Border woes for Canadian muslim

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Ottawa to look into U.S. treatment of Canadian Muslim

Last Updated: Friday, June 8, 2007 | 3:24 PM ET

CBC News

The government will look into the mistreatment of a Canadian Muslim detained by U.S. border officials last month, Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay said Friday.

Munir El-Kassem, who is seeking an apology, said he was dehumanized and demeaned by American border authorities last month during a stopover at the Detroit airport en route to a conference in Milwaukee.

El-Kassem, a professor of dentistry at London's University of Western Ontario, said that when authorities found out he was Muslim, he was sternly ordered down a hallway into an interrogation room and questioned about whether he personally knew Osama bin Laden. He was also asked whether he believed in Allah or God.

"This was a very, very unfortunate incident," MacKay said Friday during question period, adding that Ottawa "will take the matter up" with U.S. border authorities.

El-Kassem, who was fingerprinted and detained for four hours, hopes his case will highlight the need for more interfaith dialogue.

With files from the Canadian Press

[prpplague 0]

Ottawa to look into U.S. treatment of Canadian Muslim

Last Updated: Friday, June 8, 2007 | 3:24 PM ET

CBC News

The government will look into the mistreatment of a Canadian Muslim detained by U.S. border officials last month, Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay said Friday.

Munir El-Kassem, who is seeking an apology, said he was dehumanized and demeaned by American border authorities last month during a stopover at the Detroit airport en route to a conference in Milwaukee.

El-Kassem, a professor of dentistry at London's University of Western Ontario, said that when authorities found out he was Muslim, he was sternly ordered down a hallway into an interrogation room and questioned about whether he personally knew Osama bin Laden. He was also asked whether he believed in Allah or God.

"This was a very, very unfortunate incident," MacKay said Friday during question period, adding that Ottawa "will take the matter up" with U.S. border authorities.

El-Kassem, who was fingerprinted and detained for four hours, hopes his case will highlight the need for more interfaith dialogue.

With files from the Canadian Press

and this is a problem how? as i understand it, Muslims believe that all Muslims are brothers, no matter what country they are from. if that is the case, then El-Kassem along with other non violent Muslims need to stand up and drown out the voices of the extremists. El-Kasem should be angry with his "brothers" that have created this problem for him, not the border security. personally i have no problems with profiling at the airport or other critical entry points into the US. not exactly like we have to worry about the buddists or harikrisna blowing up airplanes(or 98% of the other religions in the world).

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I think the comment that elicited my 'big sigh' is the question - "Do you know Osama Bin Laden personally"? To me, that is like asking an American 'Say, do you know the Unabomber personally?' Sounds to me that in your scenario the border authorities should be targeting everyone who has the same profile as the unabomber as well - after all, he blows things up too - and he isn't Muslim, interestingly enough.

A Canadian teacher of dentistry from London, Ontario who is one of how many muslims in the world?, who is travelling to a conference in the US is first of all asked if he knows one of the most elusive criminals in the world - who also is a muslim - and then is asked if he believes in God or Allah! I thought the US had freedom of religion - in which case it is irrelevant if someone believes in God or Allah. He has already identified himself as Muslim so obviously he believes in Allah. Perhaps they should be asking Catholics if they know the Pope and believe in the Trinity? You will remember that the Crusaders did some pretty horrific deeds. Or maybe target all Germans because afterall, Hitler was a German!

I have no problems with trying to identify potential terrorists but from the sounds of these border guards, it is a crime to be a Muslim entering or living in the US. Mr. El-Kasem is right - there needs to be more interfaith awareness so that the real threats can be identified rather than blanketing everyone who is not the 'right' religion - or colour, or gender, or race - as a threat.

Edited June 10, 2007 by Kathryn41

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Ottawa to look into U.S. treatment of Canadian Muslim

Last Updated: Friday, June 8, 2007 | 3:24 PM ET

CBC News

The government will look into the mistreatment of a Canadian Muslim detained by U.S. border officials last month, Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay said Friday.

Munir El-Kassem, who is seeking an apology, said he was dehumanized and demeaned by American border authorities last month during a stopover at the Detroit airport en route to a conference in Milwaukee.

El-Kassem, a professor of dentistry at London's University of Western Ontario, said that when authorities found out he was Muslim, he was sternly ordered down a hallway into an interrogation room and questioned about whether he personally knew Osama bin Laden. He was also asked whether he believed in Allah or God.

"This was a very, very unfortunate incident," MacKay said Friday during question period, adding that Ottawa "will take the matter up" with U.S. border authorities.

El-Kassem, who was fingerprinted and detained for four hours, hopes his case will highlight the need for more interfaith dialogue.

With files from the Canadian Press

and this is a problem how? as i understand it, Muslims believe that all Muslims are brothers, no matter what country they are from. if that is the case, then El-Kassem along with other non violent Muslims need to stand up and drown out the voices of the extremists. El-Kasem should be angry with his "brothers" that have created this problem for him, not the border security. personally i have no problems with profiling at the airport or other critical entry points into the US. not exactly like we have to worry about the buddists or harikrisna blowing up airplanes(or 98% of the other religions in the world).

You defend interrogating a man about whether he personally knows Osama Bin Laden simply on his admission of being Muslim?

[KarenCee 3]

Ottawa to look into U.S. treatment of Canadian Muslim

Last Updated: Friday, June 8, 2007 | 3:24 PM ET

CBC News

The government will look into the mistreatment of a Canadian Muslim detained by U.S. border officials last month, Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay said Friday.

Munir El-Kassem, who is seeking an apology, said he was dehumanized and demeaned by American border authorities last month during a stopover at the Detroit airport en route to a conference in Milwaukee.

El-Kassem, a professor of dentistry at London's University of Western Ontario, said that when authorities found out he was Muslim, he was sternly ordered down a hallway into an interrogation room and questioned about whether he personally knew Osama bin Laden. He was also asked whether he believed in Allah or God.

"This was a very, very unfortunate incident," MacKay said Friday during question period, adding that Ottawa "will take the matter up" with U.S. border authorities.

El-Kassem, who was fingerprinted and detained for four hours, hopes his case will highlight the need for more interfaith dialogue.

With files from the Canadian Press

and this is a problem how? as i understand it, Muslims believe that all Muslims are brothers, no matter what country they are from. if that is the case, then El-Kassem along with other non violent Muslims need to stand up and drown out the voices of the extremists. El-Kasem should be angry with his "brothers" that have created this problem for him, not the border security. personally i have no problems with profiling at the airport or other critical entry points into the US. not exactly like we have to worry about the buddists or harikrisna blowing up airplanes(or 98% of the other religions in the world).

Then would you have a problem if you are someday subjected to something similar? Would you still feel that it's ok to engage in profiling? It is possible you know.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Others weren't as fortunate as this guy. He could have ended up in some torture chamber in Afghanistan. Wouldn't

have been a first. Sad times indeed...

[William33 110]

DHS is supposed to be getting away from blatant profiling, in favor of behavioral analysis. It is behavior’s that trigger suspicion, not faith or origin.

Obviously, this has not happened yet.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

DHS is supposed to be getting away from blatant profiling, in favor of behavioral analysis. It is behavior’s that trigger suspicion, not faith or origin.

Obviously, this has not happened yet.

Well said!

[prpplague 0]

I think the comment that elicited my 'big sigh' is the question - "Do you know Osama Bin Laden personally"? To me, that is like asking an American 'Say, do you know the Unabomber personally?' Sounds to me that in your scenario the border authorities should be targeting everyone who has the same profile as the unabomber as well - after all, he blows things up too - and he isn't Muslim, interestingly enough.

A Canadian teacher of dentistry from London, Ontario who is one of how many muslims in the world?, who is travelling to a conference in the US is first of all asked if he knows one of the most elusive criminals in the world - who also is a muslim - and then is asked if he believes in God or Allah! I thought the US had freedom of religion - in which case it is irrelevant if someone believes in God or Allah. He has already identified himself as Muslim so obviously he believes in Allah. Perhaps they should be asking Catholics if they know the Pope and believe in the Trinity? You will remember that the Crusaders did some pretty horrific deeds. Or maybe target all Germans because afterall, Hitler was a German!

I have no problems with trying to identify potential terrorists but from the sounds of these border guards, it is a crime to be a Muslim entering or living in the US. Mr. El-Kasem is right - there needs to be more interfaith awareness so that the real threats can be identified rather than blanketing everyone who is not the 'right' religion - or colour, or gender, or race - as a threat.

1) the quote about knowing bin laden was only repeated by El-Kasem, only his word that it was asked, what's the likelyhood of that being exagerated? pretty darn high, they probably asked if he knew muslims extremists in canada.

2) again we only have El-Kasem's word as to what questions he was asked. what is the likelyhood that the screeners asked him if he believed that christians have the right to believe in God and not Allah? in many Muslims minds that would equate to the question of "do you believe in God or Allah?" untill i see a transcript of the actual questions ask, i'll take his statments as hearsay.

3)El-Kasem is NOT a US citizen nor a LPR therefore he does not get the protections under the law for freedom of religion. if he does not wish to be scrutinized in this way, he has a choice not to come to the US.

4) crusades were hundreds of years ago and world war II was over 60 years ago. not like we've seen the christians or germans comit acts of terrorism in the last 20 years in the US.

5) either all muslims are brothers or they are not. if they are not, then the muslims should not have problem turning over terrorists, if they are, then they shouldn't have problem with the fact their brothers have garnered muslims the title of world terrorists.

[prpplague 0]

You defend interrogating a man about whether he personally knows Osama Bin Laden simply on his admission of being Muslim?

we only have the word of El-Kasem that was the only reason.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

This is the guy we're talking about. He's an imam in addition to a professor of dentistry.

Dr. Munir El-Kassem was born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1955. He was educated at Al-Maqasid Islamic Institute where the Foundation of his Islamic knowledge was established. He was the top student to be admitted in the Pre-medicine program at the American University of Beirut. Following his migration to Canada, he continued his studies at the University of Western Ontario earning a Masters Degree in Medical Genetics thereafter joining the University of Toronto to graduate as a dental surgeon in 1986. After spending 15 years in general practice, he joined the University of Western Ontario as an assistant professor at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.

Since his arrival in Canada in 1976, Dr. El-Kassem has been very actively involved in Islamic Da'wah. He has visited a large number of Muslim communities across Canada and the United States. He has also participated in interfaith dialogue and appeared on numerous radio and T.V. programs. His audio and videotapes on various Islamic issues have been widely distributed. One series, in particular, (A Matter of Life and Death) has been quite popular worldwide and portions of it were shown on local T.V in many countries. He is the author of many Islamic books. He is also a regular contributor to the London Free Press, writing on a variety of issues from an Islamic perspective. He also hosts a weekly radio show, Islamic Perspectives, on 1290 CJBK.

Munir El-Kassem is currently a visiting Imam at a number of Islamic Centres across Ontario, Canada. He is also the Muslim Chaplain at the University of Western Ontario. He is married and blessed with five daughters and one son.

There's also a transcript of one of his lectures here.

[prpplague 0]

Then would you have a problem if you are someday subjected to something similar? Would you still feel that it's ok to engage in profiling? It is possible you know.

first i am a US citizen, i do have protection under the law. second, USCIS is charged with keeping undesirables from entering into the US, be it criminals, drug users, terrorists or religious extremists. the surpreme court ruled that there are certain limits on religious freedoms in the US. mainly if the religion performs or encourage behavior that is counter to the maintenance of a stable community, i.e. sacrificing virgins because it is "your religion" is not acceptable. if you are NOT a US citizen and choose to try and enter the US, you are subject to scrutiny on ALL levels.

[prpplague 0]

This is the guy we're talking about. He's an imam in addition to a professor of dentistry.

wow, an Iman you say? i'm sorry i doubted his word!

i'd trust an Iman's word no more than catholic priests who say "no i didn't molest that boy!"

and the transcript i was refering to was the one for the interview. no statement was made by the DoS or USCIS.

[JODO 2]

Is there a link to this story?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

This is the guy we're talking about. He's an imam in addition to a professor of dentistry.

wow, an Iman you say? i'm sorry i doubted his word!

i'd trust an Iman's word no more than catholic priests who say "no i didn't molest that boy!"

and the transcript i was refering to was the one for the interview. no statement was made by the DoS or USCIS.

I posted his lecture - because it gives an indication of his views. You're not going to see a public transcript of that interview from Homeland Security - especially if its going to form part of a legal defence. Won't happen.

Knowing that he's an imam provides a certain amount of context - rather than the blanket assumption in the OP article that this was a random traveller pulled aside and questioned for religious reasons.