Young Muslims Corporation

Press Releases 2007

---

December 11, 2007
For Immediate Release

CANADIAN MUSLIM YOUTH ORGANIZATION CALLS FOR A PROACTIVE STRATEGY TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Young Muslims Canada expressed its deep sadness and regret over the tragic murder of Aqsa Parvez from Mississauga. Abuse of women is prohibited in the Islamic tradition.

We are urging authorities to prosecute those culpable of this crime to the fullest extent of the law. Domestic violence is found in communities across Canada. Partnerships between community groups and all levels of government are needed to develop proactive strategies especially for new and emerging communities to combat domestic violence.

According to Young Muslims’ Media Relations Representative, Sumayyah Poonah, "What happened yesterday is a tragedy. Grassroots organizations need to work in partnership with government and public service agencies to tackle this issue head on. We need to work together to prevent tragedies like this from happening in the future."

As a Canadian youth organization, Young Muslims Canada has recently been publicizing the ‘Neighbours, Friends and Families’ which is a public campaign to raise awareness about the signs of women who are victims of abuse in emerging communities. This campaign is a partnership between the Government of Ontario, Ontario Women’s Directorate and the Expert Panel on the Centre for Research & Education on Violence against Women and Children.

###

Contacts:

Sumayyah Poonah
###@youngmuslims.ca

Syed Reza
###@youngmuslims.ca

Yaseen Poonah [Available for Interviews in French]
###@youngmuslims.ca

---

20 Muslim Groups Urge 'Zero Tolerance' for Domestic Violence

Tuesday, December 11, 2007 11:10 am

- For Immediate Release -

(Ottawa, Canada - December 11, 2007) - The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN), the Islamic Social Services Association (ISSA) and the Islamic Society of Toronto, along with 21 other national and regional organizations (see endorsers below) urged "zero tolerance" for violence against women and domestic abuse. The Muslim groups are calling on Canadians of all faiths to address the realities of domestic violence.

The groups extend their heartfelt condolences to the family for their loss. They also asking for the strongest possible prosecution in the strangulation death of 16-year-old Aqsa Parvez, a Mississauga teen allegedly attacked by her father.

SEE: Teen Dead After Alleged Attack By Father http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2007/12/11/teen-attacked.html

"There should be zero tolerance for violence of any kind against women or girls," said ISSA President Shahina Siddiqui. "The strangulation death of Ms. Parvez was the result of domestic violence, a problem that cuts across Canadian society and is blind to colour or creed."

"Muslims and Canadians of all faiths need to reflect on the realities of domestic abuse and take concrete steps to eliminate violence against women," said CAIR-CAN Board Member Selma Djukic. "Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Parvez family for their tragic loss."

"We call for the strongest possible prosecution of Ms. Parvez's alleged attacker," said CAIR-CAN Legal Counsel Faisal Kutty.

- 30 -

CONTACT: ISSA President Shahina Siddiqui, (204) 781-7993;
CAIR-CAN Spokeswoman Selma Djukic, (416) 726-4992;
CAIR-CAN Communications Coordinator Sameer Zuberi, (613) 254-9704 or (613) 795-2012.

Endorsed by:

Canadian Council of Muslim Theologians (CCMT)
Canadian Council of Imams
Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN)
Canadian Muslim Civil Liberties Association (CMCLA)
Canadian Muslim Forum (CMF)
Canadian Islamic Centre - Al Rahsid Mosque, Edmonton
Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC)
DawaNet Canada
Islamic Ahlul Bayt Assembly of Canada
Islamic Circle of North America Canada (ICNA Canada)
Islamic Information Foundation
Islamic Social Services Association (ISSA)
Islamic Society of Kingston
Islamic Society of Toronto
Muslim Association of Canada (MAC)
Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
Muslim Community Council of Ottawa-Gatineau (MCCOG)
Muslim Council of Calgary (MCC)
Muslims for Peace & Justice (MPJ)
North American Spiritual Revival
Ottawa Muslim Association (OMA)
South-Western Ontario Muslim Students' Association (SWOMSA)
United Muslims
Young Muslims Canada

---

CANADIAN MUSLIMS CONDEMN THREATS, ENCOURAGE RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE

Canada's Democratic Values Reaffirmed

- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -

(Ottawa, Canada - March 22, 2007) A coalition representing more than 50
Muslim organizations from across the country today condemned the threats
against Ms. Farzana Hassan and Mr. Tarak Fatah. The coalition and its
officers have also received threats for the defence of Islam and Muslim.

The Muslim groups are asking anyone with information to contact police on
the matter. Furthermore, the organizations encourage all to participate in
respectful dialogue and Canada's democratic process.

The coalition of organizations includes the Canadian Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN), Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC),
Canadian Muslim Civil Liberties Association (CMCLA), Canadian Muslim Forum
(CAF), Canadian Muslim Network (CMN), Coalition of Muslim Organizations
(COMO), Dawa Net Canada, Federation of Muslim Women (FMW), Islamic Circle of
North America Canada (ICNA Canada), Islamic Society of North America -
Canada (ISNA Canada), Islamic Social Services Association (ISSA), Islamic
Society of Toronto, Muslim Association of Canada (MAC), Muslim Council of
Calgary (MCC), North American Spiritual Revival (NASR) and Young Muslims
Canada.

In a statement the coalition said:

"As a matter of principle, we condemn violent threats of any kind. There is
zero tolerance in Islam for the type of behaviour that Ms. Hassan and Mr.
Fatah have been subject to.

"We urge anyone with information on this matter to contact police and assist
in their investigation.

"Coalition members and their officers have also been threatened in the past
for standing up for Islam and issues relating to Muslims.

"Differences of opinion have historically been part of the 14 centuries of
Islamic history and tradition. The ethics of disagreement in Islam, meeting
the norms of intellectual and scholarly standards, have always allowed for a
healthy debate of differing opinions.

"We may disagree on faith-based interpretations, however this, according to
the Quran, is always done at an intellectual level.

"As Muslims we reaffirm the right to freedom of opinion, freedom of assembly
and freedom of religion.

"As organizations we encourage people of all backgrounds to partake in
respectful dialogue and fully engage in Canada's democratic process."

---