Statement from the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) on the Resignation of Birju Dattani

We are continuing to review the third party report.

The report found clearly that Mr. Dattani did not engage in anti-Semitism.

The report found the following: “Based on Mr. Dattani’s evidence, the scholarship that was reviewed and provided, we cannot find that Mr. Dattani harboured or harbours any beliefs that would be characterized as anti-Semitic or that he has demonstrated any biases (conscious or unconscious) towards Jews or Israelis. While some may take issue with Mr. Dattani’s scholarship that we have been provided, the sources he relies upon in that scholarship, and his criticism of the State of Israel, he has not demonstrated any intentions or actions that suggest he is anti-Semitic or has beliefs that could be characterized as anti-Semitic. Throughout the interview, Mr. Dattani was careful to criticize the actions of the State of Israel and not the Israeli people.”

As we stated from the outset, we find that the witch-hunt against Mr Dattani to have been utterly unacceptable, and motivated, as the “context” suggestion of the third party report suggests, by political considerations about the ongoing conflict versus anything else.

We are disappointed that yet another racialized minority has had to go through national attacks on their person based on allegations of hate that turned out to be unfounded, and we are sure that the Government of Canada realizes the dangerous precedent that has been established here: it is fine to drag every appointee through the mud as long as they’re brown or Muslim.

Who wouldn’t have resigned after being attacked in the public square baselessly at such a public profile?