Ontario Human Rights Tribunal: “buy only from Muslims” is not discriminatory

cscontrol December 20, 2017

The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) says a complaint based on statements made by a Toronto imam urging Muslims to do business only with Muslims is outside the HRTO’s jurisdiction.

In a December 11, 2017 letter, HRTO informed the complainant Eric Stanley Brazau that “a review of the Application and the narrative setting out the incidents of alleged discrimination falls to identify any specific acts of discrimination within the meaning of the Code allegedly committed by the respondent(s)”. HRTO further informed Brazau that his Application “does not appear to allege discrimination with respect to any of the social areas identified in the Code (services, goods and facilities; accommodations (housing); contracts; employment; membership in vocational associations).

Brazau filed a complaint based on statements made by Imam Said Rageah at Abu Huraira Centre in Toronto, which he urged Muslims to hire only Muslims and do business only with Muslims.

Rageah, who was born in Somalia and moved to North America in the late 80’s, holds a Bachelor degree in Islamic studies and a Masters degree in Sharia Law. Over the past several years, he served as the Chaplain the University of Calgary, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and as an imam at the Abu Huraira Mosque in Toronto.

In a sermon uploaded to YouTube on February 8, 2009, Rageah called on Canadian Muslims to unite and translate their demography into a political and economic power which will enable Muslims to implement Sharia Law in their communities and change Canada’s foreign policy.

Rageah spoke in favour of following the example of a Sikh neighbourhood in Edmonton, Alberta, by bringing the Muslim community to live together in one area in which the authorities will not be able to make any decisions without the approval of the Muslims.

Rageah urge Muslims to hire only Muslim workers, to buy products or services only from Muslim-owned businesses and to avoid advertising with media outlets owned by kafirs (infidels). This way, he maintained, Canadian Muslims will be able strengthen themselves and live according to Islam.

“The day that I need a cab I should have a number of a Muslim cab it’s ok, pick me up. When I want to see a doctor, only Muslim doctor. When I want to hire someone only Muslim worker. Then we can strengthen ourselves. This is the way and this is the only way we can exist in the society, living according to Islam”, Rageah said in the sermon.