A planned event by Hizb ut-Tahrir in Ontario has sparked widespread concern due to the extremist ideology of this organization and its potential to incite division.
Hizb ut-Tahrir, which advocates for the establishment of a global Islamic Caliphate, has been banned in several countries, including the United Kingdom and Germany, for promoting antisemitism and advocating violence against Israel and Jews. The upcoming conference, titled “The Khilafah: Eliminating the Obstacles that are Delaying its Return,” raises serious alarms about the group’s dangerous rhetoric and its incompatibility with Canada’s values of democracy, inclusion, and public safety.
In Mississauga, local authorities took a decisive stand by denying Hizb ut-Tahrir a platform for their conference. This firm response underscores the need for similar action across Ontario to ensure that extremist ideologies find no foothold in Canadian society. We are waiting for Mayor Andrea Horwath to declare them persona non grata in Hamilton.
Canada’s future depends on our ability to have this conversation and act decisively. By fostering a national dialogue about who we are and what we stand for, we can solidify our identity and confront those who seek to harm us. This is about more than one group or one incident — it’s about ensuring that Canada remains a strong, sovereign state with a clear moral compass.
Despite their claims of peaceful advocacy, Hizb ut-Tahrir’s track record suggests otherwise. Their materials glorify armed resistance, call for the toppling of governments in Muslim-majority countries, and promote an exclusionary vision of governance that disregards the rights of non-Muslims. Countries like Germany, Egypt, and Pakistan are said to have banned the group for precisely these reasons. In the United Kingdom, Hizb ut-Tahrir’s rhetoric was deemed so inflammatory that authorities concluded it encouraged terrorism and glorified attacks against Jewish communities. These global decisions emphasize the need for Canada to act decisively in countering such dangerous narratives.
The stakes are high. Sensing weakness, the sharks are circling. Only by reaffirming our commitment to civility, mutual respect, and the rule of law can we chart a course forward. As Canadians, we must look in the mirror and ask ourselves: What kind of country do we want to be? Do we want a Canada that stands tall as a beacon of hope and democracy, or one that succumbs to the forces of division and extremism?
The Minister of Public Safety must prioritize a review of Hizb ut-Tahrir’s activities to determine whether they align with Canada’s Criminal Code provisions against advocating terrorism. If they do, designating this group as a terrorist organization would send a clear message: Canada will not allow its freedoms to be weaponized against its people.
Permitting this group to hold events in Ontario risks normalizing a dangerous ideology that threatens public safety. This is not simply a question of public order; it is a test of Canada’s commitment to upholding its foundational values of equality, inclusion, and respect for diversity. Denying Hizb ut-Tahrir access to public venues and platforms would send a strong and unequivocal message that Canada will not tolerate hate or extremism in any form.
The proposed event also highlights the need for a broader governmental approach to counter extremism, including enhanced monitoring of groups that seek to exploit Canada’s freedoms to spread division and intolerance. Such vigilance is essential to prevent the erosion of societal cohesion and to safeguard vulnerable communities from hate-driven rhetoric.
Allowing Hizb ut-Tahrir’s event to proceed would embolden other extremist groups and contribute to a broader climate of hostility and division. The time to act is now. By refusing to grant this group a platform and taking steps to review their activities under Canada’s anti-terrorism framework, Canadian leaders can protect the nation’s democratic principles and ensure the safety of its communities. Firm leadership at this critical juncture will reinforce Canada’s global reputation as a defender of tolerance and justice, while standing resolutely against those who seek to undermine it.
The true challenge, however, is not only external. It lies within us as Canadians. Are we prepared to take the difficult but necessary steps to defend our values? Are we ready to confront the uncomfortable truth that our own complacency has allowed this crisis to grow? These questions demand an answer — not from politicians alone but from all of us.
Hizb ut-Tahrir is not the only threat. Extremism in all its forms — whether from Islamist radicals or white supremacists — poses a danger to Canada’s social fabric. These groups exploit our freedoms to spread ideologies that are fundamentally opposed to our democratic principles. By tolerating them, we undermine ourselves, allowing radicals to incite hatred and recruit others into their destructive worldviews.
The answer to radicals among us lies in our actions. Canada must become intolerant of the intolerant, empowering law enforcement, strengthening our legal frameworks, and fostering a civic discourse that leaves no room for hate. By doing so, we will not only confront those who seek to burn Canada to the ground, but also build a nation that stands firm against the tides of intolerance, stronger and more united than ever before.
National Post
Avi Abraham Benlolo is the Founder and CEO of the Abraham Global Peace Initiative.