Canada's DFAIT
Reader comment on item: Canada's Muslims Provide "Strategic Advice on Relations with the Muslim World"

Submitted by Sheri (United States), Apr 14, 2006 at 13:46

I just received Mr. Pipes' weblog. He is a rare beacon of light and we cannot allow him to be alone without becoming involved in his support. His weblong about DFAIT included a link to their main website and I've just sent them the following e-mail (and you should do the same):

Dear DFAIT,

David Mulroney is misguided in his placing strategic importance in the FMCG and allowing this group to have major input in the decision-making process governing Canada's relations with Muslim communities for the following reasons:

1) Muslims will from now on have a special say with regard to Canadian foreign and trade issues touching on Muslims.

(2) The privileging of Islam proceeds apace, with Muslims in at least four Western countries giving "strategic advice on relations with the Muslim world."

(3) This is a terrible mistake. Belonging to a certain group should not give one special authority in dealing with that group, and especially not in a governmental context.

(4) The only person yet to be charged with an offense under Canada's new Anti-Terrorism Act is Mohammad Momin Khawaja; and he was, at about the time of his arrest, a computer consultant for DFAIT.

(5) One can only guess at the intellectual environment of FMCG but one of the individuals mentioned as a player in it, Crystal Procyshen, wrote a strident article against Israel in 1997, "JERUSALEM! What is the TRUTH? Travel and Truth:A Volunteers' Experience in Palestine."

I've always thought of Canada as a country of common sense but the recent decisions by Mulroney appear ominous. The mandate for FMCG continues to be: to serve as a clearing house and focal point within the Department for issues concerning relations with the Muslim world; build the Department's policy capacity on this subject; and take the lead in providing timely, strategic advice on relations with the Muslim world, and the lead in creating a policy framework for our overall approach to this subject. As such, the FMCG should be consulted at headquarters and by posts on the broad range of issues affecting Canada's relations with Muslim communities, including public diplomacy efforts, and will take the lead in coordinating the Department's response to many of them.

Canadians, be careful.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Sheri Whalen

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