Ask Federal Leaders to Condemn Anti-Muslim Views of Visiting Politician Geert Wilders

Ask Federal Leaders to Condemn Anti-Muslim Views of Visiting Politician Geert Wilders

(Ottawa - May 6, 2011) The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN), a national Muslim civil rights organization, is urging Canadian Muslims and citizens of conscience to immediately contact the leaders of Canada's elected federal political parties and ask them to condemn the anti-Muslim views of Dutch politician Geert Wilders visiting Canada in the coming days.

CAIR-CAN has also sent letters to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, along with each of the other federal party leaders, outlining our concerns and asking them to denounce the views of Mr. Wilders. This letter is available for you to read here.

Wilders has been invited to speak in Toronto, London and Ottawa by the Canada Christian College from May 8 - 10, 2011. Leaders of the College were quoted as saying that Wilders will discuss that "Islam is not just a religion, it’s a political and cultural system as well and we know that Christians, Jews and Hindus don’t have the same mandate for a hostile takeover. Here in Canada there is a real, clear and present danger."

See: National Post: "Anti-Islamic political leader Geert Wilders comes to Canada", 5/5/2011

Wilders is well-known internationally for saying "Islam is not a religion" and that constitutional religious freedom should not be accorded to Muslims and Islam in the West. Wilders compares the Qur'an to Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf and has demanded the Qur'an be banned in his home country, the Netherlands. Wilders has also called for the "voluntary repatriation" of Muslims from Western countries and the end to the construction of mosques.

See: Geert Wilders IFA Friends Facebook Page: Geert Wilders’ 10-Point Plan to Save the West
See: Globe & Mail: “The scary world of Geert Wilders”, 05/3/2010
See: The Huffington Post: "Three Questions to Ask Geert Wilders about Anti-Islam Hate Speech", 22/4/2011

"Our elected leaders should unequivocally and forcefully condemn the xenophobic and un-Canadian views Geert Wilders is bringing to Canada. Such propaganda harms social cohesion and creates barriers between Canadians. Those who demonize minorities and demand their exclusion from Canada should not find encouragement or acceptance," said CAIR-CAN Executive Director Ihsaan Gardee.

TAKE ACTION NOW
Call and Write to Federal Political Leaders (Be polite but firm). Scroll down below for leaders' contacts.

Please copy CAIR-CAN on all correspondence to: info(@)caircan.ca

SAMPLE TALKING POINTS FOR CALL

1. I am calling as a concerned Canadian about the impending visit to Canada from May 8th - 10th by anti-Islam Dutch politician Geert Wilders in Toronto, London and Ottawa. Mr. Wilders will be speaking at events held by groups in these Canadian cities.

2. Various media have quoted Wilders saying "Islam is not a religion" and that religious freedom should not be accorded to Muslims and Islam in the West. Wilders compares the Qur'an to Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf and has demanded the Qur'an be banned in his home country, the Netherlands. Wilders has also called for the "voluntary repatriation" of Muslims from Western countries and the end to the construction of mosques.

3. Although Mr. Wilders should be free to speak in Canada as long as he doesn't violate our laws, I respectfully ask that your Party publicly take leadership on this issue and denounce the xenophobic views of Mr. Wilders who is bringing a message of hate to Canada that harms social cohesion and divides Canadians.


SAMPLE LETTER

Dear _____________,

I write to you as a concerned Canadian about the impending visit to Canada from May 8th - 10th by extremist Dutch politician Geert Wilders in Toronto, London and Ottawa.

Wilders is well-known internationally for spreading hateful rhetoric regarding Islam and Muslims. He has said that "Islam is not a religion" and that constitutional religious freedom should not be accorded to Muslims and Islam. Wilders compares the Qur'an to Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf and has demanded the Qur'an be banned in his home country, the Netherlands. Wilders has also called for the "voluntary repatriation" of Muslims from Western countries and the end to the construction of mosques.

See: Geert Wilders IFA Friends Facebook Page: Geert Wilders’ 10-Point Plan to Save the West
See: Globe & Mail: “The scary world of Geert Wilders”, 05/3/2010
See: The Huffington Post: "Three Questions to Ask Geert Wilders about Anti-Islam Hate Speech", 22/4/2011

Although Mr. Wilders should be free to speak in Canada as long as he does not violate our laws, I respectfully ask that you and your Party publicly denounce the xenophobic views of Mr. Wilders who is bringing a message of hate to Canada that harms social cohesion and divides Canadians.

I eagerly wait to see your response and leadership on this important matter.

Sincerely

[Your Name]
[City, Province]


LEADER CONTACTS

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, PC, MP
Prime Minister of Canada
Leader of the Conservative Party
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Phone: 613-992-4211 (General Number)
E-mail: pm@pm.gc.ca

Hon. Jack Layon, PC, MP
Leader of the New Democratic Party
300 - 279 Laurier West
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5J9
Toll Free: 1-866-525-2555 (Party Number)
E-mail: jack@ndp.ca

Ralph Goodale, PC, MP
Deputy Leader, Liberal Party of Canada
81 Metcalfe Street, Suite 600
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6M8
Phone : 613-237-0740 (Party Number)
E-mail : info@liberal.ca

Elizabeth May, MP
Leader, Green Party of Canada
305-75 Albert Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5E7
Toll Free: 1-866-868-3447(Party Number)
E-mail: leader@greenparty.ca

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Endorsed by:

Canadian Muslim Forum (CMF)
Muslim Council of Calgary (MCC)
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM)