CAIR Goes After Mark Steyn

Wed, Nov 1, 2006 at 3:35:56 pm PST

The Canadian branch of radical Islamic front group CAIR has issued a fatwa on Mark Steyn for this article: The future belongs to Islam.

Here’s the CAIR “Action Alert” calling down vengeance on Steyn, with nice clear talking points outlined for the faithful: CAIR-CAN Action Alert.

(Ottawa, Canada – Oct 31, 2006) The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN) is asking all people of conscience to write to Maclean’s Magazine.

In the October 23rd issue of Maclean’s, a provocative and Islamophobic article by Mark Steyn was printed entitled, “The future belongs to Islam.” The article’s fear mongering tone focuses on the influx of Muslim immigrants into Europe and North America through an analysis that parallels Samuel Hungtion’s [sic] infamous book, “The Clash of Civilizations.”

An excerpt from the article reads:

“Age + Welfare = Disaster for you;
Youth + Will = Disaster for whoever gets in your way... Islam has Youth and will, Europe has age and welfare.”

In criticising the Maclean’s article, Derrick O’Keefe writes, “Seen within the “War on Terror”... Steyn’s article must be understood as a deliberate, hateful and provocative act.”

ACTION REQUESTED

1. Write a 150 word letter to Maclean’s Magazine for print.
2. Or submit a two to three paragraph letter to the Maclean’s editorial board.

When writing it is critical to keep Maclean’s readership in mind and maintain a style that is calm and convincing, but firm.

TALKING POINTS

1. The article entitled “The Future belongs to Islam” is inflammatory and offensive. It does little to build bridges, it simply divides people.

2. It would be appreciated if such provocative articles are not given space and if Maclean’s maintains a balanced editorial policy.

3. Maclean’s in the past was an authoritative and respectable voice for Canadians; however, today’s Maclean’s is clearly breaking away from this tradition.

4. If Maclean’s Magazine continues to publish such articles, I will consider not renewing my subscription.

WRITE MACLEAN’S AT:

E-mail: letters@macleans.ca, adsales@macleans.ca c.c. canada@cair-net.org
Fax: 416.764.1332

Maclean’s Letters
One Mount Pleasant Road
11th floor
Toronto, ON
M4Y 2Y5