," said Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. "Together we can build bridges of social cohesion in our communities, embracing and promoting feelings of respect, understanding, peace and goodwill."

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 30^th, 2008

WHAT:

17 different Montreal area mosques will be holding an Open Doors event this upcoming weekend, welcoming guests and visitors.

Visitors will be given a tour of the mosque, as well as be able to view presentations and displays on various topics. Volunteers will be on hand to answer visitor's questions. Free literature and refreshments will be available. The event will provide an opportunity to get to know members of the Muslim community and interact with them on a personal level.

"As the Bouchard-Taylor report on reasonable accommodation pointed out there is greater need for dialogue and understanding amongst Quebec's diverse communities," said Salam Elmenyawi president of the MCM. "Getting to know one another on a personal level is crucial for people of different backgrounds to build bridges together of unity and respect. We are committing to reaching out and working with our friends and neighbours to build a strong and cohesive Quebec society. "

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Montreal, Quebec, May 27^th, 2008- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) extends a public invitation to the Montreal community to participate in a weekend long Mosques Open Doors, taking place at number of mosques in the Montreal area.

 

"Fostering peace and goodwill in the community is the collective responsibility of all citizens," said Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. "We hope this Open House weekend will be a means to open the channels of communication and build bridges of mutual understanding and respect."

 

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Montreal May 8^th 2008 - Quebec human rights organizations today joined the call to repatriate Abousfian Abdelrazik, a Montreal man whose name may take its place alongside Maher Arar, Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad El Maati and Muayyed Nureddin in a growing list of victims of a Canadian version of 'extraordinary rendition'.

"What particularly concerns us in the case of Mr. Abdelrazik are the apparent similarities with other cases where we know that Canadian officials have contributed to the illegal detention of Canadians in countries where they have been subjected to torture and ill-treatment. It is of crucial importance that the actions of governments are in conformity with international law, which applies in all circumstances. There is no exception," stated Ms. Beatrice Vaugrante, Secretary-General, Amnistie Internationale Canada (Francophone section).

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Montreal, Quebec, December 5^th, 2007- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) condemns the recent acts of the Conservative government to rush Bill C-3 through Parliament, without giving a fair chance to all concerned organisations to voice their opinions on the matter in a public hearing.

 

"We are extremely disappointed to see that Parliament is rushing to pass this Bill at a dangerous speed, without allowing community organizations to be involved in the public hearings for the proposed new legislation," stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. "Instead of allowing for a public debate over this controversial Bill, Parliament is trying to silence and shut out the voices of those who will be the most effected by these draconian measures. It is highly irresponsible and unethical to have wasted the time granted by the Supreme Court only to rush a half-baked bill at the last minute." Continue reading

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The proposed changes are nothing but a fig leaf to cover up a flawed law

 

 Montreal, Quebec, October 23^rd, 2007- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) calls on the Canadian Parliament to reject the new government's Security Certificate Bill C-3, which is a rehash of the old Security Certificate law with few changes, such as the introduction of the "special advocate." MCM stated today that these changes do not meet the basic minimum requirements for fundamental justice as ordered by the Supreme Court Justices, who abolished the original security certificate law, declaring it unconstitutional in a unanimous ruling earlier this year.

 

"Security certificates are an affront to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms," said Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. "Global terrorism must be fought, but we must make clear that secret court hearings, secret undisclosed evidence, indefinite detention and deportation to torture are not part of the fight against terrorism. These acts are themselves a threat to our safety and are an attack on freedom."

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Montreal, Quebec, Oct. 19^th, 2007- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its concern over the case of Mr. Said Jaziri. Mr. Jaziri was arrested by Immigration Canada on October 15^th and is to be deported to his native Tunisia.

 

"As Canadians we have a high regard for our laws and respect for our justice system," said Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. "We hope Mr. Jaziri will be treated fairly and in a transparent manner, especially in light of the controversies surrounding his case. We call on the Canadian government to ensure his rights for a fair trial, due process and natural justice, and that his fundamental human rights are upheld at all costs."

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Montreal, Quebec, September 19^th, 2007- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) extends a public invitation to the Montreal community to participate in a weekend long Mosques Open Doors, taking place at number of mosques in the Montreal area.

"Fostering peace and goodwill in the community is the collective responsibility of all citizens," said Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. "We hope this Open House weekend will be a means to open the channels of communication and build bridges of understanding and respect."

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Montreal, Quebec, August 19th, 2007 - After a day-long discussion with some experts and more than 150 members from different spectrums of the community, the Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) will undertake to mobilize both Muslim and non-Muslim Quebecers to participate in the consultations of the Bouchard-Taylor Commission on reasonable accommodation.

The MCM will also form alliances with other ethnic and religious communities as well as groups representing the disabled, women and others to ensure that the Commission focuses on the issues in a manner that is balanced, inclusive and faithful to its original mandate.

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Montreal, Quebec, June 19, 2007- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) strongly criticized today the introduction of the no-fly list in Canada, known as the Passenger Protect Program. MCM calls on the federal government to abolish the program and ensure that the constitutional rights of any citizens are not jeopardized haphazardly in the name of safety.

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Calling on all Canadian Muslims to report their experiences

Montreal, Quebec, June 18, 2007- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) condemns the targeting and racial profiling of Canadian Muslims by airport and border officials. Dr. Munir El-Kassem, a Canadian Muslim leader was recently detained, fingerprinted and interrogated for hours at a Detroit airport.

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Montreal, Quebec, June 18, 2007- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) extends its solidarity to the Hasidic Jewish community of Montreal, following the recent fire attack on a cottage owned by the Hasidic community in Val David.

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Montreal, Quebec, April 23, 2007- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) calls on the Chinese government to uphold human rights and international agreements in the matter of Huseyin Celil, a Chinese Canadian who is sentenced to a life in a Chinese prison.

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Montreal, Quebec, April 15, 2007- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its dismay today after a Muslim’s girls Tae Kwon Do team was banned from participating in at an annual Tae Kwon Do tournament in Quebec. The Muslim girls were not allowed to play because of their hijab.

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Montreal, Quebec, April 5, 2007- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) extends its sympathy and concern to Montreal’s Jewish community, following the recent attack on the Ben Weider Jewish Community Centre, in Côte-des-Neiges.

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Montreal, Quebec, Mar. 28th, 2007- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) offers its congratulations to the winners of this week’s provincial election.

“Our leaders have now a serious responsibility on their hands, to govern under a minority government,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “It is a tough balancing act. We hope they will all work together, for the betterment of our province and people.”

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Montreal, Quebec, Mar. 27, 2007- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) extends its appreciation to all Canadians who have sent messages of support to MCM via e-mail or telephone, regarding MCM’s comments on wearing niqaab while voting.

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Montreal, Quebec, Mar. 15th, 2007- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) denounced today the comments made by Parti Quebecois leader Andre Boisclair in support of the recent firing of a hijab wearing Muslim female correctional officer in Bordeaux.

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Montreal, Quebec, Mar. 14th, 2007- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed today its disappointment with the firing of a Muslim female correctional officer at Bordeaux jail because she insisted on wearing the hijab.

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Montreal, Quebec, Mar. 12th, 2007- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) thanked ADQ leader Mario Dumont for reacting quickly to the racist comments made by an ADQ candidate denigrating immigrants. MCM calls on Mr. Dumont to clearly spell out where his party stands in relation to all Quebecers, regardless of their colour, religion, language or ethnicity.

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Montreal, Quebec, Mar. 3rd, 2007- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) applauds the determination of MPs to defeat the renewal of two controversial measures of the Anti-Terrorism Act in a recent House of Commons vote.

“We especially would like to thank Mr. Dion and his Liberal MPs, as well as the Bloc and NDP, for voicing the concerns of the Canadian people and speaking out against the injustices of this Act,” said Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Measures such as arresting people without warrant and detaining them without charge attack the very freedom and security we are trying to defend, and they have no place in our justice system.”

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Montreal, Quebec, Feb. 26th, 2007 - The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) praised the Nepean Hotspurs Selects and the other four soccer teams for supporting Asmahan Mansour's right to wear a headscarf while playing in the ARS Laval National soccer tournament.

“It is disappointing that Mr. Charest failed to address the issue properly and sided with the decision of the referee,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “It seems that he can learn a lesson about respect and tolerance by meeting with the wise and courageous young girls who protested against the discriminatory decision by boycotting the tournament.”

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Montreal, Quebec, Feb. 23rd, 2007- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) applauds the Supreme Court of Canada ruling that strikes down the use of security certificate in Canada, declaring it unconstitutional.

“Security certificates are an affront to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” said Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Global terrorism must be fought, but we must make clear that secret court hearings, secret undisclosed evidence, indefinite detention and deportation to torture are not part of the fight against terrorism. These acts are themselves a threat to our safety and are an attack on freedom.”

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Hopeful commission will combat racism, xenophobia and religious bigotry, instead of unwittingly propagating them

Montreal, Quebec, Feb. 11th, 2007- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) welcomes Premier Jean Charest’s establishment of a commission to head a study into the reasonable accommodation debate in Quebec.

“This is a step in the right direction, a step that will allow us to have an open and informative debate on this issue and to move away from biases and hidden agendas,” said Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “In a province as diverse and multicultural as Quebec, such a debate is needed to find a suitable balance without infringing on the religious rights of any group of people and without dividing our society. We hope that the study by commissioners, Mr. Gerald Bouchard and Mr. Charles Taylor, help enrich and strengthen our society.”

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Montreal, Quebec, Feb. 7th, 2007- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) calls for a balanced and informative dialogue on the issue of “reasonable accommodation”, following the declaration of accepted standards by the town of Herouxville.

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Montreal, Quebec, Jan. 17th, 2007- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) vehemently condemns the recent attack on École Les Jeunes Musulmans Canadiens, a Montreal area Muslim school. Vandals attacked the school early Tuesday morning, smashing and breaking windows and doors and ransacking a school bus.

“It is alarming to see such heinous attacks on religiously identified educational institutions,” said Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “We must preserve our schools as places of security and safety for children; no one should live in such fear and apprehension.”

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Montreal, Quebec, Dec. 14th, 2006- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) applauds the ruling of The Quebec Human Rights Tribunal in the case of Mr. Somen Chowdhury and Mrs. Sumita Chowdhury.

“This ruling is sending a clear message against racists and xenophobes,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “It is essential for us to recognize hate-crimes for the heinous crimes they are and be proactive in fighting racial and religious discrimination. ”

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Montreal, Quebec, Dec. 7th, 2006- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) called the recent resignation of RCMP Commissioner Zaccardelli a key step in the Arar affair, however deemed it insufficient. MCM calls for similar investigations to be carried out in the cases Adbullah Almalki, Ahmad El Maati and Muyyed Nurredin, three other Canadian Muslim men who were imprisoned and tortured by foreign governments, and also for a thorough review of RCMP and CSIS policies and procedures.

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(Montreal, Quebec, Oct. 2, 2006) - The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) is still waiting for the federal government to hold members of the RCMP and CSIS accountable for Mr. Maher Arar’s ordeal.

“Clearing Mr. Arar’s name officially and declaring his innocence is just the first step,” Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM, said. “What is urgently needed now is to hold those responsible accountable and take concrete action to ensure that such injustices are not allowed to occur again.”

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(Montreal, Quebec, Sept. 30, 2006) - The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) welcomes the recent decision of the CRTC (Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission), finding the Société Radio-Canada (SRC) guilty of violating federal anti-discriminatory regulations by broadcasting the racist and offensive statements of Doc Mailloux during the Tout le monde en parle show (September 25, 2005).

During this pre-recorded broadcast, it was stated that African Americans and Native Americans have low IQs and that African Americans “are the product of an artificial selection process and consequently are slightly disadvantaged intellectually.”

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Montreal, Quebec, Sept. 27, 2006- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) will be appearing before the Quebec National Assembly’s Commission on Racism and Discrimination on Wednesday September 27th, in Quebec City.

MCM will be presenting a number of proposals, to combat the problem of racism and discrimination, namely the implementation of a governmental policy to effectively eradicate racism and discrimination from all fronts of Canadian society. MCM also calls for greater representation of minority community groups within Quebec public services and stricter punishment of hate crimes.

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Montreal, Quebec, Sept. 27, 2006- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expresses its concern over this past weekend’s arson attack at the Abraar School in Ottawa.

“It is not the first time our Islamic institutions have been attacked and we implore the authorities to treat this as a hate crime and move swiftly to punish the perpetrators,” Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM, stated. “The fact that the attack coincided with the start of the holy month of Ramadan is even more deplorable.”

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(Montreal, Quebec, Sept. 23, 2006) - Muslims in Canada, as well as in many countries worldwide, will begin the month-long fast of Ramadan on either Saturday the 23rd or Sunday the 24th, depending on when the new moon is sighted. Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims are prescribed to abstain from food, drink and conjugal relations from dawn to sunset.

“Ramadan is both a spiritual and joyful occasion for Muslims,” said Salam Elmenyawi, President of the Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM). “It is a time to feed the soul, instead of feeding the body. Muslims spend their time worshipping God, giving thanks for their blessings and helping others.”

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(Montreal, Quebec, Sept. 21, 2006)- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) welcomes the report of the commission of inquiry absolving Maher Arar of all suspicion of terrorist activity.

“The Muslim community congratulates Mr. Arar on receiving official confirmation of his innocence,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, MCM President. “The mistakes of the RCMP in this matter were inexcusable and have cost Mr. Arar and his family greatly. We expect a swift and sincere apology from the RCMP and the Canadian government, as well as compensation for the extreme psychological and economic impact Mr. Arar has endured.”
English PR
French PR

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(Montreal, Quebec, Sept. 8, 2006)- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) extends its sympathy and concern to Montreal’s Jewish community, following the weekend firebombing of the Skver-Toldos Orthodox Boys School in Outremont.

“An attack on a school of innocent children is deplorable by all accounts and must be condemned by all members of our society,” said Salam Elmenyawi, MCM President. “We are grateful that no children were hurt in the attack and we pray for the safety of all.”
English PR
French PR

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French (PDF Version)
English (PDF Version)

Montreal, June 14, 2006 --- The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) and CRARR are calling on Quebec Attorney General Yvon Marcoux to review the decision of a provincial court judge to release on bail a man charged with threatening an imam and another Muslim man with a knife last week.

Yesterday, a Quebec Court judge granted a $5,000 bail to Pierre Brabant who was charged with four criminal counts, including armed assault and possession of a dangerous weapon, for having threatened Montreal imam Said Jazeri and another Muslim man in front of their mosque. The police and the Crown prosecutor considered the assault a hate-motivated crime; the Crown opposed the release.

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Quebec Muslims are shocked and outraged by the news of the alleged terrorist plot uncovered in Ontario. We reiterate our strong condemnation of terrorism and extremism in all its forms and expressions. Extremism, violence, political crimes, and illegal actions have no place in our Canadian society and are equally condemned by all of us.

While we strongly condemn such alleged acts, we urge all Canadians, and the media in particular, not to rush to judgement and to respect the fact that the accused are now in the hands of the justice system. We must work hard to protect justice and respect Canadian values of equality and fairness. Those accused must be considered innocent until proven guilty in a transparent and fair trial that respects due process and natural justice. If they are found guilty then they should be viewed as criminals who neither reflect our community’s values nor our faith. In such eventuality, Canadian Muslims would be very grateful and applaud our police officers for preventing such a criminal act.

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June 5, 2006 (Montreal): The Muslim Council of Montreal views with grave concern the news of the arrest of 17 individuals in the Toronto area in which, according to authorities, an alleged massive terrorist attack in Southern Ontario was averted.

MCM reiterates its long held position in strongly condemning anyone who uses or intends to use violence against innocent people regardless of his or her religious background and more specifically if those involved are Muslims.

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Montreal Feb 13, 2006: In response to the printing of 12 offensive cartoons by various European newspapers and elsewhere, various local Islamic organizations and centers recently came together to form the Muslim Coordinating Committee for Justice with a view to providing an appropriate response based upon our Islamic values as taught to us in the Quran and the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

"Hast thou not noticed how God has struck a similitude of a good word; it is like a good tree whose root is firm and whose branch is in the heaven; it brings forth its fruit all the time by the leave of its Lord; God strikes similitudes for men that they may pay heed. And the similitude of an evil word is like an evil tree, uprooted over the earth, having no stability." (Quran 14:24-26)

"It may well be that God will bring about love (and friendship) between you and those with whom you are now at odds." (Quran 60:7)

"It is by Allah's grace that you deal gently with them. Had you been harsh and hard- hearted, they would surely have broken away from you. Therefore pardon them and pray for forgiveness for them and consult with them in the conduct of public affairs. When you have resolved about a course of action, put your trust in Allah. Allah loves those who put their trust in Him." (Quran 3:159)

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Montreal February 13, 2006: In light of recent events which have taken place in our community over the past several days, the Muslim Council Of Montreal urges local Muslims to exercise caution when out in public and to immediately report any hostile or suspicious incidents.

Elmenyawi encouraged everyone to immediately report any incident, including hateful and racial slurs, to the police and then to MCM so that records can be kept of all incidents. In addition, he urged Muslims not to confront or engage attackers.

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In response to the printing of 12 cartoons by various European newspapers and elsewhere, we, the undersigned Islamic organizations and centers condemn these actions and those responsible for the publications. Moreover, as Canadian and Quebec Muslims, we are astonished and shocked by the actions of the above mentioned media outlets for they clearly demonstrated their lack of respect and tolerance for the beliefs and traditions of the Islamic faith.
Open mosques in Montreal -- English version - PDF -- Version Francais - PDF

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Montreal January 20, 2005: On Monday January 23rd Canadians will be asked to choose who they wish to see form the next Federal government. It is the position of the Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) that it is very important that members of the Muslim community learn about the platforms and positions of each party and their riding candidates before casting their vote.

In an internal memo circulated to Montreal's Muslim community leaders and activists on Thursday, MCM President Salam Elmenyawi stated that "voting is a must for Muslims" and that "if Muslims do not vote on Monday they in fact help weaken the community and disenfranchise it."

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(Montréal, Qc. 06/01/06) - On December 1, 2005, Mohamed Annas Bennis was shot dead, as he was returning from morning prayers, by an SPVM police officer. The Police says he was carrying a knife and attempted to stab an officer who was present at the scene of an earlier unrelated arrest.

Those who knew Bennis insist that the Police allegations against him are completely incompatible with his personality and character.

Furthermore, many serious questions remain unanswered in spite of the repeated efforts to try to uncover what really happened the morning Bennis was killed.

French Version
Letter to Charest For Bennis
Letter to Mayor Tremblay for Bennis

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Muslim Council Of Montreal Calls For Transparent And Timely Investigation Into Shooting Death Of Annas Mohamed Also expresses concerns regarding possible racial profiling

The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) is very saddened to receive the news of the death of 25 year old Hannas Mohamed who was shot twice by a Montreal police officer last week. Mohamed, who was returning from morning prayers when the incident took place, was shot in the shoulder and heart and died instantly. Montreal police says he was carrying a knife and attempted to stab an officer who was present at the scene of an earlier unrelated arrest.

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The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) appeals to those holding the four members of the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) in Iraq to ensure their unconditional safe release.

En Francais   En Arabic بالعربية

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Montreal, September 12, 2005 (MCM Media Communiqué) -The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) announced today its total disappointment with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty’s decision to ban all religious arbitration.

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Calls on the media, political leaders, so-called terrorism and Islam experts and the general public to proceed with caution and not generalise about Islam and Muslims
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Montreal July 7, 2005 (MCM)—The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) condemns the series of bomb blasts that rocked London's public transportation earlier today.
"Our hearts and sympathies go out to the victim's families of this terrible attack," stated MCM President Salam Elmenyawi

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Montreal (MCM) The Muslim Council of Montreal expressed its disappointment today over McGill University's recent decision to take away the full time prayer space to McGill Muslim students.

The university has about 2,700 Muslim students, faculty and staff, and the prayer room was used by close to 200 on daily basis. Continue reading

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Action seen as disgraceful and tantamount to religious bigotry and discrimination against a Quebec minority

The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) strongly condemns the decision of the Government of Quebec to ban the use of Islamic tribunals in Quebec to settle Muslim family disputes. Continue reading

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It is with great disappointment and frustration to hear that Canada has voted against an important United Nations resolution which seeks to protect the rights of Muslims and stem the tide of Islamophobia in the world.

On April 12th The United Nations Commission on Human Rights adopted a resolution calling for combating defamation campaigns against Islam and Muslims in the West.

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Mr. Salam Elmenyawi, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Montreal, calls on the Quebec National Assembly to hold a public inquiry into the way the Quebec Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission has handled complaints involving the banning of the hijab in private schools.

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Following last weeks media reports that the Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) was seeking a meeting with the Quebec Minister of Justice, M. Jacques P. Dupuis, in relation with family mediation, the Minister stated, during a debate in the Quebec National Assembly on Monday 13 December 2004, that “conventional arbitration courts in Quebec are permitted for conflicts of civil nature but not for family matters, and we cannot modify this order of things.”

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The Muslim Council of Montreal is calling on the president and all commissioners of the Quebec Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission to publicly tell Muslim and other Quebecers about the real situation with the Commission's internal conflict on the hijab prohibition in private schools.

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Prominent Canadian muslim, minority and civil rights groups today called on the Quebec Human Rights Commission to immediately issue a policy statement regarding the right of Muslim students to wear the hijab, islamic headscarf, in quebec’s private schools.

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The Muslim Council Of Montreal (MCM) is pleased to hear the announcement that Dr. Mohamed Elmasry's offer of resignation from the Presidency of the Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC) has been rejected by CIC's board of directors and that he will remain in his position.

Calls for Muslim Unity During Sacred Month of Fasting

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MUSLIM LEADER QUESTIONS QUEBEC HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION'S INVESTIGATION OF HIJAB COMPLAINT

A local Muslim leader questions the Quebec Human Rights Commission's handling of complaints by Montréal Muslims, calling the Commission's delay contrary to its own rules of fairness and a sign it is being under political influence not to act faster.

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The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expresses its grave concern and disappointment regarding the latest publication of an article which alleges that money donated from Saudi Arabia is being used to fund Canadian mosques and Islamic schools in order to extend militancy to Canada and foster the spread of terrorism, and that this could constitute a threat to the country's national security.

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Montreal April 5, 2004 (MCM): Yet again our city has witnessed a despicable hate crime. The library of Montreal's United Talmud Torahs School was set ablaze on Monday morning and it is being reported that anti-Semitic leaflets were found on the scene. The fire inflicted heavy damage on the building as well as books and computer equipment.

The Muslim Council Of Montreal (MCM) condemns this racist targeting of Jewish institutions and calls on the authorities to be diligent in investigating this incident as a hate crime until the perpetrators are brought to justice.

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The Muslim Council Of Montreal (MCM) is advising all Muslims living in Montreal and Canada to not cooperate with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Canada's government spy agency.

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Two Montreal based Muslim organizations have recently filed a complaint with the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) against Global TV regarding its coverage of recent events at Concordia University.

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The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) is very disturbed to hear of the recent two week suspension of veteran journalist Sue Montgomery from the Montreal Gazette. Continue reading

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The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) is very disturbed to hear of the recent two week suspension of veteran journalist Sue Montgomery from the Montreal Gazette. Continue reading

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Montreal Muslims and their well-wishers are called upon to support Muslim students' fundamental Human Rights under Canadian, Quebec and International law to offer their prayers and freely practice their faith without harassment at the Ecole de Technologie Superieure (ETS). (http://www.etsmtl.ca) Continue reading

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