interesting.... wonder how honest he is being?

Perhaps he's worried about an attempt by Ezra to recoup Ezra's legal fees as a result of the complaint.

"...I have learned that the best way to dispel misconceptions between our various cultures and communities is for us to meet face to face and learn from each other similarities and difference."

He has learned this, presumably, after his attempt to force his thinking on the rest of us failed.

Anybody who believes his words is a complete idiot.

Weasel words. He's now had the time and enough negative feedback to figure out life is not so sweet as a pariah.

Color me unimpressed.

"Canadians of all races, colours, religions, and ages have welcomed me, a Muslim man with brown skin"

I don't have a problem with people with brown skin. I have a problem with idiots, who happen to come in all colours, including brown. If Mr. Soharwardy would like me to have warmer feelings about him, he could do something distinctly unidiotic like reimbursing Mr. Levant in full for the legal costs that he was wrongly burdened with. I remain unimpressed until such a time as Mr. Soharwardy makes amends for his actions.

One can only go on what another says, or does. He withdrew the complaint, and states a reasoned position.

Whatever he believes, it looks like he's learned a valuable lesson about freedom. Unless he pulls something to the contrary...I can't criticize.

Wondering if the Human Rights 'Roos would ever consider the same? Nope, me neither.

Sounds like a hudna to me.

You're right, Penny about weasel words.

"There will always be pockets of Islamophobia ..."

Define "Islamophobia", Mr. Soharwardy. Is that any criticism of Islam?

As far as "___phobia", an irrational fear, there are ample factual and historic grounds for people of the Western Democracies to have very rational anxieties about Islam in their societies.

Just tarring these rational anxieties is attacking the messenger, rather than debating the message. That's rhetorical evasion, used when the person/ideology being criticized either is too intellectually lazy to respond logically or has no logically sound counter-argument.

Holy crap. Do you think he's serious? Bravo it's for real.

I think as a gesture of his good intentions and change of heart he should fly himself out to BC and have a chat with the sockpuppets.

PIMF

"if" it's for real

I am well-disposed towards Syed Soharwardy, but he must realise his earlier actions justify scepticism about his sincerity. Making common cause with, for example, the Muslim Canadian Congress the next time they condemn Mohammedan atrocities or extremist demands would carry more weight than issuing a statement regretting past errors.

Let's not be naive, folks. It's just a tactical retreat, nothing more.

What he said is sooooooooooooo Canadian ... and I mean that in the very best sense of the term.

Bravo, indeed! I only hope his fellow Muslims in North America will take what he has to say seriously.

I would like to think that the man is being sincere and that this is not just a reaction to the horrible PR this case has generated.

It's Friday and I'm in a charitable mood so unless he does something else in the future, good on him.

We believe Soharwardy at our own peril. The Koran permits lying to unbelievers.

"There are, however, a few choice instances where lying is acceptable in Islam.

The Prophet Muhammad said: “Lying is not permitted except in three cases: a man speaking to his wife to make her happy; lying in times of war; and lying in order to reconcile between people.”

Sumayyah Meehan as quoted in Jihad Watch.

Actions speak louder than words, when Soharwardy coughs up for the cost of Ezra's defence, I'll be more inclined to believe this is genuine.
Colour me not convinced yet.
If it is genuine, good for him, but I doubt that it is.

I'm with the hudna.

Change of heart? Hardly. More like change of spin.

Just take him at his word, forgive him and move on.

If he's truly repentant, he will continue to work for understanding among all human beings, as his words seem to imply.

Just like the citizens in Afghanistan starting to turn their guns on the Taliban, Soharwardy can do himself a favour by condemning the jihadists.

The Mohammed cartoon depicted how the violent jihadists (as represented by the 19th-century bomb in the turban) were cloaking themselves in religious legitimacy.

Once Soharwardy steps back, he will understand the enemy is not free speech that points out these things, but that it's groups like the Taliban and al-Qaida that bring disrepute to Islam.

The solution has to be within the Moslem community and Soharwardy should focus his efforts, not some imagined slight.

Whether you believe him or not, he said it publicly. I'd count that as a victory for our side.

Another thing...isn't he a law student? Could this be a response manufactured to preserve the hopes of a future career outside of the HRC racket?

Given the numerous cases of Soharwardy speaking sympathetically of jihadists and other radicals.....echoing terrorist sentiments about Israel and Jewish people ..... think this is for real??

If so it's quite an epiphany that he's had !

Money talks...bullshit walks.
When he reimburses Ezra then I might start to believe.

After reading some of the stuff that has come from Mr. Syed Soharwardy on Ezra's blog I doubt very mich that he wrote this himself. We can only hope and pray that this is actually how the man feels. It would be quite a turn around from what he has been advocating previously. I guess time will tell.

Dave has the goods about lying being 'good' if it furthers the cause of Islam.

Google doesn't reveal any information about the HRC complaint against Soharwardy after the initial flurry of publicity, other than a press release on a couple of blogs claiming that the whole affair was a hoax. Has anyone heard otherwise?

It's not a victory at all. As long as we have an intrusive agency like the HRC's, we have a banana republic.

A victory would see this moslem idiot in court fighting a fair battle and paying through the nose for his frivolous abuse of law and Canadian hospitality. A victory would see the end of the HRC's.

The weapons these idiots used are still in place and they will use them again once the heat is off. It's how they operate.

I say Ezra should sue Sohawardy for every penny he cost him for his defense.

Sohawardy can STFU and be thankful he has all the freedoms he could only dream about in any Muslim theocracy he and many like him fled. It appears he and others like him just can't help themselves, they have to keep causing trouble of one sort or another.

Sorry, we just can't take this person at his word. Trust has to be earned. After episodes of this sort, it'll take a long time.

Read the first sentence one more time.

"When I initiated my complaint against Mr. Levant, I saw human rights commissions as a non-violent means of resolving differences among Canadians."

So is the alternative now violence? We had our chance and we blew it? Now we face the consequences?

Many of Bin Laden's public statements have been considered announcements in code. I say we should focus on the very first sentence, and assume the rest is simply filler.

Wow..Some of you have no problem taking a few words from a man who believes (and has stated so..) that every Israeli citizen over the age of 18 is a legitimate military target.

How do you reconcile this Islamist's previous words with this obviously scripted piece of feel good puffery, meant to have exactly the desired result displayed by so many of you here..?

Give your collective heads a shake people, this man is an Islamist supremist, don't you ever forget that..

Blah, blah, blah.

There will always be pockets of Islamophobia in Canada

OK infidelaphobic a**hole: talking about pockets, your Saudi masters have very deep pockets. How 'bout transferring some of the dough from these deep pockets back into Mr. Levant's threadbare shallow pockets.

Put the umma's money where your pretty mouth is.

With respect to compensation for Ezra, it really should come from the bodies that allowed such an unjust process to be used: the Rights Commissions themselves. Unfortunately, that means that compensation ultimately comes from us, the taxpayers. However, it is nevertheless the Government that has abused Mr. Levant's rights and therefore the Government that should be responsibile to make him and the many others who have been victims of these sham proceedings, whole. I think the taxpayer could still come out whole as well, if such compensation were accompanied by removing the mandate of these roo courts, at least in any matters involving free speech.

With respect to the sincerity of the latest words from Soharwardy, I would be among those of you who require further demonstration of the change of heart. However, I believe Kursk at 3:02 pm is confusing Soharwardy with the guy who was actually reported to have said those words about Israelis over the age of 18, Mohammed Elmasry.

"When I initiated my complaint against Mr. Levant, I saw human rights commissions as a non-violent means of resolving differences among Canadians."

Well that method didn’t work out so we'll just blow up your Canadian embassy in Pakistan and call it even, okay? I keeeell you.

So I guess the Muslims in Edmonton don't see it Soharwardy's way? Will he call for them to drop their case too?

I understand that Elmasry holds these views as well.This is not a unique view to just this man,this is a mindset of Canadian Islamists.This idea of all Israeli's over 18 being legitimate targets was not created in a vacuum...

My sense is that Soharwardy simply read the writing on the wall, that any "victory" would be a pyrrhic victory i.e. the adverse publicity, outrage and backlash from having Ezra convicted by an HRC would provoke a reaction that would result in the declawing or elimination of one of the most convenient weapons of intimidation available to Soharwardy and his ilk.
It's a tactical retreat in the face of an overwhelming and potentially devastating foe. His forces and his weapons are preserved to be used on easier victims. And he gets to game the gullible into complacency with all the politically correct puffery.
I hope I'm wrong and the epiphany is real, but time will tell.

Takkiya and kitman are Muslim tactics.

"Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!"
(H/TJabberwocky)

Wow. So how would good Christians respond to someone's apology? Obviously call him a liar and tell him to shove it. Oh wait, I meant how would pathetic bigots respond. You reveal yrselves with yr own words and attitudes. It's helpful thanks.

It's helpful in what way roger? Or zeek, haye, or whatever you call yourself today. What plans do you have in the works?

People can change their ideas. If this is a strategic PR withdrawal we will know soon enough. He has withdrawn his complaint & apologized.
While they are the loudest, extremists don't speak for Muslims anymore than the IRA spoke for Catholics.

Where is this statement being posted? Is it going to be aired by the MSM? Will CBC interview Mr. Soharwardy about his change of heart?

I find it somehow unbelievable that before now Mr. Soharwardy knew nothing about the persecution of "his friend" Fred Henry, the Roman Catholic Archbishop or the Rev. Boissoin.

One wants to be charitable and accept the lofty words and sentiments of Mr. Soharwardy, but there's something about his stated ignorance of the battles being fought by Bishop Henry and the Rev. Boissoin that, unfortunately, rings hollow.

It's fake: a tactical lie to save face. The muslims have a special name for it. Ezra has explained this on his blog before.

As a human being, one must take the man at his word. However, with the addition of his ideology, one has no choice but to be suspicious.

"This can only be accomplished in a society that respects freedom of expression, freedom of religion and all of our other democratic freedoms." - Sohawardy

Shariah honours none of the above western values. The (Cairo) Islamic declaration on so-called human rights is an example. The whole declaration is abrogated by the last two sections, placing everything stated prior under the dictates of Shariah.

As well, even his own prophet, who Sohawardy is to emulate in every way, was anything but an honourable and truthful man. He provided the basis for taqiyya in the ordering of the assassination of a Meccan female poet. He also said, "War is deceit."

Muslims curse Christians, Jews and all other religions 17 times a day as part of their religious devotion.

Islamic allusions to supremacy is perhaps the key problem between Muslims and the rest of the world. They believe based on the Quran and Mohammad's examples and sayings that they are worth more in every way than non-Muslims. This is reflected in their pathologically murderous history practiced against all nations and dhimmitude foisted on Christians and Jews

Isn't Sohawardy's Islamic organization called 'Islamic Supreme Council of Canada?'

The division of the world into dar al Islam and dar al Harb also comes to mind.

Personally, I do not trust any Muslim unless they reject and renounce these concepts. Something that inevitably will make them an apostate.

"Just take him at his word, forgive him and move on."

The hell you say. I hope Ezra sues him for damages. Remember, he's at $100,000.00 plus in costs to fight this crap.

This is not a change of heart, it's a change of face. He didn't get as far as he'd hoped with his previous tactics, so now he's a "reformed" character. Just biding his time. The same complaint against Ezra still stands--just initiated by another of the many heads of this particular hydra (the Edmonton Muslim Council). Interesting also that Mr. Soharwardy is also the target of a human rights complaint by some of the women in his church who feel they're being discriminated against. Interesting.

Zeek, do you enjoy displaying your idiotic ignorance in public?

Do you like to be ridiculed because of your stupidity?

Read and learn.

Zeek,

The fact that Ezra is still being prosecuted by Mr. Soharwardy's associate for the exact same reason means that this is more about the publicity war than it is about peace and love and harmony.

This isn't the first time that Mr. Soharwardy has released a statement like that, but given his past public statements, I think the general attitude here isn't one of "bigotry" but instead one of apprehension at the motive behind his sudden change of heart. Perhaps your bigotry is letting you see only what you want to see? Just a thought.

(Sorry for feeding the troll Kate)

Perhaps Soharwardy has managed to look out into time a little, and imagine a CHRC staffed by appointees from a different party. Ones who will have a different set of enemies to crush than the current bunch of Liberal appointees.

The power inherent in the CHRC allows them to forbid Muslim thought just as quick as Christian. The only way to be sure those guns don't turn on you is to take them down.

Zeek

Save your offended muslim crap. The vast majority of Canadians are not bigots and would not tolerate bigots. Anybody with an IQ over room temperature knows what muslim activists have in mind for us kaffirs. We have to worry about what our granddaughters will say about us if we let creeping sharia turn them in to "highly respected" but nonetheless non-voting citizens in the country which is now being polluted with scum who would take away women's rights. If we have to offend activist muslims to protect our granddaughters so be it.

Luckily for you Zeek, there are dozens of "progressive" countries that do not respect the rights of women or Christians or Jews or Bahais or atheists or homosexuals or anyone else who is not a heterosexual male member of the "special religion". Please move to one of those more perfect countries and take all of your wives and your other possessions. Rest assured you will not be missed.

Most Canadians welcome black people, yellow people, brown people or anyone else who respects democracy and equal rights for all humans. We even let women vote and hold office! We are not the bigots.

I have followed this in detail for 6 months. The point is to 'allow free speech', not winning debating points. When a litigant (previous) writes a public statement like this ACCEPT IT until such times as proven false. Then way in with doubts. This really is a great Canadian debate and, until proven otherwise, I think we all just saw a great Canadian compromise.

I have followed this in detail for 6 months. The point is to 'allow free speech', not winning debating points. When a litigant (previous) writes a public statement like this ACCEPT IT until such times as proven false. Then way in with doubts. This really is a great Canadian debate and, until proven otherwise, I think we all just saw a great Canadian compromise.

I have several concerns. I think this post of Soharwardy is a strategy not a personal epiphany.

First, to define the HRC as a 'non-violent' way of resolving differences is a strange comment, for the HRCs most certainly don't resolve differences. They punish Canadians for critiquing differences.

Second, stating that criticism of Islam is 'Islamophobia' is intellectually dishonest. There are almost no incidents of Islamophobia in Canada, ie, an irrational fear of Islam. But there is certainly criticism of Islam's axioms and the anti-Western, anti-democratic, anti-freedom declarations of its international and Canadian leaders.

Soharwardy says nothing about the requirement for a religion to be open to debate and critique of its axioms. Not a word. He says nothing about these anti-Western statements by Islamic leaders, including those in Canada.

Third, what does he mean by 'freedom of religion'? A major problem in Islam as a religion is that it is actually a socio-economic and political system dressed up as a religion. This puts those very same social, economic and political modes of behaviour outside of debate, discussion..and change. Because they are defined as 'straight from the word of god'. So there.

Now, does Soharwardy, with his 'freedom of religion' mean that Islam and all its modes of social, economic and political behaviour (including the inequality of women, including four wives, including jihad, etc)..are outside of the criticism of Canadians? And beyond the touch of Canadian law?

What does he mean by 'freedom of religion'? He doubtless cares little about the freedom of religion of other religions; he's focused on Islamic freedom. And my concern is: What exactly does this mean, in practical terms, in Canada?

N

Either you don’t get it or you do not have the ability to get it. Muslim activists force polite Canadians into arenas such as the Human Rights Commissions star chambers where polite Canadians are guilty until proven innocent, and even when proven innocent the non-offending Canadians are admonished to change our wicked ways.

On the other hand Muslim activists demand to be seen to be innocent until proven guilty and even when proven guilty polite Canadians are instructed to try to better understand muslim activists because of their special circumstances. muslim activists rub their hands in glee when they see people like you have bought into their preferred double standard because, as Mr. Steyn correctly points out; they cannot lose if they get to decide how both sides play the game.

An example of taqqia. He should put his money where his mouth is.

as a follower of Jesus Christ, I don't believe it's my place to judge others apologies as being sincere or not, but to accept this humble offering without prejudice. His honesty or lack of it is his own problem and only time will tell whether he was sincere. I'm sorry for my "bigots" remark but that's the immpression I had after reading through the comments here, I've known and worked with people of just about every religion and yr generalizing and stereotyping of people make me laugh but also sadden me.

What's really funny is Bishop Henry and Soharwardy have much more in common with each other than with the average not overly religous Canadian(of any background), including making controversial political statements.

Here we go with "the IRA and the Catholics" again.

Very. slowly:

The fighting in Northern Ireland was a property/territory dispute, not a religious war. The Catholics happened to live in one place and the Protestants in another, just like there are black neighbourhoods and Chinese neighbourhoods etc in Toronto.

The IRA were not fighting to establish the belief in Transubstantiation or Papal infallability throughout Ireland. They wanted their land back and did stupid things to try to get it.

Here's a review of Soharwardy's smarmy attempt at an earlier PR ploy back in February from Ezra's blog:

I've personally experienced three styles of Syed Soharwardy's aggression since I published the Danish cartoons two years ago. First, Soharwardy tried to have the Calgary Police Service arrest me; when that didn't work, he took me to the Alberta Human Rights Commission; when that didn't get me to submit -- in fact, when I fought back, and it backfired on him -- Soharwardy went into P.R. mode.

He's a snake in the grass. The only one's buying into this are the lame MSM and anyone not up to speed on his bad behavior. I can see straight through this smarmy little weasel's game, his new incarnation and tactic is that he now stands in solidarity with the two Christian clergy being persecuted by the HRC. Spare me the disgusting hypocrisy of from perpetrator to solidarity with other victims. He ought to be run out of Canada.

BTW, "hudna" has a very specific meaning in Arabic and Islamic thought, as does "tahdiya" (temporary cease-fire). If you're interested in the distinction:

http://tinyurl.com/6qnz36

zeek, you just came in from the rainforest? You might have a different take on it all if you were the one stuck with a hundred thousand bill after the Oops!, Sorry!, water under the bridge! sudden enlightenment syndrome.

Zeek, "good Christians" Oh wait I meant" "pathetic bigots".

That sounds a lot like "All muslims are terrorists", in the inverted language of reality that the "Z"man has built for himself.

Hey, EWS, Elevate the debate. For freekin sakes, the man has gone from storming into a Calgary police station over a CBC discussion to writing a public statement that recognizes how things happen in this country. This whole debate is extremely serious and requires recognition of both sides by both sides: "lets go to dinner" is the most poignant statement of all!

Perhaps it is more strategy than epiphany, or maybe he's truly had a minor epiphany that also happens to be a good strategy -- who knows? -- but Mr. Soharwardy's statement, as it stands, is entirely commendable.

Rich

I agree that bigot comment was uncalled for and I said sorry for it, I hope you'll accept that. Some of you say it's about the money that it cost Ezra - what does that have to do with the rest of you, I'm against these HRC's by the way in case you care. I'm not big on hate, reading other peoples minds or not accepting people's apologies though.

He put his name to it. Since I believed his sincerity when I thought he was a nutter, I'll extend him the same courtesy now. Time will tell if he means it, but on the face of it, good for him. I would not have ever expected even the words, and am happy that assumption was proven wrong.

I have to agree with Phantom. If the HRC's can be used to shut down Christians, then it only stands to reason that it could apply to other religions as well(being an atheist, I find the whole thing to be quite pathetic).

I have a terrific idea. Any argument or debate relating to Jesus, Mo, the tooth fairy or Santa Claus should be held outside of any regulation, commission, bureaucrat or politico.

I don't believe him. He has seen a backlash against his lunacy and it set his agenda back a bit. New tactics are in order.

If I am wrong, I will apologize. I wait wait a long time before I am convinced. Let's see what he does to prove he is sincere.

Remember, it is okay to lie in the Islamic world. It's part of the daily fare to get what you want.

So Zeek(or hay,haye),N,etal. You want to believe an apology from a guy whose RELIGION tells him to lie to infidels? That's us,BTW. So why don't you turn the other cheek,Zeek? Kinda hard when the Muzzies are cutting your head off! Anybody who believes this guy just proves beyond dah proof that PT Barnum was right.

Lets give credit where its due. Seems to me this guy was just a useful tool for the Islamists. He is one of the rare ones who woke up to that fact. That shows brains if not some objectivity. He's not switching horses, but means he has seen the damage this has done to his community by this type of response. Remember he quite the file voluntarily before any major judgments came down. As well his eyes may have been opened to the fact people being forced to comply to your wishes is no where near as effective in good relations than talking , debating, or facing as a group similar social problems. By actually being with normal Canadians he found out there is no big hate club for Muslims over anyone else. That could change though if enough of this Islamic Sharia law is still trying to be rammed down our throats or the HRC’s step up the madness.

That is civilization in a nut shell . Puttying our disagreements aside for the betterment of all if not opportunity to achieve in a Nation. Rather than trying to sue compliance or turn too tribalism which will force the society into splinter groups.

I take Syed Soharwardy at his word unless he proves otherwise . This letter, almost apology, is pretty straight forward, I believe it to be sincere. More real than I have ever heard any politicians recant there deeds. I might add this probably will not go down well on the Islamist side , this person may be the brunt of a lot of future opprobrium.

As for victory: dream on. By dropping the case he avoided the inevitable repudiation. Levant wasn't gonna lose this one, and if he did, he wasn't gonna pay a fine. He'd go to jail first. And the HRC knew this too.

This is a tactical withdrawal in the face of a likely defeat. But he has effectively insinuated shari'a law into Canada. Recall, only one publication published the cartoons. What are the chances now of a frank and open debate about cultural jihad in Canada?

And get the paternalistic supremacist language, which I read as: "Oh Allah (PBUH), I have travelled this land and am happy to report that Canadians are very very very very very nice little dhimmis" some of whom have posted above giving the benefit of the doubt to his unctuous, sleazy bastard.

2 points folks:

1. You don't have to believe, just accept for now. If,through further actions / statements, he shows that I (and a few others here) are the kind of rubes that made PT Barnum rich, then have-at-em some more. Until then, show a little willingness to listen.

2. Stop mixing collective HRC stupidity with the (current) statement of this individual. I'm of the 'fire, them, all' school too - I can't wait for the results on the Ont transgender case. But he is in essence repudiating the HRC route which is a good thing right?

ET :

In some ways your correct. He is worried about the Freedom of HIS Religion. I think that it occurred to him that his own actions that where causing problems for pastors, Catholic fathers, Catholic Bishops, even Christian printers. The horizons judgment that will come back to haunt Ontario’s handy capped. One day the good ole HRC’s would tell them they had to hire other faiths or gays to Islamic institutions. If they went after the other religions, I figure its pretty sure bet your group protected at the moment, may become the focus of the Ghouls who now run these tribunals latter after more of there enemies have been done in. To stamp out all Religious expression. Than where would they be?

Just my opinion with tons of speculation thrown in for good measure.

Too shocked (and, uh, half cut) to say much more than that was astonishingly gracious of Kate and remarkably eloquent and frank of Syed. Yeah, there are motives to consider, but the fact remains I don't see anyone in the Canadian media or blogsphere with that cat's flow.

Whatever. The islamic beliefs are the same in all sects and all mosques....and only the call to action groups in each sect are slightly more extreme than the regular radical followers of islam...as extreme as the extreme christians..His position is just part of the cozy up bull...meanwhile building 55 new mega shopping mall mosques with minerets that tower over the cities and blast the call to prayer...Shake your hand while the other stabs you when you're weak. There will always be pockets of critical thinkers who realize that islamophobia is a crap phrase orchastrated to keep the mouths of the already apatheitic canadians shut until it's too late...

>"There will always be pockets of Islamophobia in Canada, just like there are still pockets of anti-Semitism, racism and sexism. However, I have learned that the best way to dispel misconceptions...."
~Syed Soharwardy

Islamophobia is a word that was coined by Islamofascists to shut down discussion about Islam by Infidels.

As long as Syed Soharwardy furthers this misconception, the very idea of Islamophobia, his so-called "apology" isn't worth the paper it's written on.

Count me with those who are willing to accept his words at this time as sincere. Now if his behaviour and actions indicate the opposite, then everything changes. If he is sincere here then I hope he will begin to oppose Islamists openly, join and assist Muslims opposed to Sharia, defend those choosing to leave Islam for another faith or for none at all and demonstrate respect for non Muslims.

"Trust but verify".....Ronald Reagan

So take him at his word but hold his actions to his words.

Any contradiction just makes him look like a bigger fool. It may well be a tactical retreat, it may well be to mitigate damages, it may be real or it might be because he was losing the battle within his own community vis a vis Tarek Fatah...who knows....trust but verify

Syed Soharwardy is sorry.

Zeek, "sorry" ???

Zeek , try to keep up man; wait until the CHRC abandons your "sorry" ass cuz "the heat is on", THEN appolgize while trying to point out similarities between yourself and the "good Christians" you so effortlessly despise.

He's phony as a 3 dollar bill. He knows full well that the Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities still has their complaint in place. He's just trying to take the heat off of himself.

Alain..are you serious?

You have a better chance of seeing him eat a hotdog than do the things you say..

I AM taking Soharwardy at this word. I'm not adding anything to his words and that's why I don't think it's an apology or 'epiphany' but a different strategy to achieve Islamic 'rights' in Canada.

His focus is entirely on one premise: that there is'freedom of religion' in Canada. That means he is saying that Islam, as a religion, is not to be subjected to any rules or expectations of behaviour that run counter to its 'religious axioms'.

Remember his complaint against Ezra Levant; it was about his religion and its axioms that forbade imagery. So..everyone else is supposed to obey this religion even when they aren't members.

So, if the Islamic religious axioms permit four wives, permit inequality of the sexes, permit violent and vicious jihad against infidels, permit etc etc..then, this all falls under 'freedom of religion'.

And as such, this behaviour and belief cannot be discussed, critiqued, objected to. That, to Soharwardy, is termed 'Islamophobia'. Not discussion; not debate.

Notice that he doesn't say a word about Islam adapting to the modern industrial world.
Not a word about Islamic fascism and its terrible toll on the world. Not a word about the necessity for the Islamic people to confront Islamic fascism. Nothing. It's as if Islamic fascism doesn't exist..and if you say it exists then you are 'Islamophobic'.

All he talks about is - freedom of religion. I find that disturbing, because his original complaint against Ezra Levant wasn't against any religion. It was about ...the freedom of the Islamic religion, which dictates that no images may be made of Mohammed. And it was about the insistence that you cannot criticize Muslims and their behaviour of jihad.

So, I don't see this as an apology but as a strategy affirming the Rights of Islam to do whatever it wants, because of 'freedom of religion'.

He is lying.

I took note of his statement " I am free to be good Canadian and a good Muslim"

If encouraging extremists to kill military age Isrealis is "being a good Muslim", then he can go F**k his headscarf!

Seems to me this guy was just a useful tool for the Islamists. He is one of the rare ones who woke up to that fact.

Since when does the moral judgement of history give "uselful tools" a pass? There is a whole B List of "useful tools" from Eichmann to Beria to Mao's Red Brigades that were all mere disciples. Evil can't advance without them. They are neither neutral or innocent.

This is a guy that wanted to overturn a basic human right in Canada. He wasn't naive, he wasn't a tool, he was a willing participant. Aside from, and he has a history of this, his slickly crafted PR mea culpa, there is absolutlely no evidence that he has seen the light. My God, read this man's own words, they are captured on public record, he totally unbelievable.

zeek: "His honesty or lack of it is his own problem..."

Well, not really: Canada, WE have a problem.

I'm with all of the posters who don't fully trust Mr. Soharwardy's statement and, like forlife, would like to know where this statement is being posted. Who's going to see it?

What we need to be is wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove. I'm willing to give Syed Soharwardy the benefit of the doubt, for now, but I'm watching very carefully what his next move is, what his next words are. (And I would like to see him cover Ezra Levant's costs given his HRC complaint against Mr. Levant. THAT would be putting his money where his mouth is. THAT would demonstrate true contrition on the part of Mr. Soharwardy.)

Has he only, recently, become aware of Bishop Henry's and the Rev. Boissoin's plights because of complaints against them to the AHRC on the part of "offended" individuals? They've been having to defend themselves for years. WHERE has Mr. Soharwardy BEEN?

Well, I salute his acknowledgement of liberty. But do I still have a suspicion that he is afraid of his "religious freedoms" being assaulted, like that holy book which spews hate might be before the tribunals?

Anyway, enough knitpicking; good on you Mr.

I, too, distrust Soharwardy. Really mistrust him.

His words sound good--in a vacuum. Add the context of Ezra Levant's vast legal fees and time expended on this case, and a whole lot of other things, which, unfortunately, most gullible and ignorant Canadians don't know, and Soharwardy's crocodile tears come across as just that.

I'd like to be wrong on this but I don't think I am. We'll see . . .

i first thot of, after reading Sohorsys realization, of that scene in the BluesBrothers when Belushi sees the light and backflips and the gospel-boogie BornAtLast starts.
But I think it's probably a faux religiosity thing.

penny:

from Eichmann to Beria

I would hardly put this joker in the same class as those fiends. When I say useful Idiot I mean an Ideologue who can't see anything else, even when there behavior passes over to the inhuman right straight for the deceitfully evil. Some of these tools are not killers just nuts or dumb. Some blinded. They don’t get a free pass but they should be encouraged to see the error of there ways. If he’s lying or not the truth will out soon enough.

I do think some people can change there views even if only for gain. As for these people that have suffered under the HRC's its up to us to make sure they are compensated once these star chambers are erased. Better yet make the accusers the payers. Am I willing to bet the family jewels on this guy, No!! But sheesh why the hostility, no ones been murdered yet. Time will tell as it always does if this guy is on the up & up.

Meanwhile as I said in one post most of his reasons are speculation . By me & everyone else. Who really knows another’s soul but God?

I can see where the MSM will be picking up this story real soon... not! nice words though, now lets see the actions to back the words up.

Now he needs to pay Ezra's legal bills.

Nice talk, future will tell if Soharwardy is telling the truth. It is well known that in certain religions, to lie is not really anything that a person should not do, if it serves their purpose.
Maybe there is more to the story than he let’s to be known.
For now, give Soharwardy the benefit of the doubt. It may be that he saw the light and is genuinely trying to mend his ways.

Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me!

First he wanted Ezra arrested, not once but twice for insulting the Prophet, secondly Ezra was told the problem could go away for alot of money. Thirdly he got a public thunking for his Political Islamist's ways, he retreated because of the public outrage.

Do I believe him, oh yea right gag me with a spoon pleaseeeeeeeeee. If anyone's interested I have "Ocean Front Property" for sale in Portage La Prairie?

For the record I was neither defending nor attacking the man for his comments, but proposing that the only way to find out if he is sincere is to give him a chance to prove it.

Will he "walk the talk" or not? I know not at this point. But we shall never know without monitoring his actions and behaviour. By no means does it mean one is to let down one's guard.

ET has a good point. It is about freedom of religon...so he will push that line.

Hey nothing stops him from having 4 wives, just the state should only recognize one for inheritance, tax and benefit purposes.

It truly warms the very cockles of my heart to see Syed Soharwardy get in touch with the rich ecumenical tradition of Wahabbist Islam.

I call BS on this as well.

To be so hard lined and then make a full swing of your life long beliefs and opinions? Just like that? But he's still a 'good muslim'.
What's a bad muslim to him then?

Trouble is, I just can't trust someone who can easily change their opinion on a dime, for so called good, bad or indifferent reasons. So suddenly and because he went on a walk and met Canadians, now he's a changed man?

Something smells bad here IMHO. How long has he been living here? Never noticed that Canada is a very hospitable place beore? People are generally pretty nice and almost always so to others not from here, and he's just seeing this now?
Right.

Hope for the best and that I'm proved wrong, but something tells me this is not the hallmark moment - like he's selling.

Test

I'm thinking, like many here, that Mr. Soharwardy is very concerned that his OWN religious convictions/practices = his OWN religious freedoms might soon be coming under the gun.

The CIC's taking Ezra Levant to the AHRC and Elmasry taking Maclean's and Mark Steyn to the BCHRC--and neither Levant, Steyn, or Maclean's taking it sitting down--HAS MADE CANADIANS AWARE OF WHAT MILITANT MUSLIMS ARE DOING, USING HRCS TO HARRASS AND PERSECUTE THE, UP TO NOW, FEW CANADIANS BLOWING THE WHISTLE ON THEIR AGENDA.

Mr. Soharwardy probably wasn't worried before the Levant/Steyn/Maclean's push-back, because most Canadians up to this point have been in the dark about what he, Elmasry, and others were doing. Now that the light is shining into this dark corner of attacks on Canadians' rights to freedom of expression, Mr. Soharwardy is all of sudden very concerned.

IMHO, too little, too late.

Will the msm carry this apology? Doubtful,but then again ,if it can tarnish the conservative movement and promote 'multiculturalism,tolerance,etc.,they just might.... How about CAIR-CAN or the Canadian Arab Federation? I just visited their websites and neither mention this dramatic turn-around by one of the most influential muzzies in Canada.Hmmmm,business as usual,or a little too early? Time will tell.

They wanted their land back and did stupid things to try to get it.Posted by: Kathy Shaidle at July 11, 2008 5:09 PM

Hmm. 'Stupid things'. Awfully quaint phrase disconnected from fact. Unless one describes 'La Mon restaurant bombing' as a 'stupid thing'.

Describing indiscriminate bombing campaigns against civilians as a 'stupid thing' is the only stupid thing I've read in the comments so far. That, and Zeke of course...

http://tinyurl.com/6s6kz4

Oops ,silly me,I should have went straight to the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada's website to read about Sowahardy's apology first. At his website there is an update on his 'walk against violence'. They report that the walkers are about to tackle the 'mountains' of Northern Ontario,but no sign of the apology. Yeah,looks like Sowahardy was talking to the media but not his followers,business as usual. He will back down,but like the whack-a-mole at the Stampede,another will pop up.

What "mountains of Northern Ontario"???????? Making things up as they go, as per usual...

Want to trust this Muslim?

Since prevarication is not only allowed but required by the "special religion" this matter boils down to onus. Either we put the onus on members of the special religion to prove they actually want to be, and can be, peaceful citizens of a proudly democratic nation that accepts the rights of all people even if they were cursed through birth or circumstance to be women or atheists or Bahias or Christians or homosexuals or (shudder) Jews, or, they will eventually "own us". Pick one. Pick one now while you still have two hands to mark a ballot.

He's paraphrasing the Merchant of Venice. Shylock says: "I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following; but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you." Compare:
"They have walked with me, eaten with me, and prayed with me."
It's that "walk" that gives it away. Who walks anywhere these days?
Why? I dunno why. Maybe he's into Shakespeare.

I really not belive cost of legal in Canada court should stop people for file complain

I understeand legal fees is high and court try do not let anybody simply file sue against other party by punishment of cost of lawyer fees
I personaly disagree with it.
why? most company has used legal fees deduct from their tax which is tax deductable and at the end of year nothing came out ot from their pocket

in case of Ezra or Mark Styne they got million donation andhelp nd got more fame and money to their pocker using this law sue at the end of day they are not finacialy are looser too

then there is not reason while they made money bother that Muslim guy of why you file agaisnt us and we nonMusim has right to bother Muslim and why you stop us by pay our some part of legal fees and in most case you may get 40% of cost of your lawyer not all of them in court any way.

the matter is justice means fear Am I right ? I think I am because when there is war two parties used all treat to scare each other look at all bombs shows of Isreal and Iran while both only civilan are scared not the goverment for bot are only play of game . Is both governmetn has right to treat each otehr by killing your people if you come near my border or not may in some extend

or when we see USA army go and drop bomb look at reallity that bom if drop kill peopl and made them to pieced not able to recognize them as well mostly are civilan in so many cases is this for fear and treat too

then if Arab use all tools or verbal treat ans show discusing picture do you think the picture of Arab killing other side with USA killing civilna in real if you take both picutre of tha both are humanh body got to pieces then both is toold and tactis to scare each other

now look at court criminal court put people for 25 years in jail to scare otehr criminal is not true and criminal say if I rub the bank come bohter me I kill police too

in conclusion both good verses bad are used tactic to scare each otehr and I do not like war becaue it is not recongze who is kill by drop bomb and I also i se this as goverment of both coutnry proud and power and game using religion and blood and pictuer to gain more other thing not worth it to loose any body die for it for money and power and land

the only thing is important who is say the truth who is say the wrong and how we can punish people in differnet way to change them not keep them for ever in jail I do not trust jail in any country can stop the crime or fix them I think if they send soem people and made them community center like metnal hostital or group counsling is better to let a human stay in jail I never see any body go to jail and come back and jail fix them and scare them never back gain in 70% of case

then treat for legal fees to not bring yoru complan is abusive I do not like it unless damage is too much and the person keep bring person in so many courts then we can stop them by fine or legal fees not for find direction and also treat method to show bad people to change or fix or stop them doing wrong need to review I do not liek jail sysmte and I do nto war or capital punishment we need to have prevention program and we need to have legal has direction before it get file before judge may a committer review it and then go to court or find better solution to resolve conflict old method not work well stop the war both killing so many innocnets and find new method instead to help community in faster way we need to hae ore education in society or pschcology or study of relgion or study of crime to do more research about this to let peopel say what they want in step if their complain was correct go to befoe judge if not the commite can drop them earlier to reduce defamation of people as well we have to see people who are innocent not like to go to court as well need to protect them as well as if really peole has complain has way not stop them by legal fees cost to they can talk too

If he believed everything he wrote, he wouldn't be a practicing Muslim.

I think this is probably a sincere statement from Soharwardy. I don't say this because I vouch for his character, but because the conspiracy theories don't make sense.

To me this is an example of how HRCs in Canada instigate bigotry and in the true spirit of multiculturalism hinder new immigrants from adopting essential Canadian values and civic responsibility.

Mr. Soharwardy's first response to criticism of Islam was to go to the police and try to have Ezra arrested. This hardly seems like the actions of a coordinated Islamic plot, and instead reveals how green he is about how problems can be resolved in a free country. Obviously, his dialog with the HRC did nothing to change his irrational fear that Canadians would turn to violence as a result of cartoons. On the contrary HRCs in Alberta are fishing around for cases with their advertising campaign that tries to convince new immigrants that Canadians are bigots so that they can justify their salaries. Mr. Soharwardy's letter is just another devastating blow to the credibility of HRCs and their section 13 mandate.

I definitely think that Mr. Soharwardy was frightened into advocating for freedom for fear that censorship would eventually be turned against Islam. Perhaps the example of other religious persecution has enlightened him. It is sad, but in a democratic country where people are not taught civic responsibility, Mr Soharwardy's change of heart over free speech is not atypical. Unless you are disciplined in your defense of free speech you don't act to defend it until censorship hits close to home.

Mr. Soharwardy will have to abandon some of his religious principles if he is going to embrace freedom in Canada. He is also going to have to abandon the word Islamophobia that he learned from the HRC. But Mr. Soharwardy's example is one that more Canadian Muslims need to take. We don't always agree and we don't resolve our problems in Canada through censorship.

Wait a minute, Mike Blackadder: Mr. Soharwardy has apparently been in Canada since 1980. When has ANY incident caused "Canadians [to]...turn to violence as a result of"...anything, let alone cartoons, in particular, the kind of violence we see in the Muslim world over cartoons?

'You think he learned the word "Islamophobia" from the HRCs...or that it is likely he "will ...abandon some of his religious principles if he is going to embrace freedom in Canada?

I find it highly improbable that after BEING IN CANADA FOR 26 YEARS before making the complaint against Ezra Levant Mr. Soharwardy was frightened about possible violence on the part of Canadians--and that's what made him a) go to the police and b) take Mr. Levant to the AHRC.

Given the broader context of Mr. Soharwardy's and the CIC's anti-Israel views and the movement of extremist Muslims in Europe and their assault on the U.S. on 9/11, it seems highly unlikely that Mr. Soharwardy was unaware of what he was doing in taking Mr. Levant to the AHRC.

As I said in an earlier post, I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I will be watching very carefully what he says and does. He seems to have turned on a dime, and I'll be watching to see what that dime is.

http://www.m-a-t.org/syed.htm