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Younus Kathrada
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Sheikh Younus Kathrada (born 1964) is a South-African born Canadian Imam, Islamic Studies teacher, community and youth activist, counsellor, chaplain, and public speaker. He has spent over 16 years intensely involved in the Muslim community of the Island Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Early Life and Education Born in Verulam, South Africa, Younus Kathrada moved with his family at the age of eight to Toronto, Canada. Over the next several years, he and his family lived in Chilliwack, Ottawa, and Victoria. An honour student in high school, Kathrada grew up as a "typical Canadian kid" who was involved in sports inside and outside of school and worked in retail. After graduating, he worked in retail and enrolled at Carlton University to study engineering before leaving to spend a year in Jalalabad, India. He was then accepted at the Islamic University of Madinah in Saudi Arabia. In 1987 he began his first year there, graduating in 1994 with his Bachelor's degree in Da'wah and Usool al-Deen. Career In 1994, Kathrada moved back to Victoria, B.C. with his wife and two young children. There, he became active in the fledgling Muslim community, leading prayer services, religious workshops, and Islamic classes for children. In addition, he actively fundraised to purchase property for the first mosque on the Island - Masjid al-Iman. At the same time, he was the Muslim chaplain at the University of Victoria. It was then that he also began offering counselling services to family and youth, as well as making presentations at public schools. In 1997, he accepted a job as an Islamic Studies teacher at the British Columbia Muslim School at both an elementary and secondary level. He continued to give Friday sermons and weekly Islamic lessons at different Islamic centres around the Lower Mainland, on a volunteer basis. In 1998, he then accepted the position of Director and Imam of the Dar al-Madinah Islamic Society in Vancouver. Although the centre began in a small office above a factory in Downtown Vancouver, under his direction and leadership it expanded and moved first to Fraser Street, then Victoria Drive. Featuring the only full Islamic library with audio and visual materials in English, Arabic and several other languages, the Dar also held Friday prayers and weekly lectures open to the public. Kathrada worked intensely with family and youth, giving regular presentations and programs and organizing social events to bring together Muslim families. Kathrada was also part of the Muslim Youth Helpline project. Beginning as a local initiative, it took off and Kathrada received calls from locations around the world. Kathrada continued volunteering his services to federal and provincial correctional facilities, and hospitals, as a Muslim chaplain. After a decade in Vancouver, Kathrada moved back once again to Victoria. There, he founded the Al-Madinah Islamic Academy, where he taught Islamic Studies classes for children. In 2007, he became volunteer Imam of Masjid al-Iman, where he continued his weekly Islamic lessons for the community. He was again appointed volunteer Muslim chaplain at the University of Victoria, as well as local hospitals and prisons. In February 2010, he moved to Malaysia and is now Vice-Principal, Islamic Studies, Qur'an, and Arabic Language teacher at the At-Tamimi International Islamic School in Subang Jaya, Malaysia. Controversy Younus Kathrada's name has risen to the surface in local and national media several times over the course of his career. In March 2003, Sheikh Younus Kathrada’s name first appeared in the Richmond News and Review. The article referred to him as a main character in a local incident, responsible for turning in a bag of over $7, 000 worth of cash lost by a local golf course to the police, discovered by a Muslim man who desired to remain anonymous. In October 2004, his name came to light after it was reported that Rudwan Khalil AbuBakr, a young Muslim man who used to frequent the Dar al-Madinah Islamic Society, was reportedly killed in Chechnya by Russian forces. Thereafter, allegations of hate speech against Jews arose, based on audio clips from a lecture given at Dar al-Madinah. Accused of making anti-Semitic statements, Kathrada vehemently denied the claims. Although the RCMP opened an investigation, no charges were laid. However, both media and the public continued to unfairly and unjustly vilify Kathrada. The investigation remains open with no new leads. In August 2005, Kathrada was involved in the discovery of a weapons cache. Acting on a tip from Kathrada, the Richmond RCMP, on behalf of INSET (the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team), raided the home of Jeffrey Chung-Ping Chen, 28. They discovered a collection of weapons, including a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, a U.S. M-1 gauge rifle, a M-1 carbine module rifle with a scope, a Winchester magnum, rifle shells, two ammunition belts, five rifle cartridges, a 15-inch dagger and two 14-inch daggers and 50 rounds of ammunition, hidden under Mr. Chen's bed. Kathrada had received disturbing messages from Chen, who claimed that he was willing to fight overseas at Kathrada's behest. Concerned about national security, Kathrada reported the messages to the RCMP, which led to the raid. Oddly, however, no charges were laid against Chen and the mainstream media elected to ignore Kathrada's actions, which flew against earlier claims that he was involved in recruiting fighters to send overseas. It is strongly suspected that Chen was a plant used by the RCMP and INSET to attempt trapping Kathrada. Response to Allegations In the wake of the media flurry, Kathrada issued a response, originally posted on Dar al-Madinah's website (now removed). The full text, reproduced on a forum, is as follows: Sh. Younus Kathrada’s Response to Allegations The media has recently played and quoted statements made by me in several lectures delivered at Dar Al-Madinah Islamic Society. In order to produce a sensational story, I was quoted out of context and thus many allegations have been brought against me. Among those allegations is that I call for the killing of Jews, that I promote anti-Semitism and hatred towards Jews in general and promote jihad (fighting for the sake of spreading religion). Because my comments were taken completely out of context, one may believe these allegations. However, I would like to clarify some of what has been said. * On the issue of promoting anti-Semitism and hatred towards Jews as an entire nation/people, then this is false. Anti-Semitism is actually anti-Islamic as it is a form of racism. My understanding of anti-Semitism is that it is the condemnation and hatred of a people because of their Semitic race. This is bigotry and racism and Islam considers it completely unacceptable. Therefore, I as a Muslim, also deem such a matter to be absolutely repulsive and have no tolerance towards it. References to Jews in any of my lectures have always been linked to the Palestinian issue and the Al-Aqsa mosque. Any name-calling has been aimed at those perpetrating crimes and acts of terrorism and showing open aggression towards Muslims. We do not perceive the entire Jewish population as having these traits or qualities. It is not our belief that Jews are sub-human. Rather, I believe that they, and all other peoples of the world, are undoubtedly human beings and the progeny of Adam. I also believe that some human beings may behave like animals on occasion. That does not make them sub-human, no matter who they may be. * As to the promoting of Jihad (fighting for the sake of spreading religion), then one has to understand this concept very clearly. It is a matter I have spoken of often and never have I implied that we must constantly battle others. With respect to self-defense, then I do believe that a people who are being persecuted and whose lands are being occupied have a right to defend themselves. I also believe that there are rules of engagement which must be adhered to. Islam is very clear on that. Furthermore, with respect to offensive jihad, then I made it clear, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that many conditions must be met before this is permissible. I have also stated in no uncertain terms that it is not for me or any other average person to make declarations of war. Rather, this must be done by the leaders and people of understanding and knowledge. This type of jihad is similar to what the West does in trying to spread Democracy throughout the world. Once again, I stress that I have not called for anyone to take up arms and kill or carry out acts of violence. Any references pertaining to the virtues of jihad and/or martyrdom refer to those on the battlefield who are fighting upon truth. The soldiers of armies, irrespective of who they are, are normally referred to by their people as heroes or even martyrs. My statements are no different from theirs. Such people are looked upon as courageous and possessing honour. It appears to me that this is a very common belief amongst people in general. * On the matter of refusing to build bridges and heeding calls towards peace: I do believe that dialogue amongst people of different faiths and beliefs is healthy and beneficial. I am however opposed to any one group forcing their beliefs onto others. We may share our commonalities and differences so we have a better understanding of one another, however, I do not believe it is correct nor reasonable to expect others to accept, adopt and approve of any particular set of beliefs. When I state that there is a group of people with whom there is no peace and that they only understand the language of the sword (i.e. fighting), then this also is mentioned in the context of a specific group of people who have shown over and over an unwillingness to reach fair agreements. I did not imply that the Jews as an entire nation/people are that way. * As to promoting the killing of Jews, then this type of preaching has never come from me. Quite to the contrary, I have repeatedly addressed my audiences by telling them that we do not invite towards nor incite violence and that we in no way agree with anyone carrying out acts of terrorism. For the most part, the media has failed to mention this, although it is clearly found on recorded lectures. My position remains the same. I do not call for violence against any group of people, irrespective of their race, religion, colour or creed. Any comments pertaining to fighting and or killing refer to a situation where one may be on the battleground. With regards to an apparent statement made by me (and reported by the Globe and Mail as being the word of the Prophet Muhammad-may peace and blessings be upon him) then this statement has been taken completely out of context. In reality, I was relating a prophecy, an event that the Prophet informed of that will take place near the end of time. In it, it is stated that in a battle that will ensue between the Jews (obviously not all, but a group of them) and the Muslims, even the stone and the tree will assist the Muslim by calling him and informing of a Jew hiding behind it. The text states that the tree and the stone will call out “O Muslim, O slave of Allaah, verily there is a Jew behind me, so come and kill him”. Neither the Prophet nor I have said that we should indiscriminately kill Jews (or anyone else for that matter). So what was being related is a religious text, a prophecy. Muslims are not the only ones to have prophecies. In order for one to correctly understand my views on these very sensitive issues, they must know in what context statements have been made and what I have been calling and inviting to on a regular basis. Comments which appear to be inflammatory and offensive have been made in reaction to certain world events. However, it is a regular practice of mine to urge Muslims towards following the basic tenets of their faith. I continuously call towards offering prayers regularly and giving charity and showing compassion towards others. The vast majority of my time is spent in “charitable” work; collecting food and delivering it to the homes of the needy (on whatever small scale that may be), reconciling differences between spouses, parents and children, collecting clothing for the needy, offering a shoulder to lean on for people who are depressed or going through difficult times, visiting the ill in the hospitals, assisting in funeral arrangements, teaching people to read, assisting people who desperately need loans by hooking them up with individuals who give interest-free loans and so on. These are the types of activities that are dearest to me and, by the Grace of God, many can testify to that. I personally am ashamed to mention these activities of mine as I do them not for show, but rather because I believe from the bottom of my heart that these are obligations I have towards my community. Neither praise nor reward do I ask for or expect from the people. I only hope that God would reward me for these deeds if I carry them out sincerely. The only reason I have mentioned them here is to show that I am not the demon the media is trying to make me out to be. These are perhaps some of the saddest moments of my life that I am presently going through. I am not a conspiracy theorist, and therefore, will first take responsibility for any wrong I may have done; a poor choice of words on occasion and not repeating each and every time I spoke what I meant exactly. At the same time, I must express my disappointment in the media for their irresponsible reporting. It is not new to me, and it has now become more clear than ever that the media are in the habit of cutting and pasting the words of the people in order to sell a story. I can only hope that this trend will change. Finally, many people have written to me and expressed their feelings towards what they have heard. Some of that mail is filled with hate, however, looking at the way this story has been reported I can see why that is the case. Should religious leaders of any faith group wish to meet with me and have meaningful dialogue, it is well known that my doors and heart are wide open. Contrary to what the media has tried to portray, I am not a violent nor hateful person. I may have beliefs which others do not agree with, but then again, as humans, it is our nature to differ on many matters. Please understand that I do not call for the genocide of any people, nor do I preach “hatred”. The only hatred/dislike I have is not for people, but rather, perhaps for some of their actions and beliefs which I see as false. There is a big difference between the two. Younus I Kathrada Lectures Sheikh Younus Kathrada's lectures and writings can be found at his website, http://www.almadinahacademy.com He covers a variety of topics from Tafseer (explanation of the Qur'an), to Seerah (biography of the Prophet Muhammad), and miscellaneous subjects. See Also
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