Montreal won't let controversial imam open community centre

The city of Montreal has moved to block a controversial imam from opening an Islamic community centre in the east end.

Hamza Chaoui, an imam who has led prayers at Laval University in the past, was planning to open an Islamic community centre in the Mercier–Hochelaga Maisonneuve borough.

Chaoui, a Moroccan-born imam, has made comments deemed homophobic and sexist. He also says Islam and democracy are "completely" incompatible.

At a news conference Saturday morning, Real Menard, mayor of the borough of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, says he won't grant Chaoui an operating licence because places of worship are not permitted in the area where a site had been rented to open the centre.

The borough originally granted him a permit but now says it's being revoked.

“I believe that he was not clear about his real intent and that's why we are going to change the bylaws,” Menard said.

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre said the decision has nothing to do with freedom of speech. He says it's a matter of public safety.

“(He’s) somebody who wants to influence, and it has nothing to do with religion,” he said.

“We’re talking about an individual who has his purposes, who has his own agenda, and I’m not going to let that happen,” he said.

Coderre called Chaoui “an agent of radicalization and instigator of social tensions,” and added that in the event that Chaoui files a lawsuit against the city, he “has no doubt” they will be able to defend their decision.

A Facebook page for the project has been set up and says the centre will offer monthly dinners, courses on Arabic and Qur’an among other services.

A post from Jan. 14 estimated organizers would need to raise about $6,000 to cover the costs of renovations, rent and other fees associated with the project.

La Presse reported Saturday that an Anjou mosque recently booted Chaoui from their congregation due to his radical beliefs.

CTV Montreal has reached out to Chaoui for an interview but he has not responded. Reached over the phone by The Canadian Press on Saturday afternoon, Chaoui said he was too busy to comment on the situation.

-- with files from The Canadian Press

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  Real Menard, mayor of the borough of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, says he won't grant controversial imam Hamza Chaoui, pictured, an operating licence because places of worship are not permitted in the area where he was planning to open his community centre. (YouTube)

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  The proposed centre, Centre Ashabeb, would be in this building at 8676 De Grosbois St. in Mercier–Hochelaga Maisonneuve.

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  A Facebook post from Hamza Chaoui's Facebook goes into the reasons why he believes democracy and Islam are "two parallel lines that will never intersect." (Facebook)

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  Mayor of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough, Real Menard, left, and Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre, speak during a press conference, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015.