Foreign Affairs committee  Afshin‑Jam, in your presentation, you were careful to distinguish between the Iranian army, or armed forces, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. You said that one function of the Iranian army was to, quote unquote, protect the public. You also told us that Ayatollah Khomeini created the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to counterbalance the army and prevent it from carrying out a potential coup d'état.

Foreign Affairs committee  I would like to thank you for providing me this opportunity to deliver remarks regarding the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, or IRGC, and the current human rights situation in Iran. In my brief remarks, I would like to share my perspective and concerns and offer some recommendations.

Justice committee  Yes, I got the question. As Dr. Islam mentioned, I'm not too sure what criticizing theology has to do with hate, but you've heard us testify about the rise of Islamophobia. We've told you about our loss of life—Dr. Islam's family—Omar almost getting killed by a truck and the risk to us.

Justice committee  Let's also go to Dr. Islam, Mr. Nalir and Ms. Shilbayeh. Dr. Islam, very briefly, has Islamophobia multiplied in the last seven months, in your opinion?

Justice committee  Even the word “Islamophobia” is hard to define and is much harder to define than “anti-Semitism”. People are confused and wonder if not liking Islam as a theology makes one an Islamophobe. That's not true. The word is difficult to define. I think it would be clearer if we used the words “anti-Muslim hatred” when it's a more appropriate term to use.

Justice committee  As Dr. Islam mentioned, when people look different, naturally there's ignorance. However, when that's addressed, not just among the common people but by people in power, I think it gives strength and makes it okay to talk about Islam.

Justice committee  There is no lack of evidence. There is no lack of incidents happening. I think there's a lack of action. Dr. Islam, you've mentioned a few things. You said that the government message is not efficient. You believe that there are still things not being acted upon as far as how to tackle and deal with this issue goes.

Justice committee  Thank you, Mr. Islam. I don't mean to be rude, but my time is running out fast. I only have a minute left, and I'd like to ask Mr. Babili the same question. Mr. Babili, in your opinion, could anything be done to improve the situation for both the Jewish and Islamic communities?

Justice committee  Thank you. My next question is for Ali Islam. Mr. Islam, first of all, I'm so sorry for the loss of your family members in an Islamophobic act of terrorism. Do you feel that justice was served through the court process, or do you feel that the same environment of hate and Islamophobia that led to this tragic act of terror still exists in Canada today?

Justice committee  I want to share our community's experience with Islamophobia and hate-motivated violence targeting our places of worship. I'm the general manager at the Toronto Islamic Centre and Community Services, the first and only mosque on Yonge Street and the only mosque in the University—Rosedale riding. On October 10, 2020, our mosque received a threatening email from an individual claiming to be associated with the Jewish Defense League, or JDL, an organization listed as terrorist by the FBI.

Justice committee  First, we welcome Omar Babili, a student who is testifying as an individual. We have Ali Islam, who is also here as an individual. We also have with us Mr. Shaffni Nalir, who is the executive director of the Islamic Centre and Community Services of Toronto. Finally, representing Youth Coalition Combating Islamophobia, we have Maryam Al-Sabawi, Dareen Shilbayeh and Hamza Omer.

Justice committee  The destruction of our Islamic centre was a stark reminder of the hatred and bigotry that exists in our society. Following this incident, my family suggested that I leave the United States due to concerns for my safety.

Foreign Affairs committee  A distinction is made between reformers, conservatives and ultraconservatives, but in the end, none of these trends challenge the system or the Islamic Republic of Iran. This is why the regime's legitimacy will continue to erode. The Iranian population wants definitive change, i.e., they don't want to move from a conservative government to an ultraconservative one, or even to a reformist one.

Foreign Affairs committee  Welcome back, members. We will resume our hearing on the situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran. We now have a new panel. We're very grateful to have here with us three experts who have been working very hard over the course of the past two years. Here in person we have Dr.

Foreign Affairs committee  That investigative piece found that there were 700 Islamic regime affiliates here, so of course they're among us, but we have to prevent more from coming and we have to deport those who have been defined as having committed crimes against humanity or human rights abuses.