BC imam condemned by politicians, Jewish groups for ‘reprehensible’ rhetoric

A Port Coquitlam imam is facing condemnation by Mayor Brad West, Deputy Premier Mike Farnworth, and numerous Jewish organizations for statements he made during a sermon at the Al Hidiyah Mosque on Friday, Aug. 2.

West, B’nai Brith Canada, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, and other groups have broadly described the statements made by Imam Adnan Abyat as hateful and inciting violence, and called for an RCMP investigation.

“This sort of vile hatred and call for violence and death should never be welcomed in our country, and it sure as hell isn’t welcome in Port Coquitlam,” West wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “I implore the relevant authorities to investigate and take action.”

Abyat’s sermon, spoken partially in English and partially in Arabic, was streamed live on Youtube by the Al Hidiyah Mosque, which is run by the Islamic Society of British Columbia (ISBC).

While speaking on the Israeli-Gaza conflict, Abyat encouraged the concepts of Jihad and martyrdom, described Hamas leaders killed by Israeli forces as martyrs, and prayed for Allah to curse Jewish, Christian, Muslim and atheist supporters of the “killing machine of the Zionists.”

“Oh Allah, act with cruelty against (the Palestinians’) enemies – the Jews, plundering Zionists and those who aid them,” Abyat said. “Oh Allah annihilate the hypocrites of the Islamic nation. Oh Allah, count them, kill them one by one, and do not leave a single one of them.”

B’nai Brith Canada said Abyat’s rhetoric was “highly inflammatory and dangerous,” and promoted hatred and violence against Jews and Christians.

“Imam Abyat glorified martyrdom through violence, made hateful accusations, and called for the annihilation of Jews and Christians,” B’nai Brith Canada wrote in a statement on X. “This kind of hate speech and incitement is unacceptable and has no place in our society.”

Farnworth, who is the MLA for Port Coquitlam, also acknowledge the video which he described as a “call to violence.”

There is a video from POCO circulating that spreads hatred through calls for violence. This is reprehensible. To be clear – there is no place for antisemitism or hatred of any kind in BC.

The RCMP have advised they are investigating, as they should for any calls for violence.

— Mike Farnworth (@mikefarnworthbc) August 8, 2024

“This is reprehensible. To be clear – there is no place for antisemitism or hatred of any kind in BC,” Farnworth said on X.

The Dispatch reached out to the ISBC inquiring into Abyat’s statements, but did not receive a response by deadline.

Coquitlam RCMP confirmed they are investigating the incident, and asked for public patience as they work to establish the facts.

“Coquitlam RCMP is aware of a video posted on social media and have heard the concerns from the community,” said Cpl. Alexa Hodgins, media officer with the detachment. “We are asking anyone with information to contact the Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550.”