The Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador say it has received a derogatory email supporting controversial comments made by Progressive Conservative byelection candidate Lin Paddock.
A statement from the association sent to CBC News by the organization's secretary, Kamrul Islam, says it has tried to stay out of the debate surrounding Paddock's comments but decided to speak up after receiving "a derogatory email from an individual who not only supported these comments but also made false accusations against our Muslim faith."
The release didn't provide details of what was said in the email but said it has been forwarded to law enforcement authorities.
During a byelection debate at the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce, Paddock said the province needs to recruit health staff from countries like Germany rather than India and Pakistan "where they will come here and then go to Toronto." Pakistan is a Muslim-majority country while India is predominantly Hindu with a Muslim minority.
MANAL said internationally educated professionals, including physicians, in Newfoundland and Labrador come from various ethnic backgrounds and various faith communities.
"The reasons why some medical professionals are leaving our province are highly complex and therefore cannot be reduced to their ethnic backgrounds or recreational choices," reads the release. "Also, while these complex reasons are not limited to racial/religious discrimination they may be experiencing, racism and Islamophobia are well documented real problems that cannot be denied or ignored."
The association says it's the responsibility of the province's politicians, whether they're elected or not, to have "meaningful discussions around such complex issues instead of fuelling debates that are potentially divisive and offensive."
The association says Newfoundland and Labrador is home to more than 7,000 Muslims.
"We have been serving our fellow Newfoundlanders and Labradorians since the late 1950s by generously sharing our strong international credentials in various key sectors, including health care."