Moderate Muslims Threatened in Canada

Earlier this month, the CBC ran a report on how moderate Canadian Muslims are subjected to harassment and intimidation for speaking out against extremists. The leaders of a moderate organization called the Muslim Canadian Congress were prominently featured in the CBC story. Now, two of the MCC's leaders have received a death threat. The Toronto Star provides the details:

A message left Monday on the voice mail of the secretary general for the Muslim Canadian Congress warned that organization members must "cease from your campaign of smearing Islam" or "I will slaughter you."

The message mentioned congress founder Tarek Fatah and current president Farzana Hassan-Shahid by name. Both have openly criticized the politicization of Islam and alleged influence of Iran and Saudi Arabia in Canadian mosques.

It's not the first time they've been threatened. Hassan-Shahid said since publishing her book Islam, Women and the Challenges of Today, she has been heckled and had her home vandalized.

"But swearing by God that `I will do this and slaughter all of you,' that's pretty chilling," Hassan-Shahid said yesterday.

(Link courtesy of LGF)


MCC Secretary General Munir Pervaiz told the CBC that, while members of the organization have been harassed before, an actual death threat is a first:

The congress has been targeted for its moderate beliefs before, but never in such a direct fashion, Pervaiz said. Members have had their homes and cars damaged after sharing their opinions publicly.

"We want as many people to know that such a problem exists in Canada," Pervaiz said. "People thought we were exaggerating, but this now kind of confirms and proves the problem exists."

(Link courtesy of Jihad Watch)


The MCC web site has the actual recording of the death threat available for listening. It is both sad and frightening that, even in Canada, Muslim moderates cannot speak out without being subjected to threats and intimidation.