Muslim groups 'troubled' by Stephen Harper's mosque remark
Two national Muslim organizations say they are troubled that Prime Minister Stephen Harper last week drew a link between radicalization and mosques.
Harper made the remark last Friday when he was answering a question about the Canadian government's new anti-terrorism legislation. The measures unveiled in Bill C-51 include criminalizing advocacy for or promotion of a terrorist act. Another measure lowers the threshold needed for police to arrest somebody they suspect may commit a terrorist act.
Asked how to distinguish between teens messing around in their basements and someone who is radicalized, Harper said it would be a serious offence "no matter who you are."
"It doesn't matter what the age of the person is, or whether they're in a basement, or whether they're in a mosque or somewhere else," Harper said Friday in Richmond Hill, Ont.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) and the Canadian Muslim Lawyers' Association (CMLA) said in a press release Monday that they are "deeply troubled" Harper "implicated Canadian mosques as venues where terrorism is advocated or promoted."
"The words used by our elected leaders have a profound impact on public perceptions. At a time when Canadian Muslims have faced hateful attacks and vandalism against their places of worship, the prime minister's remarks have regrettably cast an unjust shadow of suspicion on Canadian Muslim communities and have distorted the nature of security threats," the news release said.
'Jihadi terrorism' radicalization can happen anywhere
The two organizations called for an apology.
"We remind the prime minister that Canadian mosques and Islamic associations across the country are at the forefront in confronting radicalization towards violent extremism and have and continue to work hand in hand with law enforcement and security agencies to promote public safety."
A spokesman for Harper said in an email to CBC News that the prime minister did not say all radicalization occurs in mosques.
"Radicalization towards jihadi terrorism can happen anywhere," Carl Vallée wrote.
"Following the attacks last fall, the Prime Minister specifically thanked members of the Muslim community for categorically and unequivocally condemning the attacks, and recognized the Muslim community for their efforts in fighting radicalization," he added, referring to a Dec. 4 speech to a Muslim association in Toronto.
Harper and other officials have repeatedly cited jihadi terrorism in speeches and comments about the changes proposed in Bill C-51.
source: Muslim groups 'troubled' by Stephen Harper's mosque remark - Politics - CBC News
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That's why I voted for Harper and will vote for Harper in the future.. says it like it is..
Two national Muslim organizations say they are troubled that Prime Minister Stephen Harper last week drew a link between radicalization and mosques.
Harper made the remark last Friday when he was answering a question about the Canadian government's new anti-terrorism legislation. The measures unveiled in Bill C-51 include criminalizing advocacy for or promotion of a terrorist act. Another measure lowers the threshold needed for police to arrest somebody they suspect may commit a terrorist act.
Asked how to distinguish between teens messing around in their basements and someone who is radicalized, Harper said it would be a serious offence "no matter who you are."
"It doesn't matter what the age of the person is, or whether they're in a basement, or whether they're in a mosque or somewhere else," Harper said Friday in Richmond Hill, Ont.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) and the Canadian Muslim Lawyers' Association (CMLA) said in a press release Monday that they are "deeply troubled" Harper "implicated Canadian mosques as venues where terrorism is advocated or promoted."
"The words used by our elected leaders have a profound impact on public perceptions. At a time when Canadian Muslims have faced hateful attacks and vandalism against their places of worship, the prime minister's remarks have regrettably cast an unjust shadow of suspicion on Canadian Muslim communities and have distorted the nature of security threats," the news release said.
'Jihadi terrorism' radicalization can happen anywhere
The two organizations called for an apology.
"We remind the prime minister that Canadian mosques and Islamic associations across the country are at the forefront in confronting radicalization towards violent extremism and have and continue to work hand in hand with law enforcement and security agencies to promote public safety."
A spokesman for Harper said in an email to CBC News that the prime minister did not say all radicalization occurs in mosques.
"Radicalization towards jihadi terrorism can happen anywhere," Carl Vallée wrote.
"Following the attacks last fall, the Prime Minister specifically thanked members of the Muslim community for categorically and unequivocally condemning the attacks, and recognized the Muslim community for their efforts in fighting radicalization," he added, referring to a Dec. 4 speech to a Muslim association in Toronto.
Harper and other officials have repeatedly cited jihadi terrorism in speeches and comments about the changes proposed in Bill C-51.
source: Muslim groups 'troubled' by Stephen Harper's mosque remark - Politics - CBC News
....................................................
That's why I voted for Harper and will vote for Harper in the future.. says it like it is..
