TORONTO (JTA) — A Canadian imam’s comparison of the plight of Muslims in Canada to that of Jews in Nazi Germany has been denounced by Jewish officials.
Imam Syed Soharwardy of Calgary, Alberta, last week likened Canada’s new policy of banning Islamic face veils at citizenship ceremonies to what Jews faced in the 1930s in Germany.
"We categorically reject his comparison with the society of today and pre-war Germany," said Jeffrey Smith of the Calgary Jewish Community Council. "It’s factually wrong and insensitive, and if you start to compare the Canadian government’s policies with Nazi policies it’s unwarranted, misleading and hurtful."
But a day after his remarks to a reporter, Soharwardy added to them.
"What is happening across North America is quite alarming because there are people who create hate against Muslims and then the government gives them ammunition," said Soharwardy, president of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada. "This is what started hate against Jews."
Soharwardy has said he has tried to forge links with the city’s Jewish community, to which Smith said "he has at times reached out — I think it’s genuine."
The imam’s comments came a few days after Ottawa announced a ban on niqabs, burkas and other face-coverings at citizenship ceremonies.
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