January 21, 2010
CIC RESPONDS TO CONFUSION OVER RELATIONSHIP WITH CANADIAN CHARGER AND FORMER PRESIDENT, DR. MOHAMED ELMASRY
It has come to our attention that some confusion exists in the Muslim community regarding the Canadian Islamic Congress and the Canadian Charger. Please note that these two organizations are completely independent of one another and have absolutely no affiliation. Dr. Elmasry resigned his post with CIC at the end of 2008 and independently established a media organization called The Canadian Charger. In doing so, he ended all affiliation with the Canadian Islamic Congress. Having been President of the CIC since its formal inception in 1998, it is quite natural that Dr. Elmasry's name was synonymous with this organization for more than 11 years.
However, shortly after Dr. Elmasry’s resignation Sr. Wahida Valiante – a longstanding and respected member of the CIC executive (National Vice-President) – was appointed its new National President and she officially took office as of January 1, 2009.
At that time, the CIC also moved its national office from Kitchener-Waterloo to a more central location in Ottawa. We are hopeful that this advisory will fully dispel any confusion in regards to the two organizations. The new address of the Canadian Islamic Congress is:
877 Shefford Road. Gloucester Ottawa, Ontario K1J 8H9
If you have any further questions, comments, suggestions, or would like to know more about CIC and its activities, please visit our website: www.canadianislamiccongress.com
You are also welcome to contact either:
Mrs. Wahida Valiante National President, Canadian Islamic Congress E-mail:
wvaliante@sympatico.ca 647. 802.8024
Or,
Imam Dr. Zijad Delic, National Executive Director, Canadian Islamic Congress Email:
imamdrdelic@canadianislamiccongress.com 613.698.8469.
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The Canadian Islamic Congress is one of the country’s leading national organizations working on behalf of Canadian Muslims in the realm of human rights, social justice, political advocacy and representation.
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