Hodan Nalayeh was tragically killed among at least nine others in a jihad attack in Somalia in 2019, while reporting about Canada’s Somali community.
As tragic as Nalayeh’s death was, there are many other tragic deaths which do not warrant a school being named after the victim. But there have been ongoing issues in the Vaughan area, resembling many problems of the same nature in other Western countries. These issues make it appear as if Hodan Nalayeh’s tragedy is being exploited. In 2018, tensions flared in the same Vaughan community over an Islamic mega-complex, when the Islamic Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat pursued the city council’s support for its project, which included “an eight-storey tower and a six-storey tower, along with a school, 60-townhouse complex and parking structure,” all built to Islamic specifications.
Renaming the Vaughan school is again raising tensions in the community, as students and parents were not adequately consulted. The decision was far from unanimous to change the school’s name from Vaughan Secondary School to Hodan Nalayeh Secondary School. David Sherman, who represents wards in Markham and Vaughan, “questioned the validity of a community survey that he designed.”
Sherman said at the meeting that the other trustees are not considering the voices of students and parents.
“We even specified Vaughan in our communication and yet trustees continue to point to participants of the town hall … who have never stepped foot in the school,” he said.
The decision made by the trustees is not in pursuit of inclusivity and harmony, as we see ubiquitously in Canada and the U.S. A disrespectful replacement of existing monuments and commemorations has become commonplace, provoking and exacerbating divisions. Frictions arise from the pointing of the finger at past sins while ignoring the evolution of Western societies, the current atrocious human rights abuses committed against unbelievers and women in Muslim countries, and human rights abuses committed against other minorities historically (e.g. China’s treatment of the Japanese and the Uighurs and the ongoing intolerance and slavery in some Muslim countries). Some of the York Region school trustees may have preferred to keep the “Vaughan Secondary School” name, but felt intimidated because they were uncomfortable with the thought of being perceived “racist” or “xenophobic.” These justified fears contributed to a hostile climate.
Practitioners of identity politics and political pandering to special interest groups such as the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), which is actively involved in the school system, are shouting down every other voice in Canadian society. Dialogue is absent. And when pandering appears in the education system, it is particularly disturbing.
The NCCM (renamed from CAIR-CAN) has unsavory roots. It is an offshoot of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which has links to Hamas, a Muslim Brotherhood offshoot. The Muslim Brotherhood has been branded terrorist, even by many Muslim states with territorial turf wars. The Muslim Brotherhood’s objective in the West is stealthy, highly agenda-driven, and exclusive. It is also indefensible, but has largely escaped scrutiny due to the bullying and intimidation tactics of Brotherhood operatives and allies.
There are few limits to the pandering to special interest groups that takes place today in multicultural Canada. Despite the repeated default phrase that “diversity is our strength,” there are no “diversity groups” raising awareness — in Canada’s open-door, multicultural country — about the mores and cultural beliefs of many of the people who have come into the country, and of the places they have come from. For instance, it isn’t welcome to discuss the indoctrination that enables the indignity and suffering of black people who are enduring slavery in Mauritania, Algeria, Sudan, and elsewhere, nor the horrors of the genocide of Christians in Africa and the Middle East. There is no collective campaigning for the women who are incarcerated in Saudi Arabia and Iran for speaking up for human rights, or for the gays being flogged, jailed and murdered in Iran and elsewhere. Those who ascribe to identity politics are not actually speaking up for diversity. They are advancing special interests.
Muslim Brotherood operatives have worked their way into the leftist-dominated “anti-racism” industry while deflecting atrocious human rights abuses that are committed in the name of Islam. They brand truth about Islamic supremacism and the jihad “Islamophobic,” while they implement their agenda one community at a time.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims, not surprisingly, fired a letter off to the York Regional District School Board supporting the renaming of Vaughan secondary school to Hodan Nalayeh. “This will be the first high school in the board to be named after a person of colour.”
Aside from the question of whether the school’s name needed to be changed at all, if the school had to be renamed, a person from any visible minority group could have been a candidate, from the Sikh and Buddhist to the Hindu and Jain communities. Why are name changes such as this one usually pushed by Muslim lobbies with historic or current Muslim Brotherhood links? There are hardworking movers and shakers within any community who deserve an honor of this kind, if one looks beyond identity politics. Why the persistent focus on one community only? It remains Islamic lobbies with a questionable history that push themselves to the head of the queue in the pursuit of so called “anti-racism.” They ironically do it at the cost of the “diversity, tolerance and inclusiveness” that they boast of espousing. They do exactly the opposite. If anyone objects, they claim “Islamophobia.”
Sherman had made a motion “to name the school after anti-slavery activist Mary Ann Shadd.” Shadd would have been a good choice, particularly considering that black slavery is still alive and well in many Muslim countries, long after repentance from Western countries that have now descended into groveling.
“A Vaughan high school will be renamed Hodan Nalayeh Secondary School after months of controversy,” by Olivia Bowden, Toronto Star, March 2, 2021:
A high school that Black community organizations campaigned to have renamed in Vaughan will now be named after Hodan Nalayeh, a Somali-Canadian journalist from the area.
All but two trustees in the York Region District School Board voted in favour of finalizing a motion that was ushered in at a meeting last week, to name the school after Nalayeh. Ten in total supported Nalayeh’s name.
“It is with a heavy heart and with a deep sense of gratitude that we accept the community’s recommendation … to rename the school in question with Hodan’s name,” said a statement that Nalayeh’s family sent to the Star, via Sahra Nalayeh, Hodan’s sister.
Hodan Nalayeh believed that education teaches you how to defend your rights and have compassion for others, which is why she advocated for continuously learning, they said….
Nalayeh was known for telling uplifting stories about the Somali diaspora in the region and providing a voice for youth and women. She had launched her own TV show in Toronto on OMNI TV before her death in 2019.
Trustee Bob McRoberts said at the meeting Tuesday night that “the sole reason for renaming is because of the Black community in Vaughan.
“I believe the name should be the one that most of the Black community and many others have asked for.”
But the renaming process has been mired in debate and criticism after the trustee tasked with leading the process — David Sherman, who represents wards in Markham and Vaughan — questioned the validity of a community survey that he designed.
Sherman said at the meeting that the other trustees are not considering the voices of students and parents.
“We even specified Vaughan in our communication and yet trustees continue to point to participants of the town hall … who have never stepped foot in the school,” he said.
Trustee Elizabeth Sinclair, who has stated that the renaming process has been harmful to the Black community, said the “extensive survey and town hall meeting” were designed by Sherman and the result of those consultations clearly showed Nalayeh was favoured.
This will be the first high school in the board to be named after a person of colour.
Sherman has alleged publicly, and in past statements to the Star, that “certain communities” gave Nalayeh’s name an unfair boost in the survey by encouraging those outside the country to submit her name. He did not respond to the Star’s request for comment this week…
In the weeks since Sherman’s comments about his survey, organizations like the National Council of Canadian Muslims have encouraged Canadians to send letters of support to the board in favour of Nalayeh.
Last week at a property management committee meeting, the other seven trustees in attendance opposed Sherman’s motion to name the school after anti-slavery activist Mary Ann Shadd, as they said the community had clearly picked Nalayeh as their top choice….
Robert McCormack says
Typical idiots following pressure from muslims- all part of the destruction of western nations and Christianity. No doubt your Muslim loving idiot PM had a voice in the decision. The West is finished.
mortimer says
Jihadi Justin is in bed with the Muslim Brotherhood, a terrorist organization.
Terry Gain says
Trudeau is no different than most western leaders who lack the knowledge to understand that Islam is a conquest ideology and the willingness to learn by studying Islamic doctrine and history or even observing what is happening in western countries.
mortimer says
Jihadi Justin’s responsibilities were removed from him, so he is now a mere figurehead, exactly the same case as Beijing Quid-Pro-Joe Bribeden.
The real prime minister of Canada is Freeland, a GEORGE SOROS acolyte. The real US president is Nancy “Rîp-Up-the-Constitution” Pelosi.
Mount Zion says
I don’t know if Trudeau lacks knowledge about Islam . There are some who claim he is a muslim himself just like Obama .
E T says
I do not believe he is THAT stupid Terry, he is not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but that stupid, NO. Thomas Quiggin has been shut up by Justine and company.
Rob Porter says
Mortimer – lets not forget that this flake Muslim reporter, Hodan Nalayeh, returned to Somalia to show Canadians what a wondrous, peaceful and civilized society is that of Somalia – and then with others was killed by Muslims.
gravenimage says
All true.
Bernard Fried says
This is an imposed done deal on the Thornhill Vaughan Community that had almost no say on the school naming. I live in walking distance of the school. No one asked for my comments or opinions or even let me know there was an opportunity to comment/choose. The area where the school is located is heavily Jewish and the name chosen does not represent the wishes of the community if a Poll was done today! This naming has not been done with full transparency in its methodology and has allowed for votes from outside the Community to be counted.
Rob Porter says
Bernard Fried – Very revealing and disgraceful circumstances, not least this city council allowing votes from outside the community. No doubt Muslims requested this, the spineless city council rolled over and played dead, whereupon the Muslims spread the word far and wide. Today I marvel at the thorough gutlessness of Canadians and thus their lack of determination to prevent Muslims from imposing their ways and beliefs. I well remember the Islamic mega-complex demands and opposition, but don’t recall the final outcome. No doubt much of this is intended make life disagreeable for Jews. They need to fight back. Evident is that Muslims in your area are tireless in their Islamization efforts and need to be stopped. Imagine the outcry if Jews had tried this latest stunt – over which Muslims are now gloating! In Peel I’ve challenged the disgraceful district school board and had a little success. They had an Islamic Heritage Month, but no heritage month for any other religious group, so I asked when there’d be a Christian Heritage Month, vigorously pointed out Canada’s Judaeo-Christian heritage. Schools of Peel District School Board got a Christian Heritage Month. A small victory, but worthwhile.
gravenimage says
Thanks for that background, Bernard.
E T says
“The movie’s over, it’s 4 o’clock and we’re in trouble deep.”
Rob Porter says
Robert McCormack – this is a particularly well-written article that highlights the disgusting things happening in Canada. Consider this,”Some of the York Region school trustees may have preferred to keep the “Vaughan Secondary School” name, but felt intimidated because they were uncomfortable with the thought of being perceived “racist” or “xenophobic.” More fool they! If they possessed deep convictions they would not have allowed themselves to be “intimidated” by false perceptions of ‘racism’ and ‘ex xenophobia’. The fact is, during my last 33 years in Canada I have seen that among Canadians the lack of conviction and lack of willingness to fight for things, is losing Canadians their country. The willingness to keel over and play dead is terrible.
Whatever the trash that is their Islamic beliefs, Muslims have convictions, are determined to impose Islam and Muslim ways. They will win almost time against Canadian spineless mush.
Cowardice stemming from belief in nothing, acceptance of multicultural nonsense, that of ‘diversity’, ‘acceptance’ (of just about everything) and the disgusting rubbish that is political correctness, is destroying Western civilization. Having a disgusting imbecile for a leader compounds the problem for Canada.
toomanyhobbies says
let me guess DTU dog Turd U…
mortimer says
Was Hodan Nalayeh another Walter Cronkite? A Joseph Pulitzer? Was she another Barbara Walters? Another Edward R. Murrow or H.L.Mencken? She was not. She was someone who went to the wrong place at the wrong time. That is not a great reason to name a school after her. If the black citizens of Vaughan want a black hero, Ontario has some greater role models: Lt.Gov.Lincoln Alexander, Rev. Josiah Henson or Underground Railway leader James Wesley Hill or Elijah ‘Real’ McCoy whose revolutionary oil-drip cup invention for steam locomotives was patented in 1872.. They did more than just die; they lived very useful and influential lives. That should be the message of education … prepare yourself to live and make a contribution.
gravenimage says
Thanks for that list of Black achievers in Vaughan, Mortimer.
Justis says
Liberal elitist could care less about history and facts, when you’re in bed with Islamist organization, you have an agenda and ideology to follow. Disgusting.
Janet Tanner-Tremaine says
Well said; all worthy icons to have schools named after them. There are plenty of wonderful American people after whom the school could have been named. A gentle, wise man with fine credentials is Professor Thomas Sowell. As an English UK resident of 1820 Settler ancestry, and may I add, white Christian, I admire Professor Sowell and I am sure many on here would as well. He is of course a Black man but does not let colour intervene in his thinking – an unusual quality these days. Ultimately, the decision should be down to the community in which the school is situated and not imposed on them by a religious cult without any significant ties to the school.
It seems ironic to me that this “shouty” Muslim Organisation wants to name the school after the victim who was killed by Muslims – and I wonder if AOC and her cronies had anything to do with bringing pressure on the school and school board?
Terry Gain says
NCCM has proven links to history’s most famous, outrageous and vile Muslim terrorist. His name is Muhammad. He created a conquest ideology and advanced it very successfully by falsely claiming that it is a religion.
People who claim to oppose the advance of this conquest ideology give it cover by accepting that it is a religion inspite of the fact that it denies the first requirement of any religion worthy of the name, namely freedom of conscience.
mortimer says
NCCM answers to CAIR which answers to Hamas which answers to the Muslim Brotherhood.
mortimer says
Apparently, Hodan Nalayeh saw herself as ‘a story-teller’ even though that is not the job description of a journalist. A journalist reports the real news without embellishing it or telling the audience what to think. She thought that her job was to ‘highlight the community’s positive stories and contributions in Canada,’
In other words, Nalayeh saw her job as a salesperson for Somalis in Canada. That is not what real journalists do. They report the good, the bad and the ugly equally. A journalist should not become a propagandist.
gravenimage says
Yep.
PRCS says
“Those who ascribe to identity politics are not actually speaking up for diversity. They are advancing special interests.”
“There are few limits to the pandering to special interest groups that takes place today in multicultural Canada.”
Both are true, and not just in Canada.
Re: identity politics–a relevant article:
Once again, CAIR shows that Islamism and civil rights don’t mix
https://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/civil-rights/328873-once-again-cair-shows-that-islamism-and-civil-rights-dont-mix?rl=1
Orville P Phisnarous says
This is a demonstration of how ‘cowardly’ our government has become along with school boards, trustees and corporations who pander to Muslims. When Justin Trudeau stated on national tv that ‘Canada is the first post nationalist country that has no ‘core’ culture there wasn’t a ripple of descent in Canada. Now we have Muslims who are trying to make themselves a ‘part of Canada’s history’ Nothing could be further from the truth. Some pandering PM in Ontario advocated October as ‘Muslim’ month to celebrate their contribution to Canada’s history, again nothing could be further from the truth. Muslims are here for one reason only and that is to dominate Canada and make it a Islamic state. So, with that said how do Canadians reverse the trend? Well, for my part I have joined in a educational programme that debunks every false narrative these Islamic groups preach. I do not want my young family to ask me in ten years ‘why did you allow this to happen’?
Those who truly care about North America and the West at large should look in the mirror, ‘we’ are the only people who can save our beautiful continent.
*BTW I had the opportunity to speak with several Muslim clerics and they made it clear “There is no such thing as a ‘Moderate’ Muslim” They are either Muslims who follow the Koran literally, or they are NOT Muslims. So, the next time a Muslim tells you they are a ‘moderate’ don’t argue, just walk away. If they say they are your friend it isn’t true they are only ‘friendly’ and if Muslims grow to dominate a country, you will be denigrated to a second class person…Time is against us, Muslims are breeding faster then local populations and if Trudeau has his way Muslims will achieve their goal of population jihad.
somehistory says
“intimidation,”….what gang members do to small business owners. They “intimidate” by words and when words don’t get them what they want, the gang engages in vandalism and when that doesn’t work, the members of the gang threaten the business owners with broken legs, arson, etc.
This is known in the legal community as **extortion.**
Extortion is one of the crimes committed by the mafia, cosa nostra, Aryan Brotherhood, and can be charged with a violation of RICO in the U.S.
In Egypt, the mb…which spawned cair, all branches of the slime org…was a banned organization before ‘o’ went and gave his speech to the mo slum world and insisted that the mb be given front row seats to listen to him brag about their filthy belief system. The mb was then, with the face of morsi, helped to gain power in Egypt…and one of the tactics they used was “extortion,” with kidnapping, injurious attacks that left people hurt or dead, raping children, etc,.
When cair…or its sister org in Canada pushes its agenda…it is a **threat** to the safety of others and should be prosecuted as a crime of extortion.
Richard I Ellis says
DESICRATING THE GOOD NAME OF THIS SCHOOL WITH A ” MUZZY C A I R RAT’S NAME???? SIC, SIC, SIC FOR SURE! MY DAD WAS BORN NEAR OTTAWA IN 1897 AND SURELY IS TURNING IN HIS GRAVE OVER THIS FARCE!
THX 1138 says
A black Muslim is killed by other black Muslims in a black Muslim country in the name of Islam but a white Christian country is obligated to rename a school after the black Muslim?
gravenimage says
Canada: High school renamed after Muslim journalist after pressure from National Council of Canadian Muslims
…………………
Hodan Nalayeh was a victim of her her pious coreligionists–she had left civilized Canada and moved back to Somalia.
I am terribly sorry she was killed, but she regularly whitewashed the culture that killed her. She said, “This is why our culture is beautiful…we value kindness”.
I can think of few places where this applies less than in piracy state Somalia.
European pagan says
Hijab & makeup. Nice lipstick
John says
A moslem killed by her own Ideology , and to name a school in a non moslem nation after her is absurd. Canada is Screwed.
Giacomo Latta says
I’m surprised that there are not more of the innumerable ”communities” we have also wishing to have the school named after a person, real or imagined, or entity that has never set foot in Canada or has never done to improve the country. My solution would be to place an advertising trailer directly in front of the school and to change the name daily to appease all the whiners.
E T says
Islamists believe they have the right and the obligation to force their beliefs on all of us. They will continue to demand, demand, demand and foolish leaders like Justine Trudeau will continue to appease them and by doing so is putting Canadian lives at risk.
Amazing that CBC now has a prime time show about a Muslim woman.
Shari’ah, Shari’ah, Shari’ah. Sex with a nine year old is not normal, in fact it is sexual assault. Muta marriages are NOT legal in Canada.
Yusuf Qaradawi, International Union of Muslim Scholars:
“Conquest through dawah, that is what we hope for. We will conquer Europe, we will conquer America!
Not through the sword but through dawah.”
Dr.El-Tantawi Attia, Executive Director, Dundas Street Mosque, Muslim Association of Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
“Here we follow the teachings of the Muslim Brotherhood.”
Where is the outrage? Islamophobia, you are damn right. what you don’t know, will kill you.