[Variable]

Originally Posted by IbnMardhiyah

You do realize that your opinion stacked up against that of Osgoode Hall grads doesn't mean much, right?

In any case, pass some popcorn, we'll both sit and watch.

My opinion means what it means. I'm not claiming that my it's going to affect the outcome of this case. I'm just giving my opinion on an internet forum. What will matter is how these law students' opinion stacks up against those representing Maclean's.

But you were wrong though, it would appear that they aren't simply lodging a complaint based on the article. They describe that here in your first post:

"We then felt it necessary to launch human rights complaints. These complaints do NOT name Steyn as a Respondant. We have NEVER asked for an apology from Macleans or Steyne. The issue is NOT about attacking journalists or any one viewpoint - it's about ensuring that a media outlet with the national coverage and respect that Macleans enjoys remains balanced and fair."

Their complaint is over Maclean's not allowing them to publish their own views within some uncompromising terms.

[Variable]

Originally Posted by Timbit

Oh, I do think it might be hate speech though.
But I haven't read it so I wouldn't know.

If you haven't read it... then how come you say that?

[Timbit]

Originally Posted by Variable

If you haven't read it... then how come you say that?

'Cause I've read about it?
I tried to read it but couldn't get through it. Not out of disgust, but it was just so boring.

[Variable]

Originally Posted by Timbit

'Cause I've read about it?
I tried to read it but couldn't get through it. Not out of disgust, but it was just so boring.

Well, I labored through the whole thing. I'd have to agree, it's a disjointed alarmist rant mostly focusing on Muslims' birthrates. And this Steyn character is very opinionated - but I couldn't call it hate speech. If it were then our freedom to express ourselves - even within the limits of hate speech legislation - really would be at risk.

Should Islamic and Christian publishers who print the old testament and ahadith allot equal space in their material to gays and lesbians to defend what they see is a "smear-campaign" on them?

(actually religious groups have a special allowance to preach hatred towards homosexuals and other groups, they have a notwithstanding clause in that bill - but it's still food for thought)

[Timbit]

Originally Posted by Variable

Well, I labored through the whole thing. I'd have to agree, it's a disjointed alarmist rant mostly focusing on Muslims' birthrates. And this Steyn character is very opinionated - but I couldn't call it hate speech. If it were then our freedom to express ourselves - even within the limits of hate speech legislation - really would be at risk.

Should Islamic and Christian publishers who print the old testament and ahadith allot equal space in their material to gays and lesbians to defend what they see is a "smear-campaign" on them?

(actually religious groups have a special allowance to preach hatred towards homosexuals and other groups, they have a notwithstanding clause in that bill - but it's still food for thought)

*laboured

K, I went back and read it. Took all of my willpower to get through the whole thing (and even then I skipped some bits ) He really buys into the whole clash of civilizations thing, eh?

I don't think Maclean's has to allot equal space in their magazine for a counter-argument. But I don't think they've done the right thing by publishing this. Not good for their image.

And maybe it's not hate speech exactly (though I still dunno how that's defined), but it can be argued that it's incitement.

[sixpakistan]

Naseem Mithoowani

that's a memon (nasserpuria, no less)!

[IbnMardhiyah]

THE CANADIAN ISLAMIC CONGRESS
MEDIA COMMUNIQUE

April 9, 2008


ONTARIO HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ACKNOWLEDGES "ISLAMOPHOBIC," "XENOPHOBIC"
AND "DESTRUCTIVE" CONTENT IN RELATION TO MACLEAN'S ARTICLES


The Canadian Islamic Congress welcomes a statement just issued by the
Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) in response to two sets of
complaints filed against Maclean's Magazine -- one by law students Muneeza
Sheikh, Naseem Mithoowani, Khurrum Awan and Ali Ahmed; another by CIC
president, Dr. Mohamed Elmasry -- in April 2007.

Both complaints refer specifically to an October 2006 Maclean's article
titled: "The Future Belongs to Islam," but in its statement the OHRC also
expressed "serious concerns about the content of a number of articles
concerning Muslims that have been published by Maclean's magazine and other
media outlets."

Referring to articles published by Maclean's, the Commission noted that
"[t]his type of media coverage has been identified as contributing to
Islamophobia and promoting societal intolerance towards Muslim, Arab, and
South Asian Canadians" and further noted the "serious harm that such
writings cause, both to the targeted communities and society as a whole."

Referring to the Commission's opinion that it should be "possible to
challenge any institution that contributes to the dissemination of
destructive, xenophobic opinions," law student Muneeza Sheikh said, "The
Commission's recognition of the prejudicial impact of Maclean's targeting
of Muslim Canadians and the importance of establishing viable avenues to
challenge racism in the media has vindicated our concerns."

Naseem Mithoowani was also encouraged by the OHRC findings, saying, "We
couldn't agree more with the Commission when it wrote: ‘Freedom of
expression should be exercised through responsible reporting and not be
used as a guise to target vulnerable groups and to further increase their
marginalization or stigmatization in society'."

Legal Counsel Faisal Joseph added; "The fact that the Commission recognized
in strong and clear language that Maclean's is part of the racism and
Islamophobia that exists in the media against Canadian Muslims, should be
cause for shame and embarrassment. Maclean's should now try to solve the
problem, not escalate it."

Related complaints against Maclean's have been filed with the British
Columbia and Federal Human Rights Commissions. Hearings have been scheduled
before the BC Commission from June 2-6, 2008 under s. 7(1) of the BC
Human Rights Code, which prohibits publications that subject identifiable
communities to hate. The Federal Commission is currently in the process of
investigating similar complaints.

The complete Statement issued by the Ontario Human Rights Commission can be
accessed at: Ontario Human Rights Commission


For more information please contact:
Faisal Joseph, CIC Legal Counsel (519) 640-6342