02 January 2011

Mideast sources fund controversial mosque

.... Foreign institutions have donated more than $650,000 to the Salaheddin Islamic Centre for renovations and an expansion of an Islamic school. It is the first time the mosque has received money from outside Canada.

Imam Hindy said that by securing funding from outside Canada the Toronto mosque was preserving Muslim culture, helping the local construction industry and employing Canadians and new immigrants in the education field while saving the public school system money.

.... Imam Hindy is known for his controversial views. He says he has officiated or blessed 30 polygamous marriages around Toronto, and that he would follow Islamic law if it conflicted with Canada’s laws. He has defended accused terrorists and says Canadian authorities have long monitored his mosque. A New York Police Department report calls Salaheddin “a known radical mosque.” [National Post] Read more [via The Iconoclast]