Toronto Star
Feb 19,2006
Muslim group urges end to protests
“I’m proud that we as Canadians stand together for justice,” said one of the speakers, Sheikh Suleman.
Rob Delaney, Liberal member of provincial parliament for Mississauga West, said he was supporting the protest — even though he’s not Muslim — because all Canadians should respect one another’s customs, practices and traditions.
“We as Canadians celebrate the differences that contribute to the vibrance and strength of our country,” Delaney told the crowd.
“We are not us and them, we are the same people, who practice many faiths or even no faith at all,” he said.
“Our dialogue with Canadians today comes back to the issue of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
While police said the protest was peaceful and without incident — as was another Saturday in downtown Vancouver — the Muslim Canadian Congress said the time had come for the demonstrations to stop, saying the were inflaming tensions around the world.
Congress spokesman Tarek Fatah said protests around the world are being used by Islamic extremists as motivation to spread violence.
“We understand the pain and the hurt of the Muslim community but I am urging Muslims around the world to understand the repercussions of their actions, that their pain has been usurped by Islamic extremists,” Fatah said.
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Co...ageid=968332188492&col=968793972154&t=TS_Home
Feb 19,2006
Muslim group urges end to protests
“I’m proud that we as Canadians stand together for justice,” said one of the speakers, Sheikh Suleman.
Rob Delaney, Liberal member of provincial parliament for Mississauga West, said he was supporting the protest — even though he’s not Muslim — because all Canadians should respect one another’s customs, practices and traditions.
“We as Canadians celebrate the differences that contribute to the vibrance and strength of our country,” Delaney told the crowd.
“We are not us and them, we are the same people, who practice many faiths or even no faith at all,” he said.
“Our dialogue with Canadians today comes back to the issue of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
While police said the protest was peaceful and without incident — as was another Saturday in downtown Vancouver — the Muslim Canadian Congress said the time had come for the demonstrations to stop, saying the were inflaming tensions around the world.
Congress spokesman Tarek Fatah said protests around the world are being used by Islamic extremists as motivation to spread violence.
“We understand the pain and the hurt of the Muslim community but I am urging Muslims around the world to understand the repercussions of their actions, that their pain has been usurped by Islamic extremists,” Fatah said.
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Co...ageid=968332188492&col=968793972154&t=TS_Home
