Lawyer Collin May was appointed to head the commission in May this year, after three years as a member. He was to begin his duties as chief on July 14 and serve a five-year term. On Monday, the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) released a letter it sent to Justice Minister Tyler Sandro, signed by 28 Muslim organizations and mosques in Alberta, calling for May’s resignation over comments she made in a 2009 book. May reviewed Israeli-British historian Efraim Karsh’s book “Islamic Imperialism: A History”, where she said Islam was not “a peaceful religion abused by radicals”, but was “one of the most militaristic religions known to the world”. person”. “It is precisely this militaristic legacy that informs the actions of radicals across the Muslim world,” May added in the review. Despite the Islamophobic comments, NCCM Alberta advocacy manager Said Omar said the organizations remained committed to helping May meet with Muslim leaders so she “can reflect on her actions.” “Dates have been given to Mr. May to meet with leaders of Alberta’s Muslim community,” Omar said. “He refused those dates. We then asked Mr May to give us dates he would be available to meet and unfortunately Mr May did not follow through.” “We have learned that Mr May has also been issuing demand letters threatening to sue his critics,” the NCCM said. “We believe that this does not contribute to building trust and mutual understanding.” The NCCM said it does not call for “resignations lightly” and is not interested in promoting “reactionary culture wars” but May’s behavior “cannot” be tolerated while she heads the human rights commission. Omar told CTV News Edmonton in an interview that Islam is based on the concept of forgiveness and redemption. “Many members of Alberta’s Muslim community contacted us and were very shocked and disappointed that Mr. May expressed stereotypical views about Islam that no one believes,” he said. Joseph Dow, Shandro’s press secretary, told CTV News Edmonton that in July, May committed to meeting with leaders of Alberta’s Muslim community. After receiving NCCM’s letter saying May had not met with them, Dow says, the province asked him for an explanation. “After considering the explanation, Minister Sandro called for Mr May’s resignation,” Dow added. There was no further information from the province. “At a time when brazen attacks on Muslims in Alberta are on the rise, especially targeting black Muslim women who wear the hijab, Mr. May’s decision to threaten to sue his critics while at the same time offering to reach out to Alberta’s Muslim communities was extraordinary and shocking”. NCCM said. Irfan Shabir, the NDP’s justice critic, said in a statement that Sandro “needs to listen” to the Muslim community. “May had the opportunity to apologize and make amends for these hateful views, but she refused,” Shabir said. “Instead, he threatened to take legal action against his critics.” “Muslims in Canada are being harassed, attacked and killed solely because of their faith,” Shabir added. “The views expressed by Colin May perpetuate hate and are completely unacceptable to the chair of the Alberta Human Rights Commission.” CTV News Edmonton has reached out to the Alberta Human Rights Commission for a response.
