Muslim woman makes peace with officer
A Muslim activist says she has made peace with a Halifax police officer who made Islamophobic comments on social media.
Rana Zaman complained to police after seeing an officer’s comments on a change.org petition aimed at stopping a Calgary swimming pool from hosting a nude swim this winter. The officer, using his own name, suggested it was an attempt by “mussies” – an offensive term for Muslims – to find child sexual abuse victims.
Zaman filed a formal complaint with police in February, and asked to meet with the officer.
She also posted a screen shot of the comment, with the officer’s name and picture blacked-out. Zaman told commenters she did not want to reveal the officer’s identity because she felt it would start a “witch hunt” that would hurt innocent people like the man’s family members.
“My heart does not want to have this person fired or degraded in any way,” Zaman wrote, “but seeks the opportunity to speak with him and perhaps others of the police force who may share similar sentiments.”
Zaman met with the officer, as well as several police department heads. She said he was immediately regretful about his comments and even broke into tears.
“It was heart- wrenching,” Zaman said in a phone interview.
Zaman said she quickly learned the officer had been dealing with personal issues and, in his formal apology, alluded to dealing with a “personal loss” at the time.
She said there is no excuse for the officer’s words, but there are reasons why people lash out in hurtful language.