August 25, 2006: for immediate relase

The Board and Members of the Canadian Muslim Union (CMU) are troubled and concerned with the recent allegations posted in the Toronto Star on Thursday August 24, 2006 on behalf of Mr. Tarek Fatah, former and acting communications director of the Muslim Canadian Congress.

Mr. Fatah's accusation against the former Directors of the MCC and founding members of CMU as being supporters of Hezbollah are not only without merit or foundation, but also irresponsible, hateful and with callous disregard of the serious implications on their reputation, community standings and safety.

In the middle of the current state of international affairs, with its local reflections illustrated by the unfair position adopted by the political Right, Mr. Fatah chose to ride that biased wave and utilize the charged sentiments of the community to launch his irresponsible and baseless attack against those of us who chose to stand with the Lebanese people against the brutal Israeli offensive. His only motive would appear to be to curry favour with the political right, racists and Islamophobes.

We at CMU confirm and re-iterate our commitment to the just cause of the Lebanese and Palestinian people, and we re-affirm everybody's right to civil and peaceful expression as guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and the laws of the land.

The CMU is not affiliated with any political party or group inside or outside Canada. Rather we are guided by respect for the basic human dignity and human rights of every individual and a commitment to upholding the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The recent public rallies referred to in the Toronto Star article were called by various local registered organizations, led by the Canadian Arab Federation and included movements representing a wide spectrum of communities, such as Jewish, Queer, Women's and anti war groups among many others, and provided a venue for our communities to feel supported, included and heard. The demonstrations were open to everyone and anyone in the Canadian spirit of inclusion and equality to protest the destruction of Lebanon by the Israeli offensive and to join in solidarity against war and in support of peace.

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Contact: Arif Raza, 416 558-4777