City Decides Against Permitting a Muslim Community Centre Linked to Chaoui

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve Mayor, Réal Ménard, have announced to have taken a prompt decision and decided against approving the plans for a Muslim community centre in his borough linked to a controversial imam, Hamza Chaoui, who claims democracy to be the enemy of Islam. Although a permit for the Ashabeb community centre is yet to sought, Ménard assured during a press conference that it will not be issued while the imam Chaoui is “an active participant in the centre’s activities.”

Joined by Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre at a press conference on Saturday morning, Ménard stated that “there has never been a demand for an occupation certificate. If one is requested, it will not be issued.” Ménard alleged that he has every reason to believe that under the guise of community activities, the management of the Ashabeb community centre would carry out worship activities in an area where the zoning doesn’t allow it. Coderre has requested an investigation into the prospective community centre to determine if it is a security risk.

Whereas on the other hand, the mayor pointed out that he wants to make sure that Montreal’s Muslim community does not become stigmatized in the process. He pointed out that an equilibrium must be upheld between public safety and the freedom of expression. Coderre stated that “the freedom of religion is not in question today,” adding that “this is about an individual. This individual for me is an agent of radicalization” as he referred to Chaoui.

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