The Islamist group Hizb ut Tahrir Canada has decided to cancel a planned conference, originally set for this Saturday in Ontario, where they intended to discuss the establishment of a caliphate guided by Islamic law. This cancellation came after Public Safety Minister David McGuinty expressed concerns, alongside Jewish organizations, regarding the event's potential to incite hatred and division within the community.
The announcement from Hizb ut Tahrir Canada followed an indication by the government that the group might be considered for designation as a terrorist entity under Canadian laws. While the organization has encountered legal limitations in countries like Germany, Pakistan, and India due to its controversial activities, it has not faced similar restrictions in Canada until now.
McGuinty, along with associate minister Rachel Bendayan, criticized Hizb ut Tahrir for its glorification of violence and antisemitic rhetoric, calling for the event’s cancellation. Their statement highlighted the group's historical celebration of violent acts and its support for groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, which stand in stark contrast to Canadian values emphasizing peace and diversity.
The cancellation was praised by the Global Imams Council, which includes a diverse range of Islamic scholars and faith leaders. Jewish community representatives also expressed relief at the cancellation, viewing it as a significant step in safeguarding public safety. Michelle Stock from the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs noted it as essential progress and urged further actions from the Canadian government to officially classify Hizb ut Tahrir as a terrorist organization, similar to measures in the UK and Germany.
In a statement regarding the cancellation, Hizb ut Tahrir claimed that the decision was forced by external circumstances beyond their control. The group maintains that it is strictly an ideological and political party dedicated to non-violent methods of promoting its vision, asserting that its goal is to revive the Islamic way of life through the reinstatement of the caliphate in accordance with Islamic teachings, while explicitly rejecting violence or coercion.
6 Comments
Michelangelo
Censorship will not make extremist views disappear. We need to discuss these ideas openly to better understand them.
Leonardo
Considering their history and ties to violent groups, Hizb ut Tahrir should be taken seriously. The cancellation is warranted.
Raphael
Canceling the conference is a significant step in safeguarding our values. We need more actions like this from the government!
Donatello
The cancellation was necessary! We need to prioritize public safety and prevent any potential hate speech from spreading.
Michelangelo
Not all discussions about a caliphate are about violence or terrorism. We need to engage in dialogue, not censorship!
Mariposa
Dismissing Hizb ut Tahrir entirely ignores the nuances of their ideology versus actual violent extremism.