Hamilton lawyer Hussein Hamdani fighting ‘politically motivated’ move

[projekktor id=’18902′]

A prominent Muslim lawyer who was unceremoniously booted from a high profile government security committee is fighting back.

Hamilton lawyer Hussein Hamdani was one of the founding members of the cross cultural round-table on security, nationally recognized as a strong, moderating voice against extremist violence. But last week, he heard a rumour that started in Quebec, that hinted Hamdani was a security threat. Last Friday two media reports out of Quebec declared that he had been suspended by Public Safety Minister Stephen Blaney, pending a review “of the facts”.

“This is politically motivated in my estimation, so it’s not really a review. This is just something that’s been said to remove someone, who’s been critical of a recent piece of legislation, bill C-51.”

Which may be true. The allegations contained in the TVA news report are not new. They’ve been investigated before — by C-SIS, and the RCMP.

“Which is interesting because I’ve been renewed, and renewed and renewed, and every renewal there is further security checks that are done by C-SIS. By the RCMP, and I’m vetted again. And every time I’ve passed, you know, right from the beginning.”

As recently as February however, Hamdani was the pride of the Harper government — at President Obama’s “Summit on Countering Violent Extremism”.

“So here you are — a gathering of world leaders all sharing their perspectives on how to deal with this violent extremism that’s out there, and Minister Blaney mentions specifically the work I’m doing here in Hamilton! The work I’m doing at the cross-cultural round table– this was like — two months ago!”

Hamdani says his ouster could also have something to do with his recent appearance at a fundraiser for Justin Trudeau. “I think what’s happening is that this government says, ‘Why are we having somebody who is obviously a Liberal supporter on our round table? We don’t like him. We’re gonna get a better ‘yes man”!”

Hamdani has been getting overwhelming support from Canadians across the country on his Facebook page. This comment is typical: “Anyone who knows you, knows that these comments are nothing but an attempt to silence a beautiful compassionate voice, for their own personal agenda.”

Or this one from a former member of the security roundtable: “The Harper government is bent upon marginalizing the Canadian Muslims. As for the CCRS, they are packing it with their political sycophants to rubber-stamp everything they say, or do, in security matters.”

That kind of support says Hamdani — convinces him to continue: “I’m still going to work to bring hearts together as Canadians, whether I’m a member of the Round Table or not. I’m still a Canadian. I’m still a patriot. I’m going to continue to do that work.”

Hamdani says he also intends to strike back in a more formal manner. He is currently exploring his legal options, with an eye to a defamation lawsuit against the Quebec blog that touched off the controversy.