The Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) has issued a response to recent criticisms of its 2026 convention held in Toronto, aiming to provide a more complete picture of the event. The conference, which drew thousands of Muslim-Canadians, focused on exploring faith-rooted living and community engagement within the country. MAC asserts that the narrative presented in some media outlets, particularly regarding a controversial word cloud and specific session contexts, does not accurately reflect the convention’s overall purpose and atmosphere.
Convention Focus: Faith, Community, and Civic Engagement
According to MAC, the three-day event was a vibrant gathering where attendees engaged with a wide range of topics relevant to contemporary Muslim life in Canada. Speakers and participants delved into subjects such as Islamic scholarship, family dynamics, youth identity, civic responsibility, and democratic participation. The convention also featured a bazaar and communal prayers, underscoring its role as a unifying event for the Muslim community. MAC noted a significant increase in attendance compared to previous years, highlighting the community’s strong turnout and engagement.
Addressing the “Jew Free” Word Cloud Controversy
A central point of contention has been a word cloud generated during a youth session, which included the phrase “Jew free.” MAC acknowledges the offensive nature of this phrase and states that it was an anonymous, unsolicited submission that the facilitator did not notice at the time. The photograph of the word cloud was taken by Juno News, which later published it, sparking public controversy. MAC unequivocally condemns the phrase, stating it is contrary to Islamic teachings and does not represent the values of the Muslim Association of Canada or the broader Canadian Muslim community.
The organization emphasized that the dominant words in the word cloud, chosen by the youth, were “United,” “Justice,” and “Strong.” Other frequently appearing terms included “Peace,” “Equality,” “Equity,” “Freedom,” “Safety,” “Diverse,” “Supportive,” and “Impactful.” MAC views these as indicative of a generation actively considering their contributions to Canadian society. They argue that the entire convention should not be defined by a single, anonymous submission from an open platform.
Furthermore, MAC highlighted that antisemitism and Islamophobia are interconnected forms of hatred, and any genuine commitment to combating hate must address both. The organization stated its understanding of this connection, asserting that these issues are not mutually exclusive but often coexist.
Contextualizing Session Content
MAC also addressed concerns about specific convention sessions being misrepresented or stripped of context. As an example, they cited a session demonstrating a tool for citizens to draft letters to elected representatives. MAC contends that this session was framed negatively, despite the tool being functionally similar to those used by various advocacy groups across the political spectrum. They argue that the tool’s utility becomes distorted when used by Muslims.
Discussion on Gaza
The convention also included discussions regarding the situation in Gaza. MAC defended the inclusion of this topic, noting that many attendees have family in the region and are deeply affected by the ongoing conflict, the high civilian death toll, and the humanitarian crisis. Speaking out against injustice, MAC stated, is both an Islamic obligation and a fundamental Canadian value. The organization has made a detailed account of the convention’s proceedings publicly available, inviting those who have formed opinions based on limited or misrepresented information to review the full context.
In conclusion, MAC reiterates that thousands of Canadians gathered at the convention with the intent to learn and contribute positively to the country. They urge a more comprehensive understanding of the event, based on the full scope of discussions and the expressed values of the attendees, rather than isolated incidents or decontextualized remarks.
Sharaf Sharafeldin, president of strategy at the Muslim Association of Canada, provided this response.
