Cleric behind mosque’s proposed condo project probed for hate crimes in 2012

National Post
February 5, 2014
By Carolyn Turgeon

The cleric of a Muslim community group behind a proposed condo and townhouse complex in a predominantly Jewish area was one of the key figures in an Islamic school that used teaching materials that disparaged Jews and encouraged boys to keep fit for jihad.

Imam Syed Mohammed Rizvi and the East End Madrassah were the targets of a hate-crimes investigation in 2012, and although charges were not laid, a York Region police report said a review of 30 school syllabus books found portions that “challenged some of Canada’s core values” and “suggested intolerance,” even if they were not criminal.

Mr. Rizvi and the Islamic Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat (ISIJ) have applied to the City of Vaughn to redesignate and rezone their property at 9000 Bathurst St. in Thornhill, north of Toronto, in order to build two 17- storey apartment buildings and more than 60 three-storey townhouse units. The group wants to build the 28-acre development around the Jaffari Community Centre mosque, which is on land they have owned for about 20 years.

About 700 people turned out for a public meeting to discuss the proposal on Tuesday night, though the focus was on zoning and density, rather than religion.

“This is absolutely a municipal argument about land use and zoning change,” said Rom Koubi, interim chair of the Committee to Preserve Thornhill Woods.

Two speakers who were opposed to the development were kicked out of the meeting for what were considered racist remarks, he said, one of them for having brought up the hate-crimes investigation.

“We’re not opposing the fact that they’re going to build their own community,” said Mr. Koubi. “But it needs to satisfy the way the neighbourhood looks today.”

He and his fellow speakers for the committee spoke at the public hearing about their concerns in regards to zoning, real estate, traffic, education, infrastructure, finances, and parking. “Nowadays, every single gathering that they have, whether it’s a prayer, whether it’s a high holiday, we’re experiencing about 2,000 to 3,000 car overflow outside of their facility,” Mr. Koubi said.

The ISIJ declined any interviews Wednesday regarding the proposal and refused to comment on Imam Rizvi’s connection to the current controversy and the police investigation two years ago.

The police report in 2012 confirmed some of the school materials originated from books published by Iranian foundations, one of which is an alleged front for the Islamic regime. The Iranian-origin passages referred to Jews as “crafty” and “treacherous,” and contrasted Islam with “the Jews and the Nazis.” Police held Imam Rizvi and Principal Masuma Jessa responsible. “As leaders in their respective roles, the two must accept responsibility for failing to appropriately screen the learning material,” the report said. “Although not held criminally responsible, the complaint has raised a legitimate concern and has prompted change.”

ISIJ president Shabbir Jeraj said in a press release Tuesday that the group intends to design the development while thinking of the broader community. “As such, we envision that many parts of the development will be open to all residents of Vaughan and the surrounding areas, including the playing fields and tennis courts.”

On the side of the development at Tuesday’s meeting, Mr Koubi counted six speakers and the developer Shafiq Punjani, who told CTV News the property would be “open to everybody.” The remaining speakers, more than 40, were there to speak out against the development.

Mr. Koubi said his group had met with the ISIJ multiple times and the last meeting took place at the Jaffari mosque where they spoke with Mr. Punjani, who is listed on the ISIJ website as the chair of their planning advisory board. According to Mr. Koubi, the meeting ended with them being told that this had been decided for their community, that they already had given the public more leeway than they planned to and that “it’s their land and they’re going to do whatever they want on it.”

Mr. Koubi said Vaughan Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco wants to create a task force to seek a compromise that works for both sides of the issue. After 120 days have passed since the time of the application, the ISIJ can take the issue to the Ontario Municipal Board and it will be out of the city’s hands.