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The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday June 7, 2006 - 7 Community groups call for calm By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Last weekend's arrest of 17 terrorism suspects -- many from neighbouring Mississauga -- sent shockwaves through the community, including the close-knit local Muslim community. "Some of the faces were known to some of us in the school. I didn't have the opportunity to poll students, but certainly some members of the staff did know some of the individuals arrested," said vice principal Ebrahim Dhooma, of the Al-Falah Islamic School in north Oakville. The 17 male suspects are accused of plotting to bomb institutional targets in southern Ontario. Five suspects are male teenagers and their identity is shielded under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Some were known to local Muslims. Dhooma admitted the young age of the individuals arrested and the allegations against them were shocking. Dhooma said he used Monday's regular monthly assembly to remind students -- 230 in JK to Grade 8 -- of several points: that it's a matter that affects the local Muslim community, one that directly affects them for the first time in Canada; that the accusations against the accused are serious and that the accusations must be proven and dealt with. "We all need to be patient," said Dhooma, noting not only will those accused face a trial, but those in the broader community will now stand a test while the issue unfolds. Though every cloud has a silver lining. "This is for us an important opportunity to share with our Canadian friends, neighbours and families who we are. It is an occasion for us to go out and explain who we are," said Dhooma, noting, by definition Islam means peace. "That's who we are as a people and it's who we should be as a community," said Dhooma. Students at the Burnhamthorpe Road school have been cautioned now is not the time for irresponsible talk or accusations, but rather calm and control. Dhooma said he isn't sure how much media his students will be exposed to, but that the arrests are being discussed at school and likely at home. It's everyone's reaction to the arrests that will tell the tale. Those who need support, can find it at the school, and also through the attached community centre and mosque, local religious leader and social services. While news of the arrests brings more attention to the Muslim community, Dhooma said the overall public reaction to it remains telling of the broader community. "After 9/11 we saw the noble reaction of the local community. Our neighbours and police and the wider community continued to support us," said Dhooma. "We hope for the same again, and we've seen the same so far. We're asking our community for a reasonable and measured reaction and we hope and pray the reaction is reasonable and measured from the wider community." Dhooma added, he hoped, too, that the media would not "fan the flames of ignorance." While the Al-Falah Islamic School has a security policy and measures in place, those have received "a heavy emphasis" in the wake of the arrests. "We're satisfied that there is in place all that can be reasonably expected," said the educator. "We have an ongoing liaison with the Halton Regional Police Service, which is in constant contact with us on this occasion and otherwise. We have a wonderful, healthy and positive relationship," said Dhooma. That type of positive multicultural relationship also spills into the community. "I'm a happy Canadian citizen and a proud Oakville resident to say that after 9/11 and in this instance so far, that we've seen a positive reaction from the community," said Dhooma. Other groups in Oakville and Halton are also imploring patience to evade any backlash against the Muslim community -- as has already been evidenced in some places. "The Halton Multicultural Council wishes to express its concern for the families associated with the Rexdale Mosque that have experienced apparent backlash from Friday's arrest. As a settlement agency helping immigrants and refugees settle in Canada, and a promoter of peace and understanding of our fellow human beings, we implore the people of Halton to thoughtfully and respectfully allow the judicial sys- CORRECTION NOTICE To our valued customers: We apologize for any inconvenience caused by an error in our flyer dated: June 2-8. Product: Virgin Nokia 2125 Prepaid Phone. On pg 11 of our June 2 flyer, this phone is advertised at $66.00 on a 36-month plan. In fact, it is $66.00 without a service plan. SKU: 10071179 CORRECTION NOTICE To our valued customers: We apologize for any inconvenience caused by an error in our flyer dated: June 2-8. Product: MPIO 512MB MP3 Players. This product appears on pg. 14 of our June 2 flyer. Due to a manufacturing delay, colours and quantities of these products will vary by store. Rainchecks will be issued. SKU: 10063560/10063561/100 60226/10071991. 39 A. Qayyum Mufti tem to take its course and not act out of fear," said Laila Eiriksson, Halton Multicultural Council (HMC) president. "One cannot define a faith or a cultural community on the actions of a very few. Canada is comprised of a rich diversity that has acted as a strong foundation to our great country. Our multiculturalism should be protected and embraced," said Eiriksson. That sentiment was echoed by the Interfaith Council of Halton, founded to promote understanding among faiths after 9/11. "The Interfaith Council of Halton is shocked and saddened by recent events -- both the alleged plot and the vandalism that followed the arrests," said council co-chair Rev. Morar Murray-Hayes, of Maplegrove United Church. Representing nine major faiths, Halton Regional Police, the public and separate school boards and the HMC, the ICH values education and employment for youth. "Everybody was taken by surprise with the arrests. It was never expected, and never expected in Canada for sure," said A. Qayyum Mufti, the ICH's Muslim co-chair. "This is something very, very serious and it's serious if it's true and it's serious if it's not true, both ways. We need to let justice decide whatever the outcome is," said Mufti. "Whatever is the name, ¢ ® whether it's Michael or Mohammed, if someone is standing up against their own country or their own people, no one can support those actions," said Mufti. Conversely, not all members of any group can be defined by a few. "There are always good things in every faith so it's not a good idea to walk by each other and not talk to each other," said Mufti. A secondary reaction to news of the arrests, however, is fear. Already reprisals have been felt in damage of Toronto mosques. Doubts and suspicion of neighbours have been flagged in everyone's mind and it has Muslims looking over their shoulder. "It's very harmful to the whole society. Anybody who does criminal acts, nobody supports it, but the majority of Muslims are lawabiding citizens and are Canadians as anybody else could be," said Mufti. He also said the local Muslim community supports law enforcement agencies and extends its assistance in carrying out justice. It also will call on the law enforcement agencies to reassure the local Muslim community of its safety -- a Town Hall meeting is being organized for this weekend in Mississauga. "It has all created an atmosphere of mistrust and that's not conducive to overall public safety and it's not a good atmosphere to live in, said Mufti. Zehra Haffajee, chair of the Federation of Muslim Women (FMW) which was founded, has members and runs programs in Halton, knows that first hand. One of the men arrested lives a few doors away from her Mississauga townhouse where she lives with her cousin. "It's been a shock to everyone, regardless of whatever community you come from," said Haffajee. For the accused, Haffajee said the community hopes timely and fair justice will follow due process. For those living in the com- munity, Haffajee hopes against the backlash that's already reared up. "In light of the recent arrests made of 17 males on alleged terrorism charges, The Federation of Muslim Women (FMW) urges the justice system to deal with these individuals fairly and in a timely manner. As Canadian Muslim women, The Federation of Muslim Women (FMW) condemns any and all acts of violence. We condemn all terrorist activities, especially those carried out in the name of religion, as well as the desecration of property, including any place of worship. We know that the majority of Canadian Muslims are law-abiding citizens, and as such should not be the targets of hate mongrering and prejudice. All Canadians have a right to live freely and feel safe in all public spaces," said Haffajee. 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