Salaheddin Islamic Centre

Salahedin Islamic Centre
Basic information
Province Ontario,  Canada
Municipality Scarborough
Leadership Ali Hindy

Located in Scarborough, Ontario Salaheddin Islamic Centre is a Canadian mosque noted for its outspoken Imam Aly Hindy[1] and a number of its other members. It is believed that the mosque is closely monitored by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, and some members accuse the agency of nurturing a vendetta against the worship centre.[2][3][4]

One of its key founders was Hassan Farhat,[5] although he was made persona non grata by the mosque's administrators and forbidden from continuing to hold any position in the facility; although he was allowed to return for worship. A number of its worshippers have been accused of ties to terrorism, including Ahmed Khadr who ran a charity named Health and Education Project International with ties to the mosque and allegedly funneled money to Afghan training camps.[6][7]

Brothers Saeed and Masoud Rasoul, whose father was a prayer leader at the mosque, later went missing in Iraq, believed to have fought for Ansar al-Islam, possibly at the urging of Farhat.[5]

Following the 2006 Toronto terrorism arrests, it emerged that Fahim Ahmad and a number of other suspects were members of the mosque.[8]

During the bail Hearing of Abdullah Khadr in August 2008, the Crown attacked the credibility of the mosque — although judge Trotter dismissed the suggestion, referring to testimony from RCMP officer Tarek Mokdad who agreed it was not reasonable to suggest the mosque supported terrorism.[9]

References

  1. ^ Adam, Mohammed, Ottawa Citizen, "Fundamentalist, and proud of it", August 13 2005
  2. ^ el-Akkad, Omar. Globe and Mail, "Muslims say CSIS has spies in many mosques", July 28 1006
  3. ^ Toronto Life: Toronto Life Magazine - May, 2007
  4. ^ Cribb, Robert. Toronto Star, "Four terrorism suspects linked to local mosque", March 15, 2003
  5. ^ a b Shephard, Michelle and Tonda MacCharles. Toronto Star, "CSIS say Scarborough mosque founder linked to Al-Qaeda", March 9 2005
  6. ^ Wood, Sara, American Forces Press Service, U.S. Military Commissions to Resume This Week at Guantanamo,
  7. ^ Bell, Stewart. National Post, "Khadr killed in gunfight: report", October 14, 2003
  8. ^ Macleans.ca 19 June 2006
  9. ^ http://www.thestar.com/article/482296