FAQs about CAIR-CAN’s name change

Original address: http://www.caircan.ca/NCCM_FAQ.PDF

Date: July 6, 2013

Original title: The New Name: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why did you change your name to the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM)?

For 13 years, CAIR.CAN has had a successful track record as a grassroots advocate for civil liberties and civic engagement and for mutual understanding between Canadian Muslims and their fellow citizens. We are deeply proud of our work and our team.

CAIR.CAN felt that we needed to look to the future – far ahead in fact – to meet the growing needs and aspirations of Canadian Muslim communities from coast to coast. Since our founding in 2000, we have developed from a fledgling Canadian organization into one whose professionalism and accomplishments have made us a leader in promoting civic engagement and protecting civil liberties.

In short the new name, the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), best reflects our Canadian focus as a prominent voice for a broad and diverse spectrum of Canadian Muslim communities.

2. Why did you originally choose CAIR.CAN as your name?

At the time of CAIR.CAN’s beginnings in 2000, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in the United States had established itself as a pioneering civil liberties advocacy organization for American Muslims. They had developed best practices and extensive knowledge in this important area.  

It was hoped that CAIR would provide a model that would serve Canadian Muslims equally well. And it has. However, there was never any operating or funding relationship between CAIR.CAN and CAIR, and CAIR.CAN focused entirely on issues affecting Canadian Muslims, independently of CAIR.

As the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), we will continue to share best practices and insights with our civil liberties partners here in Canada and indeed in North America.

3. Does this name change mean that you are changing your mission and work?

Absolutely not. Our vision, our mission and our work remain exactly the same as before when our name was CAIR.CAN. We aim to be the leading voice that enriches Canadian society through Muslim civic engagement and the promotion of human rights. Our mandate is to protect the civil liberties of Canadian Muslims, promote their public interests and challenge Islamophobia.

Indeed, NCCM remains Your Voice, Your Future.

4. Will NCCM be expanding the scope of its work across Canada?

NCCM (formerly CAIR.CAN) will be working diligently in the coming days, weeks and months to engage and work with local Muslim communities across Canada on issues of human rights and civil liberties, active citizenship, anti-discrimination efforts and overcoming Islamophobia. We are committed to expanding our services and listening to and working with mosques, Islamic centres, and community associations to ensure that the concerns of Canadian Muslims are given a fair hearing on the national stage.