Canadian Muslim Union
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Muslim Union (CMU) is a registered not-for-profit corporation in Canada.
The CMU was started on August 20, 2006 following an unsuccessful attempt to resolve deep divisions in the Muslim Canadian Congress
(MCC) board. The attempt failed when members representing one of the factions did not show up for the Board meeting called to resolve the differences and to elect a new executive. The board members who attended, which included all of the executive (including El-Farouk Khaki
) and a majority of the total board from the Toronto area (including Gary Dale
), decided unanimously to resign from the MCC and form a new, democratic organization.
The CMU, while advocating separation of Religion and State, works with and within the Muslim community, engaging it in issues of human rights, human dignity, social justice
and alternate progressive and inclusive visions of Islam. In doing so, it aims to instill joy in the celebration of identities as Muslims and as Canadians with social consciences & a commitment to social justice.
The CMU has hosted a number of events including several mixed-gender woman-led Friday afternoon prayers and has co-sponsored a "Peace Iftar
" with Salaam each Ramadan
since 2006. They have also partnered with other groups for various events such as public forums with Tariq Ali
on October 15, 2006 and November 14, 2008.
The CMU also was one of many groups who presented a position statement to the Ontario Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform in 2007. They endorsed some form of proportional representation as a key to electing a more representative government.
The CMU was started on August 20, 2006 following an unsuccessful attempt to resolve deep divisions in the Muslim Canadian Congress
Muslim Canadian Congress
The Muslim Canadian Congress was organized to provide a voice to Muslims who support a "progressive, liberal, pluralistic, democratic, and secular society where everyone has the freedom of religion." The organization claimed to have 300 dues-paying members prior to its 2006 split.-Origins:It was...
(MCC) board. The attempt failed when members representing one of the factions did not show up for the Board meeting called to resolve the differences and to elect a new executive. The board members who attended, which included all of the executive (including El-Farouk Khaki
El-Farouk Khaki
El-Farouk Khaki is a Canadian refugee and immigration lawyer, and human rights activist on issues including gender equality, sexual orientation, and progressive Islam. He was the New Democratic Party's candidate for the House of Commons in the riding of Toronto Centre in a March 17, 2008 by-election...
) and a majority of the total board from the Toronto area (including Gary Dale
Gary Dale
Gary Dale was born in Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada, on October 1, 1952. He spent the first nine years living in a small Rocky Mountain village called Trutch, mainly identifiable by its mile number on the Alaska Highway...
), decided unanimously to resign from the MCC and form a new, democratic organization.
The CMU, while advocating separation of Religion and State, works with and within the Muslim community, engaging it in issues of human rights, human dignity, social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
and alternate progressive and inclusive visions of Islam. In doing so, it aims to instill joy in the celebration of identities as Muslims and as Canadians with social consciences & a commitment to social justice.
The CMU has hosted a number of events including several mixed-gender woman-led Friday afternoon prayers and has co-sponsored a "Peace Iftar
Iftar
Iftar , refers to the evening meal when Muslims break their fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Iftar is one of the religious observances of Ramadan and is often done as a community, with people gathering to break their fast together. Iftar is done right after Maghrib time...
" with Salaam each Ramadan
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and...
since 2006. They have also partnered with other groups for various events such as public forums with Tariq Ali
Tariq Ali
Tariq Ali , , is a British Pakistani military historian, novelist, journalist, filmmaker, public intellectual, political campaigner, activist, and commentator...
on October 15, 2006 and November 14, 2008.
The CMU also was one of many groups who presented a position statement to the Ontario Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform in 2007. They endorsed some form of proportional representation as a key to electing a more representative government.
External links
- Canadian Muslim Union
- Progressive Muslim group implodes by Reuel S. Amdur, The Arab-American News