Close X
Thursday, November 7, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canadian Islamic School Al Huda Shuts Doors Over Fear Of Backlash Following Allegations

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 Dec, 2015 12:42 PM
    TORONTO — The Canadian branch of a controversial Islamic foundation suspended classes over safety concerns Tuesday following a report that four of its former students left Canada to join a terrorist group in Syria.
     
    The Al Huda Institute Canada said it closed its doors after CBC News reported that one woman who attended its religious classes left to support ISIL while three others also left for the country but were intercepted by Turkish authorities and sent back to Canada.
     
    The institute said it first heard about the allegations on Monday night.
     
     
    "Law enforcement authorities have never brought forward any allegations that four girls associated with the institute travelled to join terrorist organizations," said Imran Haq, the institute's operations manager.
     
    "In addition, the institute has no knowledge as to the identity of these individuals and as such, cannot confirm whether or not they were enrolled in the institute, for how long, or any other related information."
     
    Haq said the institute was "committed" to working with authorities to address the allegations. It's unclear when the former students are alleged to have travelled overseas.
     
     
    The institute, located in Mississauga, Ont., was first thrust into the spotlight on Monday after it emerged that the woman who carried out last week's mass shooting in California attended one of its affiliate religious schools in Pakistan.
     
    That led the Ontario-based school to publicly distance itself from Tashfeen Malik and her husband, condemn their attack which left 14 people dead and 21 wounded, and emphasize that there was a difference between religious conservatism and extremism.
     
    "Al Huda Institute Canada provides authentic Islamic knowledge which is based on compassion, mercy, and tolerance," Haq said. "It unequivocally condemns violence and terrorism."
     
    The institute runs religious courses for women, but also runs a private elementary school.
     
     
    The attention the school has received this week has put staff and students "at risk of backlash," Haq said. The institute has contacted local police with their concerns, and are receiving support from them, he said.
     
    The institute's elementary school is registered with the province, but Education Minister Liz Sandals noted that such private institutions are not required to hire accredited teachers or have the Ontario curriculum.
     
    "We literally have no oversight over elementary private schools," she said. "I do not have any legal authority to tell an elementary private school what to teach."
     
     
    The institute in Mississauga was founded in 2005 by Farhat Hashmi, a Pakistani scholar who once lived in Canada. It is among a number of branches across Pakistan, the U.S. and the U.K. which all teach ideology and principles she has promoted.
     
    Hashmi, who has a doctorate in Islamic studies from the University of Glasgow in Scotland, has been criticized for being very conservative and promoting an oppressive interpretation of Islam.
     
    Haq has defended Hashmi, saying her teachings have been "well-received" by students and are "relevant to Muslims all around the world.
     
    The Al Huda International Welfare Foundation has spoken out since its link to the California shootings surfaced, saying Malik seemed "unable to understand the beautiful message of the Qur'an."
     
     
    "We cannot be held responsible for personal acts of any of our students," said the statement posted on Hashmi's and the foundation's website. "The organization stands to promote the peaceful message of Islam and denounce extremism, violence and acts of terrorism."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Two Montreal Men Die After Third-Floor Balcony Railing Gives Way

    Two Montreal Men Die After Third-Floor Balcony Railing Gives Way
    MONTREAL — Two Montreal men are dead and another is in critical condition after the railing of a third-floor apartment balcony gave way early Sunday morning.

    Two Montreal Men Die After Third-Floor Balcony Railing Gives Way

    Catherine McKenna Named As One Of 14 Facilitators Of Paris Climate Conference

    Catherine McKenna Named As One Of 14 Facilitators Of Paris Climate Conference
    The group was created to assist French Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius, the conference's president.

    Catherine McKenna Named As One Of 14 Facilitators Of Paris Climate Conference

    Delta Police Warn Of Possible Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine After Overdoses

    Delta Police Warn Of Possible Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine After Overdoses
    DELTA, B.C. — Delta Police say two people have been treated in hospital after using cocaine and inadvertently overdosing on fentanyl.

    Delta Police Warn Of Possible Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine After Overdoses

    New Calf Born To Endangered Orca Population In British Columbia Waters

    New Calf Born To Endangered Orca Population In British Columbia Waters
    VANCOUVER — Researchers say a new calf has been born into an endangered orca population off British Columbia's coast.

    New Calf Born To Endangered Orca Population In British Columbia Waters

    Brrrrrrrr: Former Refugees Say Canadian Winters Can Be A Shock For Newcomers

    Brrrrrrrr: Former Refugees Say Canadian Winters Can Be A Shock For Newcomers
    Abukar fled Somalia and lived in Egypt as a refugee before arriving in Canada in 2011. He lived in Ontario before moving to Saskatoon in the winter of 2013.

    Brrrrrrrr: Former Refugees Say Canadian Winters Can Be A Shock For Newcomers

    Christy Clark Says Trudeau Legitimizing Unaccountable Senate, B.C. Under-representation

    Christy Clark Says Trudeau Legitimizing Unaccountable Senate, B.C. Under-representation
    Christy Clark says the new process for appointing senators on merit will give legitimacy to an unelected, unaccountable upper house in which her province will remain grossly under-represented.

    Christy Clark Says Trudeau Legitimizing Unaccountable Senate, B.C. Under-representation