Muslim Parliamentary Caucus in Canada calls on confronting far-right movements

Canadian Liberal Muslim Members of Parliament have formed the “Muslim Parliamentary Caucus” that focuses on issues pertaining to the Muslim community.

Members of this Caucus are:

  • Sameer Zuberi, (Chair) M.P. Pierrefonds—Dollard
  • Omar Alghabra, M.P. Mississauga Centre
  • Ali Ehsassi, M.P. Willowdale
  • Ahmed Hussen, M.P. York South—Weston
  • lqra Khalid, M.P. Mississauga—Erin Mills
  • Maryam Monsef, M.P. Peterborough—Kawartha
  • Yasmin Ratansi, M.P. Don Valley East
  • Arif Virani, M.P. Parkdale —High Park
  • Salma Zahid, M.P. Scarborough Centre

In a statement “on Toronto Mosque Threat and Growing Far-Right Extremism” issued on October 12, 2020 the Muslim Parliamentary Caucus highlighted the “urgency to confront far-right movements that threaten the safety of Canadians and our society.”

Statement by the Muslim Parliamentary Caucus

Statement by Liberal Muslim Parliamentary Caucus on Toronto Mosque Threat and Growing Far-Right Extremism

In the last several months, Canada has had a sustained conversation about systemic racism. The federal government and key societal institutions have acknowledged that systemic racism exists and have committed to act.

In this vein, the Muslim Caucus is raising grave concern around recent events in Toronto and elsewhere across the country.

On September 12, Mohammed-Aslim Zafis, a volunteer at Toronto’s IMO mosque, was killed in cold blood at the institution’s doorsteps. This was allegedly committed by a man who subscribed to neo-Nazi ideologies.

And now, during this Thanksgiving weekend, a Toronto mosque received a threat. The threat references the Christchurch, New Zealand, terrorist attack which killed 51 people and injured 40 more.

These two cases did not occur in isolation. We have watched with growing concern acts of violence that have occurred around the world due to racism, Islamophobia, and white supremacy. In our own country, on January 29, 2017, we saw an all too vivid consequence of unchecked Islamophobia. The Quebec City mosque shooting left 6 dead and many seriously injured, at the hands of a terrorist who espoused far-right extreme views and peddled hate. We have also seen harassment, intimidation and violence against those who are perceived as Muslim, in particular, Muslim women.

We acknowledge our government has acted to combat white supremacy, racism and Islamophobia. We have had ongoing engagement with our Minister of Public Safety, Hon. Bill Blair and other colleagues. Whether it has been the listing of two white supremacist organizations on the terror list, support for targeted communities through the Security Infrastructure Program (SIP), a commitment to redouble efforts to tackle online hate by Prime Minister Trudeau in the Speech from the Throne, and other concrete measures – progress has been made.

However, incidents of hate, violence and murder continue to occur and far-right hate groups fester on dark corners of the web and in person. We recognize much more needs to be done. Lives are being lost, and there is deep concern. We have a responsibility to do more.

For this reason, we, the Liberal Muslim Parliamentary Caucus, will be speaking to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Safety in the coming days on the recent events, and how we must act with urgency to confront far-right movements that threaten the safety of Canadians and our society.

Hon. Omar Alghabra, M.P. Mississauga Centre Ali Ehsassi, M.P. Willowdale Hon. Ahmed Hussen, M.P. York South—Weston lqra Khalid, M.P. Mississauga—Erin Mills Hon. Maryam Monsef, M.P. Peterborough—Kawartha Yasmin Ratansi, M.P. Don Valley East Arif Virani, M.P. Parkdale —High Park Salma Zahid, M.P. Scarborough Centre Sameer Zuberi, (Chair) M.P. Pierrefonds—Dollard

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