National Muslim Coalition’s Statement on the Cartoon Controversy

Prominent national Canadian Muslim organizations and umbrella groups have signed an unprecedented Statement praising Canada’s collective response to the cartoon controversy, saying Canada has “made Canadian Muslims proud.”

“Despite a few small occurrences, Canada’s collective response to this controversy has allowed us to overcome this crisis and strengthen our democracy,” says Dr. Tyseer Aboulnasr, a member of the Order of Ontario and spokesperson for the Muslim coalition. “Our community felt it was time for us to acknowledge to all of Canada how proud we are of our country.”

The statement, signed by 21 national Muslim organizations and umbrella groups from across the country (representing an additional 175 organizations), reads:

Congratulations Canada!
Canadians have collectively responded to the publication of the offensive caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad in a manner that has strengthened our nation.

Canada has lived up to its principles. Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay have eloquently emphasized responsible expression, condemned violent action and called for a greater understanding of Islam and Muslims. Canadian media, with the exception of a few small publications, have exercised responsibility in their use of free speech. Canadian civic organizations have stood in solidarity with fellow Muslim citizens. And Canadian Muslims have made their profound hurt known through dialogue and peaceful expression.

This collective response speaks volumes about the values that we share as one nation — values that bind us together in citizenship and a common humanity.

Canada’s response has been unique and has struck the right balance between freedom of expression, and the legal and moral right of citizens to be protected from publications promoting hate and racism.

Muslim representatives from across the country have joined together in an unprecedented manner to express their pride as Canadians in Canada’s collective response to the publication of malicious and provocative cartoons of Prophet Muhammad.

As Muslims, and as Canadians, we say to our nation: you have made us proud!

The signatories to the statement include:

National organizations
Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN);
Canadian Council of Muslim Theologians CCMT – Jami’yyatul Ulama Canada;
Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW);
Canadian Muslim Civil
Liberties Association (CMCLA);
Islamic Ahlul Bayt Assembly of Canada(represents over 60 organizations);
Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA);
Islamic Social Services Association (ISSA);
Islamic Society of North America – Canada (ISNA Canada);
Muslim Association of Canada (MAC);
Muslim Canadian Congress (MCC);
Muslim Students Association (MSA);
Progressive Muslim Union of North America

Umbrella Groups
British Columbia Muslim Association (BCMA);
Coalition for Muslim Organizations (COMO represents over 30 organizations);
Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities (ECMC);
Islamic Shia Ithna-Asheri Jama’at of Toronto (ISIJ);
Muslim Community Council of Ottawa-Gatineau (MCCOG represents over 30 organizations);
Muslim Council of Calgary (MCC);
Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM represents over 35 organizations);
North American Shi’a Ithna-asheri Muslim Communities (NASIMCO represents over 25 organizations).

The statement was also supported by the: Canadian Arab Federation (CAF represents over 40 organizations).

Only national and umbrella organizations were approached to sign the statement. Individual mosques and Islamic centres were not approached due to time limitations.