For Immediate Release
Toronto, October 27, 2004 — The decision by the Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC) to reject the resignation of its president, Mohamed Elmasry, “indicates that this organization does not respect the sensibilities of either the Muslim or Jewish communities, nor the wider Canadian public,” said Harold Davis, National President of B’nai Brith Canada.
“An organization that refuses to hold its leader accountable for statements he made endorsing terrorism against civilians, cannot legitimately be called upon to speak on behalf of the ‘moderate’ Muslims in Canada,” said Davis. “We feel sure that the majority of Canadian Muslims do not endorse Elmasry’s views.”
“We are saddened that the CIC Board of Directors has chosen to close ranks around its leader. This is in stark contrast to the route chosen by the University of Waterloo, which is to be congratulated for its stance in declaring Elmasry’s remarks as ‘abhorrent’ and instituting a formally review of his campus statements.”
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For further information contact, Karen Lazar, Communications Manager:
416-633-6224 X 140 (office) / 647-999-9835 (cell)
B’nai Brith has been active in Canada since 1875 as the Jewish community’s foremost human rights organization.