A national Islamic group is calling on the federal government to launch an independent inquiry looking into interrogation tactics used by CSIS and the RCMP while investigating Muslims allegedly linked to terrorism.
Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations yesterday released a national survey on security visitations of Canadian Muslims.
It found 8% of the 467 respondents, mostly young Arab males, were visited by the security agencies.
About half of respondents said they felt fear and anxiety during interrogation and a quarter reported that they were discriminated against and harassed.
"Canadian Muslims are Canadians like anyone else," said Riad Saloojee, executive director of the Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN).
"Every time tactics like these are used this undermines the law and order of this country."
YOUNG ARAB MEN
Bader Siddiqi, president of the Ottawa Muslim Association, says the survey paints a familiar picture for many Ottawa Muslims.
Although he didn't have concrete numbers, Siddiqi said he spoke to many locals last year who were targeted for interrogation. Most were young Arab men; one was a minor.
"In one incident they visited a male at home when his parents weren't home. They lured him into thinking he was overpowered," Siddiqi said.
Some of the questions during the interrogation process included opinions on the war in Iraq and their religious practices. One man was asked if he was preparing for jihad.
"It's a ridiculous question to ask anybody in Canada. What does that mean? That kids are going to rise up against Canada?" Siddiqi asked.
While sentiments of fear were higher post 9/11, Siddiqi said it does still exist, particularly among older generations and newer immigrants.
Instead of heavy-handed tactics, Siddiqi and Saloojee agree the best approach is to establish dialogue between the agencies and the Muslim community in formal and informal methods.
"When a community becomes alienated, when it feels it's being targeted or treated like second-class citizens, that is going to make the detective work of our security all the more difficult," Saloojee said.
The council is calling on Public Safety Minister Anne McLellan and Justice Minister Irwin Cotler to launch an independent inquiry into the agencies' conduct.
nelly.elayoubi@ott.sunpub.com
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Ottawa Men's Centre 613-797-3237 (797-DADS)