Liberal MPs bombarded over Islamophobia motion

OTTAWA — Canada’s Muslim community felt the embrace of an outpouring of support Friday in the wake of stinging personal attacks against a member of Parliament who sponsored a motion to condemn and combat Islamophobia, even as negative reaction to the Liberal-backed proposition appeared to escalate.

Heritage Minister Melanie Joly, who this week fronted the Liberal party’s blessing of the motion, known as M-103, was met by expletive-laced condemnation on social media from outraged Canadians.

Joly’s Facebook account was peppered with derogatory, sexually demeaning and threatening messages.

“No offence but I’m so sick of all you white Liberals selling your (expletive) for Islam,” one post read.

Others made denigrating remarks about Muslims.

As the online vitriol was being unleashed, images emerged on Twitter of a short-lived anti-Muslim protest outside Masjid Toronto showing demonstrators being watched by police as they carried signs reading “Ban Islam” and “Muslims are terrorists.”

The comments aimed at Joly were typical of those that Iqra Khalid said she had received since she introduced the motion late last year.

The Mississauga, Ont., MP told the House of Commons Thursday she received thousands of sexist comments, Islamophobic remarks and even death threats after bringing M-103 before Parliament.

Khalid read the transcript of one particularly disturbing YouTube video sent to her office in which the author suggested she should be shot.

Despite the visceral reaction, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Canada said individual Canadians and elected officials alike reached out in the 48 hours since the federal Liberals voiced support for Khalid.

Still, spokesman Safwan Choudry said he was troubled by the messages issued to backers of the motion.

“We are troubled, but not surprised,” said Choudry.

“The anti-Muslim sentiment does run deep and does run strong, so that’s why we’re not surprised.”