Sheik’s visit cancelled in Mile End
A Saudi sheik scheduled to give a talk at the Rialto on Sunday has been deplatformed after the case was made that it was a potentially risky venture.
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Kate
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Chris 11:33 on 2024-08-25 Permalink
Let’s see, according it Wikipedia, he’s: anti-democracy, a misogynist, pro-concubinage, pro-FGM, a homophobe, and an anti-Semite.
Why would Rialto platform him in the first place?
Also notable, there seems to be very little coverage of this scoundrel’s tour across Canada.
Kate 12:04 on 2024-08-25 Permalink
Here’s the Wikipedia page you cite.
A certain Journal columnist went into a predictable snit. Also the Toronto Sun‘s Brian Lilley.
The RCMP might want to scope out what Al‑Hakeem is saying, or watch who’s attending his events. Having him talk in a generally accessible venue would’ve meant they could send their people in, whereas if he goes on to speak at a mosque, it would be more obvious if strangers attended who didn’t know the etiquette and were not known to any of the regulars.
Maybe the Rialto was offered a lot of money. But they should’ve considered the optics of booking this guy in the heart of the city’s Hasidic community, aside from everything else. Obviously they’ve been persuaded on this a bit late.
Chris 13:22 on 2024-08-25 Permalink
>A certain Journal columnist went into a predictable snit. Also the Toronto Sun‘s Brian Lilley.
But crickets from left-leaning media, as far I as could tell after a few minutes searching.
Ian 13:50 on 2024-08-25 Permalink
Not actually seeing any reporting on this guy at all outside the gruesome twoseome tabloids, The Sun & JdeM.
Just curious chris, what do you consider “left-leaning”? Even NP and G&M didn’t touch this trmpest in a teapot, er, story.
Blork 14:14 on 2024-08-25 Permalink
It’s possible that the Rialto simply didn’t realize who they were dealing with when the venue was booked.
JP 15:10 on 2024-08-25 Permalink
I was about to ask how he got a Visa to come into Canada but I suppose Kate’s explanation above is one plausible explanation. It still says something that there are people in our city who would attend something like this…and enough of them to fill a venue like the Rialto. Glad to hear the Rialto changed their mind but it doesn’t really change the fact that there are people willing and wanting to attend.
Chris 20:00 on 2024-08-25 Permalink
Ian, I should have said non-rightwing, so as to include centrist media too.
bob 18:47 on 2024-08-26 Permalink
The Rialto did not book this guy. He was booked by Penny Appeal Canada. Has a kind of We Charity vibe to it. The parent organization has been in perpetual trouble in the UK for years.
The Archdiocese of Winnipeg has apologized a few days ago for failing to prevent him speaking at a Penny Appeal event in Winnipeg: https://archwinnipeg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-08-23-ClarificationStatement.pdf