ORIGINAL ADDRESS: http://www.torontosun.com/2014/01/29/let-court-decide-muslim-complaint

Author: Toronto Sun Editorial (Unsigned)
Date: January 29, 2014 (Internet version)

ORIGINAL TITLE: Let court decide Muslim complaint

Take it to the courts.

That’s our initial reaction to news that the National Council of Canadian Muslims has filed notice of libel against Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his spokesman Jason MacDonald for comments the latter made to Sun News.

Here’s the line: “We will not take seriously criticism from an organization with documented ties to a terrorist organization such as Hamas.”

The NCCM may follow through with their suit if they don’t receive a satisfactory apology.

So right now this matter is in the realm of public opinion.

But something so serious shouldn’t be left to political posturing. The most powerful political office in the country should not be making such statements if they’re entirely without merit.

Then again, if there is merit to it, this is arguably a nuisance complaint.

We’d like the NCCM to clarify some facts in a court of law.

In 2008, leaders of the U.S.-based Holy Land Foundation were convicted by an American court of funding Islamic militants.

In this case, the Council on American-Islamic Relations was listed by U.S. prosecutors as an “unindicted co-conspirator or joint venturer” — although no charges were brought against CAIR.

CAIR felt this listing was unfair. They wanted to be removed.

But a judge of the United States District Court said the government “produced ample evidence” to associate CAIR with various groups including Hamas.

Canada, the U.S. and the European Union currently list Hamas as a terrorist organization.

In 2000, CAIR-CAN was established nationally in Canada. Its website said it was a “fully independent and separate organization” from the U.S. based CAIR. However, in a 2003 affidavit, founder Sheema Khan swore that CAIR “has direct control over the character and quality of all activities” of CAIR-CAN.

In July 2013 CAIR-CAN changed its name to the National Council of Canadian Muslims. Yes, the same group that’s asking for this apology.

Perhaps a court will decide MacDonald misspoke. Perhaps the above trail of information isn’t exactly as it seems. Which is why the NCCM has every right to clear the air under oath in court.

The NCCM describes itself as “Your Future” in its letterhead. Settling this matter is important because Canadians have a right to know exactly what that future may look like.