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December 5, 2005

Canada: White Muslim Convert Not Taken Seriously

News from Ontario's Globe and Mail carries the story of a 21 year old student at an adult Catholic high school, who has been suspended over his wearing of a black Muslim cap in class.

Five teachers at St. Matthew Catholic Learning Centre had asked him to remove it, citing a no-hat rule. He refused on religious grounds, and was suspended.

Mr Yousaf Antoine, as he likes to be called has been a devout Muslim for all of four weeks.

A representative from the school has said he can wear the hat, if he gives teachers advance notice about his change of faith. He only began wearing the cap last week.

Well, four weeks into a new life and to suddenly become a martyr for his faith seems to have made Yousaf, who until a month ago was called Jody, rather aggrieved. He is now giving interviews about the tribulations faced by one who is a devotee of Islam.

He claims that his conversion was not being taken seriously at the school, and says it is because he is white.

When he was marched out of the school, three of his friends, who are Muslims, spoke up in his defence, and were also asked to leave.

Antoine lives in Cornwall in eastern Ontario, not far from Ottowa and the borders with Quebec and the USA. There are an estimated 1,000 Muslims in Cornwall, and some of these are angry at the suspensions.

Ashfaq Malik, a senior member of the Pakistan Canadian Muslim Association of Cornwall said: "The teachers are supposed to be knowledgeable. They can't be spreading this type of hatred. If the other Pakistani Muslims are allowed to wear the cap, why should she mind if it's worn by a Caucasian?"

Yousaf Antoine has had a troubled life since he was born into a Catholic family. He was a drop out during his high school years, and has been in group homes and jail cells.

He states that the Muslim faith gave him answers which he could not find in Catholicism, and he was introduced to Islam by friends at school He did his shahada in early November and became a Muslim. Since he became a Muslim four weeks ago, he says he has since given up drinking and smoking marijuana.

Hearing of this man's heroic struggle to face all the odds, persecuted by Catholics, ridiculed even for the colour of his skin, and then to hear that he has also kicked a drug and alcohol habit, I am so totally amazed at the Power of Islam.

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at December 5, 2005 9:51 AM

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