The Quebec Government subsidizes a controversial Montreal Muslim school to the tune of $555,500 annually - this to a school that claims to be associated with the Muslim Brotherhood ideology.
The Muslim Brotherhood is an extremist organization whose mission is to advocate the establishment of an Islamic government and which has also led to the founding of Hamas in Palestine. Criticized by many for its affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood, the institution gladly opened its doors to a journalist from the French-language newspaper Rue Frontenac in order to counter what it qualifies as "paranoia".
Mr. Lazhar Aissaoui, the director ofthe Dar Al Iman School in the Saint-Laurent borough of Montreal, says with great assurance and pride that "I introduce my students to tolerance a lot more than the public school would". The director, wearing a grey suit is calm and smiling as he leads the visit of his establishment while female teachers, their heads covered with an Islamic veil, look at the visitors with an amused look.
Lazhar Aissaoui wants to show that there is nothing to hide. He is aware that his school has its critics. Dar Al Iman school clearly states on its internet website that it is affiliated with the Muslim Association of Canada (MAC), a Muslim charitable organisation. Lazhar Aissaoui is also part of the board of directors of the MAC which, according to the Canada Revenu Agency, reported approximately $ 16 million worth of assets, and revenues of $ 9 million in 2009.
On its website, MAC declares that "Its modern roots can be traced to the Islamic revival of the early twentieth century, culminating in the movement of the Muslim Brotherhood". It also says that "This movement influenced Islamic activities, trends and intellectual discourse throughout the world including those of Muslims who came to Canada in search of freedom, education and better opportunities." Although it remains perfectly legal in Canada, the Muslim Brotherhood movement is highly controversial within the Muslim community.
Article submitted to Tolerance.ca by Marc Lebuis.
Nov. 27, 2010