Canadian Huseyin Celil of the Forgotten Uyghur Muslims

A fellow Canadian Muslim has been sentenced to life in prison by Chinese authorities after he was detained by Uzbekistan. Huseyin Celil’s story reads much like that of Maher Araar and it seems that countries continue to practice this crime of extraditing people to countries that have horrible human rights records. Hopefully the Canadian government’s efforts will prove fruitful to save this man’s life from the torture of the Chinese regime. His picture along with that of his family are below.

This issue actually got me thinking. I personally know nothing about the Uyghurs even though they are Muslims. I have done my little bit of research but it seems that the Muslim community needs to pay more attention to our brothers and sisters and their fight of independence from China.

The Uyghurs are Muslims that are located in the northwestern Chinese province of Xinjiang, however, the Uyghurs themselves call this region their country of Uyghuristan (or East Turkmenistan). They have their own language, culture, music, and history apart from China and as such they are fighting for their independence from the current Chinese regime. Here is a brief history from their point of view. A huge highlight, some estimate puts their numbers at 15 million! There are some interesting facts and pictures at this link as well. This really is something fascinating and I will definitely be paying more attention to this topic, God willing.

Everyone’s Sport… Except if You Wear Hijab

In light of FIFA lack of arbitration in the case of an 11-year-old Muslim girl from playing in a tournament near Montreal last weekend because she was wearing a head scarf, hijab (we discussed it here), we ask the Quebec soccer federation to clarify its position on the players wearing of religious clothing/symbols such the hijab

We as Canadian ask for the reasoning behind this ruling from the Quebec Soccer Federation. They cite safety concerns being the reason for the ban. Explain to me how a hijab poses a risk to anyone playing the game. How is it any different from headbands which are allowed?…And the fact that it is allowed in other provinces (namely Ontario)..

If the rules are vague that it allows for individual league organizers, referees and teams to interpret, then the Quebec Soccer Federation needs to set the precedent and show us Canadians that soccer is indeed a sport for all with no discrimination. Show us that is not another case in a growing trend of Islamophobia in Quebec.

Email the president of the Quebec Soccer Federation, Mr. Dino Madonis politely asking for an explanation and for him to enlighten us. You can also email Valmie Ouellet (inset) who seems to be the one that is championing this crusade against veiled 11-year old girls. Good job Valmie, I hope you can sleep better at night.

Also, you might want to check out these two articles (1,2) written by Dr. Sheema Khan in the Globe and Mail about the hijab and soccer (Why is this even a topic of discussion?!?!)

Proud to be Canadian…

Finally, someone is talking some sense itno this government.  In a unanimous decision the Supreme Court of Canada (read: the people more powerful than the government) the court struck the “security certificates” as unconstitutional.  This is great news to Canadians as these certificates basically give the feds the power to detain people without cause indefinitely just because they think they might be a threat.

I’ve marched in the protests for some of these people that were affected by these certificates and I must say that I’m happy that they are finally beginning to get their justice.

MacKay Needs Geography Lessons?

MacKay, “The arse-licker of Satan” as comedian Mary Walsh puts it, screwed up what city he’s in during the East Coast Music Awards in Halifax. Read the full article here.

How dumb and clueless can you be? He first thinks he’s in Toronto. “Uh, Ottawa?”. “Where am I?”. You’re in Halifax!! I could understand if he got it wrong once, but twice? Does he not care? Or is he as bad as George W in geography. It’s probably all those Albertan steaks he’s had with his gf Condi.

JBC