International Shia News Agency
Americas

Calgary Imam calls on Muslims to vote

SHAFAQNA – Local Imam is hoping Muslims in Calgary, and across the country, will vote against racism, discrimination and Islamophobia.

Syed Soharwardy of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada and Muslims Against Terrorism called on Canadian Muslims to exercise their right, and also their religious duty, and vote in the October 19th federal election.

He told 660 NEWS, Islamophobia is on the rise in Canada.

“There have been threats, there has been vandalism, against mosques and against individuals. That’s definitely a very disturbing trend in this election,” Soharwardy said. “That’s why Muslims have the responsibility to stand up against the evil that is coming because of some hate mongers trying to spread hate against Muslims.”

He added, the Harper government’s policies on Syrian refugees, niqabs and security are contributing to the problem, and turning the elections into more of a religious and cultural debate, using fear to gain votes, and spreading messages of hate.

While Soharwardy is critical of the Conservatives, he did not endorse any political parties, but he did say there are better candidates who support, follow and practice real Canadian values.

“We need to stand up for the truth, and we need to stop this divisiveness and fear mongering in our society and our community,” he said. “We need to stand together to protect Canadian values, and we need to stand up for the freedom that we all enjoy. I think we should all stand together, and we should all protect the freedom of all Canadians.”

The Islamic Supreme Council is also linking Conservative policies with an incident in Calgary where a man with his face covered with a confederate flag and allegedly made threats outside an election forum.

Related posts

Indian Muslims feel marginalised-suppressed ahead of election

leila yazdani

Turkish Scholar: Politicians fuel Islamophobia

nafiseh yazdani

MEE: France’s Hijab ban is normalised across political spectrum two decades after adoption

leila yazdani

TBS: In a world of rising Islamophobia, some countries seek refuge in denial

leila yazdani

UN’s experts warn Islamophobia rising to alarming levels

leila yazdani

Russia stands in solidarity with Muslim countries to counter Islamophobia

leila yazdani

Leave a Comment