Montreal imam denied community centre permit rejects claim he's a radical agent

MONTREAL — The Montreal Islamic preacher who was denied the right to open a community centre in an east-end neighbourhood is rejecting accusations he's an agent of radicalization.

Hamza Chaoui says today in a posting on his Facebook page that he's not trying to incite youth to break the law.

He is calling on Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre to apologize for remarks on the weekend calling him a social instigator whose reported messages of intolerance could incite people to violence.

Although Chaoui had not formally applied for the permit, the city made a decision to deny it for security reasons.

Chaoui is reported to have made homophobic, sexist and anti-democratic remarks to his followers, but the imam says he was misquoted and says he encourages youth to integrate into Quebec society.

Chaoui says he is considering legal action for defamation and for what he calls a violation of his charter rights.