The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM)

The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) is an independent, non-partisan and non-profit organization. Built from within the Canadian Muslim community, NCCM is a leading voice for Muslim civic engagement and the promotion of human rights.

Working in partnership with grassroots communities, NCCM engages in professional activism and develops strategies in anti-discrimination, community education & outreach, media relations and public advocacy. As a long standing Canadian organization, NCCM has an exemplary record of defending rights and liberties, promoting active citizenship and upholding Canadian pluralism.

NCCM’s  MISSION

NCCm’s mission is to protect Canadian human rights and civil liberties, challenge discrimination and Islamophobia, build mutual understanding, and advocate for the public concerns of Canadian Muslims.

NCCM’s VISION

The NCCM envisions a Canada where Muslims are fully engaged, empowered and recognized as a positive force for the betterment of all.

CORE VALUES & GUIDING PRINCIPLES

·       NCCM believes in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and in upholding the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Canadians.

·       NCCM believes that core Islamic values are aligned with and reflect Canadian values including equality, freedom, inclusiveness and justice.

·       NCCM believes that Canada’s multiculturalism and the contributions of Canadian Muslims strengthen our country’s democracy.

·       NCCM believes active citizenship is the responsibility of all Canadians.

·       NCCM believes in the strength through diversity of the Canadian Muslim community and is a strictly non-sectarian organization.

·       NCCM strives for the equal participation of all Canadian Muslims, both men and women, and irrespective of ethnic, linguistic, or cultural background.

·       NCCM believes in the value of consultation and supports the participatory aims of grassroots activism.

·       NCCM believes in being respectful, civil and prudent in all of its advocacy and communications and in avoiding any conduct that displays or gives the appearance of rancour, disrespect or ill-will towards any individual or group.

·       NCCM believes there is no dichotomy between human rights and public security; rather, they share a symbiotic relationship.

·       NCCM consistently and categorically condemns all acts of violence against civilians and non-combatants irrespective of the perpetrator and believes there is never any justification for terrorism.

HUMAN RIGHTS & CIVIL LIBERTIES

Through our staff, legal advisors and local members, the NCCM advises and advocates on behalf of Canadian Muslims and others who have experienced violations of their human rights and civil liberties, including discrimination and hate crimes. Incidents often relate to the infringement of basic rights guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms or national or provincial human rights legislation. We work to protect the constitutional rights of Canadian Muslims, thereby upholding the rights of all Canadians.

MEDIA ENGAGEMENT

The NCCM works daily with the media to help shape an accurate understanding of Islam and Canadian Muslims. This includes monitoring local and national media to challenge stereotypes, providing accurate information about Islam and Muslims to journalists, writing frequent opinion commentaries, providing contacts from local Muslim communities, meeting with editorial boards and conducting media training sessions. To date, the NCCM has published over 140 op-ed pieces on important public issues in news publications across Canada.

PUBLIC ADVOCACY

The NCCM frequently appears before federal and provincial parliamentary committees on legislation and public policy measures that impact civil liberties, human rights and Canadian Muslim communities. We monitor legislative initiatives, submit briefs that articulate a vital perspective and engage with government officials, parliamentarians and other elected officials. The NCCM has also testified before and participated in major commissions of inquiry including the Maher Arar Public Inquiry, the Air India Public Inquiry and the Iacobucci Internal Inquiry.

The NCCM further monitors and intervenes in major cases before the Supreme Court of Canada and other levels of court concerning fundamental rights and civil liberties.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION & OUTREACH

The NCCM frequently partners with civil society and interfaith organizations to promote  mutual respect and good relations between communities and advance common goals in the defence of fundamental rights and civil liberties. The NCCM participates in numerous coalitions and campaigns with human rights partners to ensure that the constitutional rights of all Canadians are upheld.

SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

The NCCM frequently conducts workshops for employers and service-providers which highlight relevant Islamic religious practices and offer suggestions for reasonable accommodation. We also offer seminars and workshops to Canadian Muslim communities about fundamental rights & freedoms guaranteed under the law, training in media relations, and leadership development.

PUBLICATIONS

The NCCM offers a variety of publications addressing the needs of Canadians and Canadian Muslims. Our publications include “A Journalist’s Guide to Islam,” “An Employer’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” “An Educator’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” and “A Health Care Provider’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices.” We also offer a succinct “Know Your Rights” pocket guide.

Practical handbooks, such as Hajj and Ramadan Publicity Resource Kits, are also available for use by Canadian Muslim communities and the media.

BOARD

The National Board of Directors is comprised of experienced members from across Canada. The NCCM Board Members are volunteers and not compensated in their capacity as directors.

Kashif Ahmed

Board Chair

Kashif Ahmed serves as Chair of the NCCM Board of Directors. He is a Vancouve...

Khalid Elgazzar

Vice Chair

Khalid is an Ottawa-based lawyer practicing in the areas of civil & commercial ...

Aftab Sabir

Director

Aftab Sabir of Calgary is one of the original founders of the organization and ...

Imraan Khakoo

Director

Imraan Khakoo has over 16 years of public sector experience with expertise in ...

Janine Dhaibi

Director

Janine Dhaibi is an Edmonton-based lawyer practicing in commercial and constr...

Lina Bensaidane

Director

Lina Bensaidane is an intellectual property lawyer practicing in Montreal. ...

Nabeela Elsayed

Director

Nabeela Elsayed has over 20 years of executive leadership experience in the ...

Reference:

www.nccm.ca