Canadian Arab Federation Spokespeople Hate Canada

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Thu, 2009-07-02 09:15

ArabCan

How some Canadian Arabs (who receive tax payer dollars) REALLY feel about Canada:

Vancouver-based Omar Shaban is the Vice President for western Canada of the Canadian Arab Federation, and he is definitely not feeling the gratitude vibe. Quite the opposite. Shaban has labelled Canada a "genocidal state" and described our national holiday on Facebook as "F*** Canada Day," adding, to be sure he had made his point, "It's finally Canada Day...Couldn't be more ashamed to be Canadian." Shaban is no aberration in the CAF. As staunchly anti-Islamist Tarek Fatah reported here: "While one VP of the Canadian Arab Federation was throwing insults at Canada, another Vice President of CAF was on cable TV showering praise on the discredited leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Appearing on a Muslim cable TV show, Ali Mallah endorsed the election of President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad as valid, and echoed the official line of the Tehran regime, claiming Western governments and Western Media were to blame for the current unrest in Iran. "

During the 2006 Liberal leadership campaign, the CAF initiated a smear campaign against Bob Rae solely on the grounds that his Jewish wife was active in her community. The CAF are also 9/11 conspiracy theorists, and last year sponsored an essay contest on "The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine," in which it urged high school students to channel the group's own fervid hatred of Israel for prizes.

Nobody in this country is forced to celebrate Canada Day, but it's a bit much, even for us phlegmatic types, to witness the alleged spokesman of a cultural community spewing hatred against a democracy they had no part in making, and whose freedoms and security, so unlike the countries they come from, they apparently take for granted. To bite the hands of one's benefactor on the most symbolic day of the benefactor's year is a provocation that must not go unchallenged. There is tolerance and there is masochism. We too often confuse them in this naive and well-meaning nation. It is past time that this intolerant and subversive organization folded its tents and retreated from the public forum. It is a disgrace to all Arabs, and it is, by the way, past time that we heard the same from a sizable number of Arab-Canadians. Loud and clear.

Thu, 2009-07-02 09:22

josh

Yeah. Who do these people think they are, exercising their freedom of speech. Canada, love it or leave it.

Thu, 2009-07-02 09:37

Maysie

ArabCan wrote:
There is tolerance and there is masochism.

I can't tell you how often the delicate nuances between these two terms has gotten me into serious trouble.

Thu, 2009-07-02 09:39

oldgoat

First of all, the organization has distanced itself from the remarks,

Second, why the hell shouldn't the organization, or individuals within it be free to say what lots of other Canadians are saying, some of them right here.

Third, I had a look at thier website, and seems to me they're doing a public service in joining many other groups in questioning gov't policies regarding the mid-east, and people of mid-east descent in Canada.

ETA: Maysie, any examples???

Thu, 2009-07-02 09:49

NDPP

None of the statements or opinions attributed to the CAF are not also held by other Canadians. CAF is neither "intolerant" or "subversive" nor does it "bite the hands" of its "benefactor". It remains a critical and important voice of dissent. YOUR provocation must not go unchallenged.

Thu, 2009-07-02 09:54

josh

Maysie wrote:

ArabCan wrote:
There is tolerance and there is masochism.

I can't tell you how often the delicate nuances between these two terms has gotten me into serious trouble.

Yes, it's often a fine line. Everyone has their own tipping point.

Thu, 2009-07-02 09:56

oldgoat

Yeah, you do sound like someone with an axe to grind.

Quote:
"the subject who is truly loyal to the Chief Magistrate will neither advise nor submit to arbitrary measures."

I think that Junius would approve of these loyal subjects. Better to bite the hand than to lick the boot.

Thu, 2009-07-02 09:56

Slumberjack

The stench of hatemongering troll is overwhelming this thread. Of all the organizations in Canada with a beef against the society as it exists, troll finds it useful to join today and regale us with a yarn about the threats from within. Or does it plan in subsequent posts to undertake an accounting of all the other marginalized groups that do not simply nod their heads in acquiescence to their status and condition within this country. Unlikely since it seems there is only one mission here.

Thu, 2009-07-02 10:04

Slumberjack

ArabCan wrote:
It is a disgrace to all Arabs, and it is, by the way, past time that we heard the same from a sizable number of Arab-Canadians. Loud and clear.

Notice how the entire demographic becomes tainted, not just the specific target of the OP. But then that is the point in reality isn't it?

Thu, 2009-07-02 10:27

#10

genstrike

Slumberjack wrote:

ArabCan wrote:
It is a disgrace to all Arabs, and it is, by the way, past time that we heard the same from a sizable number of Arab-Canadians. Loud and clear.

Notice how the entire demographic becomes tainted, not just the specific target of the OP. But then that is the point in reality isn't it?

Well, the OP is a total racist. I spent a few hours yesterday writing an article saying similar things, talking about Canada's history of colonialism and imperialist foreign policy. Clearly, what I wrote is a disgrace to all Canadians of (mostly) European descent. Maybe it is way past time we've heard from them? Otherwise it is just more proof that white people hate Canada.

Thu, 2009-07-02 10:32

#11

oldgoat

Well, I was a bit curious if the opening poster would come back with something, but I gotta go out now, so I'll ban this delightful person now. No point in keeping the thread open. If Maysie wants to add something about the masochism business she can start a thread in whatever section she feels appropriate.

Fri, 2009-07-03 07:41

#12

Maysie

Opening this thread briefly to add two points:

1. I was being silly at post #2. I thought the tongue-out emoticon communicated that. Generally I despise the word "tolerance" in the context of anti-oppression and avoid it as much as possible. I was trying to put a silly spin on it. I guess my attempt failed.

2. Statement from Omar Shaban

Quote:
I will celebrate "Canada Day" when the natives do

By Omar Shaban

This statement is in response to all the speculations and assumptions made about me in the media regarding a position that I took in a personal message on facebook. My facebook status did read "F*** Canada Day", and it was followed by a few other comments in response to some of the questions that people posted. Some consider that taking this position is disgraceful and shameful but I tend to disagree.

First of all, my statement clearly did not reflect CAF's position; it was my own personal opinion.

Secondly, I said "F*** Canada Day" and I regret the dark history that this country has. On our silent government's behalf, I apologize to the indigenous people for this, and sincerely wish it had not happened to you. I apologize to the indigenous people of Canada because their feelings are not taken into consideration at "Canada Day" celebrations. I apologize to them because they had to be slaughtered, killed, massacred, diseased and dispossessed to establish Canada. And I apologize to the indigenous people because they continue to live in reserves under miserable and dire conditions that no so-called "Canadian" would accept to live under.

I also apologize for being a citizen of a country that followed George Bush's orders and went to Afghanistan. I apologize for being a citizen of a country that imposed sanctions on the Palestinian people because they followed Canada's own advice and elected a new government democratically. I apologize because it was Canada's own Lester Pearson that masterminded the notorious Partition Plan of Palestine, and it was Canada's own Paul Martin who compared Canada's values with Israel's values, and it was Canada's own Michael Ignatieff who legitimized Israel's onslaught on Gaza in Dec 08/Jan 09.

I did not resign from CAF because "it was felt that [I] had to correct that" and that "[I] decided that the best thing for [me] to do was to resign"
(from Toronto Sun article); I resigned from CAF because I do not want to be part of an organization that openly refuses to acknowledge Canada's colonial and shameful history.

We are only lying to ourselves if we deny the dark past that Canada was founded on. Canada Day is seen as tragic by its true indigenous population. When Canada Day is celebrated for true freedom and not mourned by the indigenous population of Canada for its colonial and dark past, I will gladly show them my support. When the country I was born in, shames me with its colonial mindset, I refuse to celebrate it, and will not apologize for refusing to do so.

I WILL celebrate Canada Day, only when it is accepted as legitimate by the indigenous people.

Omar Shaban

Omar's blog

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