The Canadian Council of Muslim Women has endorsed and signed on to this letter of solidarity.
We the undersigned, represent Muslim organizations, communities and individuals across Canada. The Canadian Muslim community is diverse and reflects the varied backgrounds of the global community.
The racist, homophobic and transphobic attack in Orlando on June 12th that led to the death of 49 members of the LGBTQI community, almost all- people of colour, Black and Latino- is tragic and disturbing. It is a tragedy that has impacted people around the world and caused us all to pause for reflection.
We care about the pain and the fear that members of the LGBTQI community must be experiencing. As a community, we stand firmly against all forms of oppression including homophobia. We are concerned about this and how this impacts members of the LGBTQI community. All members of our society should be free from discrimination and be able to live their lives in peace and security.Sadly, it has also led to an escalation in Islamophobia, leaving many Muslims feeling unsafe in their homes and communities. As a community, we understand the pain and suffering that comes from hatred and ignorance. No person, group or community should ever have to experience this kind of bigotry, especially because of their identity. Canada is our home, one that protects the rights of all communities. We live together as a wider family, respecting each other’s rights as friends, neighbours, co-workers and citizens.As a faith community, we live our lives according to the way we best understand God wants us to. Just as we have this protected right under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, we support the rights and freedoms of all Canadians. We do not believe in the imposition of any beliefs/values on others. We treasure Canadian diversity and see it as a strength to draw upon. It saddens us that any act of violence here or abroad could be misinterpreted as stemming from the doctrines and practices of Islam. This is not so and we refuse to let these types of actions define us. We must stand up to fear, hatred and prejudice in all it’s forms and stand together to protect each other’s human rights.
Imam Abdul Hai Patel
Imam Habeeb Alli – Chaplain and Author
Michael AbdurRashid Taylor – Islamic Chaplaincy Services Canada Imam Hamid Slimi
Imam Ibrahim Hindy
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani, Islamic Scholar
Abdul Rehman Khan, Khateeb
Jeewan Chanicka- Principal
Farheen Khan – Writer and Community Activist Dr. Abdullah Hakim Quick
Gillary Massa – Community Advocate
Fariha Khan MD, CCFP
Founder CAMP Toronto , Executive Director The Care Factor
Ginella Massa – Media Professional
Zehra Abbass, Founder, Aasra.co
Faisal Kutty, Legal Counsel, Muslim Civil Liberties Association
Saleha Khan, Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration
Canadians Muslims for Peace Campaign
Family Honour Project, London, Ontario
Naeem Siddiqi – Vice President Olive Tree Foundation
Urz Heer
Alex Carter, Political and Social Advocate
Faisal Kutty, Legal Counsel, Muslim Civil Liberties Association
Jasmin ZIne, Professor Sociology & Muslim Studies Option. Wilfrid Laurier University Mayuri Maryam Salaam RN
Samiya Ahmed
Reema Berns Mc-Gown, Academic
Shaneeza Naseer-Ally, Executive Director, For Youth Initiative (FYI)
Samra Zafar, Founder, Brave Beginnings
Iftikhar Mahmood CFP Createwealth Planning
Huma Durrani Senior Business Consultant
Wael Haddara, MD FRCPC, Associate Professor, Schulich School of Medicine, Western University.
Mihad Fahmy, LLB, LLM, Lawyer.
IDRF International Development and Relief Foundation
National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM)
Uniting Muslims and Allies for Humanity (UMAH)
North American Spiritual Revival (NASR) Naseeha Helpline
Council for the Advancement of Muslim Professionals (Toronto Chapter)
Organization for Islamic Learning
Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW)
