Riding Talk

"I didn't say a thing about Muslims or Islam in my acceptance speech," said Alghabra

If he had not said it AT ALL, he would not have qualified it with "in my acceptance speech".

Think about it.

It has all the ring of "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Monica Lewinsky".

If the CBC shows itself to be a responsible news broadcaster, it will ask the fellow whether he made the "Islam" statement at any time that night...don't let him get away with "in my acceptance speech".

I was at the event and no such statement was made by Omar Alghabra.

This riding has gone 12 years without sufficient representation and now we have to do deal with this?

Carolyn Parrish was controversial and Omar Alghabra has the making of being worst for Erindale-Mississauga.

This just is awful! I hope everyone will vote NDP or Conservative to keep Omar out of Ottawa by not voting Liberal in Mississauga-Erindale.

Carrolyn Parrish was controversial and Omar Alghabra has the making of being worst for Erindale

THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS
Liberal candidate denies pro-Islamic remarks (can you say BS?)

Chris Clay
Dec 20, 2005
edited for clarity. CP
The Mississauga-Erindale federal Liberal candidate vehemently denies allegations he made pro-Islamic remarks during his victory speech at the nomination meeting earlier this month.
Omar Alghabra, 36, said the allegations were simply "not true" and were "false and inaccurate.
(one more time, BS)
"I didn't say a thing about Muslims or Islam in my acceptance speech," said Alghabra, who took 488 of the 773 votes cast at the meeting Dec. 2.

"I don't agree with mixing politics and religion. Yes, I'm a Muslim, but I'm also a Liberal, a man and an engineer. The whole thing is untrue."

In a press release issued by the Canadian Coalition For Democracies yesterday, the organization alleges Alghabra said, "this is a victory for Islam. Islam won. Islamic power is extending into Canadian politics."

Erindale resident Sheref Elsabawy, who was at the meeting, said he was "shocked" to hear Alghabra make several pro-Islamic remarks.
(so Omar lied? Yup)
Elsabawy, a 40-year-old senior network engineer and Coptic Christian who voted for Alghabra, said, "this was a big warning for us that we could be second class citizens (if Alghabra is elected). He has an agenda.

"I feel embarrassed to have endorsed Omar to the Coptic Christian community," said Elsabawy."

Alastair Gordon, president of the Canadian Coalition For Democracies, described his organization as a non-partisan, multi-ethnic body that supports a free and open democratic process locally and abroad.

"In essence, the message was an expansionist, Islamic message," said Gordon. "If a Christian had said this, that it was a victory for Christianity and that Christians now had a voice in parliament, I would have gone ballistic."

Alghabra is running against Conservative candidate Bob Dechert, the NDP's Dr. Rupinder Brar and the Green Party's Adam Hunter in the Jan. 23 election.

Liberals bring Islamists one step closer to Parliament

Having won the Liberal nomination for Mississauga-Erindale, Omar Alghabra shouted to the audience, "This is a victory for Islam! Islam won! Islam Won!" He went on to praise how "Islamic power is extending into Canadian politics". His performance was witnessed by hundreds including Rogers Cable, and his theocratic rant was cheered by many in the audience.

These are chilling words to a nation that has been identified as a terrorist target by Osama Bin Laden and has witnessed how "Islamic power is extending" itself into Western democracies through the slaughter of innocents in Madrid, London, New York, Beirut, Netanya, Bali and practically every country in the world. The Islamist declaration of Liberal candidate Omar Alghabra could have come from an al Qaeda mouthpiece.

And the Liberals dare to say that Stephen Harper is scary! I will take my chances with a free vote on same-sex marriage over a Liberal parliamentarian preaching the same expansionist Islamic rhetoric that incites those who will kill and maim innocent Canadians.

Clearly, the lives and values of Canadians are expendable to the Liberal party as long as they have a winning candidate.

Victor Fouad Associate Member, Canadian Coptic Association

A disturbing story from Canada, where an openly Islamist candidate has been nominated to run as a Liberal for the Canadian Parliament: Liberal strategy a dangerous mix of religion and politics. (Hat tip: Damian Penny, via John B.)

Toronto, Canada Monday, December 19, 2005 - On December 2, the Liberal candidate for Mississauga-Erindale, Omar Alghabra, made his victory speech after winning the nomination. In that speech, he reportedly exhorted his audience, “This is a victory for Islam! Islam won! Islam Won! ... Islamic power is extending into Canadian politics”.

Alghabra’s victory speech was delivered to an audience of several hundred in the Coptic Christian Centre of the Church of the Virgin Mary and St. Athanasius in Mississauga.

David Ragheb, a member of the congregation, reported that following Alghabra’s victory speech, Markham Councillor Khalid Osman took to the stage and declared, “We have the east, we have the west, and now we have Mississauga!” to cheers and applause from the audience. Ragheb also reported that Rogers Cable was present throughout and may have filmed the event. “A member of parliament is supposed to represent my concerns about taxes and roads in Mississauga, not promote an Islamic agenda,” said Ragheb. That's why Afghanistan had no roads by the time the Taliban was done with their islamic agenda.

----

Great. Let's build that border fence a bit quicker. The Canadians are following the EU model towards self-dhimmitude. Why not call an Islamist what he is? Posing as a Liberal candidate should be grounds enough to have him barred from being a candidate. Make this cameltard run under a 'Sharia NOW!' party banner, and see what percentage of the vote they get.

But Islam is a Religion of Peace, so we have nothing to worry about. Yeah right. Anybody else find it funny that muslims and liberals seem to be saying the same things nowadays? I've noticed that everytime the US or Israel does anything to hurt those poor, poor innocent head choppers, the MSM, libs AND the islamofascists have a cow. Maybe they have the same goals. Hmmm... Nothing says "liberal" like stonings for adultery or blasphemy laws.

After all the liberals will gleefully allow their heads to be sawn off, as long as it brings down Bush, and America.

Won't they?

Be carefull, these terrorists are penetrating the Canadian Democratic system. Mr. ELGHABRA and his supporters were very clear to announce by shouting "this is the VICTORY FOR ISLAM". These people can not be trust worthy to CANADA's welfare. They care only about ISLAMIC VICTORY.? Is that what we want to hold our future and our childeren's future, some body should prevent them from taking that position because what he said and what he did shows clearly what kind of hate he has inside for other religin , he pictured the situation as an Islamic war and he won. Please STOP these people - we do not want another Taliban system here in Canada

He should remind him self that this is not a war nor is he running an election in an Islamic country. As a candidate to parliament he has to represent the whole community. I doubt if he can win this seat solely on Muslim votes. If he is so dumb not to realise that then he shouldn’t be running for an election

Religion and politics do not mix. The disatrous results can be clearly seen around the world. We need to keep this sort of corruption out of Mississauga, and out of Canada altogether. If Mr. Omar Alghabra truly made those comments, he cannot win.

I am absolutely shocked that this candidate has so blatantly combined his religious agenda with his political candidacy. There is a seperation of religion and state here in Canada and it is completely irresponsible for a candidate to state that a nomination is a "win" for a certain religion.

I think that Mr. Alghabra needs to clarify whether or not this is true... because I am of course skeptical. Can anyone post first-hand sources to this?

If it is true, I will write letters to Mr. Alghabra, Mr. Martin, and my own Liberal candidate...

A news piece in Globeandmail.com, is interesting and talks about Influence of Muslim voters is growing.

A newsworthy article in Canadian Business , dated 03/19/2004, talks about a confrontation that Alghabra had was United States Customs and Immigration official while entering the United States from Canada that caused his being denied entry: "Alghabra, of Syrian descent but born in Saudi Arabia, had heard of people being stopped at the border as part of a post-9/11 registration procedure for entry into the United States. It targets those born in certain countries, including Saudi Arabia, even if they hold Canadian passports. But in the months following the 2001 terrorist attacks, Alghabra, a 34-year-old Canadian citizen who has lived in this country since 1989, had never been forced to undergo the fingerprinting, photographing and interrogation. This day, though, as Alghabra attempted to pass through U.S. airport immigration, an officer told him to step aside because he qualified for the procedure. After some arguing, Alghabra refused. "I said, 'This is discriminatory. It's racist. I'm not doing it,'" he recalls. The immigration officer's reply was firm: "If you don't do it, you're not going through."
Alghabra didn't get to the United States, and, in his case, he didn't lose his job because of it. A Climate of Fear by Rasha Mourtada. (http://www.canadianbusiness.com/article.jsp?content=20040329_59090_59090&page=1) This mind set of Alghabra appears to be reminiscent radical ideology when Canada almost imposed Sharia Law in Ontario several months ago. Sounds to me that you have a problem with your liberals and leftists just like we in the United States have a problem with ours. Both of our countries seem to be destroyed from within.

Respectfully, Bosun

This is a tragedy. This would never have happened if Paul Martin's people did not return political favours by allowing Omar to win the nomination.

I was at the nomination and was afraid.

Omar is dangerous to the people or Erindale, and Canada. His beliefs and his "friends" cannot be allowed to stand. I urge all from our riding who read this to vote for anyone but Omar in the next election.

Let's show Canada that when a dangerous candidate is forced on the people of our riding, the people will NOT walk like obedient sheep to the polls to do the Liberal's bidding. We will take matters into our own hands..and never accept him!

We are mobilizing in the riding to get out the vote against Omar. Let's turn his cry of a victory for islam into a Victory for Democracy!

I think that the alleged telecast should be aired to really see what was said and to be sure that we are not being 'bamboozled" by supporters of other candidates or people who really have nothing better to do than raise hell. If the alleged words were used, then the man should be censored and turfed out as the representative. If not, then we should all shut up.

I am horrified at the words used by this potential candidate, just as I would be if a born again Christian uttered the same attitude. I was raised as a "Christian" in Canada, although i would not call myself a practising one, and I believe in freedom of religion but not fanaticism, from any religion. I hope the citizens of this riding think very carefully about who they elect. They should be voting for the best candidate to help their riding and not just someone who spouts religious rhetoric!!

I certainly HOPE Mr. Alghabra didn't say "This is a victory for Islam" but if he did, I hope the people in his riding will get out and defeat him roundly and send him packing and let him know what good Canadians think about the Islamist agenda!

It's not shocking that Simon Trevarthen, a vehemently anti-Israel journalist who claims that Israel does not have the right to exist would support this candidate. Therefore, when I read his words embracing this candidate, I know where he's coming from.

Now is the time for Mississauga-Erindale to stand up and vote NDP or Conservative. If a Conservative candidate were to win their party nomination and yell Christians, Christians, Christians, the media would be all over him like ants to a picnic. You don't hear Jewish, Hindu, Sikh or Buddhist candidates declare victories to their religion when they win nominations whether it be for the NDP, Conservatives or Greens. Frankly, this Omar Alghabra scares me -- does he support Hezbollah and Hamas and other terrorist groups? Does he think what the President of Iran said is wrong? Was Carolyn Parrish not anti-America enough for this riding? This is one riding I'll be keeping a close eye on on election day.

Mr. Simon,
If we get the TAPE from Rogers CABLE, who shooted the incident of Omar Alghabra and his supporters doing so, hopefully you will see this with both your eyes, as many of us did.

Mr Simon, i dont beleive you were there in the Liberal Nomination so don't ask the CBC from stopping us from revealing the truth.

I personally never spoke with Mr. Omar as you did, and for sure any candidate will do all his best to show good nature to the people.

Mr. Simon, I dont think any one cares if your a Christian or not, its not a matter of religion here, its a matter of who did what ?.

Mr. Simon, GO AND ASK, how would the Liberal Ride head of election, would be the person who was fired 24 hours before the elections by Carolin Parrish, because he leaked private information and violated "the Canadian Law of Privacy".
There was too much corruption that day, many were prevented from voting, and now Rogers Cable all of a sudden is not responding to the request of playing the tape on TV.

GO AND ASK CAROLINE PARRISH,

And before you jump here accusing all who've seen this happen as liars, and making up stories, you better ask the people who were there till the end.

Mr. Simon, if you want to say your opinion go ahead, but don't accuse anyone, JUST BECAUSE YOU MET MR. OMAR.

thank you CBC, for keeping this Forum open, and please don't do as Simon wants, don't stop the truth from being known, some people don't like to see it spread.

Mr. Simon, if you were able to meet Omar, why don't you make some effort and ask Paul Martin's office of the number of calls they received, regarding this incident.

Its amazing how easily misinformation can spread. Omar Alghabra absolutely did NOT say this was a "Victory for Islam" after he won the Liberal nomination. The CBC needs to do some basic fact checking before posting inaccurate comments that do not reflect actual events.

I have had the opportunity to meet Mr. Alghabra. He is a well informed intelligent man who is very embracing of multiculturalism and diversity.

He may be a Muslim, but has a tremendous amount of respect for all people of all religions. He is not and never has campaigned on a religious platform. We live in a secular country with secular values and Mr. Alghabra is very much a part of that society.

I too am a Christian and while I do not traditionally vote Liberal, I would not hesistate to vote for Mr. Alghabra.

People, please get accurate information about candidates and what they stand for before voting.

Mr. Omar, after winning the Liberal Nomination in Mississauga-Erindale, stood and announced loudly, several times, this is a VICTORY for ISLAM, ISLAM WON, ISLAM WON, he also started talking about how Islamic power is extending in the Canadian Politics, and the Muslims cheered around him.
How can a nominee who's "supposed" to present all Liberals, be in such manner?, how does the Liberal Party represent such a person ?, for the first time Canadian voting is now based on religion.

Also the Head of the Riding, was fired ONE DAY before the election by Caroline Parish for leaking out important and private information and "Violating the Canadian Privacy Law", how could that be?, how could he become the head of the riding?
Many people who live in the area went on the elections day and were notified that their names were not there !, whilst others live in Markham and were allowed to vote !!!!. True Corruption was apparent.

We condemn this religious radical and fanatic attitude shown by the Liberal Nominee and in front of multitudes of people, and which was disgusting to the many non-Muslims who represent the overwhelming majority of the people in the area.

Rogers Cable was shooting this historical incident; the Liberal Winner couldn’t hold himself in front of the Cameras, announcing, with ultimate joy, the victory of Islam in the Liberal Mississauga-Erindale (2005-Dec the 1st) elections.

The word is spreading fast in the area, and the x-Liberals are increasing, and to see the Conservatives take this seat from the Liberals would not be a surprise at all, and especially to the many people who were at the scene watching Mr. Omar celebrating his liberal-Islamic victory.

the muslim candidate who runs for the victory of islam needs to go to the elementary school in erindale to learn that Canada is a home for all people from different backgrounds,if Canada has dealt with him on religious bases he whould not be there ,we are not interested to go back 1400 years ,and we do not like to lose our blessings and have Taliban regime applied in our great blessed nation .this kind of attitude
is absolutely refused by all means,I challenge you if you can go back to Palestin and go for election.please we like to live in peace terrorist free enviroment God Bless You
see you in the palestinian parliment
AlbertFaltas

Mr. Omar, after winning the Liberal Nomination in Mississauga-Erindale, stood and announced loudly, several times, this is a VICTORY for ISLAM, ISLAM WON, ISLAM WON, he also started talking about how Islamic power is extending in the Canadian Politics, and the Muslims cheered around him.
Mr. Elghabra, you must know, that you are representing the Liberal Party not the ISLAMIC Religion and your act is hurting the liberal party by putting your personal belief ahead of your public service. so you are not qualified to run a public office.

by shouting "this is the VICTORY FOR ISLAM", Mr. ELGHABRA and his supporters, that he is not trust worthy to CANADA's welfare. Only they care about ISLAMIC VICTORY.

I would point out to Liberal supporters who were understandably disheartened by Parrish's performance, and who do not feel they will be adequately represented by Alghabra, to take a look at newcomer Rupinder Brar.

He, like Dechert, can be seen greeting people out in the cold. He talks to you like a real person and not just a potential vote waiting to be co-opted. There's a sincerity and genuineness to this guy that's undeniable. Plus he isn't old enough to be corrupted by business or self-interest, and this is his first foray into politics. From everything I've read on his website (www.rupinderbrar.ca), he actually cares about representing this riding.

I've traditionally voted liberal, but the NDP's policy this time around is attractive. It upholds my values, and it's economically realistic. Why not give a nice new guy a chance, or at least some consideration?

Great to see Bob Dechert, our Conservative candidate and his team greeting us 7:20 am at Streetsville GO Station and in -10 deg. C weather.

Upon shaking hands with Bob, I was handed a pamphlet that contained an Conservative proposal of a 16% tax credit on every dollar spent on public transit.

The 16% tax break equals a $351.36/year savings on a $183 Streetsville-Union Adult GO Pass.

Finally, a tax break for using public transportation instead of driving into work daily.

Thanks Bob!

I'd like to hear how the other candidates are reaching out to the community and how their proposals can benefit residents of Mississauga - Erindale.

I have previously voted liberal, and waited for a strong liberal candidate to be selected to run in our riding. When Mr. Alghabra was selected and noted that this was a "victory for Islam" I was very disappointed.

I am a Christian, and would have no problem voting for someone who is a Liberal candidate, and who happens to also be a Muslim. I am not willing to vote for someone who is first dedicated to being a Muslim because he does not represent me.

Mr. Dechert will get my vote this time, and I hope that he gets elected. Hopefully the Liberal party will get the message that they should be selecting candidates based on their stand on the issues, not their religion.

it is really hard to vote for some body mix between politicis and religious .? is that man good enough to hold our future and our childeren's future, some body should prevent him from taking that position because what he said and what he did shows clearly what kind of hate he has inside for other religin , he pictured the situation as an Islamic war and he won

With respect to the previous posting:

"This is a solidly Liberal riding. The Liberal candidate Omar Alghabra will in all likelihood win"

Broad and assuming statements such as this have a tendency to anger Mississauga-Erindale voters and make them think carefully about the candidate and party to support.

Who are our candidates and why do they deserve our vote? What is their past record and their party's record? How did Mississauga-Erindale residents benefit by voting Liberal in the last election?

Recall that we previously elected a former Liberal MP, Carolyn Parrish. This MP was kicked out of the Liberal Caucus after her public anti-American statements and actions. This left Mississauga-Erindale without Liberal MP representation and was an international embarrassment to Canadians.

Some issues with the Liberal record:
- $250 Million Sponsorship Program
- Where did taxpayer's money go? When will it be recovered?

- $2 Billion Gun Registry
- GTA has 50+ gun-related murders in 2005

- After 2 Billion spent, when will GTA residents feel safer?

- Canada's Kyoto Commitments: 6 percent below 1990 levels
- UN report reveals 24-per-cent increase in 1990-2003

Given this, why would anyone in their right mind vote Liberal?

Mississauga-Erindale voters want effective representation and assurance that our vote counts. On January 23, 2006, let's let our residents decide who gets elected.

We seem to be a riding of the blind leading the blind, the embarassment we suffered sending someone who was kicked out of the most scandel riddled government of our life time, for making comments that did not reflect our community simply sickens me.

I am tired of Liberal MP's in this riding taking an election forgranted and using it to further their own agenda's.

Steve Mahoney, Carolyn Parish, now Omar Alghabra.

I long to live in a riding where people vote on the issues at hand..

Mr. Omar, after winning the Liberal Nomination in Mississauga-Erindale, stood and announced loudly, several times, this is a VICTORY for ISLAM, ISLAM WON, ISLAM WON, he also started talking about how Islamic power is extending in the Canadian Politics, and the Muslims cheered around him.
How can a nominee who's "supposed" to present all Liberals, be in such manner?, how does the Liberal Party represent such a person ?, for the first time Canadian voting is now based on religion.

Also the Head of the Riding, was fired ONE DAY before the election by Caroline Parish for leaking out important and private information and "Violating the Canadian Privacy Law", how could that be?, how could he become the head of the riding?
Many people who live in the area went on the elections day and were notified that their names were not there !, whilst others live in Markham and were allowed to vote !!!!. True Corruption was apparent.

We condemn this religious radical and fanatic attitude shown by the Liberal Nominee and in front of multitudes of people, and which was disgusting to the many non-Muslims who represent the overwhelming majority of the people in the area.

Rogers Cable was shooting this historical incident; the Liberal Winner couldn’t hold himself in front of the Cameras, announcing, with ultimate joy, the victory of Islam in the Liberal Mississauga-Erindale (2005-Dec the 1st) elections.

The word is spreading fast in the area, and the x-Liberals are increasing, and to see the Conservatives take this seat from the Liberals would not be a surprise at all, and especially to the many people who were at the scene watching Mr. Omar celebrating his liberal-Islamic victory.

This is a solidly Liberal riding. The Liberal candidate Omar Alghabra will in all likelihood win. The Conservatives are running the same candidate as last time (Bob Dechert). He got trumped by Parrish last time, getting only 32% of the vote. Seeing some drastically unforseen events, the Liberals can rely on getting Erindale.

The major concern is the rapid sprawl of new developments. The traffic is getting worse and worse, air quality is reducing, few and small parks, no cycle paths (which make part of Mississauga's beauties).

The greatest issue of concern in the Mississauga-Erindale riding is the absence of federal representation. Our Liberal MP, Carolyn Parrish, was ejected from caucus after a series of embarrassing political blunders.

These blunders included an openly and marked disrespect for Paul Martin, verbal bashing of George Bush and Americans, and stomping a doll of Bush on television.

As a rapidly growing suburb of the Greater Toronto Area, Erindale requires solid and responsible representation at the federal level to manage our community's vitality.

Items, such as health care, city infrastructure funding, job creation, national security/anti-terrorism, transportation planning, child care, Kyoto & environment conservation and high taxes must be addressed on an ongoing basis.

Given that we elected a Liberal government MP, we ought to receive the benefits of this representation. We did not choose to elect a maverick, irresponsible and now independent MP, ineffective in affecting our community success.

As concerned residents, we must ensure our community's ongoing prosperity through effective federal representation. This is the key Decision 2006 campaign issue for Erindale residents.