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article from the Star
Canadian imams denounce terror
Leaders' statement a clear rejection
Rooting out radicals will be harder to do
SIKANDER Z. HASHMI AND MICHELLE SHEPHARD
STAFF REPORTER
For the first time, imams from across Canada joined together yesterday to issue a statement denouncing terrorism and calling upon Canadian Muslims to confront extremism.
But what role imams can play in rooting out radical elements within their mosques remains a complicated question.
Imam Ahmad Kutty read a prepared statement on behalf of 122 imams from across Canada, in which he said they "categorically and unequivocally reject" acts of terrorism.
"We will confront and challenge the extremist mindset that produces perversion of our faith," he said. "We have opposed, and will continue to oppose, all extremism, hate, and terrorism."
But Muslim Canadian Congress founder Tarek Fatah argues that the message sent yesterday was largely a public relations manoeuvre to reassure Canada's non-Muslim population that there was unequivocal condemnation of the London bombings.
However, it won't help detect or dissuade radical ideology within Canada's mosques, he says. That could better be done by creating an open debate at the mosque to freely discuss all issues facing Muslims, including the roots of terrorism and the policies of governments worldwide.
"To indulge in meaningful dialogue you don't need a press conference," Fatah said. "You need to open your mosque to say let's talk about it. In the democratic freedoms that we have in Canada, what do you think should be done about Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq? How many of you think it's okay for the Iranian leadership to say they're divinely ordained to run a country of 70 million people?"
Imam Aly Hindy of Scarborough's Salaheddin Islamic Centre, who did not sign yesterday's declaration, said in an earlier interview that much of the leadership is out of touch with young, angry Muslims who harbour "strange ideas." Thus, those who most need to be influenced are left unmoved by community leaders' declarations.
"The problem is all the leaders just say one thing — `Don't do this, this is wrong' — and they never say anything about what's happening from the other side," said Hindy, who rarely fails to mention the killing of innocent civilians in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestinian areas after condemning events such as the London attacks.
Hindy says what he sees as his balanced view maintains people's trust.
If there's one thing Fatah and Hindy agree on, it's the need for dialogue.
"Allow people to have dialogue ... to understand their concerns and point of view," Hindy said. "You have to allow people to speak. That's why people trust me."
In the news conference that followed their declaration yesterday, the imams said they will begin to challenge extremism in the community.
Imam Mahmoud Haddara of St. John's said Muslims must work strongly against the terrorist ideology.
Muslims should also co-operate with intelligence and law enforcement agencies, the imams said. "One of the main issues that we have been discussing is ... to nurture a positive partnership with security agencies in Canada," Haddara said. "We have no problem talking to people from CSIS or the RCMP."
Riad Saloojee, the executive director of the group that brought the imams together, the Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN), recognized that a simple sermon or education is not going to change the views of those who are "radical or extremist in their outlook."
"Imams don't have magic wands," Saloojee said. "They can't do everything, so they've recognized that they've got to take ownership in confronting and challenging this mindset of extremism in the ways they are able to ... through education, through exhortation from standing on the pulpit, and from demanding that Canadian Muslims also take on this challenge as well."
Muslims pass on the message, and eventually, radicalized youth can be reached through their friends and family, he said.
Last month, the same group that organized yesterday's press conference presented the results of a questionnaire of close to 500 Muslim Canadians that accused Canada's security establishment of using repressive methods, including harassing people in their workplace and asking irrelevant questions on personal and religious grounds.
"The problem, of course, is that if CSIS is going to do its job effectively, as similarly with the RCMP, they need to be able to have trust and confidence within the Muslim community," Saloojee said.
"There need to be bridges of dialogue, communication, networks established so that they can do effective detective work. The community needs to understand that we do need to have productive partnerships with our security agencies in ensuring that Canada is safe and secure."
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"When I die, I want to be buried under the dancefloor"- Frankie Madgenta
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Toronto Islamic Imam Warns Politicians To Back off Muslims
