Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I agree with supporting the human rights voices and activists, and targeting explicit sanctions on those who are violating human rights. I've been at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. They will not do anything. It is up to us as country, Canada, to show an example.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Absolutely, yes. I definitely agree with everything that Professor Akhavan has said. I believe that the money-laundering aspect is very important, because it feeds the extremism that we are seeing and it feeds into institutions, organizations and mosques that are run by the regime.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Thank you. This week marks the seventh annual Iran Accountability Week held in Ottawa. I would like to thank Canada's former minister of justice, the Honourable Irwin Cotler, and all the MPs who have organized and supported these efforts. Over the last seven years, parliamentary committees have heard a great deal of testimony from victims of the Iranian regime.

Canadian Heritage committee  I do believe that this is a problem. It gives the impression that Canadians are inherently extremely racist people and, as far as the usage of the term “Islamophobia”, that Muslims are being stoned in the streets of Toronto and there is systemic racism. Racism exists—I have said that from the very beginning—in varying forms and at various levels.

Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you.

Canadian Heritage committee  Absolutely it did. They would like us to do more. We are just stretched too thin.

Canadian Heritage committee  Public service messaging is a great idea. It happens in many countries. I've seen it in Europe and in the United Kingdom. This is public service messaging, in various languages, that speaks about tolerance and understanding and diversity. We already have a thriving acceptance of diversity in this country.

Canadian Heritage committee  I have, many times. They hate my guts.

Canadian Heritage committee  I think any kind of racial discrimination needs to be discussed at the level at which it's happening, with the forces that are doing it. They need to have a better understanding. I believe that the Canadian law enforcement agencies are really handicapped, because they are dealing with such diverse communities but don't really have the in-depth knowledge.

Canadian Heritage committee  We've provided training on the diversity of the Muslim communities, a better understanding of the culture, of the ethnicity, and of how to deal with them when it comes to issues of law enforcement.

Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. If I were allowed to ask a question, I guess what I would say is, what is the point, then, of bringing people in for testimony if it has already been accepted and agreed upon? You are going to go ahead with the study. As a Canadian citizen, I am here because I am concerned about the long-term ramifications of this motion.

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes—more. I date myself, but at least three decades.

Canadian Heritage committee  I have given advice to the Swedish government. I have spoken to the British Parliament. I have spoken in the United States, and here in Canada as well. Of course, electronically, I have given advice to government people in other European countries as well.

Canadian Heritage committee  First of all, the meaning is vague. Second, as I have mentioned, the term “Islamophobia” was coined after 9/11—you don't have to take my word for it; it's all electronically available—by an operative of the Muslim Brotherhood, who actually said, and is quoted as having said, that they would throw this term out there so that there is no questioning, criticism, or any kind of discussion about Islam and Muslims.

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes, debate is a healthy thing, especially in the climate we are living in today, as far as Muslims are concerned. The term “Islamophobia” obviously deals with Muslims. We are living in very turbulent times, when there needs to be discussion and debate, which is where the Muslim community is coming into the picture as well.