Ontario’s Embedding of Islamophobia

On 1st July 2019, a Facebook post went up with a photo of the then British Home Secretary Sajid Javid, praying at the Western Wall in Israel, “This is really rather special. The UK’s first Muslim Home Secretary praying at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.” A nice touch - it reminded me of the Prophet Mohammed instructing early Muslims to fast with Jews on the Day of Atonement.

On the same day, a Partner in a downtown Bay Street law firm made the following remark under that Facebook post,

“An interesting contrast in that Jews welcome Muslims to pray at the Western Wall, but Muslims will not allow Jews to pray at the Temple Mount. It clearly furthers the truth that for Jews, peace is the end; for Muslims peace is a means to the end which is the destruction of the State of Israel and wiping out the existence of Jewry worldwide.”

Moments later, and despite being challenged by people of different faiths, he continued his Islamophobia:

“it’s the truth. But of course for you left wing tree hugging terrorist sympathizers, the truth isn’t allowed to be spoken if a finger is rightfully pointed at Islam…. What about LGBQT murdered and thrown from buildings in Muslim countries…. Women are stoned to death for nothing. Innocent people killed in the name of Islam. That’s not bigotry?”

Several hours later still, and this time gap is important because it allowed the lawyer to reflect on what he’d put out in the public domain, he made the following comment,

“In re-reading my comment, I seem to have unintentionally included all persons of the Muslim faith in a basket of hate. This wasn’t intended and I should have chosen my words more carefully. I acknowledge that most of the world’s Muslims are peace loving, tolerant, kind and loving. These are Muslims that want peace and to be neighbours and friends with Jews….” You obviously can draw your own conclusions as to whether that apology, with its legalistic nuance, was directed at saving his career more than reflecting his true, raw opinion.

I complained to the Ontario Law Society. They couldn’t see a problem. I took the matter to Appeal, who threw it back to the Society, who again insisted that they would take no action because this was not “conduct unbecoming a barrister or solicitor”.

One day, this lawyer might be a judge. And those standing in the dock might either by Muslims, or those accused of spreading hatred against Muslims. Welcome to Ontario’s embedding of Islamophobia.