Prof. Imam Syed B. Soharwardy on Canadian Muslims Now

Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project

Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2024/07/31

*Full biographical sketch at the end.*

Prof. Imam Syed B. Soharwardy is the Founder of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada and the Founder, Muslims Against Terrorism. He is the the first Muslim Canadian who walked across Canada, more than 6,500 km, leading the Multifaith Walk Against Violence. (April 14 to October 27, 2008). Imam Syed Soharwardy was born in a highly respected religious family in Karachi, Pakistan. His father, Allama Syed Muhammad Riazuddin Soharwardy (May Allah shower His blessings upon him) was a famous Islamic scholar and the Imam of Jamia Bughdadi Masjid, Martin Road, Karachi where he established Dar-ul-Aloom Soharwardia. Imam Soharwardy’s grandfather, Allama Syed Muhammad Jalaluddin Chishty (May Allah shower His blessings upon him) was the Grand Mufti of Kashmir (Baramula). 

Scott Douglas Jacobsen: So, let’s start recording. You were the first Muslim to walk across Canada for a social cause. Is that right? 

Imam Syed Soharwardy: Yes.

Jacobsen: That was the multi-faith war against violence, right? Back in 2008.

Soharwardy: Yes. From Halifax to Victoria, BC. It is about 6,500 kilometres.

Jacobsen: Wow. 

Soharwardy: That took eight months. 

Jacobsen: Have you engaged in anything similar since that time? It’s very noteworthy, like Terry Fox.

Soharwardy: So, we’ve known each other for several years now. I wanted to repeat my walk back in 2020, and we had all the plans done. But then COVID happened.

Jacobsen: Yes.

Soharwardy: We had already created our mobile home, and everything was done. But COVID started, and then I had to abandon the plan. I’m still hoping to walk across to Canada one more time. This will help me understand Canadian society and help others understand what Islam is and is not. It will also help me build relationships with people of different backgrounds, different faiths, or no faith.

Jacobsen: Now, who do you find are your main collaborators through the ISCC?

Soharwardy: The main collaborators are the Muslim community. Now, we have a very growing Muslim population in Canada. When I walked across Canada back in 2008, according to unofficial estimates, there were around 800,000 to 900,000 Muslims. Now, the Muslim population is around 1,800,000. So it has almost doubled. The collaborators are the Muslim community and our volunteers. We have hundreds and thousands of volunteers across Canada in the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada.

Jacobsen: Right.

Soharwardy: So they are the main source of support. Outside the specific community, mostly the Christian community, Christian churches, pastors, and priests, people of religious faith are the most cooperative, collaborative, and supportive community. They had done it in the past as well. Back in 2008, when I walked across Canada, the help I received from the Christian community was more than from the Muslim community at that time because it was not as enthusiastic as it is now. But the Christians were very welcoming. I was welcomed in almost every town. I went to many churches. I don’t even remember how many, but hundreds, of course.

The pastors came, they walked with me a few distances, a few kilometres. It was a very good experience, especially with the Christian community. The Christian community is supportive, collaborative, and cooperative outside the Muslim community. A couple of years ago, we put out a press release covering hate crimes, particularly the application of the justice system to those crimes.

Jacobsen: We know that hate crimes typically are either anti-Semitic, anti-Muslim, or anti-Catholic generally. Why aren’t more charges laid around hate crimes?

Soharwardy: The reason is that Islamophobia or antisemitism hasn’t gone away. It has increased due to various international reasons. Since October 7th, what is happening in Gaza has increased antisemitism as well as anti-Islam or Islamophobia multiple times. So, racism is there, and it has some internal reasons and some external reasons. Some people are very much against immigration because they have this bad perception, this wrong perception, that immigrants are taking jobs while immigrants do create jobs.

Jacobsen: Yes.

Soharwardy: So, that kind of misunderstanding is internal, but externally, the main factors are what happens on the international front, like in Palestine or the Middle East, or any other place. Any incident happens, and it creates a backlash. Look at this: when Donald Trump was attacked by this guy who wanted to appeal to him. I believe that as soon as I heard the news, I was constantly praying that it wasn’t somebody who was a Muslim man. Finally, we found out that this guy was a Christian guy. Even this guy is a registered Republican voter, a young man, 20 years old. So, this is where this anxiety comes in. Whenever something happens, we take a back seat and say, “Oh, I hope it’s not somebody from our community.”

Soharwardy: Right. The violence in the community has risen because of left and right conflict, religious versus non-religious conflict. It’s a multidimensional conflict. Terrorism is one critical factor, but it has different dimensions, too. 

Jacobsen: These multidimensional, multifactorial considerations bring life to the complicated world, and you can’t stick to cliches. In 2022, the executive council of the ISCC endorsed Patrick Brown for the Conservative Party leadership based on his track record in standing against racism, discrimination, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and so on. People assume only left-leaning people will support these things in terms of condemning various forms of prejudice.

Soharwardy: Yes.

Jacobsen: It’s a stereotype of people who might have more conservative politics. So, what did looking into Patrick Brown’s record lead to the decision for the executive council to endorse him at that time? 

Soharwardy: I have personally known Patrick Brown for a long time. When he was running for the leadership of the Conservative Party, even when he was the mayor of Brampton. So, I knew him. The second thing is, at that time, on a national level, he was the only one who spoke against racism fairly strongly without diluting the democratic climate. He was quite strong against Islamophobia. So, that’s the reason we thought, and I still believe, that Patrick Brown is a good person who can help reduce racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, or anti-immigration sentiments.

Jacobsen: I see.

Soharwardy: So, that’s why we supported him, and we will continue to support anybody, regardless of their skin colour, language, or religion. As long as we stand together against hate, racism, and discrimination, we will support that group or person. There’s no doubt in my mind that right now, in Canada, especially in our own country, we are also divided, not only in terms of conservative versus liberal but also right versus left. I’m so happy that the majority of Canadians are in the middle. I am also in the middle. But there are extremists on the left wing and extremists on the right wing as well. 

Those people who follow religion but have a very different understanding when it comes to immigration and other faiths are very intolerant, especially on the right side, in Bangladesh and those people. So, that is a very complex society, and it is becoming increasingly complex because of new issues, problems, and economic and political needs, whether national or individual. So, it is becoming more complex. We can work things out, and that’s my ambition. Since we chose this country as immigrants, our home and my children will be raised here, and our generations will be raised here.

So we cannot have these kinds of isolation or barriers within our society. Anyone who does good work to eliminate the barriers in communities is valuable. We can have differences of opinion, and that’s fine; that’s the beauty of Canadian society. We can differ on issues and problems but must not develop hate. That’s the bottom line. 

Jacobsen: About 13 months ago, you put out a statement noting how many Muslims in Canada have been more or less silent or moderate in commentary on LGBTQ issues. During Pride Month, some Muslim organizations went out to rallies against changes they saw in some of the education systems in public schools around LGBTQ awareness. There are a few things to parse regarding orientation and social views, which are quite nuanced. Can you unpack the general take among the various communities on these educational changes, Pride Month, and so on? You were making some very nuanced notes about not endorsing LGBTQ as a lifestyle in theology and also not endorsing inciting hate in any way.

Soharwardy: Yes, so, Scott, this is a very important issue. We have to understand that we should not mix up three different aspects of the LGBTQ issue. These are three different aspects from a Canadian perspective. I’m not talking internationally. In Canadian society, there are three interconnected issues related to LGBTQ. First, we understand that there is a community of same-sex couples. They have desires and preferences, whatever you call it. This is their choice, and that’s the way they want to live. We have no right to force them to change their lifestyle. So, they chose to live the way they wanted to. There is no argument on this issue.

So, the good thing is that there is no argument on this issue. They can live the way they want to live. They have the right to live how they want, which is legal in Canada. It is the law, and we must respect that. So that is one aspect.

The second aspect is education. They are creating awareness about the LGBTQ community because they are part of society. That’s fine. But what about the awareness of other communities on equal terms? When you are talking about creating awareness about the LGBTQ community in our schools, even in elementary schools where children have no clue about their sexuality, I’m talking about grades 1, 2, and 3. We don’t teach them about Islam, Christianity, Judaism, or atheism. Even though, those are significant parts of the community. Why are we introducing awareness about something they don’t understand at such an early age? This is a very premature age for such topics and should not be in elementary schools. Maybe at the university level or high school, but not elementary, so, that is my disagreement with this.

The third dimension, which I find very absurd and unnatural, is the aspect where, when the NDP was the ruling party in Alberta, they passed a law that teachers are not obligated to inform the parents of a child—I’m talking about 5, 6, 7, and 8-year-olds—about how the child is feeling or if they want to change their sex. That is not very nice. Parents are responsible for their children in every way and have the right to know what their child is experiencing at school. That law was very abnormal and, in my opinion, not right.

Yes, children have their own life, but parents are the ones who give birth to their children, raise them, and invest their money, energy, time, and sleep. They make many sacrifices. I’m not just talking about myself; I’m talking about all parents. A human child is very vulnerable. Everybody knows that if the parents do not care for their child, that child will not survive. Parents are responsible for the necessities of life, but they have no right to know what their child is thinking. That was my opposition—you cannot do this.

You cannot eliminate parents’ right to know what their child is thinking. They are responsible for everything regarding the child, but they don’t have the right to know this. That is not normal. So, we must separate these three different aspects. LGBTQ individuals have the right to live the way they want, and we respect that. As for awareness about them, there should be an appropriate time or age to create awareness. We should not be intolerant towards them. However, changing sex at an early age, when a child is 5, 6, 7, or 8 years old when they do not even completely understand their sexuality—is a different issue. We should not be mixing up these three aspects.

Jacobsen: In more recent news, on April 4th this year, residents in the Greater Toronto Area got together in Ajax for an interfaith Iftar event. It was hosted by the Sayyidah Zainab Muslim Community Centre in collaboration with Food Basics. How did that event come about? What were some of the outcomes, and how did everyone respond?

Soharwardy: That was an amazing first-time experience. A big corporation, Food Basics, sponsored such an event at an ISCC mosque in Ajax. They responded positively and spent their money. Christians were invited, and people of all or no faiths were welcome. Several Christians attended, and Muslims were there too. We had a good question and answer session, shared a meal, and took photographs. Everyone spoke to each other and got to know one another. I’m so happy that Food Basics did this. I encourage other big corporations to involve themselves in relationships where people of different faiths or none can come together. It was a very good initiative. We appreciate Food Basics for this effort. It will be very helpful.

Jacobsen: What should people be paying attention to for the rest of 2024 regarding activities, getting involved, and interfaith efforts?

Soharwardy: Even before I enter 2024, we will first have our federal elections. Based on the polls, it is highly likely that the Conservatives may win, and Pierre Poilievre may become the prime minister. My only concern is that Pierre Poilievre should not become another Stephen Harper. He should understand that Canada is no longer a single-faith community. Canada is a multicultural, multi-faith, multiethnic society, and it should treat all Canadians with equal rights and responsibilities.

Regarding Palestine, I hope he will stand up for justice. I’m not saying he should favour any side, but he is currently favouring Israel, which, in my opinion, is one-sided support, completely ignoring the genocide in Gaza. He should not be doing that. Hopefully, when he becomes prime minister, he will recognize that Palestinians are also human beings.

Jacobsen: So, your major concern for 2024 or 2025 is the federal elections and Pierre Poilievre’s potential leadership?

Soharwardy: Yes. Pierre Poilievre has been quite vocal in support of Israel, but he needs to be fair, honest, and transparent in terms of the policies he will implement or adopt. Those policies should not exclude Muslims or other minorities. That’s my concern, and I hope we remain a good society regardless of who the government is.

Jacobsen: Thank you very much for your time today.

Soharwardy: Thank you, Scott. I appreciate it.

Jacobsen: We’ll keep in touch. Last time, we talked about putting together a symposium or a group interview, so I’ll see if I can get some Muslim colleagues for a call to discuss different topics.

Soharwardy: Thank you. Take care. Bye-bye.

Jacobsen: Bye.

—

Prof. Imam Syed B. Soharwardy is the first Muslim Canadian who walked across Canada, more than 6,500 km, leading the Multifaith Walk Against Violence. (April 14 to October 27, 2008). Imam Syed Soharwardy was born in a highly respected religious family in Karachi, Pakistan. His father, Allama Syed Muhammad Riazuddin Soharwardy (May Allah shower His blessings upon him) was a famous Islamic scholar and the Imam of Jamia Bughdadi Masjid, Martin Road, Karachi where he established Dar-ul-Aloom Soharwardia. Imam Soharwardy’s grandfather, Allama Syed Muhammad Jalaluddin Chishty (May Allah shower His blessings upon him) was the Grand Mufti of Kashmir (Baramula). Allama JalaluddinChishty later migrated to Amritser (India) where he served as the head of Dar-ul-Aloom Nizamiah Sirajiah and the Imam of a Mosque. Imam Syed Soharwardy is one of the direct descendents of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Through Imam Ja’far us-Sadiq (May Allah’s peace upon him), Imam Soharwardy’s lineage reaches Sayyidatunnisa (leader of all women) Hazrat Fatimah Binte Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (Peace be upon him), the wife of Ameer ul Mo’mineen SayyidnaImam Ali (May Allah’s peace upon him). His ancestors migrated from Syria to Iran where they settled in Zarrin OR Zarrindasht area in Asfahanprovince.  During 1200s A.H. famous sufi scholar Hazrat Syed Bahauddin Ziryani (May Allah be pleased with him) was born in this family.  Later, Hazrat Syed Bahauddin Ziryani migrated to Kashmir (India) and settled, where in his fifth generation, Allama Mufti Syed Muhammad Jalaluddin Chishty (May Allah be pleased with him) was born. Imam Soharwardy received his early Islamic education from his father, teacher and Murshad (spiritual guide) in the traditional Islamic Madrasah at Bughdadi Masjid, Martin Road, Karachi, Pakistan. Later, he graduated from Dar-ul-AloomSoharwardia, Karachi. Mr. Soharwardy also earned Bachelor of Arts degree in Islamic Studies from University of Karachi. Beside his Islamic education, Mr. Soharwardy earned Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) from N.E.D. University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi, Master of Science in Management Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology,Newark, NJ, USA and Master of Engineering in Project Management from University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. Imam Syed Soharwardy was appointed as a teacher at Dar-ul-Aloom Soharwardia where he taught various subjects of Islamic studies. Later, he also served as the assistant Imam and Khateeb at Jamia Bughdadi Masjid, Martin Road (1971- 1979). Imam Soharwardy has lectured in Pakistan, USA and Saudi Arabia at various universities and institutes for over 12 years. Prof. Soharwardy is the founder of Muslims Against Terrorism (MAT). He founded MAT in Calgary in January 1998. He is also the founder of Islamic Supreme Council of Canada (ISCC). He has authored several papers on various topics such as, challenges for Muslims in the western world, conflicts within the Muslim community, Intra and Inter religion conflicts, terrorism, political Islam, etc.  Mr. Soharwardy has addressed hundreds of gatherings in Pakistan, USA, UK and Canada on various topics of Islamic faith.  Prof. Soharwardy is the Executive Imam at the Al Madinah Calgary Islamic Assembly, Jamia Masjid Noor-e-Madinah, Montreal, Jamia Riyadhul Jannah, Mississauga, Jamia Riyadhul Jannah, Edmonton and Jamia Masjid Aulia Allah, Surrey, B.C. He lectures in Montreal, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Calgary and Vancouver on monthly basis.  Imam Soharwardy is the spiritual leader of Jama’at Ahle Sunnat Canada and the World Sufi Mission Canada.  He is also the founder of Multifaith Club of Calgary. Imam Soharwardy has the “Ijazah” in Soharwardy, Qadri and Chishty sufi orders from his Murshad (spiritual guide), Allama Syed Muhammad Riazuddin Soharwardy, Qadri, Chishty (May Allah’s blessings upon him). He is the Khalifahof his Murshad. His students and Murideen(disciples) have spread out all over the world. Imam Soharwardy is a strong advocate of Islamic Tasawuf  (Sufism) and believes that the world will be a better place for everyone, if we follow what Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (Peace be upon him) has said, ” You will not have faith unless you like for others what you like for yourself.” He believes that the spiritual weakness in human causes all kinds of problems. Mr. Soharwardy can be contacted at Soharwardy@shaw.ca OR Phone (403)-831-6330 OR 416-994-5467.

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