Thou shalt not criticize Islam! Canadian Islamic Congress wants to censor Mark Steyn

This press release was in my inbox this morning:

The Canadian Islamic Congress
Press Conference Announcement

The Islamic Congress launches human rights complaints against Maclean's magazine for publishing Islamophobic article

WHEN:
Tuesday, December 4, 2007 At 10:30 am

WHERE:
The Niagara Room (Lower Lobby),
Hotel Intercontinental,
Downtown Toronto next to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre,
225 Front Street West,
Toronto, Ontario.

WHO:
Faisal Joseph, CIC's Legal Counsel, Partner with the Law Firm of Lerners
LLP. Mr. Joseph is a former Federal and Provincial Crown Attorney, and
former Chair of the Criminal Section of the Canadian Bar Association (Nova
Scotia).

WHAT:
The Canadian Islamic Congress has launched human rights complaints against Macleans Magazine and its editor-in-chief, Kenneth Whyte, for publishing a flagrantly Islamophobic article, "The Future Belongs to Islam," in its Oct 23, 2006 issue.

This article continues to be published on the Macleans website at this web address.

The complaints have been submitted to the British Columbia, Ontario, and
Federal Human Rights Commissions on the grounds that the article subjects Canadian Muslims to hatred and contempt.

The complaints have been accepted by the British Columbia and the Federal
Commissions; hearings have been scheduled in British Columbia for June 2-6, 2008.

The press conference will be conducted by Mr. Faisal Joseph who will be
arguing the matter before the BC Human Rights Tribunal.

CONTACT:
Faisal Joseph
(519) 640-6342

Last October, I asked, Is it legal to say Muslim immigration is bad for Canada? According to some people the clear answer is no. Already during the ridiculous Muhammad cartoon controversy, the Star's Haroon Siddiqui wrote there is "a growing realization that freedom of speech is circumscribed." Siddiqui, by the way, thinks restricting speech is a good idea.

Better read Mark Steyn's article while it's still available. If some Muslims have their way, it will soon be illegal to say Muslim immigration is bad for the West. 9-11 be damned. Thou shalt celebrate multiculturalism! (Disclaimer: Christian-bashing is still OK.)

See also:

Windsor police board member wants speaker arrested for saying Islam promotes terrorism

Pakistani-Canadian journalist may have been beaten for questioning whether Muslim leader wrote Mohammed's name on the moon

The media's selective concern for free speech: Ernst Zundel and the Dixie Chicks

Dalhousie fallout - long National Post article about Jared Taylor, racism and freedom of speech