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http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1155161413962&call_pageid=970599119419
Radical posters worry groups
Aug. 10, 2006. 01:00 AM
SURYA BHATTACHARYA
STAFF REPORTER
Members of Toronto's Islamic community are expressing concern that posters of the hardline leaders of Iran and Hezbollah, displayed at recent protests here, are in danger of radicalizing the marches.
The posters, with photographs of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, began appearing last month at weekend demonstrations sponsored by several organizations, including the Canadian Arab Federation, the Muslim United Group and the Canadian Peace Alliance.
Organizations like B'nai Brith Canada have called on the government and police to crack down on what they see as "pro-Hezbollah" demonstrations.
"Hezbollah flags in rallies is a symbol of a terrorist entity," said Frank Dimant, vice-president of B'nai Brith Canada. "These rallies are pro-terrorist and are symbols of terrorism. They have no place in this country."
Dimant added he had recently observed Hezbollah flags at rallies in Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa.
"People are expressing concern," said Ali Mallah, vice-president of the Canadian Arab Federation, noting the demonstrations were focused on condemning violence against civilians in Lebanon and Palestine.
"It's hard to control crowds of thousands of people," he said, adding, "but I am not in the business of telling people what to do."
Still, Mallah said, he doesn't want the images to become a distraction. "Our coalition is made up of several different organizations, and we will not waste time debating this," he said. More than 10,000 people participated in the July 22 and July 29 marches on the Israeli and U.S. consulates in Toronto. Spotted among the many posters of the deaths and damage wrought by Israeli bombing were about a dozen large poster-photos of Hezbollah's Nasrallah, whose organization is banned in Canada.
It is exactly this type of attitude by leaders of these organisations that make me wonder if they are really trying to root out terrorism within their respective Muslim communities. The response Mallah has issued in this article is appalling. As the leader of the CAF, he should be very concerned. The "leaders" of these organisations are not doing enough (in the public eye at least) to show that they are genuinely concerned about homegrown terrorism in the Western democracies they have chosen to adopt as their new home. This type of fragmented, or factional organisation of Muslim/Arab groups reeks of the factionalism that has plagued the Middle East for years.
Yes ....this issue must be debated, and it must be dealt with accordingly from within the Arab/Muslim community itself. "well, we all belong to hundreds of different groups who can't agree on anything except the death of Israel, so It's not my problem. As the leader of a predominate Muslim organisation , what would you like me to do ? How do you expect me, as a leader, to actually lead?" (note sarcasm) This bullshit has to stop. This may be an inappropriate comparison..... but what is the difference between large groups of demonstrators ( terrorist supporters) carrying terrorist flags and signs (who advocate the destruction of Israel) , and neo Nazi skin heads marching down the street chanting death to the Jews...hail fuhrer? There is no difference IMHO! We don't stand for the Nazi bullshit here, but we'll stand by and accept pro terror rallies in our own towns and cities? Shame on these "organisations", and shame on Mallah for not giving a rats ass.
Radical posters worry groups
Aug. 10, 2006. 01:00 AM
SURYA BHATTACHARYA
STAFF REPORTER
Members of Toronto's Islamic community are expressing concern that posters of the hardline leaders of Iran and Hezbollah, displayed at recent protests here, are in danger of radicalizing the marches.
The posters, with photographs of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, began appearing last month at weekend demonstrations sponsored by several organizations, including the Canadian Arab Federation, the Muslim United Group and the Canadian Peace Alliance.
Organizations like B'nai Brith Canada have called on the government and police to crack down on what they see as "pro-Hezbollah" demonstrations.
"Hezbollah flags in rallies is a symbol of a terrorist entity," said Frank Dimant, vice-president of B'nai Brith Canada. "These rallies are pro-terrorist and are symbols of terrorism. They have no place in this country."
Dimant added he had recently observed Hezbollah flags at rallies in Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa.
"People are expressing concern," said Ali Mallah, vice-president of the Canadian Arab Federation, noting the demonstrations were focused on condemning violence against civilians in Lebanon and Palestine.
"It's hard to control crowds of thousands of people," he said, adding, "but I am not in the business of telling people what to do."
Still, Mallah said, he doesn't want the images to become a distraction. "Our coalition is made up of several different organizations, and we will not waste time debating this," he said. More than 10,000 people participated in the July 22 and July 29 marches on the Israeli and U.S. consulates in Toronto. Spotted among the many posters of the deaths and damage wrought by Israeli bombing were about a dozen large poster-photos of Hezbollah's Nasrallah, whose organization is banned in Canada.
"It's hard to control crowds of thousands of people," he said, adding, "but I am not in the business of telling people what to do."
Still, Mallah said, he doesn't want the images to become a distraction. "Our coalition is made up of several different organizations, and we will not waste time debating this," he said. More than 10,000 people participated in the July 22 and July 29 marches on the Israeli and U.S. consulates in Toronto. Spotted among the many posters of the deaths and damage wrought by Israeli bombing were about a dozen large poster-photos of Hezbollah's Nasrallah, whose organization is banned in Canada.
It is exactly this type of attitude by leaders of these organisations that make me wonder if they are really trying to root out terrorism within their respective Muslim communities. The response Mallah has issued in this article is appalling. As the leader of the CAF, he should be very concerned. The "leaders" of these organisations are not doing enough (in the public eye at least) to show that they are genuinely concerned about homegrown terrorism in the Western democracies they have chosen to adopt as their new home. This type of fragmented, or factional organisation of Muslim/Arab groups reeks of the factionalism that has plagued the Middle East for years.
Yes ....this issue must be debated, and it must be dealt with accordingly from within the Arab/Muslim community itself. "well, we all belong to hundreds of different groups who can't agree on anything except the death of Israel, so It's not my problem. As the leader of a predominate Muslim organisation , what would you like me to do ? How do you expect me, as a leader, to actually lead?" (note sarcasm) This bullshit has to stop. This may be an inappropriate comparison..... but what is the difference between large groups of demonstrators ( terrorist supporters) carrying terrorist flags and signs (who advocate the destruction of Israel) , and neo Nazi skin heads marching down the street chanting death to the Jews...hail fuhrer? There is no difference IMHO! We don't stand for the Nazi bullshit here, but we'll stand by and accept pro terror rallies in our own towns and cities? Shame on these "organisations", and shame on Mallah for not giving a rats ass.