Ex-MP upset new candidate isn’t Italian
Only in St-Léonard: Nicola Di Iorio, till this year MP for the riding of Saint-Léonard–Saint-Michel, is angry that the new candidate chosen by the federal Liberals is not an Italian. This is the man who wavered and waffled on whether he was going to quit politics, last year, and finally did. Adding an additional cultural twist is that the chosen candidate is Hassan Guillet, Muslim and onetime imam.
Spi 11:38 on 2019-06-12 Permalink
He’s no longer an imam and hasn’t been one since he announced his intention to seek the Liberal nomination.
Kate 11:59 on 2019-06-12 Permalink
Granted. I’m not sure what makes a person an imam, though. I thought it was a level of education as well as a role. But I’ll edit the post. Thanks.
Spi 12:17 on 2019-06-12 Permalink
From my understanding anyone can self-declare themselves as an Imam, it’s mostly seen as a community/faith leader and doesn’t require recognition from some higher or centralized Islamic authority or any formal training or education. In this context, it’s better understood as a voluntary position and mostly done as a service to the community not to be compared to a priest or rabbi which entails a life commitment to their religion (although some Imam’s fit that description as well).
It’s funny how Mr Guillet is mostly referred to as an Imam (mostly because of the impassioned speech he gave), something he’s only done in his retirement after a long career as a lawyer and engineer much of it with Bombardier.
Anyone would a deeper or a better understanding should feel free to correct me.
Kate 13:37 on 2019-06-12 Permalink
Wikipedia on Imam. The role depends on the specific branch of Islam, apparently.