ICNA Canada

Dr. Al-Nadvi meets Hon. Michael Ignatieff

ICNA Canada’s Media Department interviewed  Dr. Iqbal Masood Al-Nadvi, President of Islamic Circle of North America Canada (ICNA Canada), regarding his recent meeting with the Hon. Michael Ignatieff, Member of Parliament for the constituency of Etobicoke-Lakeshore and President of the Liberal Party of Canada.

ICNA Media: Dr. Al-Nadvi, please give us some details about your recent meeting with the Hon. Michael Ignatieff.

Dr. Al-Nadvi:  On May 16, 2010, former Member of Parliament from the Liberal party Mr. Omar Alghabra and political activist Mr. Imran Mian arranged a meeting between Mr. Michael Ignatieff and respected Muslim community members.  There were 25 members of the community were invited. I was invited on behalf of ICNA Canada. The meeting was followed by a dinner.

ICNA Media:  Dr. Al-Nadvi you have met Mr. Ignatieff previously. What did you update him on in this meeting and what were his opinions on different issues?

Dr. Al-Nadvi:  As it was my third meeting with Mr. Ignatieff, I  explained issues with ease and received his clear vision on these issues. I spoke about the subject of the niqab and discussed the statement that has been issued by Mr. Ignatieff. It had seemed that he was in support of the Niqab Bill from Quebec. Later, Mr. Ignatieff acknowledged that the people of Quebec have used their right to present the Niqab Bill. This is their choice; however, he does not necessarily agree on banning niqab for women.

ICNA Media:  Dr. Al-Nadvi please update our readers if you have discussed the Palestinian issue and what is Mr. Ignatieff’s position.

Dr. Al-Nadvi:  Mr. Ignatieff agrees in principal on the two state formula for Palestinians and Israelis. He expressed that Palestinians should have the opportunity to live a dignified and respectful life.  I conveyed that these are the feelings of Muslims and that the Canadian Government should deliver this message to Israel. Also, the Government of Israel should take some positive measures towards reconciliation. Furthermore, the Canadian Government should convey a message to Israel on behalf of Canadian Muslims and on behalf of every just person that we will not provide unconditional support to Israel.

ICNA Media:  Dr. Al-Nadvi, let us talk about Afghanistan and what is the fundamental issue of chaos in that country. What message have you conveyed to Mr. Ignatieff on behalf of the Muslim community?

Dr. Al-Nadvi:  Mr. Ignatieff mentioned that the Canadian Government is planning to talk with some (good) Taliban and want to support them in building a sound infrastructure for Afghanistan. I have explained that the Taliban movement developed because when the Soviet Union left Afghanistan, West completely ignored the people of Afghanistan.  The West did not support the mainstream political groups in Afghanistan, but rather cornered them and supported those elements and groups who were not capable of providing balanced teachings of Islam and could not fulfill the leadership gap after the Soviet Union left Afghanistan.  I have expressed that the Canadian Government should update American authorities that if they handed over the matters of Afghanistan to Indian authorities, or if  they let Pakistan remain a victim of terrorism, it will never resolve the Afghanistan issue nor will the West ever achieve its targets in Afghanistan.

ICNA Media:  Dr. Al-Nadvi, did you discuss with Mr. Ignatieff about issues faced by Canadian Muslims in Canada and solutions to our problems?

Dr. Al-Nadvi:  I have explained at the end that Muslims who live in Canada consider this country their home. The Muslims here want to contribute their knowledge and abilities towards the positive growth of Canada. We also want to spread our positive moral values among other Canadian citizens. For this purpose it is incumbent that the religious, social, and economic needs of Muslims be met by providing them facilities and an environment where they may act under the law of the land and may freely fulfill their religious and other obligations.

Later in the evening there was a dinner where a large number of Muslim community members were present.   Two new future Muslim political candidates, Mr. Maqsood Khan (Oakville Town Councillor) and Mr. Imran Mian (from Mississauga) introduced themselves to the community.

ICNA Media: On behalf of ICNA Members and the Muslim community at large, we thank you, Dr. Al-Nadvi, for updating us on your meeting with the Hon. Michael Ignatieff and the important issues you discussed.