Thank You, and Farewell
Imam Gamal Solaiman
April 2003
"I do not support or promote violence against any country
or against any group of people"
"We can learn to leave our cultural baggage behind and begin
to think of ourselves as Canadian Muslims"
30 September 2001
"If you look at the (Sept.11,2001) incident itself, the precision
of the execution, the amount of efficiency with which this has been done,
I think it's beyond all the Muslim sophistication...(but) if this
has some connection with Muslims, they have to be brought to justice
and they have to receive the harshest punishment"
April 2003
"If I were there (in Iraq) I would fight with them...I would fight the
Americans with my nails and teeth. I do (support the jihad) because to
my mind (the U.S.-led action) is not a war for justice,
it is not a war for principle."
Ottawa's controversial imam is leaving. This man, who opened dialogue between leaders of different faiths, lending himself to multi-faith dialogue between Muslims, Christians and Jews, has decided at age 73 that he deserves a kind of semi-retirement. And Ottawa's climate, unkind to elderly people not accustomed to its often harsh temperament has taken its toll on him. His dedicated flock will miss him, and they have lost no time in expressing their heartfelt regret at his intended departure.
Imam Solaiman had a reputation as a respected moderate Muslim who fought his own war with radical Muslims while he served in London. He studied Islamic theology at Cairo's 1,100-year-old Al Azhar university, and eventually obained a doctorate in Islamic law from Exeter University, England. He served as senior imam of London's Central mosque for two decades and was recruited from England on the strength of his repuation as a liberal cleric, encouraging dialogue with non-Muslims.
Mr. Solaiman brought a message to Ottawa Muslims, that those who choose to live in Western societies must make determined efforts to become integrated into the larger culture rather than isolate themselves from society. They must, he declared, leave behind the baggage of their homelands and become fully-fledged members of their adopted country, adapting themselves to contribute to its progress and well-being.
London's gain.
April 2003
"I do not support or promote violence against any country
or against any group of people"
"We can learn to leave our cultural baggage behind and begin
to think of ourselves as Canadian Muslims"
30 September 2001
"If you look at the (Sept.11,2001) incident itself, the precision
of the execution, the amount of efficiency with which this has been done,
I think it's beyond all the Muslim sophistication...(but) if this
has some connection with Muslims, they have to be brought to justice
and they have to receive the harshest punishment"
April 2003
"If I were there (in Iraq) I would fight with them...I would fight the
Americans with my nails and teeth. I do (support the jihad) because to
my mind (the U.S.-led action) is not a war for justice,
it is not a war for principle."
Ottawa's controversial imam is leaving. This man, who opened dialogue between leaders of different faiths, lending himself to multi-faith dialogue between Muslims, Christians and Jews, has decided at age 73 that he deserves a kind of semi-retirement. And Ottawa's climate, unkind to elderly people not accustomed to its often harsh temperament has taken its toll on him. His dedicated flock will miss him, and they have lost no time in expressing their heartfelt regret at his intended departure.
Imam Solaiman had a reputation as a respected moderate Muslim who fought his own war with radical Muslims while he served in London. He studied Islamic theology at Cairo's 1,100-year-old Al Azhar university, and eventually obained a doctorate in Islamic law from Exeter University, England. He served as senior imam of London's Central mosque for two decades and was recruited from England on the strength of his repuation as a liberal cleric, encouraging dialogue with non-Muslims.
Mr. Solaiman brought a message to Ottawa Muslims, that those who choose to live in Western societies must make determined efforts to become integrated into the larger culture rather than isolate themselves from society. They must, he declared, leave behind the baggage of their homelands and become fully-fledged members of their adopted country, adapting themselves to contribute to its progress and well-being.
"I am confident and comfortable in Islam and I hope I have helped Muslims in Ottawa and elsewhere feel good about their religion and their community. You can be a Muslim and a good Canadian."Mr. Solaiman took pride in his role in helping to integrate Muslims into the Canadian Armed Forces. He took the time and trouble to work with the police, Corrections Canada and the Armed Forces. Mr. Solaiman said he learned one "very crucial lesson" while in Ottawa; that a Muslim leader must leave no room for misinterpretation when he speaks. "Sometimes, we assume when we speak that other people are on the same wavelength as us. You have to make yourself clear before you blame anyone for the wrong reaction", he said.
London's gain.
Labels: Heroes and Villains
posted by Pieface @ Tuesday, January 16, 2007
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