Muslim Association open house leads to angry comments

CTV Montreal: Muslims striving for acceptance Muslim students at Dawson College faced hateful messages when they tried to break down barriers

When Dawson College's Muslim Students' Association opened its doors to break down barriers and tackle misconceptions about Islam, they were faced with a flood of angry comments and criticism.

Nevin Hoque and Samar Eldabaa were giving people the opportunity to try on a hijab, write their name in Arabic, and learn about Islamic culture.

"What the religion was, what we were all about, different things about the religion," said Eldabaa.

"A lot of people wanted to know what it felt like to have the hijab on and what we were going through putting it on. When we put it on them, it was just for them to have a feel of what it was like to have it."

But when the photos of the event were posted online, it opened the Association up to a flood of hurtful comments from complete strangers.

"To me it was really shocking that a lot of people had a negative impact toward what we were doing and a lot of people twisted what we were doing. we weren't promoting Islam or trying to send a message. It was just to make people aware of what we were," said Eldabaa.

Criticism towards Islam, Muslims, the hijab and other burka are especially prevalent in Quebec, with a recent Forum poll showing Quebec was the province with the highest number of people with an unfavourable opinion of Muslims.

"For them to feel that because they're hiding behind a screen they can say these kinds of things of course it was hurtful," said Eldabaa.

But the Association's president said the actions of a few will not prevent him from trying to win acceptance.

"If all of us Muslim just talk to each person eye to eye, in person, and if we just told them the real truth about Islam, it would definitely cut out all those misconceptions that are going on," said Nevin Hoque.

He said people have to have the courage to not be afraid of people who are different.

"Maybe look back and say wow look at the change that we've been through, and the amount of positivity we have now compared to what there was before. I wish to see that kind of difference," said Hoque.