Tarek Fatah is a paradoxical figure; indeed, he personifies the paradoxes of most moderate Muslims. He speaks out strongly against Muslim Brotherhood organizations and Sharia encroachment in the West, but is extraordinarily concerned at the same to absolve Islam of all responsibility for the crimes done in its name and in accord with its teachings. Around ten years ago I spent a day with him and others in New York, where among other meetings, we met with Roger Ailes and other Fox News officials. Fatah was an amiable fellow, but I began to grow disenchanted when he replied exasperatedly to Nonie Darwish’s pointing out that the Qur’an was full of violent passages with the now-common dodge that the Bible contains violent passages as well — as if the world were as full of Christians screaming “Jesus is Lord” and opening fire on crowds of non-Christians as it is of Muslims screaming “Allahu akbar” as they take out Infidels.
By the end of that long and eventful day, I was extremely skeptical of Fatah’s sincerity. He has done nothing since then to alleviate my suspicions; quite the contrary. He attacked the courageous ex-Muslim truth-teller Wafa Sultan, in much the same terms that Leftists and Islamic supremacists use to smear and destroy those whom they fear and hate. He also engaged in sly apologetics to exonerate Islamic texts and teachings of any responsibility for jihad terror, rather than calling for and working for genuine reform — see Hugh Fitzgerald’s magnificent three-part takedown of Fatah here, here, and here. (The Sun News shows about which Hugh was commenting are gone from the Internet, but his articles stand on their own.) Fatah soon thereafter began to denounce me as a “racist” and “bigot,” which I expect coming from Leftist Alinskyites and Islamic jihad enablers, but was sheer opportunism and jockeying for market share coming from Fatah. (Despite that, he showed up at a reception for me given before a speech I gave in Toronto a few years ago, pretending that we were friends and allies. I reminded him of his earlier statements and asked him why he had come; he deflected the question, but I suspect it was because essentially everyone involved in resisting jihad in Canada was there, and he couldn’t bear not to be and lose out on a chance to appear to be an important player.)
In any case, even though I think Tarek Fatah is simply a self-promoter and a dishonest opportunist, clearly he is right here in believing that Ryerson University canceled his appearance “because of pressure from various groups who would protest his speech, such as AntiFa Toronto or the school’s Muslim Students’ Association.” Universities today in both the U.S. and Canada are radioactive centers of hard-Left and pro-jihad indoctrination. Dissenting voices are not allowed, or if they slip through somehow, are shouted down by self-righteous campus fascists.
“Was Ryerson University pressured into cancelling Fatah speech?,” by Liz Braun, Toronto Sun, August 3, 2017 (thanks to Val):
Curiouser and curiouser: That seems to be the state of affairs on some Canadian campuses over issues of free speech.
Executives with the Canada-India Foundation were dismayed to have had an event cancelled by Ryerson University this week, with no explanation given.
The CIF Speaker Series had booked space at Ryerson to hear a speech from Tarek Fatah, the author and columnist controversial for his statements against Islamist extremism. Fatah, who writes for the Toronto Sun, is an award-winning author and activist who founded the Muslim Canadian Congress after the events of 9/11 — both to fight Islamism and to alleviate Islamophobia. He is the host of the Zee News TV talk show Fatah Ka Fatwa’ and is a sought-after speaker in Canada and India.
He is a champion of free speech. He is also a frequent recipient of death threats.
On Aug. 10 his talk, which will be held at a location to be announced, will address “Ghazwa-e-Hind vs. the Ethos of Hindustan.”
Fatah speculates that Ryerson cancelled the CIF event because of pressure from various groups who would protest his speech, such as AntiFa Toronto or the school’s Muslim Students’ Association.
Ryerson’s cancellation was last-minute; a permit to use Ryerson University Campus Premises and Facilities was revoked with no explanation.
When Vipul Jani, executive director of the CIF, asked why the permit was cancelled, he received a response from Voula Cocolakis, executive director of Ryerson University’s Business Services, as follows:
“We certainly understand your frustration, but as per our Rules and Regulations for Permit to Use Ryerson University Campus Premises and Facilities, Ryerson may revoke or cancel the Permit at any time with or without cause.”…
Freedom of speech issues are taking a drubbing on many North American campuses, with scheduled speakers getting cancelled more frequently, often due to threats of violence from groups who present themselves as occupying the high moral ground.
Noel Hershfield says
The Nazis employed the same tactics in Germany,by turning the campus into anti democracy activities,All Jewish and anti Nazi intellectuals were attacked,student Nazi parties were established,and free speech died.We never learn from history.
ItsReallyQuiteClear says
Noel,
With regard to your last comment, I’m afraid it’s worse than that. I think that it’s good people that never seem to learn from history. Evil people always seem to adapt and learn from history.
Elizabeth L. says
Matthew 15:19 reads, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts – murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testomy, slander.”
No one learns from history until they have purified hearts.
Nathanel Hoernle says
Don’t expect any explanations from Ryerson. They are either allowing themselves to be bullied, or they agree that they should be bullied and Fatah silenced because it politically correct that that happen, but in either case they lack the courage to say what it’s about. And no one can force it out of them.
Andy says
Good job we still have these clips to share:Tarek Fatah Latest Stunning Speech
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18M9rCZiNBI
Andy says
Justin Trudeau’s Sunny Ways!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTYVZnOiwgY
Andy says
Trudeau Open Border Policy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYCA0y4Kmws
Andy says
Khadr Pay Out Protest Edmonton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTRsw9nRyzs
Andy says
Soros, Trudeau team up to open Canada’s border
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7grRbRZ_1nI
Flavius Claudius Iulianus says
Hi Andy,
Sorry but I have to correct you. Justin Zoolander’s Arabic is not very good; his pronunciation is off. Everyone has misunderstood him. He is not saying “Sunny ways.” He is saying “Sunni ways.” With this in mind all of his actions make so much more sense. lol
Justin “the Post-national State” Zoolander must go!
https://www.facebook.com/Generation.Identity.Canada/photos/a.1503106256643512.1073741828.1500787890208682/1806602249627243/?type=3&theater
Andy says
Do You Hate Prime Minister Justin Trudeau?
comment: Yes, He is a globalist who is in bed with George (the nation destroyer) Soros who is for open borders, open everything to everyone, everywhere on earth. At the expense of Canadians who have fought and died to and built this country for generations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaVSNiE9jWo
Andy says
BOMBSHELL: Canada’s Border Invasion Intensifies!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1XpJ73v7QU
Andy says
MICROAGRESSIONS!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQkhqk_A3N4
LR says
Andy,
Yep, I saw that video of Tarek a while back…I love his passion, and at least he has some people in his audience that agree with him. .Very bummed about M103 passing…
carol says
Fantastic video and I found myself applauding with the audience and so proud we have a Canadian like Tarek Fatah. The emotions and fight within those who have hands-on insider experience needs to be fully utilized. His views may be imperfect to someone as knowledgeable as Mr. Spencer, but there is no doubt as to his sincerity.
carol says
Since this is the “latest” video perhaps Tarek’s views have become more evolved or polished. He is really not defending Moe’s pedophilia – just telling us that too much of these criticisms serve less of a useful purpose than we hope they will. He seems to have faced the fact that Muslims will not just go away and their culture is unfortunately closely woven into this ludicrous, hate-spewing, bigoted book. It’s significant that he mentions that the ORIGINAL Quran is NOT TO BE FOUND (leaves a lot of room for updating, doesn’t it?). It is the mullah’s version of Islam he hates. I suspect he sees this as a pathway out for intelligent, constructive, Westernized Muslims. Certainly worth a try, isn’t it?
carol says
In regard to the culture of Muslims being seemingly inextricably tangled in with the poisonous mullah’s Quran, here is an interesting video about the “ETHNO-STATE” as a possible antidote (e.g. Kurdistan):
The Ugly Truth About Christian Genocide | Ezra Levant and Stefan Molyneux
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmFEt3L4kRM
stan lee says
If the University was to announce the truth for its decision, the present Muslim-appeasing government of “Junior” Trudeau would demonize and trivialize that school. Trudeau will appease Islam, but will do so if his appeasement is seen as “noble” by the Canadian electorate…which it isn’t, nor do non-Muslim Canadians see such appeasement as anything but political cowardice.
For Canada as regards its government, “bullying that government” implies that the government would otherwise act against being being threatened by a faction within Canada, namely the Muslim minority of Canada. That would be so far from the truth it would be silly.
If the Canadian government or Ryerson claim to have been “bullied,” in the plainest English, that is known as “copping out,” Quick interpretation: Inability to be truthful, because living a lie is easier.
DRHazard says
For a short while Tarek Fatah was the go-to guy when some liberal group or media outlet needed a Muslim voice who wouldn’t embarrass Muslims by stating the truth. The only thing that distinguishes him from all the other Muslims who lie for Western ears is his exceedingly mild mannered delivery. It’s all an act, the act of someone who desperately wants to appear intelligent and, most of all, wants to be noticed.
El Cid says
Robert, Tarek is politically aligned with you in that he is horrified at the rise of political Islam and the ascendance of radical Arabian schools outside of the Arab world.
Where you lose him is your dogged need to analyze the revealed texts using western logic. He does not care so much about it. By insisting on him agreeing with you, you lost the opportunity for a wider discussion.
Your central hypothesis is that the texts are key to perpetuating the tyranny. He came from a gentler, more tolerant Islamic society and believes it can be different.
I think you would be surprised if you approached the man again with some humility to learn what he is really about.
The fact that you are BOTH targets of the radical Muslims should drive you together to figure out why.
I suggest that you view the interview that Tarek did with Prof. Gad Saad (Concordia University, Montreal) on Youtube. They talk about you too.
Robert, you and Tarek would be stronger if you joined forces.
Tarek describes himself as a “Marxist”, yet Gad Saad who is not a Marxist, had no difficulty finding common ground with him. Check it out.
LR says
El Cid,
In other words, ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’.
I agree with you here. Tarek speaks out against, and very much dislikes Arab Islam gaining much ground in India, and dominating around the world. He likes his Indian version of Islam.
Fervent Christians and others can hate Islam all they want, but Muslims are here to stay. So, I think it’s important to learn to distinguish those who are glad they are here in the west, and don’t want to see a Sharia take over, and those who wouldn’t mind Islamic dominance.
Colleges like Ryerson are wimping out on free speech, and encouraging the coddling of Islamist mentality.
Shame on you Ryerson.
lebel says
Tarek Fatah is simply unconfortable allying himself with people who consider his prophet a pedophile and a mass murderer and one of the worse humans ever. This is basically what you, Geller and others in the anti-movement think.
T
gravenimage says
In other words, Tarek Fatah is uncomfortable with those who dare tell the truth about Islam. This does indeed appear to be pretty much the case.
SK says
Tarek Fatah does still identify as Muslim. It’s not true that he is unwilling to ally with foes of jihad terror, but is uncomfortable with truthful criticism of his beliefs.
Joeyn says
I am glad Robert Spencer shared his encounter with Tarek Fatah in this article. A real eye-opener to me. I think many moderate Muslims, when push comes to shove, sadly choose loyalty to Islam over the truth. They are only willing to go so far with the truth. Ayaan Hirsi Ali did the smart and honest thing. She left Islam.
Guy Macher says
Fatah is just another lying Muslim barrow. There are moderate Muslims, I suppose, if you believe there were moderate Nazis in WWII.
Darryl Kerney says
Well Mr Spencer,
Tarek is a self descrived MARXIST,
He said it himself in one of his articles I read in the Winnipeg Sun earlier this year.
I’d say that explains the “paradox” quite well.
tim gallagher says
I don’t have any time for any Muslims because I’m sure they all know the endless vile calls for murderous violence against non-Muslims in the Koran. I only respect the former Muslims such as Nonie Darwish, Wafa Sultan, Ibn Warraq, Ayaan Hirsi Ali because they have seen clearly how fundamentally evil Islam is, and how evil its founder Mohammad was, and did the only thing a decent human being could do by leaving Islam. This claim that the Bible is full of calls for violence , which Fateh tried to use on you Robert, seems like garbage to me. The old Testament maybe, but the New Testament doesn’t contain calls for violence the way the Koran does. The New testament’s whole tone is peaceful. Something that is different in Christianity is that we are told we will face a judgement after death, but Islam always seems to call for people to be killed, stoned, beheaded, etc, right here and now for even minor sins.. I agree with Guy Macher above, moderate Muslims, yeah, like there were moderate Nazis. I believe that all Muslims are bound to have a very nasty attitude towards non-Muslims because their basic texts and mosques teach them to think that way. Their minds have been poisoned. I trust none of them because of the content of their religion which they all must be aware of.
LR says
Tim,
People focus on different things in holy texts…Some focus on the peaceful more spiritual part, some focus on the more, violent and revengeful part.
Thus, we have the example of a Salafi Muslim going from England to Scotland to kill a Muslim of the Ahmadyya sect.
People are going to have their own point of view on Islam…The shame is this complete cowardice of upholding freedom of speech from our institutions of higher learning.
gravenimage says
Sharia Canada: Ryerson University cancels speech by “moderate” Tarek Fatah, refuses to explain why
…………………….
Like Robert Spencer, I have my issues with Tarek Fatah, who is not quite as “moderate” as he would like to present.
But *of course* he should be allowed to speak–and chances are the issue is that he is too critical of violent Jihad. *Ugh*.
Irene Brekelmans says
With the New Testament of the Bible, the Old Testament was done with and does not count any more.
But Tarek Fatah even is to moderate for this University and moslims, because in their eyes, their has to be violence in every speech imams hold, they don’t want peace, they only want violence, so anyone who holds a free and moderate speech is out, because there is no free speech any more, but I think Tarek is right in one thing. moslims will destroy themselves.
John S. Obeda says
Jesus saw the importance of the Old Testament and so must we today. For instance, see Luke chapter 24. “He (Jesus) said to them (the two men) ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart that you do not believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”
mortimer says
Ryerson U. is filled with jihadis learning how to make IEDs in the engineering classes. All the teachers there know it.
John Forbes says
CANADA Under the MUSLIM JUSTIN & his Muslim Brotherhood group in Canada are supporters of ISLAM & the open border concept of George Soros !
Canada is going to be very badly damaged in relation to both FREE SPEECH & DEMOCRACY under MUSLIM JUSTIN !
STILL he would win another election easily so the damage will continue ! The funding of the TERRORIST KADR must not be allowed to go away as this shows MUSLIM JUSTIN;s true colors as does his support for M-103 & the push to end FREE SPEECH !!
mortimer says
Tarek Fatah is inconsistent. However, he is making Muslims think.
gravenimage says
I doubt very much that he is making Muslims think. He does get the occasional Infidel to, though–despite his being pretty vague on Islam itself.
Dacritic says
1. To understand OT violence to the full, please watch the explanations of Rob Skiba, Steve Quayle or Timothy Alberino. Something more sinister was at stake and this paradigm tunes Islam off completely.
2. Tarek Fatah still refuses to condemn or leave Islam and Muhammad. People like him in one way are more dangerous than the jihadis. Islam is a doctrine that produces wolves like the average Allahuakbar jihadi, but at least you know they are wolves. Fatah is one of those that still tries to hoodwink you into thinking Islam is a doctrine that produces nothing but peaceful sheep.
Now you tell me who’s more dangerous.
Paul Cerar says
Regarding Ryerson University banning Tarek Fatah, it is not hypocritical for left-wing fascist Communists to collaborate with right-wing fascist Islamites. Hell calls to Hell.
underbed cat says
Trudeau has been to mosque praying…..thinks Islam is beautiful…and I believe M-103 has been passed which is forbidding any criticism Islam Jihad doctrine…and then gave cash reward to a terrorist…Khadr who was young jihadist who killed just like the 30 year old, and placed in prison….when release Trudieau gave a disgusting reward of over a million…his victims. So Canada is in trouble….and so are we since they are on our longest border. of Canada. Muslim influence money and deception works well in Canada….and truthful examination and speaking about the terrorism commands found in the Quran are forbidden.
Politicianaphobia says
M-103 passed as a motion–THEY are now working on it–Will it be a bill–yes thanks to all the Liberals and all the NDP. Justine was absent for the vote lol lol lol lol lol lol lol All the
Conservatives voted against the motion except Wong who did not vote. ALL FREEDOM LOVING CANADIANS, please remember this when the next election comes. We now have a similar BILL in Ontario. Kathleen must not be re-elected in Ontario. Canada the land of not so free speech. You don’t know what you have got till it’s gone!
Politicianaphobia says
Hibz ut Tahrir leader (terrorist group) in Canada, Imam Mazim Abdul-Adhim was allowed to speak at George Brown College for 45 minutes. Promoting Shari’ah in Canada. Oh what a tangled web they weave. Wake up little Canadians, wake up.
LR says
I like Tarek…
I appreciate him stirring things up, even though he does seem like an opportunist, and so what…a lot of people are…He loves attention, he loves the limelight, he is a showman. But, most important he stirs things up in regards to Islam, and is one of the few Muslims that criticizes how they treat women.
He’s stirred up plenty of controversy in India too, with his popular show. I wish more of his shows and talks would get translated, since my Urdu and Hindi aren’t so great.
Ryerson is being just another wimped out University. Shame on Ryerson.
Ezra Levant interviews Tarek.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zdohEAls9ls
Porky The Crusader says
I thought that he was an apostate.
gravenimage says
If only…
LR says
Ryerson…I thought you were suppose to be an institution of ‘higher learning’?…
Apparently, NOT!