On March 22, 2023, The duty published a letter from Fatima Aboubakr criticizing an organization and one of its administrators. Although the article does not mention names, anyone who has been involved with this organization, interacted with it, or witnessed its activities knows that the organization in question is Ensaneyoun NA (NA for North America). and that the person in question is myself. Ensaneyoun translates as “The humanists”, but the term does not have quite the same connotations as in French.
As Ensaneyoun is a small, relatively new organization focused on intellectual and political debates, the details of this confrontation are probably not of interest to the readership of the Duty. But what is important are the – false – accusations that some “Islamists” within it have an agenda and are implementing it in covert ways, a valid concern, and not uncommon among those who are worried about the future of Quebec.
Ensaneyoun was created with clear objectives: to be a cultural and intellectual organization with no religious or political ties or affiliations, which promotes the discussion of controversial issues with respect; offer people from the Arab region a representation other than that of typical religious groups.
Mme Aboubakr was a founding member of Ensaneyoun and left it, she writes, because she no longer found “anything humanist or secular”. She says the organization is in a difficult situation, particularly because members have different expectations. I agree with that, and it was one of the reasons, among others, that led me to leave my position as a member of the board of directors, then, more recently, to leave the organization which I co-founded.
Debates on religions, secularism, secularism and Islamophobia are part of the objectives of the organization, and the divergences and confrontation of ideas are completely legitimate. The opinions of M.me Aboubakr are legitimate, they must be listened to and debated, and they have been. But the debates must be conducted with a minimum of ethics.
Facilitate dialogue
I believe it is important to listen to all people in order to give them the opportunity to change their ideas, if they wish. Ensaneyoun was created to facilitate dialogue, help people from all walks of life, and create places where everyone can express their opinions and ideas and challenge the norms that are often difficult to challenge within Arabic-speaking communities.
I refute the reading made by Mme Aboubakr for my interventions; I never used this forum to demonize Quebec and I never said that one of the speakers should not have qualified Daesh as a terrorist organization. She claims that I reacted violently to prevent the broadcast of a video recording of a webinar during which these statements were made. However, this video was published just after the event and it is still available.
My plea for openness and exchange guides the work of a lifetime: countering fundamentalism and the dogmas that drive young people towards terrorist ideologies.
It is true that I do not agree with M.me Aboubakr on Bill 21, and I have my opinions on that. It’s no secret that I criticize certain Quebec policies and that I support the appointment of Mr.me Elghawaby. But I’ve always been respectful of Mme Aboubakr and his opinions, both in public and in private. I even made an important compromise once, when we were going to a social event together and she asked me to take off my “No to Law 21” button, which I’ve worn for years. I did, out of courtesy to her.
I believe in the right to peacefully and respectfully support or oppose any belief, law or opinion. I believe that the divisive and stigmatizing attitudes of Mme Aboubakr and some other members reduced the possibility of creating a climate of fruitful debates.
I still believe in creating spaces where people can frankly and openly discuss sensitive issues, whether they agree or disagree. A space that opens to everyone, including myself, the possibility of changing perspective or completely changing opinion, as long as this search for new ways of living together is done serenely.