Gary Fitleberg, October 27, 2004

Two prominent Canadian Muslim leaders issued clarifications for recent anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli remarks, in the wake of calls for their resignations and a formal complaint filed by the Canadian Jewish Congress.

During a recorded lecture on October 22, Sheikh Younus Kathrada, the head of Dar al-Madinah Islamic Society in East Vancouver called the Jews "brothers of monkeys and swine."

But in a statement posted on the society's Web site Monday, Kathrada explained he meant only Israelis.

"Any name-calling has been aimed at those perpetrating crimes and acts of terrorism and showing aggression towards Muslims. We do not perceive the entire Jewish population as having these traits or qualities" the statement read.

Ahead of the statement, the Canadian Jewish Congress filed a formal complaint against Kathrada with the hate crimes unit.

Last week, the president of the Canadian Islamic Congress, Mohammed Elmasry, justified, during a television talk show, the killing of any Israeli civilian over the age of 18.

Noting the existence of compulsory military service in Israel, Elmasry said: "They [Israeli adults] are part of the Israeli army, even if they have civilian clothes."

But after calls for his resignation were issued by Jewish groups as well as a Muslim group, Elmasry was quoted as saying he regretted that his comments had been misunderstood, and as a result, caused offense.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2004 Gary Fitleberg