Canadian Political Leadership Missing in Mosque Attacks
In the last week, the Outaouais Islamic Centre in Gatineau, Quebec has been vandalised twice. The national advocacy organisation, CAIR-CAN issued a regular condemnation of the attack and called on “politicians, security officials, other faith and community leaders in Gatineau and the National Capital Region to stand firm against all forms of hate, racism and xenophobia.”
I would go much further than that. Anti-Muslim bigotry has reached a point where asking everyone to “do something” doesn’t work. The politicians, and in particular, the Conservative and Quebec variety, have themselves been fanning the flames of anti-Muslim bigotry . We need to start pointing fingers and asking more direct questions.
Lets start with Jason Kenney, our Minister of Immigration. He has in the past issued condemnations when synagogues are vandalised (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/statements/2011/2011-01-17a.asp) and when Ahmedi mosques in Pakistan are attacked. Kenny obviously has no such sympathy for Muslims and mosques in this country. Kenney has never said a thing about the repeated attacks on mosques in Canada – no word of condemnation, nor support for the Muslim community. No surprise for a guy who in 2003, described the Serbian massacres and rapes against Bosnian Muslims as “modest” (http://www.edmontonsun.com/2011/12/19/praying-for-kenney-and-his-list-of-hates)
Stephen Harper is no better. As PM, he has pursued a deliberate policy of marginalising and demonising (“islamicism”) the mainstream Muslim community in Canada. The Tories have a wedge policy – if you are on their side of the wedge (like Jews, Ahmadis and Ismailis), you will be blessed with government largesse, visits by the PM and consultation. If you are designated to be on the other side, you get nothing. Harper as PM has not set foot in a mainstream Muslim mosque. Consistently condemning attacks on churches in Egypt or Pakistan, while ignoring attacks on mosques in Canada (or Israel) cuts too close to bigotry. Do both if you are fair.
Lets also point the finger at the Quebec politicians, including Marc Bureau, the mayor of Gatineau, who have been trying to score political points off the backs of Muslims for years. From the PQ to the ADQ and the Charest led Liberals, to the xenophobic leadership in places like Herouxville and Gatineau, all have promoted and used anti-Muslim hysteria. The debate over phantom niqabi voters and “guidelines” for new immigrants are manifestations of exactly this. At least in the case of anti-Semitic feelings in Quebec, the Tories in Ottawa have taken visible stands to support the Jewish community. Harper and his ministers have routinely visited (and correctly so) synagogues and Jewish organisations to show support. They have done nothing of the sort to stand up against anti-Muslim bigotry.
Lets not forget the extremists over at (anti) Muslim Canadian Congress – I have yet to hear a single condemnation from them of any mosque attacks in Canada. While quick to denounce any real or phantom menace from the Muslim community, like how the Canadian government and RCMP are overrun by Islamists, they have yet to actually stand up for Muslims.
This same week a mosque in New York was firebombed as well (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/02/islamic-group-condemns-ny_n_1179427.html). The reaction from local police and political leaders could not have been more different from that in Canada. Both Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Cuomo immediately condemned the attack, with Cuomo saying the attacks “go against everything we stand for as New Yorkers and Americans,”.
Well said. That is leadership. Our politicians have not shown any – and we need to start asking them why.
Email Jason Kenney : jason.kenney@parl.gc.ca
Email Harper : stephen.harper@parl.gc.ca
Jean Charest contact info : http://www.premier-ministre.gouv.qc.ca/premier-ministre/joindre-pm/index-en.asp
Marc Bureau, Mayor of Gatineau : maire@gatineau.ca
Note: be firm, and always polite
Tags: bigotry, cair-can, kenney, muslim canadian congress, stephen harper
January 7, 2012 at 7:01 am |
Sorry, I left a comment on your other entry, but I wanted to say that both Jason Kenney and Stephen Harper have condemned the attacks on the mosque in Gatineau.