--
October 8, 2002
* ISLAMIC CONGRESS TO FILE CRTC COMPLAINT ON CANADIAN TV STATIONS THAT CARRIED FALWELLS "MUHAMMAD A TERRORIST" SPEECH -- HATE-CRIME LAWSUIT
MAY FOLLOW
* ISLAMIC CONGRESS CALLS ON CANADIAN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES TO DENOUNCE AMERICAN "MORAL MAJORITY" EVANGELIST
The Canadian Islamic Congress today issued a strong statement condemning ultra-conservative American evangelist, Rev. Jerry
Falwell, for commenting on national television that Prophet Muhammad -- the prophet of Islam -- was a "terrorist."
In an October 6, 2002 interview on the widely aired CBS newsmagazine show, 60 Minutes, Falwell stated "I think Muhammad was a terrorist."
The show is carried by numerous stations in Canada.
"Falwells statement constitutes hate-speech against an identifiable religious minority group," responded CIC legal counsel, Faisal Joseph.
"It is both slanderous and provocative and totally irresponsible for any religious leader, specially at this sensitive time. We are
therefore filing a formal complaint with the CRTC against all Canadian TV channels who broadcast this interview, and are considering further
legal action under Canadas hate crime laws."
In recent years, hate crime convictions have become more frequent in this country as public and legal awareness have increased. In 1998,
Mark Harding of Toronto was convicted for "promoting hatred against an identifiable group contrary to s.319(2) of the Criminal Code." Prof.
Jane McAuliffe of the University of Toronto, an expert witness called by the Crown, said "there is no legitimate support in the Quran or
Islamic religious doctrine for the position that Islam advocates
violence."
CIC national president Prof. Mohamed Elmasry was deeply shaken after watching last Sundays edition of 60 Minutes. "Canadian TV channels
should not be facilitating the spread of such blatant hate and bigotry in this country. It is not only illegal; it is immoral, and goes
against our most cherished Canadian values."
"We are also calling on Canadian Christian leaders, especially the Canadian Council of Churches, to denounce Falwells statements,"
Elmasry added. "We know that he does not speak for them."
Mrs. Wahida Valiante, CICs national vice-president, added that "Falwells statements negatively affect not only Canadian Muslims, but
all people of faith in this country ... He does not speak in any way for us."
Controversial American right wing religious leader Jerry Falwell, once a popular televangelist, has been associated with extreme Christian
conservatism throughout his public career. For several decades his name has been inseparably linked with the American fundamentalist
movement and political lobby, The Moral Majority, whose beliefs include anti-immigration, ethnic assimilation, unilingual society and
close relationships between government and state-supported
conservative Christianity.
CONTACT
Faisal Joseph
(519) 672-4510 Ext. 6342
Dr. Mohamed Elmasry
(519) 888-4567 Ext. 3753 (O)
(519) 746-7928 (H)
np@canadianislamiccongress.com
Mrs. Wahida Valiante
(905) 881-8024
nvp@canadianislamiccongress.com
