The Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) believes it has debunked the “Islamophobic” allegations made by the Canada Revenue Agency’s counter-terrorism team. It expects that the final decision of the tax authorities will soon show that it was unfairly targeted and assures that its activities will not be affected.
Posted at 5:00 am.
“It is completely false and defamatory to claim that the Muslim Association of Canada has ever directly or indirectly supported Hamas,” the organization said in a message sent to La Presse.
“The MAC has provided detailed responses to these allegations that have nothing to do with reality,” continues the organization, which says it applies a “robust” anti-terrorism policy and scrupulously abides by the law.
The association attempted to stop the audit by appealing to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on the pretext that the audit violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Last September, a judge dismissed most of his claims of bias and Islamophobia at trial, but still said he had “sympathy” with some of the arguments.
The judge was surprised that the MAC was accused of organizing non-charitable activities, including ski trips, dodgeball games and visits to the sugar shack. “I would be surprised if a church or synagogue were to have its nonprofit status revoked because it offers such activities,” he wrote in his ruling.
The judge also questioned the tax authorities’ criticism of the support of the Muslim Brotherhood organization: Christian charities whose philosophy is close to certain political parties are never threatened with deprivation of their status for exceeding their role, the judge emphasized. Despite everything, the court refused to intervene to stop the audit.
Every desk, every drawer, every cupboard
In its arguments submitted to the tax authorities and filed with the Toronto court, the MAC emphasizes that “tax representatives searched every office, room, closet and drawer of every MAC establishment,” we read in its response.
And yet the audit “did not identify a single dollar that benefited a terrorist organization in any way,” she adds.
Responding to criticism for supporting the IRFAN organization after it was identified as a Hamas fundraiser, the MAC says its members share announcements with the community about a variety of community programs.
“IRFAN-Canada is not unique in this sense,” says a MAC argument filed in court.
Regarding MAC leaders who were once members of groups suspected of being linked to Hamas, the organization notes that it has more than 500 members and 1,500 volunteers. “It is not surprising that they were active in other community organizations before and after the association’s founding,” according to documents presented in court. It is “entirely speculative” to link their past affiliations with current MAC decisions, the association continues.
Extremists are not welcome
As for the alleged links to the international organization of the Muslim Brotherhood, the MAC reiterates that this is an illusion. Receiving unsolicited emails from this organization is not evidence of a specific connection, their lawyers emphasize.
“The main characteristic of the Muslim Brotherhood is precisely its moderation, its choice to peacefully respect democracy,” the MAC continues in its response filed in court, while emphasizing its independence from this organization.
The MAC also alleges that officials exaggerate or distort reality when discussing extremist speech that would be tolerated within their organization.
“People with extremist views do not find a welcoming atmosphere in the MAC mosques, as the organization and its imams preach a moderate and balanced understanding of Islam,” explains the association.
In its response to the tax authorities, the MAC regretted that the officials had relied in particular on a TVA report on statements made in one of its branches. She claims the Quebec news channel has been criticized in the past for its “Islamophobia and ties to far-right figures.”
No effects expected
The MAC now says it has received the final decision from the Canada Revenue Agency, but is refusing to reveal its contents. She says she will appeal the decision, even though it will actually have no impact on her activities. She also said the final decision was not based on allegations of ties to groups suspected of supporting terrorism.
The Revenue Agency did not want to discuss the matter.