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Updated terminology used in the 2018 security report a welcome relief for the Muslim community
5-07-2019
Edward Bulwer-Lytton once said, “The pen is mightier than the sword.” Indeed, it is. It is refreshing to witness our community at grass roots level getting engaged in community activism and achieve results where Muslim leadership have collectively failed.
Ever since the government released its 2018 Public Report on Terrorist Threat in Canada on December 14, 2018, AlAmeen Post has been raising concerns and awareness about some of the terminology used within the report, that reflects negatively about Canadian Muslims.
The Public Safety Minister at the time made a statement, "The terms “Sikh”, “Shia”, and “Sunni”, among others, were used to describe types of extremism in the 2018 Public Report on the Terrorist Threat to Canada. I am confident the terminology used in this report was never intended to encompass or malign entire religions.
While this terminology has been in use for many years, that does not mean it is sufficient or precise enough. Therefore, I have asked officials to conduct a review and make the appropriate changes to the language used throughout the government to describe extremism.
Words matter. We must never equate any one community or entire religions with extremism.
Canadians of all faiths and backgrounds have helped to build our country, and continue to be integral members of our communities and neighbourhoods. They contribute in inspiring a stronger, more equal, and compassionate Canada that we all strive for."
On April 12, 2018, The Public Safety Minister, Mr. Goodale held a press conference informing the media that references to “Sikh “extremism have been removed from the report. This according to him was since several Members of Parliament have expressed concerns about it and find it inappropriate.
The million-dollar question remains why these MP’s have only raised concerns about the terms “Sikh”, and not “Shia”, and “Sunni.” It is an obligation of the government and MP’s to represent everyone and not just selected few.
However, it is our understanding also that MP’s have in fact expressed concerns about all three derogatory terms – “Sikh”, “Shia”, and “Sunni” – if that is so, why the government only acted upon removing the “Sikh” but not “Shia”, and “Sunni.”
We had dedicated our editorial in our last issue regarding this injustice and had initiated a petition which the community members, and Muslim organizations overwhelmingly supported.
Nonetheless, we learned on April 29th, 2019, that the government has taken action on removing the questionable terms “Shia”, and “Sunni” from the 2018 report.
As per the Minister of Public Safety’s statement on the 2018 Public Report on the Terrorist Threat to Canada, a review of the language used to describe extremism has been undertaken and is ongoing. The Government’s communication of threats must be clear, concise, and cannot be perceived as maligning any groups. As we continue this review, it is apparent that in outlining a threat, it must be clearly linked to an ideology rather than a community. The Government will carefully select terminology that focuses on the intent or ideology. As a first step, the Government has updated terminology used in the 2018 report to eliminate terminology that unintentionally impugns an entire religion. Going forward, the Government of Canada is committed to applying a bias-free approach to the terminology used to describe any threats inspired by ideology or groups.
The original text stated the following, “The principal terrorist threat to Canada continues to stem from individuals or groups who are inspired by violent Sunni Islamist ideology.” Furthermore, it also states Shia extremism remains of a concern.
The revised text states, Canada's terrorist threat environment remains stable. “The principal terrorist threat to Canada continues to stem from individuals or groups who are inspired by violent ideologies and terrorist groups, such as Daesh or al-Qaida (AQ). Canada also remains concerned about threats posed by those who harbour right-wing extremist views. The April 2018 van attack in Toronto is a reminder that violent acts driven by extremists' views are not exclusively-linked to any particular religious, political or cultural ideology. Furthermore, groups, such as Hizballah, and extremists who support violent means to establish an independent state within India also remain of concern because while their attacks in Canada have been extremely limited, some Canadians continue to support these extremist groups, including through financing. At the time of publication, Canada's National Terrorism Threat Level remains at medium, as set in early October 2014 – meaning a violent act of terrorism could occur.“
This is a welcome relief for the Muslim community indeed. However, we must also not dismiss the manner in which the changes were announced. Firstly the delay, and secondly the changes were announced on the website without any press meeting. If the intention was to appease the Muslim voters while keeping the dissenting voices out of the loop, surely The Govt. has managed to do exactly that.
AlameenPost editorial would like to thank and acknowledge our readers who heeded our call and took the initiative as community activists and helped us start an advocacy network, under Canadian Muslim Advocacy.
The purpose of our efforts had been to build a constituency of volunteers to empower us to voice our concerns, raise awareness and organize campaigns resulting in practical changes for issues of concern to Canadian Muslims and the larger community. We would like to invite Muslim organizations and individual Muslims across Canada to become our partners and activists in these campaigns. Follow us on our website www.CanadianMuslimAdvocacy.org, Facebook and Twitter.
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