Two progressive Canadian Muslim community leaders and activists, both of Pakistani origin, have been threatened by an anonymous caller with “slaughter” because of their liberal views about Islam. Farzana Hassan-Shahed and Tarek Fatah, the former the current head of the liberal Muslim Canadian Congress (MCC), and the latter its founder, have openly criticised the politicisation of Islam and the hold of orthodox clerics on most Canadian mosques and their congregations. Toronto police have launched a hate crime investigation into the phone call from a person who vowed to “slaughter” MCC members unless they stop speaking publicly about Islam.
A message left on Monday on the voice mail of the MCC secretary general warned that its members must “cease from your campaign of smearing Islam” or “I will slaughter you”. The message mentioned Tarek Fatah and Farzana Hassan-Shahid by name. Both have openly criticised the politicisation of Islam and alleged influence of Iran and Saudi Arabia on Canadian mosques.