Your voice. Your future. Annual Review 2007

3

CONTENT Cair-Can Annual Review 2007

MessagefromtheChair 4

MessagefromOutgoingExecutiveDirector 6

MovingForward 6

MESSAGES 01

ASPIRATIONS 02OurVision&Mission 8

IntheOffice 10

OntheBoard 12

WhereAreTheyNow? 16

SomeMembersofourVolunteer

ConsultativeBoard(Shura) 18

PEOPLE 03

AYearinReview 20

MediaEngagement 24

CAIR-CANontheRecord 25

CommunityEducation 26

CivilLibertiesDefence 28

PublicAdvocacy&HumanRights 34

NationalProjects&Initiatives 35

OpinionPieces 36

Index 46

WORK 04

4

Assalamu’alaikum-Peacebewithyou.

It is my privilege to present to you the Canadian Council on American Islamic

Relations’ (CAIR-CAN) 2006-2007 Annual Review. This latest Review outlines

CAIR-CAN’seffortsoverthepastyearinourcoreserviceareasofhumanrightsand

publicadvocacy,mediaengagementandcommunityeducationandoutreach.

Asyouwillnote,thesecuritycertificatecases(includingtheCharkaouidecision),the

HuseyinCelildeportation,the“No-flyList”,theAirIndiaInquiryandtheissueofreason-

ableaccommodationrepresentsomeofthesignificantmattersinwhichwehavebeen

involvedmostrecently. Perhapsmoresignificantly,undertheleadershipofourVice

ChairFaisalKutty,CAIR-CANhasestablishedaHumanRightsGroupconsistingofa

teamoftalentedlawyersandcaseworkerswhoseaimistoassistordinaryCanadian

Muslimsindealingwithdiscriminationintheworkplaceandinsocietygenerally.

Thatbeingsaid,thereislittledoubtthatthispastyearhasbeenoneoftransitiongiven

thedepartureofourformerExecutiveDirector,KarlNicknerandourCommunications

DirectorSarahElgazzar. Wearecurrentlyengagedinacarefulandcomprehensive

searchtoreplacebothofthesekeyindividualsandexpecttoannouncetheappoint-

mentofanewexecutivedirectorandcommunicationsofficerearlyin2008.

InKarlandSarah’sabsence,ourCommunityRelations&OperationsDirectorIhsaan

Gardee,MediaRelations&HumanRightsCoordinatorSameerZuberiandCommunity

RelationsCoordinator(Toronto)MaryamDadabhoyhaveworkedtirelesslytohelpthe

organizationfulfilitsmandatetoservethecommunityinitscoreserviceareas.

In2006,wewelcomedtwonewBoardmembers -SelmaDjukicandKashifAhmed.

Selma is both a successful businesswoman and a veteran of community service.

Shebringsauniqueskillsetthathasalreadyproventobeofimmensevaluetothe

organization.Similarly,Kashif’swritingability,businessbackgroundandcommunity

involvementinWesternCanadahavemadehimamajoradditiontotheBoard.

Together with a dedicated national team of volunteers, we intend to build on our

effortstohelpCanadianMuslimsexercisetheirrightswhilefulfillingtheircivicduties

andresponsibilitiesasfullparticipantsinademocraticsociety.

WecanonlyengageinthisworkbythemercyandgraceoftheAlmightyandthrough

yoursupport.AndsoIissuethisinvitationtoyouall:joinusandletusworktogether

tobuildanevenbetterCanada.

Sincerely,

Abdul-BasitKhan

MESSAGES Message from Chair

01

Muslimsareafundamentalpartofthiscountry’ssocialfabric.Weareasstrongaswearediverse–inculture,occupations,skillsandeducationalbackgrounds.

6

On July 4, 2007, CAIR-CAN announced the resignation of Executive Director Karl Nickner. ApoliticalsciencegraduateoftheUniversityofOttawa,Karlfaithfullyservedas

ExecutiveDirectorofCAIR-CANfromMarch2006.InJune2007,Karldecidedtofocusonpersonalcommitments(havingwelcomedathirdadditiontohisfamily)andtopursue

otheropportunities.PriortohisservicewithCAIR-CAN,KarlwasemployedwiththeGovernmentofCanada.

MESSAGES Karl Nickner Departs

Moving Forward

CAIR-CAN, under the supervision of the Board of Directors, has undertaken an

aggressiverecruitingcampaigntofindtherightcandidatetofilltheroleofExecutive

Director.ByearlyNovember2007,numerousapplicationswerereceivedfromcandi-

datesbasedinCanada,theUnitedStatesandoverseas.Interviewswilltakeplacein

NovemberandDecemberandtheorganizationexpectstoappointanewExecutive

Directorbytheendof2007orearlyin2008.

“Karlwas a tremendous asset to the organization at a time

whenhisexpertiseandskillsweregreatlyneeded. Wethank

him forall ofhiseffortsandcontributionsandwishhim the

best in his future endeavours,” remarked Abdul-Basit Khan,

CAIR-CAN’sBoardChair.

“WorkingwithCAIR-CANhasbeenahighlightofmycareer

andIwishtheorganizationandteamatCAIR-CANthevery

bestintheirmissiontoserveCanada’sMuslimcommunities

aswellasallCanadians,”saidKarlNickner.

8

ASPIRATIONS Our Vision

StrivingtobealeadingvoicethatenrichesCanadiansocietythroughMuslimcivicengagement

andthepromotionofhumanrights.

Our Mission

The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN) is a national,

not-for-profit, grassroots organization that represents the concerns of Canada’s

Muslimsthroughdedicatedandprofessionalactivism.

CAIR-CANworkstofosteranaccurateunderstandingandgreaterappreciationofIslam

inCanadiansocietythrough:1communityeducationandoutreach,mediaengagement,

anti-discrimination initiatives and public advocacy; 2 empowerment of Muslims in

Canadathroughtopicalresearchandpublishing,conductingseminarsandworkshops,

andworkingwithothersocialjusticeorganizationsonjointinitiatives.

CAIR-CANisfullyindependentofitssisterorganization,theWashington-basedCAIR,

althoughthetwocoordinateonareasofmutualconcern.

10

INTRODUCTIONS In the Office

At Your Fingertips – www.caircan.ca

CAIR-CAN’swebsiteprovidesacomprehensiveresourcefornewsaffectingCanada’s

Muslimsandallows for easyonline reportingof discrimination, racial profiling and

hate crimes. The website features a complete archive of CAIR-CAN’s work, press

releases, action alerts, opinion pieces and a regularly updated record of media

coverage regarding human rights and civil liberties issues aswell asmedia pieces

addressingMuslimsandIslaminCanada.

Currently,CAIR-CANhas3employees: > Sameer ZuberiMediaRelations&HumanRights

Coordinator

> Maryam DadabhoyCommunityRelationsCoordinator

(Toronto)

> Ihsaan GardeeCommunityRelations

&OperationsDirector

02

CAIR-CAN’snationalheadquartersarelocatedinOttawa,Ontario.

Headquarters

12

PEOPLE On the Board

> Chair: Abdul-Basit Khan

Abdul-BasitKhanhasservedastheChairofCAIR-CAN’sBoardofDirectorssincetakingoverthehelmfromDr.Sheema

Khanin2005.Abdul-BasitisagraduateofMcGillUniversity’sFacultyofLawandcompletedhisundergraduatestudiesat

theUniversityofToronto.HealsoholdsanMAinPoliticalSciencefromMcGill.SinceFebruary2000,hehasbeenamember

oftheLabour&EmploymentGroupatBlake,Cassels&GraydonLLPinToronto.Abdul-Basit(or“A-B-K”amongstfriends)is

highlyregardedbyhispeersforhiscommunityactivism.

> Vice-Chair: Faisal Kutty, LLB

Lawyer,writerandentrepreneur,FaisalKuttyiswellknowninmediaandsocialactivistcircles.AgraduateoftheUniver-

sityofOttawa’sFacultyofLawandhavingearnedhisLLMfromYorkUniversity’sOsgoodeHallLawSchool,Faisalresides

inTorontowhereheleadsoneofthelargestpredominantlyMuslimlawfirmsinCanada.Whenheisnotpreoccupiedwith

CAIR-CANcommitments,FaisalalsoservesasGeneralCounselfortheCanadianMuslimCivilLibertiesAssociation(CMCLA)

andiscurrentlycompletinghisdoctorateinlawatOsgoodeHall.

> Selma Djukic

A2006additiontoCAIR-CAN’sBoard,SelmaDjukicisagraduateoftheUniversityofToronto.SelmaisownerandPresi-

dentofWhiteOwlGlobalServicesLtd.,apharmaceuticaldrugdevelopmentconsultancybasedintheGreaterTorontoArea.

Involvedincommunitysocialactivismthroughoutherlife,SelmawasoneoftheearlyyouthworkersintheTorontoMuslim

community.Today,CAIR-CANhascometodependonherconsiderablemanagementexpertiseandcommunityexperience.

14

> Shahina Siddiqui

Freelancewriterandcounselor,ShahinaSiddiquiresidesinWinnipeg.Shahina’sarticlesonmattersrelatingtoCanadian

Muslimsarefrequentlypublished in localandnationalmediaandshehaspioneeredprojects inspiritualcounselingand

socialwork.ShahinaisthePresidentoftheIslamicSocialServicesAssociation(ISSA)andisofteninvitedtospeakonlocal

andnationalmediashows(radioandtelevision)aswellasatnationalconferencesonracism,policing,ethno-culturaland

humanrightsissues.

> Dr. Wael Haddara

WaelHaddara,agraduateofQueensUniversity’sFacultyofMedicine,isapharmacistanddoctorwhoresidesinLondon,

Ontario.WaelisanassistantprofessorattheSchulichSchoolofMedicineandDentistryattheUniversityofWesternOntario.

HeiswellknownasaCanadianMuslimacademic,speakerandactivist,andhisparticularstrengthsincludestrategicmedia

coordinationandpoliticalengagement.

> Aftab Sabir

AftabSabirisoneofthefoundersofCAIR-CANandisbasedinCalgary.ArmedwithanMBAinfinancialandorganizational

developmentfromtheSchulichSchoolofBusinessatYorkUniversity,AftabisafounderandmanagerofSalamFinancial,a

businessfocusedonIslamicbankingandfinanceinCanada.

PEOPLE On the Board

15

> Dr. Jamal Badawi

Dr.JamalBadawi,oneofNorthAmerica’smostrenownedIslamicscholars,isaprofessoratSaintMary’sUniversityinHalifax,

whereheisacross-appointedfacultymemberintheDepartmentofReligiousStudiesandtheDepartmentofManagement.

OftencalledupontocommentonissuesaffectingCanadianMuslims,Dr.Jamalhasalsoproducedpublicationsongender

equityaswellasanimpressivecollectionofaudiomaterialsintroducingIslam.

> Khadija Haffajee

KhadijaHaffajee,aretiredschoolteacherwhocallsOttawahome,isaregularspeakeronissuesthataffectMuslimsinCanada

andinternationallyandhasheldleadershiproleswiththeIslamicSocietyofNorthAmerica.Shehasworkedformanyyears

withotherorganizationsininterfaithdialogue,theempowermentofwomen,spiritualcounselingandthedevelopmentof

civilsociety.

> Kashif Ahmed

KashifAhmedgraduatedwithabusinessadministrationdegreeinfinancefromtheLeveneSchoolofBusinessattheUniver-

sityofReginaandbeganhiscareerwithImperialOilinCalgary.HerecentlycommencedlawschoolattheUniversityofSas-

katchewan.KashifhasextensiveexperienceinmediarelationsandpublicadvocacyandjoinedCAIR-CAN’sBoardin2006.

03

16

PEOPLE Where are they now?

> Riad Saloojee(formerExecutiveDirector)RiadSaloojee,alongwithasmallteamofdedicatedprofessionals,helpedestablishastrong

foundationforCAIR-CAN,andintheprocess,developedintooneofthemosteloquentand

well-respectedpersonalitieswithintheCanadianMuslimcommunity.Thesedays,Riadisin

CapeTown,SouthAfrica,fulfillinghislife-longdreamofpursuinggraduateIslamicstudies.

SincemovingtotheCape,Riadclaimstohavespottedatleast20whales.

> Naeem Saloojee(formerOperationsDirector)Contenttostayinthebackgroundandawayfromthelimelight,Naeemquietlyandhumbly

helpedtobuildafoundationfortheprofessionaladvocacy,humanrightsandanti-discrimination

work that is today’s CAIR-CAN. Currently, Naeem can be foundworking at his family’s

pharmacy,orchanginghisnewchild’sdiaperswhilebuildinghisempireoneBay.

> Karl Nickner(formerExecutiveDirector)CAIR-CAN’sfirstQuébécoisdesouche,KarlNicknerhelpedCAIR-CANtobroadenitsreach

into French Canada while helping the organization build its infrastructure and policies.

Equippedwithaquickwitandaloveforsmokedmeatsandwiches,Karlisbusypursuing

newcareeropportunitiesandstayingupnightswithhisfamily’sthirdaddition.

> Sarah ElgazzarMom,starhockeygoalie,andall-aroundmediadynamo,SarahElgazzarbroughttotherole

ofCAIR-CANmediaspokespersonequalmeasuresofpanacheandgravitaswhilestillbeing

abletoconveyadown-to-earth,girl-next-doorsensibilityonarangeofissuesfromhuman

rightstoreasonableaccommodation.SarahandherhusbandIsamrecentlymovedtothe

UKwhereIsamispursuingadoctorateattheUniversityofCambridge.

> Ayman FarisAymanwasinstrumentalinfacilitatingthegrowthofCAIR-CAN’sdonordatabasethrough

hisabilitytobuildbridgesandconnectwithpeople.AymanisaregularhostonRadioIslam

everySundaynightinOttawaandnowworksasthedrivingforcebehindoneofOttawa’s

foremostventilationcompanieswhilestillfindingtimetodo“smallprojects”likehosting

Ottawa’sfirstISNACanadaconvention.

> Omaima FarisWhile with CAIR-CAN, Omaima Faris worked tirelessly to raise the organization’s public

profile by coordinating fundraising dinners and other community relations events.

Currently,OmaimacanbefoundworkingwithVolunteerOttawacoordinatingworkshops

and programs to help train and refer new and established Canadians as volunteers to

non-profit agencies. But if you want to keep up with her, you’ll have to show some

enduranceonyourfeet–Omaima’slatestadventureisrunningmarathons.

> Abdurrahman SalmanInhissignaturecool,calmandcollectedmanner,AbdurrahmanSalman’sknowledgeofthe

innerworkingsofgovernment,frommunicipaltoprovincialtonational,helpedCAIR-CAN

establish inroadswith political parties and decisionmakers. Currently,Abdurrahman is

workingfortheDepartmentofForeignAffairswhilehecontinuestolookforwaystoper-

suadeeitherNaeemorRiadtorunforelectedoffice.

> Hadeel Al-ShalchiHadeelstartedwithCAIR-CANand,ashertalentforpublicspeakingandmediaworkblossomed,

madeherwaytoCBCRadiowhereshenowworksasareporterandnewsreader.Whennot

behindthemikeinCanada,she’sfreelancingoutoftheMiddleEast.Herlistofaccomplishments

includes:prayingintheal-Aqsamosque,visitingthegorillasontheslopesofRwanda’svolca-

noes,andwaiting12hoursatIsraelibordersecurity.Allinaday’sworkforHadeel.

18

PEOPLE Our Volunteer Consultative Board (Shura)

> Rahat Godil - Toronto, ON

RahatGodilisanAssociatepractisingintheLitigationGroupwiththelawfirmBlake,Cas-

sels&GraydonLLPinToronto.RahatgraduatedfromtheUniversityofTorontowithaJuris

DoctorfromtheFacultyofLaw.Beforeattendinglawschool,shecompletedabachelorof

businessadministrationattheUniversityofToronto.Rahathasakeeninterestinhuman

rightsandisonthesteeringcommitteeoftheHumanRightsWatchTorontoNetwork.

> Safiyyah Ally - Toronto, ON

BornandraisedinCanada,SafiyyahAllyishostof“LettheQuranSpeak”,atelevisiontalk

showthatairsnation-wideonVISION-TVat4:00p.m.everySaturday.Safiyyahiscurrently

pursuingherPhDinPoliticalSciencefocusingonpoliticaltheoryasitpertainstominority

religiouscommunitiesintheliberaldemocraticcontext.Heropinionpiecesandcommen-

tarieshavebeenpublishedinonlinemagazinesandnewspapersincludingtheTorontoStar

andtheOttawaCitizen.

> Mihad Fahmy - London, ON

MihadFahmyhasagraduatedegreeinlawandworksasalabourandhumanrightslawyer

basedinLondon,OntariowiththelawofficesofEliot,Smith.Sheisacontributingcolum-

nistwith theLondonFreePressandworkscloselywithCAIR-CANonhumanrightsand

anti-discriminationissues.

> Dr. Aisha Sherazi - Ottawa, ON

Abiologist,AishaSherazimigratedtoCanadasevenyearsagofromtheUK.Theformer

principal of a full timeMuslim elementary school inOttawa, Aisha now freelances as a

writerfortheOttawaCitizen.Whenshe’snotworkingasateencounselorgivingpresenta-

tionsandworkshopsontopicsfromeducationtoyouth,IslamandMuslims,Aishasitson

variousboardsandcommitteesincludingtheCommunityAdvisoryCommitteetotheRCMP,

theIslamicSocialServicesAssociationofCanadaandtheOntarioFederationofIndepen-

dentSchools.

> Tim Weis - Edmonton

TimisanEdmonton-basedrenewableenergyresearcherwithafocusonwindenergydevel-

opmentinFirstNationsCommunities.TimhasaMaster’sdegreeinMechanicalEngineer-

ingfromtheUniversityofAlbertaandhasbeenanactivememberofCAIR-CAN’sadvisory

boardsince2002.

> Eric Engler - Calgary

EricEnglerhasaBachelorsdegreeinReligiousStudiesspecializinginIslamicHistoryandis

currentlyastudentintheUniversityofCalgary’sMasterofTeachingProgram.Hehasbeen

anactivememberofCAIR-CAN’sadvisoryboardsince2001.

CAIR-CAN’s Shura or Volunteer Consultative Board is comprised of a dedicated and dynamic team of volunteers across Canada that generates ideas,

provides constructive feedback, vets draft publications including op-eds, press releases and articles and contributes to the organization’s overall

body of work. What follows is an introduction to some of the members of the Shura group.

19

> Khalid Elgazzar - Ottawa, ON

Khalid Elgazzar is a graduate of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law and currently

practicesintheareasofcivil,commercialandinsurancelitigationwiththelawfirmSoloway

Wright.AnactiveandinvolvedmemberofthecommunitywhoisfluentinEnglish,French

andArabic, Khalid also holds a BCommwithmajors in finance andmarketing from the

UniversityofOttawawherehegraduatedmagnacumlaude.

> Anwaar Syed - Toronto, ON

AnwaarSyedisacommunicationsspecialistandrunsaconsultancycompany,JaraCommu-

nications.HehasheldcontractswithOntario’sMinistriesofTransportationandFinanceand

workedwiththeTorontoDistrictSchoolBoard.Anwaarearnedhisundergraduatedegreein

CommunicationArtsandPost-ColonialLiteratureatYorkUniversityandcompletedGraduate

StudiesinCorporateCommunicationsandPublicRelationsatYorkandCentennialCollege.

> Feyoun Khan - Vancouver, BC

FeyounKhanisManagingEditorofAl-Ameen,BC’spremierbi-weeklyMuslimcommunity

newspaperandafounderofUmmahWest,aweeklyMuslimtelevisionprogramcurrentlyin

development.Awell-knowncommunityactivist,Feyounhasworkedextensivelyinmedia

relations forBC’sMuslimcommunityandpublishedopinionpiecesandcommentaries in

onlinemagazinesandnewspapersincludingTheVancouverSunandTheProvince.

> Dr. Sheema Khan - Ottawa, ON

SheemaKhanholdsaPhDinChemicalPhysicsfromHarvardUniversityandanumberof

patentsforinventionsindrugdelivery.SheisafounderandformerchairofCAIR-CAN.She

currentlyworksasapatentagentandwritesamonthlycolumnforTheGlobeandMail.

A little word about volunteers: the backbone of the organization

Therearemanyvolunteersincludingstudentsandprofessionalswho

selflesslygivetheirtimetoassistCAIR-CAN,doingeverythingfrom

foldingthousandsoflettersandstuffingenvelopestowritingletters

anddealingwithlocalcommunities.Manyoftheseindividualsdoso

withnowishforthanksorrecognition.Fromallofus,thankyou–you

knowwhoyouare.

Thatbeingsaid,certainindividualsdeservespecialcredit.

ThankyoutoIbrahimDanialforhisunrelenting(exceptwhenheoc-

casionallydisappears toAlberta :) )effortsandcommitment. Ibra-

himisagraduateoftheFacultyofLawattheUniversityofToronto

andbeganhislegalcareeratMcCarthyTétraultbeforeenteringthe

businessworld.Ibrahimhasbeenprovidingguidanceanddirectionto

CAIR-CANsince2001.Amongotherthings,hehasplayedakeyrole

inhelpingorganizefundraisingdinnersintheGTAandhasprovided

valuableadviceandongoingconstructivecriticism.

SpecialthankstoMustaphaKhanwho,onadailybasis,assiduously

helpsproducetheweeklyMediaWatchforCAIR-CAN.

Thankyouallandwelookforwardtoyourcontinuedsupport.

03

20

A P R I L 2 0 0 6

AAAskMinisterMacKay

tohelpCanadianMuslim

detainedinUzbekistan

> Monday,April10,2006

PRCAIR-CAN:Parliamentmust

ensureCanadiantroopsnot

complicitintorture


PR CAIR-CANsettleslawsuits

againstCFRARadio,

DavidHarris

> Wednesday,April19,2006

PR MP,rightsgroupstocallfor

reformofsecuritycertificates

>Wednesday,April26,2006

M AY 2 0 0 6

AA Keepwritingletters

tofreeHuseyinCelil

> Thursday,May4,2006

PR CAIR-CAN,CMCLAwin

participationinsecurity

certificateappealsat

SupremeCourt

> Thursday,May11,2006

PR CAIR-CANcondemnsmosque

vandalisminQuebec,

callsforrenewedoutreach

> Tuesday,May23,2006

OE Acknowledgetheriseof

fanaticismanddisavow

itsideology

> TheGlobeandMail,05/06/06

J U N E 2 0 0 6

AA CAIR-CAN,CMCLAask

SupremeCourttouphold

bothrightsandsecurity

> Friday,June16,2006

PR MEDIAADVISORY:

CanadianMuslimscallfor

summitonextremism

> Wednesday,June7,2006

PR Statementbynational

CanadianMuslimOrganizations

callingforsummiton

ombatingextremism

> Thursday,June8,2006

PR OutcryagainstBill107grows-

morethan50organizations

callonPremierforchange


PR CAIR-CANwelcomes

AirIndiainquiry

> Wednesday,June21,2006

PR CanadianMuslimsseek

freedomforrightsactivist

heldinChina


OE CanadianMuslimsare

firstlineofdefenceagainst

homegrownterrorists

> MontrealGazette,10/06/06

OE Canadamustnotsell

itssoulforsecurity

> OttawaCitizen,06/22/06

OE Goodintentionsare

notgoodenough

> TorontoStar,06/26/06

OE Weallsharethefight

againstextremists


J U LY 2 0 0 6

AAWritetoPrimeMinister,

MPsaboutMideastcrisis

> Friday,July21,2006

PR Muslimssayentryof

Islamaphoberaises‘double

standard’onfreespeech

> Thursday,July13,2006

PR CAIR-CANcallsforCanadato

demandendtoMideastattacks

> Monday,July17,2006

PR•Muslimorganizations

tocommentonPrime

Minister’sMideaststance


WORK A Year in Review

21

AA=ActionAlertandGoodNewsAlertPR=PressReleaseOE=Op-edAlert

PR MuslimscallonPrime

Ministertodemandimmediate

ceasefireinMideastconflict


OE Weallhavetoconfront

contemptfor‘theother’


A U G U S T 2 0 0 6

AA CanadianMuslimHuseyin

CelilFacingExecution

> Wednesday,August9,2006

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 6

AA CAIR-CANdemandspublic

apologyfromairline

companiesforracialprofiling

> Thursday,September7,2006

AA CAIR-CANpublishes2006

Ramadankit


AA Callongovernmenttofund

CourtChallengesProgram

> Friday,September29,2006

PR MediaAdvisory-TheArar

Report:WaitingforAnswers

> Monday,September11,2006

PR CAIR-CANcondemns

vandalismofmosque

inWinnipeg

> Saturday,September16,2006

PR CAIR-CANcondemnsattack

againstIslamicschoolinOttawa

> Saturday,September23,2006

PR CAIR-CANurgesPrime

Ministertoensuregovernment

accountability

> Wednesday,Sept.27,2006

PR CAIR-CANandCAFdeplore

governmentdecisionto

abolishCourtChallenges

Program


04OE Othersseekanswers,too


O C T O B E R 2 0 0 6

AAMunicipalElection

ResourceGuide

> Friday,October27,2006

AAWriteMaclean’smagazine

aboutfearmongering

> Tuesday,October31,2006

PR CanadianMuslimsclaim

doublestandardonhatespeech

> Thursday,October05,2006

PR Parliamentmustreview

nationalsecuritylaws

andpractices

> Tuesday,October31,2006

OE Veildebateattackonfaith

> WinnipegSun,10/27/06

N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 6

AA Participateintaskforce

onneedsofMuslimstudents

> Sunday,November5,2006

AA ContactPrimeMinister

andMPsonGazakillings

> Thursday,November9,2006

PR No-Flylistneedsscrutinizing

> Monday,November6,2006

PR CAIR-CANencouraged

byTrudeauFoundation

surveyresults

> Tuesday,November14,2006

PR CAIR-CANsupportsPrime

Minister’seffortstorelease

CanadianheldinChina

> Friday,November17,2006

D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 6

PR Zaccardelli’s

resignationinsufficient

> Wednesday,Dec.6,2006

22

PR Governmentmustpursue

diplomaticeffortstostop

profilingbyUSCustoms

> Friday,December8,2006

PR CAIR-CAN,CAFandCMCLA

callonPrimeMinister

Harpertoimmediately

implementJustice

O’Connor’srecommendations

> Wednesday,Dec.13,2006

OE UnderstandingtheHajj

> NationalPost,12/29/06

J A N U A R Y 2 0 0 7

AA EmailtheNationalPost

anappreciationletter

> Wednesday,January3,2007

AA 53-dayhungerstrike&counting


PR LittleMosqueonthePrairie:

Asatireonthechallengesand

OEportunitiesofmulticulturalism

> Tuesday,January9,2007

PR CAIR-CANandWindsorMuslims

askpolicetoinvestigate

possiblehatespeech

> Saturday,January13,2007

PR CAIR-CANurgesbiasprobe

ofMuslimschoolvandalism


PR CAIR-CANapplauds

governmentsettlement

withMaherArar

> Friday,January26,2007

OE ATVshowthatallowsMuslims

tolaughatthemselves


F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 7

AA UrgeyourMPtovoteagainst

extensionofAnti-TerrorAct

> Sunday,February11,2007

AA Emailsoccercoach

appreciationletterfor

hissupportofhijab

> Tuesday,February27,2007

PR CAIR-CANwelcomespoll

showingMuslimswellintegrated

> Tuesday,February13,2007

PR CAIR-CANandgroupsaskMPs

nottorenewAnti-TerrorAct

> Thursday,February22,2007

PR CAIR-CANapplauds

SupremeCourtdecision

onsecuritycertificates

> Friday,February23,2007

PR CAIR-CANapplaudssupport

forMuslimsoccerplayer

> Monday,February26,2007

OE ApologizingtoMaherArar:

ABeginning,NotanEnd

> JuristLegalNewsand

Research,02/02/07

M A R C H 2 0 0 7

AAWritegovernmenttoensure

fairtreatmentofCanadian

OmarKhadratGuantanamoBay

> Friday,March16,2007

PR CanadianMuslimsaskFIFA

toclarifyhijabstance

> Monday,March5,2007

PR CAIR-CANsaysfiring

ofMuslimofficer

‘entirelyunnecessary’

> Wednesday,March14,2007

PR CAIR-CANurgesForeign

MinistertomeetU.S.

officialsoverGuantanamo

Baydetainee

> Friday,March16,2007

PR CanadianMuslimsand

ArabsprofiledatU.S.border

> Monday,March19,2007

PR CAIR-CANencourages

contacttoendracism

> Wednesday,March21,2007

PR CanadianMuslims

condemnthreats,encourage

respectfuldialogue

> Thursday,March22,2007

WORK A Year in Review

23

04AA=ActionAlertandGoodNewsAlertPR=PressReleaseOE=Op-edAlert

OE SayNotoaCanadian

No-FlyList

> JuristLegalNews

andResearch03/20/07

A P R I L 2 0 0 7

PR CAIR-CAN,CAFandCMCLA

grantedintervenerstatus

atIacobucciInquiry


PR CanadianMuslims

condemnattackonMontreal

JewishCommunityCentre


PR CAIR-CANsaysMcMaster

hategraffitishouldprompt

intercommunaldialogue

> Thursday,April12,2007

PR QuebecMuslimgirlbanned

fromkaratetournament

> Sunday,April15,2007

PR BenamarBenattaspeaks

on5yearsofUSdetention


PR Canadianinvolvement

inBenatta’sordealcries

outforreview


M AY 2 0 0 7

OE No-flylistsprovidefalse

senseofsecurity


J U N E 2 0 0 7

PR CAIR-CANsaysGuantanamo

detaineemusthave

Canadianlawyers

> Friday,June1,2007

PR CAIR-CANcallsonGovernment

toscrapNo-flylist

> Monday,June18,2007

J U LY 2 0 0 7

PR CAIR-CANExecutiveDirector

regretfullyannouncesresignation

> Wednesday,July4,2007

PR CAIR-CANreceiveshuman

rightsaward


A U G U S T 2 0 0 7

PR PMmustrepatriateOmar

Khadr:22groupsurge

> Thursday,August9,2007

PR CAIR-CANurgeshateprobe

ofMuslimschoolvandalism

> Wednesday,August22,2007

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 7

AA Ramadancommunity

publicitykit

> Tuesday,Sept.25,2007

PR CanadianMuslimsstart

fastingmonth


PR TrialofToronto18brings

dueprocessintoquestion


PR Nostigmaforrapevictims

inIslam

> Thursday,Sept.27,2007

OE Veilissueunfairly

targetsMuslims

> TheStarPhoenix,09/14/07

O C T O B E R 2 0 0 7

PR Council’sproposedhijab-ban

discriminatesagainst

Quebecwomen

> Friday,October5,2007

24

WORK Media Engagement

CAIR-CAN’s media work – whether in print, radio or television – is unparalleled in its

depth and breadth.Whetheritisissue-basedcommentary,one-on-oneinterviews,live

broadcasts,radioandtelevisiontalk-ins,informativepaneldiscussionsorheateddebate,

CAIR-CANistheretoprovideexperiencedandarticulaterepresentationforCanada’s

diverseMuslimcommunities.

Overthelastyear,CAIR-CANhasspoken,forexample,onsuchbroadissuesastheCourt

Challenges Program; the cases of jailed CanadiansHuseyin Celil andOmar Khadr;

the erosion of civil liberties and the rule of law; the Iacobucci inquiry; reasonable

accommodation of religion in Quebec; hate crimes against mosques and Islamic

centres;Islamicritessuchasfasting,Hajj(pilgrimage);andanti-terrorismlegislation.

“CAIR-CANisavaluableresourceforwriters,reporters,

producersandeditors.”

>KarleneNation,DiversityReporter/Producer,CFTO/CTV

“Whetherit’stheissuingofa‘GoodNews’alert,providing

anoverviewofmediacoverageonanissueofspecific

pertinencetoCanadianMuslims,oranalyzingtheeffects

ofanti-Muslimdiscriminationandharassment,CAIR-CAN

providesanimportantservicetoallCanadians.”

>LoisSweet,AssistantProfessor,SchoolofJournalismand

Communication,CarletonUniversity

25

04On The Record

On the Toronto 18 terrorism suspects

“Themysterysurroundingthiscaseandthisunorth-

odoxturnofeventsraisesseriousdoubtsaboutthe

accused’schancesofafairtrialanddueprocess.”

> Sameer Zuberi

Source:www.threadbare.tyo.ca

Date:September26,2007

On the Passenger Protect Program

“Howisitapersonwhoissupposedlytoodangerous

to fly, is allowed towalk our streets, ride subways

anddrivecars?ThisisaclearviolationofCanada’s

libertyandmobilityrights.”

> Karl Nickner

Source:http://ccun.org/

Date:June19,2007

On the debate around veiled voting

“Theyidentifythemselvesatbordercrossings,when

theygettheirpassports-ontheirphotoID,theirfac-

esareshowing.Allofthiscontroversy…juststigma-

tizes...peoplewhoareassumednottobecomplying

but have already been complying for a number of

yearsnow.”

> Sarah Elgazzar

Source:www.macleans.ca

Date:September10,2007

“Elles n’ont pas de problème à se dévoiler pour

s’identifier,çan’ajamaisétéunproblème,a-t-ellees-

timé.Peut-êtrequeledirecteurgénérald’Élections

Canadaavaitdebonnesintentions,maislemoment

ouc’est sorti, lamanièrequec’est sorti, cen’était

pas une bonne idée. Ces femmes n’ont jamais de-

mandéd’accommodement.Caaététrèsmalgéré.”

> Sarah Elgazzar

Source:www.cyberpresse.ca

Date:07septembre2007

On border harassment faced by Muslims in Canada

“There are hundreds of other average Canadian

Muslimswho face the same [ordeal] and it’s really

themosttragiccases”.

> Sameer Zuberi

Source:www.embassymag.ca

Date:June27,2007

26

> Publications & Kits

CAIR-CAN’spublicationsarestillindemandbyboththeprivateandpublicsector.Over

400KnowYourRightsbookletsweresenttooneconferencealoneandanother120

copies of the Educator’sGuide to IslamicReligiousPracticeswere ordered by one

schoolboard.Currently,theentirelibraryofpublicationsfromourGuidestoIslamic

Religious practices for journalists, employers, and health care providers are being

updatedandrevampedwithanewlook,sokeepaneyeoutforthem.

Otherorganizationsthathaveorderedourpublicationsincludegovernmentagencies

suchas theCanadianHumanRightsCommission,ArtsCanada,CanadianHeritage,

the Department of National Defense, Citizenship and Immigration Canada; media

organizations such asCTVandCBC; private companies such asUPS,Client Logic,

Convergysandlawfirms;policeservicessuchastheRCMPandtheCanadianPolice

Collegeandothers.

CAIR-CAN’scomprehensiveandpracticalcommunitymediakitsonRamadanandHajj

areessentialresourcesinthetoolboxofanyCanadianMuslimmediaactivist.

> Workshops and Seminars

CAIR-CANoffersseminarsandworkshopstothepublicandprivatesector.Workshops

onanti-discrimination,IslamandMuslimshavebeendeliveredtoeducators,employers,

mediaprofessionalsandthelawenforcementcommunity.

Furthermore,CAIR-CAN’sworkshopsforvariousMuslimcommunitiesprovideleaders

andactivistswiththeessentialtoolsandknowledgeforeffectivemediarelationsand

humanrightsadvocacy.

WORK Community Education

27

04> Conferences & Speaking Engagements

CAIR-CAN representatives are regular panelists at national conferences across

Canada. Over the past year CAIR-CAN representatives have spoken at numerous

eventsorganizedbysuchdiverseorganizationsas:

> theCanadianCentreforPolicyAlternativeson“Throughthe

LookingGlass:AnExaminationofRacialProfilinginCanada”

> CKUTRadioinMontrealon“MediaDemocracyandCommunityRadio”

> theSocialJusticecommitteeoftheUnitedMuslimStudents’

Associationon“SocialJustice:ACommunalCause”

> theTARICIslamicCenteron“TooGuiltytoFly,TooInnocenttoCharge”

aboutCanada’sNo-FlyList

> OsgoodeHallLawSchoolatYorkUniversityon“Multiculturalism

andShari’ainOntario”

> Hate Crimes Community Working Group

CAIR-CANwasamemberofaWorkingGroupsetuptoprovideadvicetotheAttorney

GeneralofOntarioandtheMinisterofCommunitySafetyandCorrectionalServices

onapproachestoaddresshatecrimesintheprovince.Theseincludedmeasuresto

enhance services to hate crime victims and to reduce hate crime victimization

directedatbothindividualsandcommunitiesatlarge.Thereportwassubmittedto

theOntariogovernmentinDecember2006.

28

Protecting the legalandpolitical interestsofCanada’sMuslimsrequiresvigilance

and sustained advocacy. CAIR-CAN is at the forefront defending basic Canadian

rightsandlibertiesagainstthepoliticsoffearanddivision.CAIR-CANhasorganized

press conferences and offered written and oral testimony before parliamentary

committeesonlegislationrelatingtocharitablefundraisingandterrorism,andthe

anti-terrorismomnibuslegislation.

WORK Civil Liberties Defence

“CAIR-CAN plays a valuable role empowering Canadian Muslims with a deeper understanding of their rights as citizens.

By addressing issues of particular interest to and impact onMuslims, as individuals and as a community, in an insightful

andeducatedmanner,CAIR-CANhashelpedfostergreaterunderstandinganddialogueamongallCanadians.”

>AlexaMcDonough,MPHalifaxandNDPForeignAffairs

andInternationalDevelopmentCritic

29

04The story of Maher Arar and his wife Dr. Monia Mazigh

is by now one with which most Canadians are familiar.

SpiritedoffunderthecoverofnightandflownfromNew

YorktoSyriatobetortured,Maher’scaserepresentsa

microcosmofallofthethingsthatwentwrongwiththe

overzealousapplicationofsecuritymeasuresafterSep-

tember 11,2001. Asthefirstpublicized incidentof the

UnitedStates’policyofrendition(sendingpeopletofor-

eigncountriestobequestionedundertorture),Maher’s

ordealhasbecomeoneoftheseminalhumancasesofthiscentury.Mahercontinues

tofighttoclearhisnameintheUnitedStateswherestillheremainsonaso-called

‘no-flylist’.

Along with nearly 20 non-governmental organizations and advocacy groups from

across thecountry, includingAmnesty International, theCanadianArabFederation

and the InternationalCivil LibertiesMonitoringGroup,CAIR-CANworkeddiligently

withMoniainherindefatigablecampaigntosecureMaher’sreleaseandthereafterto

ensurethathereceivedjusticebackhomeinCanada.Especiallyduringtheearlydays

immediatelyafterMaherwasdetained,CAIR-CANworkeddiligentlytoensurethathis

storygainednationalattention.Theyears-longstruggleinwhichMaherandMonia

displayedexemplary strengthandquietdignity culminated in thehighlypublicized

andin-depthArarInquirypresidedoverbyJusticeDennisO’Connor.

AsanofficialintervenerintheArarInquiry,CAIR-CANpresentedtestimonyandfiled

writtensubmissions toarticulate theperspectiveofCanada’sMuslimcommunities.

Inhisfinalreport,JusticeO’Connoracknowledgedthecontributionthatinterveners

madetotheInquiry’swork,specificallynotingCAIR-CAN`s“invaluable”roleinedu-

catingCanada’ssecurityforcesaboutMuslimsandIslam.

Justice O’Connor’s ultimately concluded that Maher Arar’s detainment and

rendition to torture overseas was, in part, due to faulty intelligence gathering by

Canada’s national security investigators and the unwarranted sharing of that

informationwiththeirUS-basedcounterparts.Critically,JusticeO’Connorpublished

tworeportswithrecommendationsoutliningbestpracticesforintelligencegathering

byournationalsecurityagencies.

AsaresultofJusticeO’Connor’sgroundbreakingwork,Maher’snamehasbeencleared

inCanadaandsomeofthoseresponsiblehavebeenheldtoaccount.

Furthermore,inJanuaryof2007,MaherreceivedapublicapologyfromPrimeMinister

HarperonbehalfoftheGovernmentofCanadaaswellasafinancialsettlementfor

theroleitssecurityservicesplayedinhisnightmare.

CongratulationsandthankyouMaherandMoniaforyourlandmarkcontributionsto

CanadianMuslimsandtosocietyatlarge.YourvictoryisavictoryforallCanadians.

> Arar Settlement - O’Connor Report

30

WORK > Huseyin Celil

The Cases of Abdullah Almalki, Ahmad Abou-Elmaati

and Muayyed Nureddin.OneofJusticeO’Connor’sfinal

recommendations inhisreports includedthecall fora

separate inquiry intotheroleCanadianofficialsplayed

intheordealsofAbdullahAlmalki,AhmadAbou-Elmaati

andMuayyedNureddin,theotherthreeCanadiansrendered

totortureabroad.TheStephenToopereport,partofthe

Arar Inquiry,established that the threemenwerealso

torturedand“sufferedseverephysicalandpsychological

traumawhileindetentioninSyria.”

As a result of a call made by CAIR-CAN and other groups, in December 2006,

Parliamentstruckaninquirytoinvestigatewhathappenedtothethreemen.Retired

SupremeCourtJusticeFrankIacobucciwascalledtoheadtheinquiryandCAIR-CAN,

alongwiththeCanadianMuslimCivilLibertiesAssociation(CMCLA)andtheCanadian

ArabFederation,againwasofficiallyrecognizedasanintervener.

However,unlike theArar Inquiry,whichwasopentothepublicandmediascrutiny,

the Iacobucci Inquiryhasbeenheldbehindcloseddoors, leavingmanyquestioning

thefairnessoftheprocessandtheextenttowhichpublicconfidencewillbeinstilled

intheoutcome.

> Iacobucci Inquiry

Huseyin Celil is a Canadian Muslim of Uyghur descent,

the Uyghurs being a minority population living in China.

In2001hereceivedrefugeestatusandeventuallyearned

his Canadian citizenship while serving as an Imam in

Hamilton,Ontario.

In early 2006, while on a trip to visit his relatives in

Uzbekistan and to get three of his children out of

China, Celil was arrested and deported to China from

Uzbekistan,againststrongobjectionsbytheCanadiangovernment.InAugust2006,

theChinesegovernment,whichapparentlydoesnotrecognizehisCanadiancitizen-

ship,sentencedCelil to life imprisonment forhisalleged“terrorist relatedcrimes”.

BoththeCanadianandAmericangovernmentshaverepeatedlyandunsuccessfully

calledforhisimmediatereleaseandsafereturn.

CAIR-CANisoneofthemanygroupswhohaveaskedCanadianstosupportthecaseofHus-

eyinCelil.PublicoutcryagainstCelil’streatmentledtheCanadiangovernmenttostrong-

lysupporthiscaseandthegovernmentcontinuestoraise itwithChineseofficials.

CAIR-CANapplaudedtheHarper’sgovernment’seffortsinthisregard.Celilremains

imprisonedandhasevenbeendeniedhislegalrighttoconsularaccessbyCanadian

officials.ThisisacasethatCAIR-CANintendstocontinuemonitoringandbringingto

theattentionofgovernmentofficialsin2008.

31

In Canada, five Muslim men, Adil Charkaoui, Mohamed

Harkat, Mahmoud Jaballah, Mohammed Mahjoub and

Hassan Almrei are all named under the federal legis-

lation on security certificates.Asecuritycertificateis

alegalinstrumentthatallowstheGovernmentofCana-

datosummarilydetainanddeportforeignnationalsand

allothernon-citizenslivinginCanada.

Forseveralyearstherehasbeenagrowingmovement

to educate citizenson the fundamental flaws inherent in this legislation. Security

certificatesarewidelyviewedasinstitutingasecrettrialprocesswherebytheperson

namedinacertificatecannotseetheevidenceagainstthemorchallengeitsvalidity.

Civil libertiesadvocatesalsoholdthatthelawestablishesatwo-tierjusticesystem,

oneforcitizensandanotherforimmigrantsandrefugees.

As a result of widespread debate on security certificates, the Supreme Court of

Canadadecidedin2006thatitwouldhearsubmissionsinconnectionwithareview

ofthelegislation.ThroughtheCourtChallengesProgram,CAIR-CANsecuredfunding

toargueagainstthelegitimacyofsecuritycertificatesasaninintervenerinfrontof

theSupremeCourt.

InaunanimousjudgementreleasedinFebruary2007,theSupremeCourtrendereda

landmarkdecisioninCharkaouiv.Canada.TheCourtfoundthatsecuritycertificates

wereinviolationofsections7,9and10oftheCanadianCharterofRightsandFree-

domsandthereforeunconstitutional,astheydidnotallowtheaccusedtoknowthe

factsofthecaseagainstthem.WethankDavidBakerandFaisalBhabhaofbakerlaw

(ww.bakerlaw.ca)whorepresentedCAIR-CANbeforetheSupremeCourtofCanada.

However,despitethesuccessfuloutcomeattheSupremeCourtofCanada,thestruggle

againstsecuritycertificatesisfarfromover.InOctober2007,theHarperGovernment

introducedabilltoamendthesecuritycertificateprocesswhereby“specialadvocate”

lawyerswouldbeabletoviewtheevidenceagainsttheaccused.Modeledafterthe

UK’shighlycriticizedprocess,theseamendmentsarealsoflawedasthelawyerswould

beselectedbythestateandunabletosharetheevidencewiththeirclients.

Currently,themennamedunderthecertificatesarestillseekingtheirdayinanopen

courtandCAIR-CANsupportsalleffortstoensurethatafairandtransparentprocess

asguaranteedundertheCharterisaffordedtoeachofthem.

> Security Certificates 04

32

Since the end of 2006, the media has been reporting

on the ongoing debate around reasonable accommo-

dation in Quebec.ThestorybrokeinNovember2006

withanewsreportthataHasidicJewishsynagoguein

Montreal hadworkedwith (and offered to pay for) an

adjacentYMCAtohaveitswindowsfrosted,sothatthe

boysstudyingnextdooratthesynagoguewouldnotbe

distractedbyseeingwomenexercising.

Shortlyafterthisdevelopment,themunicipalcouncilofHérouxville,aruralQuebec

townshipof1300residents,declareda“PublicationofStandards”byoutliningseveral

new“rules”thatnewcomerswouldhavetofollow.Theseincluded,forexample,that

thestoningofwomenwouldnotbetoleratedandthatresidentswouldbeabletoeat

meatofallkinds.Althoughthetowncouncilstatedthatthese“rules”werenotmeant

tosingleoutanyparticularethnicgrouporfaith,itwasclearthatMuslimswerethe

targetoftheseregulations.

Justpriortocallinganelectionandinresponsetogrowingpublicpressure,Québec

PremierJeanCharestappointedphilosopherCharlesTaylorandsociologistandhis-

torianGérardBouchardascommissionersoftheConsultationCommissiononAccom-

modationPracticesRelatedtoCulturalDifferences.SinceFebruary2007,theCommis-

sionhasbeentouringtheprovincetohearfromgroupsandindividualsabouttheir

views on reasonable accommodation. CAIR-CANwas one of the groups thatmade

submissionsbeforethetwoeminentcommissioners.Additionally,CAIR-CANhasbeen

consultedbyanumberoforganizationsforadvicepriortothefilingofsubmissions

withtheBouchard-TaylorCommission.

Throughoutthereasonableaccommodationdebate,CAIR-CANhasbeenatthefore-

frontdefendingtherightsofQuebec’sMuslims.Severalhighprofilecasesofhijab-

baseddiscriminationoccurred, includingAzzyMansour,anOttawaresidentejected

fromaLaval,Québecsoccerfield,19-year-oldSondosAbdelatif,firedfromherjobata

Bordeau,Quebecjail,andfiveMontrealteenagerswhowerebarredfromparticipating

inataekwondotournament.Ineachofthesecases,CAIR-CANdefendedtherightsof

thesewomenpubliclyandinthemedia.Additionally,wehavefiledanumberofcom-

plaintswiththeQuebecHumanRightsCommissionwhicharecurrentlyunderreview.

CAIR-CAN has also worked closely with several community advocacy groups in

Quebectodefendreligiousfreedomsandtherighttopracticeone’sfaith.Onseveral

occasions,throughconferences,lecturesandworkshops,CAIR-CANhasbeeninvited

to educate the public on issues relating to reasonable accommodation. CAIR-CAN

acknowledgestheinvaluableeffortsofFadwaBenmbarekofMontrealinhelpingthe

organizationdealwiththeissueofreasonableaccommodationinlabelleprovince.

WORK > Reasonable Accommodation

DEFINITION of REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION : Reasonable accommodation is a legal concept that signifies making changes so that an individual (typically, a person with a disability or someone who must fulfill a religious requirement)

can be employed in the workplace or provided with access to services. Wheelchair ramps, accessible washrooms, equipment modifications, and changes to work schedules are typical examples of the sort of changes that the duty to

accommodate under human rights legislation anticipates. With respect to accommodation of religious beliefs, the necessary changes almost always involve modified work schedules and accommodations for religious dress. However,

with media coverage focusing on a handful of religious and cultural accommodation questions, the debate has evolved into a discussion of Quebec values and to what extent religious and cultural practices will be accepted.

33

InMay2006,thegovernmentfinallylaunchedafullpub-

licinquiryintotheAirIndiabombingwhichoccurredin

1985.TheAirIndiaInquiry’stermsofreferenceincluded

examiningexistinganti-terrorinitiativeswiththeviewto

makingrecommendationsforimprovement,ifany.

CAIR-CAN sought intervener status in the Air India

Inquirytomakerepresentationsandsubmissionstothe

Commissionwithrespectto:(a)thehistoricalandcontextualbackgroundaswellas

thepracticalimpactofanti-terrorismlegislationandpracticeonCanada’sMuslimsas

wellasCanadianMuslimnon-profitandcharitableorganizations;(b)contextualinfor-

mationaboutthedirectandlocalizedimpactofnationalsecurityandanti-terrorism

legislationandpracticeonCanada’sMuslimsaswellasCanadianMuslimnon-profit

andcharitableorganizations;(c)religiousequalitybyhighlightingthedisparateim-

pact of anti-terrorism legislation onCanada’sMuslims aswell asCanadianMuslim

non-profitandcharitableorganizations;and(d)makingrecommendationsregarding

anyproposedchangestoexistinganti-terrorismlegislationandpractice.

OnAugust9,2006,TheHonourableJohnC.Major,Q.C.,CommissioneroftheAirIndia

Inquiry,granted joint intervenorstatustoCAIR-CANandtheCanadianMuslimCivil

LibertiesAssociationtoprovidewrittensubmissionswithrespecttothescopeofanti-

terroristlegislationanditsimpactonCanadianMuslims.

> Air India Inquiry

CAIR-CANwasoneoftheonlyadvocacygroupstoprepareandfileasubmissionwith

Transport Canada against Canada’s Passenger Protect or “No-Fly” List program,

launchedinthesummerof2007.Thethirty-pagesubmissionwasendorsedbymore

than27organizationsfromacrossthecountry.CAIR-CAN’sin-depthreviewandcri-

tiqueoftheNo-FlyListhasfoundthatitisfundamentallyflawedonatleastnine(9)

differentlevels.Theseincludethefollowing:

1. Lackofauthority-notsanctionedbyelectedrepresentatives

2. ThequestionableneedoreffectivenessoftheList

3. Theviolationoflibertyrightsandlackofdueprocessandfundamentaljustice

4. Theviolationofprivacyrightsofindividuals

5. ThelackofindependentmembersonthePassengerProtectAdvisoryGroup

6. Thelackofindependentoversightandmeaningfulchannelsforappeal

7. Thedifficultyinhavingone’snameremovedfromtheList

8. ViolationsofotherCharterrights

9. TheList’slikelyresultinracial/religiousprofiling

Thequestionthatmustbeaskedinevaluatingthissecuritymeasureis“Howis itthat

someonewhoistoodangeroustoflyisinnocentenoughtowalkthestreetsortakeabus

ortrain?”WehaveyettoseehowtheNo-FlyListwillfareinthemonthsandyearsahead.

However,itissafetosaytheListmayhaveaprofoundimpactonfundamentalliberties

andhumanrights.

TodownloadCAIR-CAN’sfullsubmission,pleasevisitourwebsiteatwww.caircan.ca

> No Fly List 04

34

Protecting the rights and freedoms of Canada’s Muslims requires vigilance and

sustained government advocacy. CAIR-CAN continues to be at the forefront of

CanadianMuslimorganizationsindefendingcivilliberties.CAIR-CANhas,moreover,

fulfilledthisrolebyworkingcloselywithnationalorganizationsacrossCanadasuch

as Amnesty International, the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group, the

CanadianArabFederationandtheCanadianCouncilonRefugees.

As a human rights organization, a significant aspect of CAIR-CAN’s work involves

fighting discrimination and harassment faced by Canada’s Muslims. We regularly

receivecomplaintsfromindividualswhofeelthattheyhavebeendiscriminatedagainst

bytheiremployer,landlord,governmentagency,orotherserviceprovider.

Duringthispastyear,CAIR-CANhasgainedintervenerstatusbeforetheAirIndiaIn-

quiryandattheIacobucciinquiryintotherenditionofthreeCanadianmen-Abdullah

Almalki,AhmadAbouElMaatiandMuayyedNureddin.

TheCAIR-CANHumanRightsGrouphasdealtwithcases,forexample,involvingwork-

placerulesprohibitinghijab,allowingemployeestimeoffworktoattendJum’aprayers,

Islamophobicharassmentatschoolandwork,andallowingforprayerspaceonUniversity

campuses.Whilesomeofthesecaseshavebeenresolvedwithoutresorttolegalaction,

othershavebeentakenbyCAIR-CANtoprovincialhumanrightscommissions.

Ateamofdedicatedandhighlytrainedvolunteers,includinglawyersandlawstudents,

handlesuchcomplaints,workingwiththeindividualcomplainanttoarriveatanequi-

tableresolutiontotheproblem.Thefollowingindividuals(inalphabeticalorder)have

graciouslyvolunteeredtheirtimetoworkforCAIR-CANasHumanRightsCaseworkers

andforlegalandresearchpurposes:

WORK Public Advocacy & Human Rights

> AliAhmed

> SameerAkhtar

> EmtiazBala

> SamreenBeg

> NafayAl-AlamChoudhury

> NafisahChowdhury

> FatemaDada

> AlexandraDodger

> BeenishGaya

> RahatGodil

> ShezaHasan

> AhmedHussen

> MustafaJilani

> MeaganJohnston

> AndrewLangille

> SaimaMohamed

> MueedPeerbhoy

> LinaRahman

> ArsalanShirazi

> DanielSimard

> SahlSyed

> ZeenathZeath

35

04The Case of Omar Khadr

InJuly2007,CAIR-CANorganizedandcoordinatedwith22otherorganizations

toaddressaletterurgingtheGovernmentofCanadatoreviewandreinvigorate

its efforts to ensure Canadian Omar Khadr’s basic human and legal rights.

Addressed to the Prime Minister and his Ministers of Justice, Public Safety,

Citizenship and Immigration and the Secretary of State along with the three

leadersoftheoppositionparties,theletterwentontoassertthat:

1 > OmarKhadrmustberepatriatedtoCanada,hiscountryofbirth,inlinewith

theexamplesetbyotherwesterncountries,includingtheU.K.,France,Germany

andAustralia;and,thatMr.KhadrbegrantedacriminaltrialinCanadawith

considerationofhisjuvenilestatusatthetimetheallegedactsoccurred;

2 >Canadahaveimmediate,fullandunhinderedaccesstoMr.Khadr’smedicalfile;

3 >TheConsularRelationsActberespectedinthecaseofMr.Khadr,thusensuring

himtherighttomedicalandlegalassistancefromCanadianconsularofficials;

4 >Mr.Khadrbeimmediatelyevaluatedbyaphysicianandpsychologistofhis

choosingtoassesshismedicalandpsychologicalcondition;

5 >Mr.Khadr’seyeandkneeconditionsbeimmediatelyevaluatedandtreatedby

medicalexpertsinthefield,andhebegivenprescriptionglassesifdeemed

necessary;and,

6 >DennisEdney,Mr.Khadr’sCanadiancounsel,henceforthhavehissolicitor-client

privilegeprotectedandnotbesubjecttoharassmentand intimidationbyU.S.

customsofficialsorGuantanamoBaypersonnel,asreportedintheTorontoStar.

In the upcoming year, CAIR-CAN intends to continue to follow this case and

to demand Omar Khadr’s return to Canada so that he may be afforded due

processwithintheframeworkoftheCanadianlegalsystemasopposedtobeing

condemnedtothelegalandhumanrightsblackholethatisGuantanamoBay.

36

WORK Opinion Pieces

Opinionpiecesarearguablythemostinfluentialandcreativewaytoarticulateaperspective

onimportantissuesoftheday.CAIR-CANhasanunprecedentedrateofopinionpiecesuc-

cess.Inourlastreviewwehadpublished91op-eds.Currentlythatfigurestandsat105.

CAIR-CANhaspublishedpiecesintheTheGlobe&Mail,theTorontoStar,theOttawaCiti-

zen,theMontrealGazette,theKingstonWhig-Standard,theCalgaryHerald,theEdmonton

Journal,theWinnipegFreePress,theWindsorStar,theReginaLeader-Post,theSaskatoon

StarPhoenix,theVancouverSun,theLondonFreePress,theCharlottetownGuardian,and

theCapeBretonPost.

Foryourconveniencewehavereproduced,inthefollowingpages,asamplingofourrecent

op-edsforyoutoreadthroughandseeforyourself.

It’s a ‘rallying point for Muslim bashers’ -TheCalgaryHerald-09/16/07

KashifAhmed,CAIR-CANBoardMember

““IenduredthemthenandnowIhavetoendurethem

again,”statedaQuebecker,referringtoMuslimsashe

recently spokebeforeapublic commissionsetupby

Quebectoexaminewhatconstitutesunreasonableac-

commodationofminorities.

His comments apparently raised no eyebrows in the

room -- then again, Islamophobia is becoming ram-

pantinLaBelleProvence.Mediastreetinterviewswith

ordinary Quebeckers during the recent veiled voting

controversyrevealedthatmostthoughtMuslimswere

imposingtheirbeliefsonsociety.

Nothingcouldbefurtherfrombothtruthandreality.

Elections Canada’s legitimate position that Muslim

womenwearingfaceveilscanvotebyprovidingiden-

tificationlikeanyotherCanadianinupcomingQuebec

federal byelections has sparked a gratuitous debate,

whichhasbeenanythingbutcivil.PrimeMinisterSte-

phen Harper decided to lambaste Elections Canada,

conveniently ignoring that his government knew as

early as May 2006 that Canadian law allows voters

withfaceveilstocastballots.

It’simportanttonotethatspecialaccommodationfor

votingwas never requested by the CanadianMuslim

community,becauseitwasneveranissue.Yet,nega-

tivepublicemotionshavebeenstokedandj’accusehas

beendirectedatCanadianMuslims.

Muslimwomenwhoweartheniqab,orfaceveils,consti-

tuteafractionofapercentofCanadianMuslimwomen

-- a minute minority within a minority. In fact, those

womenwhoweartheniqabindicatetheyhavenoprob-

lemidentifyingthemselvesatpollingstationsbyunveil-

ing. Theywillingly do it for driver’s licences, passport

photographs, at banks and at border crossings, they

said.Inall,anunfairspotlighthasbeenplacedonthese

women,andtheMuslimcommunityatlarge.

Thecontroversyhasalsobecomearallyingpoint for

Muslim-bashers.Onesuchgroupusedshameful fear-

mongering--theyclaimedthatElectionsCanadawas

“bowing to Sharia standards” and that Canada was

bendingitselectoralsystemto“Shariademands.”Not

onlydoesthisissuehavenothingtodowithSharia(Is-

lamic law), but such sloganeering is simply aimed at

creatingpublicmisunderstanding.

1

38

The unnecessary uproar that we have all witnessed

isnotElectionsCanada’sdoing.Certainly,theMuslim

communityappreciatesElectionsCanada’sattemptto

treatthesewomenlikeanyotherCanadianvoter.How-

ever,anappropriatestrategyneedstobeestablished

toreachsolutionsandavoidfuturemishaps.

One such strategy is for policymakers to use focus

groupsintheireffortstodevelopviablesolutionsfor

pressing questions. If the mainstream Muslim com-

munityhadbeenthoroughlyconsultedonthismatter,

along with other concerned groups, this provocative

debatecouldhavebeeneasilyaverted.

Canadianswouldhavequickly learned thatproviding

identification is required forallCanadianvoters, and

theMuslimcommunitywouldnothavebecomeatar-

getintheensuingpublicdebate.

However,whathasbeenquitealarmingisthereaction

ofHarperandhisgovernment,alongwiththeopposi-

tionparties.ItisapparentthatourCanadianpoliticians

usedthiscontroversyasacheappoliticaltooltogar-

nersomekindofsupportattheexpenseofaminority

community.And,Muslim-bashersusedtheopportunity

tofurtheraparochialandspitefulagenda.

Back in Quebec, the veiled voting debacle has only

amplifiedpublicprejudicesagainsttheMuslimcommu-

nity.Community leadersarefeelingthepressureand

aretryingtheirbesttoreelinmisconceptions.

Nonetheless,Quebec’ssituationisanexampleforthe

restofCanada,andraisessomeimportantquestions.

Arewewillingtojumponthebandwagonofbiasand

intoleranceintheheatofdebate?Orarewe,asaCana-

diancollective,goingtotakeaninformedandbalanced

approachtodivisivenationalissues?

Ouranswerstothesequestionswillhelpdeterminethe

futuredirectionofcommunityrelationsandcohesion.

------------------------------------------------------------

No-fly lists provide false sense of security-TorontoStar,05/15/07

FaisalKutty,CAIR-CANVice-Chair

Howcansomeonebetooguiltytoflyandyetbetoo

innocenttobechargedontheground

“Nothing personal sir, but your packages are not al-

lowedonpassengerairlines,”saidaUnitedParcelSer-

vice customer service agent, sitting in an American

callcentre.Shewasexplainingtomethatmypackage

couldnotbedeliveredonan “early a.m.”basis from

TorontotoPeterborough.

Iwas interrogating theagentaboutwhy thiswasso,

since I had been using UPS without any problems

since startingmypractice in 1996. Initially reluctant,

theagenteventuallyconfessedthatwhenmyaccount

number was entered into their system, the “Flight

Guardian”softwareflashedaredsignal.

“Sir,”shesaid,“after9/11wecanonlypickuppackages

ifthegreenlightisgiven.”

ThenextdayIcalledtheUPSheadofficeandinquired

aboutthesituation.Thesupervisorapologizedandin-

formedmethatIcouldusetheexpeditedservicewithin

Canada,butthatIdidnothavetherequisiteclearance

tousethisservicetotheU.S.

WewillneverknowhowmanyCanadianshavebeenso

speciallydesignatedonmorethanadozenlistsmain-

tainedbytheUnitedStates.Theproliferationofthese

watchlistsaroundtheglobehasbeenatroublingde-

velopmentinthe“waronterror.”

Now the Canadian government may complicate the

situationevenmorebyintroducingitsownno-flylist,

WORK Opinion Pieces

2

39

whichwillinevitablybeshapedby,andbeavailableto,

theAmericansandperhapsevenothers.

Aswe consider theneed to improveour intelligence

andlawenforcementsystems,wemusthaveanopen

and informed dialogue about what measures truly

make us safer while ensuring that our fundamental

valuesandlibertiesarenotsacrificed.

Theproperforumforsuchadebateisourlegislature.

Bypassing this necessary debate in introducing the

cleverly named “Passenger protect program” is ir-

responsible and cavalier, particularly given what we

learned from the case of Maher Arar, the Canadian

citizenwhowasrenderedtoSyriafortorturewhilein

transitthroughNewYork.

Thischargeisnotbeingmadelightly,astheinforma-

tion- sharing protocols andmechanisms,whichwere

criticized by JusticeDennisO’Connor in theArar in-

quiryfindings,havenotbeen improvedoraddressed

–yetOttawaispushingaheadwithitslist.

Thoughthegovernmenthasclaimednationalsecurity

privilegeinrefusingtoconfirmordenythis,theSmart

Border Declaration and the Security and Prosperity

PartnershipofNorthAmerica,aswell as intelligence

agreements,makeitcertainthatthelistwillcross-fer-

tilizewithU.S.,andperhapsevenothernations’lists.

Making lengthy watch lists based on subjective and

politicalcriteriaandthengivingthepowertoaddand

removenamestoagenciesthathaveavestedinterest

inthenationalsecurityagendaisakintoaskingthefox

toguardthehenhouse.

Suchlists–theywillinevitablyfillupquicklywith“false

positives,”politicaldissidents,thosewhomourfriends

andneighbourssubjectivelyviewasthreats–havenot

yet,asfarasthepublicisaware,caughtanyterrorists

intheU.S.

Indeed, common sense shouldmake us wonder how

someonecanbetooguiltytoflyandyetbetooinno-

centtobecharged.Shouldthosewhoposeathreatto

oursecuritybekeptoffourflights,butbefreetoroam

ourstreets?

Tomakemattersworse,realterroristsmaynotevenbe

placedonthelistforfearoftippingthemoff;nokid-

ding,thisistheofficialU.S.position.

Howcansuchalistprovideanythingmorethanafalse

senseofsecuritywhileleavingitrifeforblacklistingin-

nocentpeopleaswellasracialandreligiousprofiling?

Theno-flylistwillthreatenmanybasicrightsandleave

littlepracticalrecourse.

Yes,intheorythereistheofficeofreconsideration.But

theinabilitytoknowwhetheryouareonthelistuntil

boardingtime,thepotentialuseofsecretevidenceas

wellastheuseofunreliableandillegallyobtainedin-

formationbyforeignsources,willmakeitnearimpos-

sibletogetoffthelistinmanycases.

ThisisbasedonaclosereviewoftheU.S.experience

aswellastheplightofindividualswhoarealreadyen-

counteringdifficultiesinflyingwithinCanadawithout

Ottawaevenhavinganofficiallistofourownyet.

TheextraterritorialapplicationofU.S.watchlistsisal-

readyimpactingus;howwillwefareoncewehaveour

own list interacting with, confirming and/or merging

withotherlists?

Hasty and ill-considered national security initiatives,

which are essentially aimed atmanaging public per-

ceptionsmorethantheyareinreallyaddressinglegiti-

mateandmanageablesecurityconcerns,willnotmove

usforwardinthefighttodisruptterrorism.

ItwillonlycomplicatethelivesofinnocentCanadians

and increase the opportunity for religious and racial

04

40

profiling.Nomatterhowvigorouslyitisdenied,racial/

religiousprofilingistoooftentherealityforagrowing

numberamongCanada’sMuslimandArabcommuni-

tiesandcertainlyinthenationalsecuritycontext.

TheexperienceofmanyCanadianswhohavealready

beencaughtupinthewebofwatchlists,inareasother

thanflying – be it foropeningbankaccounts,wiring

money,sendingcourierpackages,etc.–doesnotbode

wellfortheno-flylist.

Andmypackage?Theonethatwasflaggedby“Flight

Guardian?”Well,Idrovetoadepotclosetomyoffice

andsentitoff–withoutusinganaccountnumberand

bypayingcash.

Somuchforthesecurityofferedbyawatchlist.

------------------------------------------------------------

FaisalKutty,aToronto lawyeranddoctoralcandidate

atOsgoodeHallLawSchoolatYorkUniversity,isalso

vice-chair and counsel to the Canadian Council on

AmericanRelations.

Apologizing to Maher Arar: A Beginning, Not an End JuristLegalNews&Research,02/02/07

FaisalKutty,CAIR-CANBoardMemberandVice-Chair

“Mypriorityrightnowistoclearmyname,”saidMaher

Ararduringhisfirstpublicappearance in2003upon

hisreturnafterbeingtorturedforoverayearinSyria.

TheCanadianArarCommissionfindingswhichcleared

him and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s

recent apology – which came aftermonths of nego-

tiations--goalongwayinhelpingArarfulfillhisfirst

wish, even though some believe the apology did not

gofarenough(Harperapologized“foranyroleCana-

dianofficialsmayhaveplayed”,whiletheCommission

squarelyblamedCanadianandAmericanofficials).

TheSyrian-bornArarwasdetainedbyU.S.authorities

onSeptember26,2002,duringastopoverinNewYork

enroutefromTunisiatoCanada.TheCanadiancitizen

wassubsequentlysenttoSyria fortortureunderthe

controversialAmericanpracticeof“extraordinaryren-

dition”eventhoughhehadrepeatedlyrequestedthat

hebesenttoCanada.Hewaseventuallyreleasedand

returnedtoCanadainOctober2003afterCanadaput

pressureonSyria.

According to the inquirycalledafterpublicoutcry in

Canada, U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service

agentsactedonfalseandmisleadinginformationsup-

pliedby theRoyalCanadianMountedPolice (RCMP).

The comprehensive inquiry which lasted more than

two years was headed by Ontario’s Associate Chief

Justiceandcost thepublicpursemorethan$16mil-

lion.TheCommissionfindingspaved theway for the

PrimeMinister’s formalapology toAraronbehalfof

theCanadiangovernmentandanofferof$10.5million

pluslegalfeestoasettlealawsuitlaunchedbyArar.

Canada’stopcop,RCMPCommissionerGiulianoZaccardel-

li,resignedasaresultoftheMaherArarcontroversy.

Meanwhile,AmericanauthoritiesarerefusingCanada’s

requesttopurgeArar’snamefromU.S.watchlists.His

inclusion on U.S. lists effectively excludes Arar from

atleastonethirdoftheworld’snations,accordingto

hislawyers.U.S.SenatorandchairmanoftheSenate

Judiciary Committee Patrick Leahy has threatened

to hold extensive hearings intoArar’s case, lambast-

ing theUS’s removal of Arar to Syria as absurd and

outrageousandnotingthatinsteadofsendingArara

“coupleofhundredmiles toCanadaand turnedover

to theCanadianauthorities... hewas sent thousands

ofmilesawaytoSyria.”Hehascalled for theU.S. to

apologizetoAraraswell.

WORK Opinion Pieces

3

41

Ararandhiswife,MoniaMazigh,are truechampions

andwillpushthismatterasfarastheycan–hopefully

getting a “terrorism-free” stamp from U.S. officials

throughthecourtseventually.InadditiontotheCana-

dianlawsuitwhichwasjustsettled,Ararhaslaunched

a separate lawsuit againstAmericanauthorities. The

U.S.suitrevolvesaroundthepracticeofhisdeporta-

tiontocertaintorture.

Yet,theArarsettlementinCanadadoesnotclosethe

book. It only opens a new chapter of a book that is

aboutmorethanMaherArar–itisabouttheerosion

ofcivilandhumanrightsinCanadaasaresultofthe

“WaronTerror.”

TheArarsagabroughtintofocustheunintendedvic-

timsofdraconianlawsandpolicieshastilyenactedpost

9/11inCanadaandsouthoftheborder.Italsoshedlight

onthepotentialofreligiousandracialprofilinginher-

entinsuchlawsandpractices.

WecanonlyhopethatArar’ssecondwishwhichwas

to“makesurethisdoesnothappentoanyotherCana-

diancitizensinthefuture,”willalsocometrue.Forthis

tohappen,however,morepeoplemustrealizethatdue

processandfundamentalrightsmustberespectedat

alltimesandmoresoduringtimesofrealorperceived

crisiswhensocietyhasatendencytooverreact.

Atthebroaderlevel,wehopethatthisadmissionofre-

sponsibilitysignifiesarenewedinterest inaddressing

themyriadissuesemanatingfromthe“WaronTerror.”

Canadiansmustdemandthatthegovernment:

>Speedilyimplementalloftherecommendationsmade

byJusticeDennisO’Connorwith respect toNational

Security,essentiallycenteringaroundtheissuesofac-

countability,transparency,nationalsecurityoversight,

checksoninformationsharing,etc.

>Ensurethatthepublicinquiryintoallegationssimilar

toArarraisedbyCanadians,AbdullahAlmalki,Ahmed

ElmatiandMuayedNuredinmovesforwardinanopen,

transparent and publicmanner in order to have the

confidenceoftheCanadianpublic.

>SeriouslyevaluatetheimpactofCanadiananti-terror

lawsandpolicies,butalsotheimpactofU.S.lawsand

policiesonCanadians,particularlythoseofMuslimand

MiddleEasternheritage.Thedifferentialtreatmentof

Canadiancitizensbasedonreligionandoriginat the

bordermustbevociferouslyopposedoratraveladvi-

sorybe issued.Thegovernmentmustexpressstrong

oppositiontotheextra-territorialapplicationofAmeri-

can laws effectively forcing Canadian companies on

domesticsoiltodiscriminateagainstcitizensbasedon

originiftheywishtocontractwiththeUnitedStates.

WetookastandagainsttheArabboycottofcompanies

dealingwithIsrael–whyisthisanydifferent?Surely,

therearewaystoensuresecuritywhileupholdingthe

CanadianCharterofRightsandFreedoms.

> Ground the No-Fly list, which will be shared with

othercountriesandtowhichnameswillbeadded,no

doubt,basedoninformationfromforeignsourcesbe-

foreittakesoffinthenextfewweeks.Asconfirmedby

theArarcase,theinformationmaybeunreliableand,

infact,mayevenbeobtainedthroughillegalmethods.

Thearrangementsandprotocolsforinformationshar-

ing with foreign governments and agenciesmust be

reconsidered.

>Reevaluatethegroundrealitiesintermsofracialand

religiousprofilingbypoliceandsecurityagencies.As

theCanadianJusticeDepartment’sownstudyconclud-

edtwoyearsago,Canadahasfallenbehindeventhe

U.S.andBritain in takingstepstocombat this“high-

profileandpressingissue.”ThosearetheJusticeDe-

partment’swords,notmine.

> Standup forCanadian citizenOmarKhadr, sent to

GuantanamoBay fromAfghanistan at the age of 16.

Canadashouldjointheothernations,includingstaunch

U.S.alliessuchasBritainandAustralia,whohavespo-

kenout for their citizens andevenhada numberof

04

42

them released. Khadr’s guilt or innocence is not the

issue–hemustbetreated,chargedandtriedinaccor-

dancewithinternationalstandardsorbereleased.

> Reexamine the security certificate process under

whichfiveMuslimmenaredetainedwithoutcharges

or evena chance to challenge the “secret”evidence

againstthem--whichevenanumberofFederalCourt

judgesandevenahighrankingintelligenceofficerhas

questionedandexpressedconcernsabout.TheCana-

dianSupremeCourtissettorenderitsdecisionsoon

inthreesecuritycertificateappeals–butwhateverthe

decision, the government should scrap themas con-

trarytoournotionsoffairnessandjustice.

As Arar said during his press conference upon his

returntoCanada:

“Whatisatstakehereisthefutureofourcountry,the

interests of Canadian citizens, and most importantly

Canada’s international reputation for being a leader

in human rights where citizens from different ethnic

groupsaretreatednodifferentthanotherCanadians.”

With his apology and settlement, the PrimeMinister

helpedraiseCanada’sstatureonenotchintheeyesof

manylocalandforeignobservers.It’stimetocontinue

ontothenextchapterinthebook.

FaisalKuttyisaTorontolawyeranddoctoralcandidate

atOsgoodeHallLawSchoolofYorkUniversity.He is

alsovicechairandacounseltotheCanadianCouncil

onAmericanIslamicRelations,whichwasaninterven-

erintheMaherArarInquiry.

A TV show that allows Muslims to laugh at themselves-TorontoStar,01/11/07

IhsaanGardee,CommunityRelationsDirector

AstheCanadian-bornsonofatall,blonde,blue-eyedSwede

andadark-skinnedSouthAfricanIndianMuslimwhospent

thefirstfiveyearsofmylifelivinginSweden,Iremember

thechallengesIfacedmovingbacktoCanada.Whilegrow-

ingup,likemyfriends,IwatchedTVshowsrangingfrom

Saturdaymorningcartoon-marathons to thewell-known

showLittleHouseonthePrairie.

OneofmyfavouriteepisodeswasTheCraftsmanabout

alonely,old,Jewishwoodcarver,Mr.Singerman,whobe-

comesamentortoyoungAlbertIngalls.Ingalllsisthenthe

subjectofharassmentandridiculefromtheotherchildren

forbeinga“Jewlover”butgoesontodevelopadeepbond

withtheoldmanbasedonmutualadmiration.

Withalittleplayonthetitle,CBCtelevisionairedthefirst

episodeofLittleMosqueonthePrairiethisweek,thepilot

sitcomandbrainchildofCanadianwriterandfilmmaker,

ZarqaNawaz.

Thissmallbutwell-publicizedproductionabout thecon-

gregationofaruralmosque inthefictionalprairietown

ofMercyhasalreadygeneratedmorebuzzthananyCa-

nadianprogramhasinages–fromTheNewYorkTimesto

CNNtotheBBC.EventheColbertReporthascalled.

Inchoosing tohighlight,even lampoonsomecommonly

heldmisconceptionsandstereotypesaboutandwithinthe

Muslimcommunity,LittleMosquetravelsthefamiliarroad

manysuccessfulshowshavetaken.

Bylookingattheimmigrantexperience–howpeoplecome

intoandadjusttoanewlifeinanewland–Nawazandher

co-producersarebankingonanage-oldformulathatthere

ishumourtobefoundinthecommonexperiencesandof-

tenunintendedtragicconsequencesthatresultfromlove

andlife.

Afterall,asLester,playedbyAlanAlda,inWoodyAllen’s

CrimesandMisdemeanorssays,“Whatiscomedybuttrag-

edy,plustime?”

Combiningelementsofothershows–thesurrealandsa-

WORK Opinion Pieces

4

43

tiricalshtickofGreenAcreswiththeself-deprecatinghu-

mour,relevance,writingandcomedictimingofTheDaily

Show–LittleMosqueusescomedyasafoiltoillustrateour

neighbourlycommonalitieswithouttryingtosoundlikea

civicslesson.

Whateveritsexactformulation,thechallengesfacingLittle

Mosqueinthefuturearethesameforallnewcomersto

thismedium,namely,willviewersthink,“Isitfunny?”,“Do

theseseemlikerealpeople?”and“IsthisaworldI’dliketo

visitweekafterweek?”

Entertainment, especially comedy as a genre, is highly

subjective:What’sfunnytoyouandmemaynotbefunny

to our neighbours. Comedy works, however, only when

peopleseeapartofthemselvesreflectedinit;iftheydon’t

“getit”thentheyprobablyneverwill.

Asthefirstshowdemonstrates,partoflivinginasociety

withfreeexpressionmeanstoleratingbigotry–nomatter

whereitstemsfrom.Evenifcharactersareexaggerated,

flawedandnotnecessarilyreflectiveofthediversityofthe

CanadianMuslim identity, itspowertoreachand inform

peoplewhomightotherwiseneverhavemetaMuslimor

heardofIslamcanonlybeagoodthing.

Whetheritsurvivesdependsonitsmeritsasacomedy,not

thedebatesitmayspark.

IntermsofproductionvaluesitplayslikemostCanadian

TVshowswhentheyfirstair:thesetslookmakeshiftand

thelighting,backgroundmusic,andseguesfromonesub-

plottoanotherarealittleclunky.

Chalk these and the largely non-Muslim cast’s stiffness

withunfamiliar,traditional,Muslimgreetingsandritualsup

tobirthingpainsthat,hopefully,willimprovewithtimeand

accentcoaches.

Intermsofacting,thetalentedcastofTVveteransbrings

totheshowsubtletiesandshadesofnuancethathelpcon-

veyhumourthatmightotherwisebelost.

Soistheshowfunny?Ithinkso.Iseemanyofthecharac-

tersandthemesinthepeopleIknowandamfamiliarwith.

Willitoffendsomepeople?Nodoubt.

Honesty is not always appreciated, usually gets bad re-

viewsandisespeciallyill-receivedbypeopleinthecom-

munitywhoperceivethemselvesasvictims;thinkofhow

MordecaiRichlerwasfirstreceivedwhenhestartedout.

WhatmakesLittleMosquedifferentistheintroductionand

portrayal,forthefirsttime,ofCanadianMuslimsasacom-

munityabletolaughatitself.Wouldadocumentarydothe

samething?Perhaps,butitwouldnotbeasengagingor

memorableandcertainlynotasfunny.

More than anything, we hope this experiment will not

beperceivedasacalltoarmsagainstMuslimsorothers

(whichconspiracytheorists,likethecharacterBaber,have

alreadytriedtolabelit).

We hope, instead, it is viewed as an opportunity for all

Canadianstodialoguearoundissuesandeventsthatare

importanttousandmaybe,likeAlbertIngalls,buildbonds

basedonthethingsthattieustogether.

ISSUES & IDEAS Understanding the Hajj -TheNationalPostOnline,29/12/06

ByFaisalKutty,Vice-ChairandLegalCouncil

Thousands of Canadians are inMecca, Saudi Arabia,

thisweekfortheannualritesofHajj.Theywillretrace

thefootstepsofmillionswhohavemadethespiritual

journeytothevalleyofMeccasincethetimeofAdam.

Hajj literally means “to continuously strive to reach

one’sgoal.”ItisthelastofthefivepillarsofIslam(the

othersbeingadeclarationoffaithinoneGod,fivedaily

prayers,offeringregularcharityandfastingduringRa-

madan). It isaonce-in-a-lifetimeobligation for those

whohavethephysicalandfinancialmeans.

5

04

44

TheHajj isare-enactmentoftheritualsofthegreat

prophetsand teachersof the faith.Pilgrimssymboli-

cally relive the exile and atonement undergone by

AdamandEveaftertheywereexpelledfromHeaven,

wanderedtheEarth,metagainandsoughtforgiveness

in the valley ofMecca. They also retrace the frantic

footstepsofAbraham’swife,Hagar,assheranbetween

thehillsofSafaandMarwasearchingforwaterforher

thirstybaby(whichaccordingtoMuslimtradition,God

answeredwith thewellofZamZam).Lastly,pilgrims

alsocommemorateAbraham’swillingnesstosacrifice

hissonforGod.(Godlatersubstitutedaram.)

YettheHajj ismorethantheseelaboraterituals.The

faithfulhopeforadeepspiritualtransformation,one

thatwillmake them better people. If such a change

withindoesnotoccur,thenitwasmerelyaphysicalex-

ercisedevoidofanyspiritualsignificance.

Thecurrentstateofworldaffairs,bothwithinandout-

sidetheMuslimworld,greatlyincreasestherelevance

ofsomeoftheuniversalmessagesinherentintheHajj.

AstheAmerican IslamicscholarEbrahimMoosarhe-

toricallyasks,“Afterpayinghomagetothetwowomen

EveandHagarintheritesofpilgrimage,howcansome

Muslimsstillviolatetherightsanddignityofwomenin

thenameofIslam?Isthisnotacontradiction?”

Indeed,theKoranteaches:“Ishallnotlosesightofthe

labourofanyofyouwholaboursinMyway,beitmanor

woman;eachofyouisequaltotheother”(3:195).One

wouldhopethattheoceanofmenandwomen,sideby

sideperformingtawaf(circling)aroundtheKaaba(the

stonebuildingMuslimsbelievewasbuiltbyAdamand

rebuiltbyAbrahamandhissonIshmael)shouldlayto

restanyclaimthatIslam--asopposedtosomeIslamic

cultures--degradeswomen.

The fact that millions -- transcending geographical,

linguistic,cultural,ethnic, racial,economicandsocial

barriers--convergeinunisononMeccaatteststothe

faith’s universality. The Hajj plants the seed to cele-

bratethediversityofourcommonhumanity.

Pilgrims return home enriched by a more pluralistic

andholisticoutlook,andwithanewappreciation for

themselvesandtheirsurroundings.

The most celebrated North American Hajji (one who

hasperformedtheHajj)isnoneotherthanEl-HajjMa-

likElShabbaz,morecommonlyknownasMalcolmX.A

manwhowasrenownedforpreachingthatwhiteswere

“devils”profoundlyreassessedhisviewsduringtheHajj

in 1964.Thistransformationsealedhisbreakwiththe

black nationalist Nation of Islam. Contrary to theNa-

tion’steachings,MalcolmconcludedthatIslamencom-

passedallofhumanityand transcended raceandcul-

ture.Hesaid,“Inmy39yearsonthisEarth,theholycity

ofMeccahadbeenthefirsttimeIhadeverstoodbefore

theCreatorofallandfeltlikeacompletehuman.”

Uponhisreturn,heembarkedonamissiontoenlight-

enbothblacksandwhites.Malcolmunderstoodthatin

ordertotrulylearnfromtheHajj,itsspirituallessons

must extend beyond the fraternal ties ofMuslims to

forgingacommonhumanity.

HumilitytoGodandacceptanceofHissupremacyand

controloverallareothermessagesofHajj.Themulti-

tudeofpeopleandtheirinnerbeliefsandpracticesare

tobejudgedbyGodaloneinHisinfinitewisdom.Asthe

Koranproclaims,“Let therebenocompulsion inmat-

tersoffaith,truthstandsoutclearfromerror”(2:256).

AsuccessfulHajj breedsa rich innerpeace,which is

manifestedoutwardlyinthevaluesofjustice,honesty,

respect,generosity,kindness, forgiveness,mercyand

empathy.Anditisthesevalues--allattributesofGod

almighty--thatareindispensabletousifwearealljust

togetalonginthisworld.

FaisalKuttyisalawyer,writeranddoctoralcandidate

atOsgoodeHallLawSchool.Heisalsovice-chairofthe

CanadianCouncilonAmericanIslamicRelations.

WORK Opinion Pieces

45

AsawaytoreachouttoourconstituentsintheGTAandtothankthemfortheir

kindness,support,andgenerosityovertheyears,CAIR-CANhelditsfirstannual

freeandopensummerbarbequeinTorontoinJuly2007.Verywellattendedby

local politicians, religious leaders, andmembers of different communities, our

firstbarbequewasasmashingsuccess. With[halal!]hotdogs,burgers,bever-

agesandseveralbouncycastles,agoodtimewashadbyall.Seeyounextyear!

Event: First Annual CAIR-CAN summer BBQ

46

NumberofopinionpiecesasofMarch2006: 91

NumberofopinionpiecesasofNovember2007: 107

WorstNewspaper: Stilllookingforawaytopostittoournationallist

Sizeofbenefitspackage: MightotherwisebeknownasPersonalPrayerCoverage

Approximateop-edsuccessratio: 95%+

Français? Yes,hernameisSarahandshe’sintheUK

NumberofpressreleasesfromlastMarch2006toNovember2007: 58andcounting

Pizzacondimentsatoffice: Maryam’stwohotchilliflakeshakers

Staffheritage: Scottish,Pakistani,Swedish,SouthAfrican

Latestfundraisingideacanned: LicensingIhsaan’sThaishrimpsouprecipe

Boardmemberwiththebesthat: Selma’sstrawcowboystetson

Longestdayonrecord: Sarah’samazing20interviewsinoneday

INDEX

Your Voice. Your Future.

P.O. Box 13219, Ottawa, ON, k2k 1x4

tel: 1.866.524.0004 fax: 613.254.9810 e-mail: [email protected]

www.caircan.ca

Your voice. Your future. Annual Review 2007 · It is my privilege to present to you the Canadian...

Documents

Transcript of Your voice. Your future. Annual Review 2007 · It is my privilege to present to you the Canadian...