The RCMP is distancing itself from a newly released handbook aimed at preventing Canada’s Muslim youth from falling under the influence of terror groups, saying it can’t support the booklet’s “adversarial tone.”
The handbook, titled United Against Terrorism, was unveiled Monday at a Winnipeg mosque by the city’s Islamic Social Services Association, in partnership with the National Council of Canadian Muslims.
The front of the booklet features the RCMP logo, along with those of the two Muslim organizations. The handbook included a chapter on the RCMP’s role in combating terrorism.
But in a statement posted on its website Tuesday, the Mounties said that while they “contributed” to that chapter, “we are not responsible for other material contained in this publication.”
“After a final review of the handbook, the RCMP could not support the adversarial tone set by elements of the booklet and therefore directed RCMP Manitoba not to proceed with this initiative,” the statement said.
It’s not clear which elements of the handbook the RCMP is referring to.
The booklet has five sections, including a chapter devoted to challenging extremist messages of violence through the Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. It also includes advice for parents.
In one section, the booklet says the word “jihad” should not be equated with terrorism. On another page, the handbook advises that “radicalization, just like extremism, does not always necessarily translate into terrorism or other related forms of violence.”
The booklet also includes advice for Muslims who are approached by the RCMP or CSIS, or subject to random searches at border crossings.
Shahina Siddiqui, the president of the Islamic Social Services Association, told CTVNews.ca Tuesday that she doesn’t think the Mounties are distancing themselves from the handbook, only reiterating a disclaimer printed at the bottom of the first page.
The disclaimer reads: “Contributors are only responsible for their respective contributions and do not necessarily endorse other material contained in this publication.”
Siddiqui said it was understood in the process of creating the booklet that not all contributors would share the same views.
“We live in a democracy and this is the beauty of Canada,” she said.
Handbook: United Against Terrorism
