RCMP Investigating Muslim Preacher’s Call for Allah to Eliminate ‘Zionist Aggressors’
The federal police force says it’s investigating a public speech by a Montreal Muslim preacher that called for Allah to exterminate “Zionist aggressors.”
Adil Charkaoui, imam at the Centre Islamique Assahaba, made a speech during a pro-Palestine rally on Oct. 28 and lashed out at Israel for its actions in Gaza following the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas.
Sgt. Charles Poirier told The Epoch Times in a statement that the RCMP’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) is investigating Mr. Charkaoui’s speech. Sgt. Poirier said no arrests have been made in the case thus far.
“On the contrary, it was clear condemnation of the violence, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed by the Zionist army of occupation against the population of Gaza.”
Related Stories
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) said Mr. Charkaoui’s speech was a “call for violence against Jews.”
Mr. Charkaoui called CIJA a “Zionist” organization and said he is consulting with his lawyers whether to pursue libel charges against CIJA for saying he called for violence against Jews.
The imam says he has also been the object of false accusations from the political class.
“They are anti-Semitic. They are an insult to life and to the hopes of millions of people around the world, including millions of people who perished in the Holocaust because of their Jewish faith.”
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet pressed Mr. Trudeau on whether he believes Mr. Charkaoui committed a criminal offence.
“I publicly warned the Prime Minister three hours ago that I was going to ask this question so that he could have a clear and precise answer,” he said. “Is it a criminal act or not? Based on my understanding, it is criminal and warrants a reaction commensurate with a criminal act.”
Mr. Trudeau replied that “as far as criminal charges and prosecution are concerned, that is up to the police and the Public Prosecution Service, and I am counting on them to make the right decisions.”
