Muslim Canadian Congress

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The Muslim Canadian Congress was organized to provide a voice to Muslims who support a " progressive, liberal, pluralistic, democratic, and secular society where everyone has the freedom of religion." The organization claims to have 300 dues-paying members.[1]

It was formed in March 2002, in the wake of 9/11 by a group of Toronto area liberal Muslims. It is the only Muslim organization in Canada to ask for a "separation of religion and state in all matters of public policy."

The group has gained prominence by opposing the implementation of Shariah Law in civil law in Ontario and supporting the country's same-sex marriage legislation. The group also promotes gender equality and was involved in organizing a Muslim prayer session in which the prayers were led by woman. It has also been critical of Islamic fundamentalism and has urged the government to ban donations to Canadian religious institutions from abroad arguing that doing so will curb extremism.[2]

The most prominent member of the Congress is Tarek Fatah, its communications director and spokesperson until he resigned in August 2006 over concerns for his safety. Farzana Hassan is the MCC's president since August 2006.^[1]

The Congress suffered a serious split in the summer of 2006 when several of its members and leaders left to form the Canadian Muslim Union. According to reports, the split occurred over questions of how the group engages with the broader Muslim community, particularly its position on the arrest of 17 Muslims in the 2006 Toronto terrorism case and objections to MCC leaders participating in demonstrations against the 2006 Israel-Lebanon War. Eight executive members who participated or supported the demonstrations resigned and formed the new CMU the next day whose philosophy of Liberal Islam is similar to the MCC's but with an intention to work "with and within the Muslim community".^[2]

The MCC is associated with the Progressive Muslim Union of North America.