Not part of my Islam

Editor: I am member of the Ismaili Muslim community in British Columbia. I was deeply disturbed this morning (Oct. 22, 2004) when one of my legal partners brought to my attention the article in the Vancouver Sun reporting Sheik Younus Kathrada's lectures denouncing Jews and inciting hatred against Jews. The brand of Islam Kathrada practises and his interpretation of the Koran and Prophet Muhammad's teachings is foreign to me and all Muslims I know. My Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance and teaches love, concord, sympathy and kindness to one's fellow men.

In my view, "leaders" like Kathrada are truly on the fringe and do a great disservice to Islam by misinterpreting Islam and using Islam to spread their own extreme views. It is unfortunate that the doings of misguided fringe "leaders" like Khatrada are bringing a bad name to Muslims at large and pain to people in the Jewish community. In my Islam, there is absolutely no justification for the indefensible views of Khathrada and in my Canada, there is no room for such intolerance and hatred. As valuable as freedom of speech is in our society, freedom of speech is not a licence to incite hatred against peoples. Kathrada's behavior is anti-Canadian and unIslamic.

Shafik Bhalloo
Vancouver