TORONTO (July 19, 2017) – In light of therecent charge by the Montreal Police Hate Crimes Unit against Sheikh Muhammadibn Musa Al Nasr for willful promotion of hatred against Jews, Friendsof Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) urges the TorontoPolice to follow suit and charge Maulana Syed Mohammad Zaki Baqri of TheCouncil of Islamic Guidance and Resident Alim of the Al Mahdi Centre for hatespeech.

On June 27, 2017, FSWC filed a hate speech complaintwith Toronto Police Hate Crimes Unit against Imam Baqri after his speech onJune 24, 2017 for Al Quds Day at Queens Park (not the Legislative Precinct). Inhis speech, Imam Baqri allegedly said the following: "Israel, Zionism,should and must know (speaking Arabic)... It is the law that whoever oppresses,he has to be eliminated. One day or the other." The following video hasbeen provided to police: https://www.dropbox.com/s/uhf1s45117y6ped/Maulana%20Syed%20Mohammad%20Zaki%20Baqri%20Speech.MOV?dl=0  

In a letter to Ontario's Attorney General, YasirNaqvi, FSWC expressed its belief that Baqri's speech violates sections 318 and319 of the Criminal Code – Advocating Genocide and Public Incitement ofHatred. Section 318 states that "Every one who advocates or promotesgenocide is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for aterm not exceeding five years." Section 319 states that "Every onewho, by communicating statements in any public place, incites hatredagainst an identifiable group where such incitement is likely to lead to abreach of the peace is guilty of a) an indictable offence and is liable toimprisonment... b) an offence punishable on summary conviction." 

"Al Quds Day" is an Iranian sponsoredevent that promotes antisemitism, Holocaust denial and the destruction of theState of Israel. In the past, speakers have also threatened to shoot Jews andlast year, a school teacher was temporarily suspended from her boardof education after inciting violence. 

The vilification of Jewish Canadians and Israel onToronto’s streets is very frightening, and especially harmful to all the childrenthat attended Al Quds Day who are being taught to hate Jewish people from suchan early age. As Canadians, FSWC hopes that we can all come together to findways to promote co-existence, peace and good citizenship. In an effort to pavethe path to tolerance, FSWC has invested very heavily in programs like the Tourfor Humanity, Freedom Day, Speakers Idol and Compassion to Action. These programsbridge communities as well as open dialogue between communities. FSWC wasespecially proud this year to stand up for the children of Aleppo, Syria byhosting a press conference with five Holocaust Survivors - to pleadfor their assistance and for the war to end. We must all worktogether to make the world a better place.

To arrange an interview, please contact: swcmain@fswc.ca

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Friends of SimonWiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) is a top Jewish human rightsfoundation in Canada's organized Jewish community. It directly impacts over100,000 people each year and 500,000+ peripherally. FSWC is committed tocountering racism and antisemitism and to promoting the principles oftolerance, social justice and Canadian democratic values through advocacy andeducational programs including workshops, Freedom Day, Spirit of HopeBenefit, Tools for Tolerance and the widely acclaimed Tour for Humanity.FSWC is affiliated with the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an international Jewishhuman rights organization headquartered in Los Angeles which has won twoAcademy Awards, has built two Museums of Tolerance (with a third being built inJerusalem) and is an NGO at the United Nations, UNESCO, OAS, OSCE, the Councilof Europe and the Latin American Parliament. Visit us at www.fswc.ca.Canadian Headquarters: Toronto  Branches:Los Angeles • New York • Chicago • Paris • Buenos Aires • Israel