.

Thank you to all who came out to the last Dialogue for Democracy session. Attendees contributed to a very fruitful discussion with Prof. May Telmissany from the University of Ottawa on the topic of “Emerging Forces in Egypt”.

Stay tuned for the next Dialogue for Democracy session in June!

About Dialogue for Democracy

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National Council on Canada-Arab Relations | Conseil National des Relations Canado-Arabes
Communiqué
August 8th , 2011 / 8 Août, 2011	Pour version française, cliquez ici
August 8th 2011, (Ottawa): The National Council on Canada Arab Relations (NCCAR) is following closely the latest developments surrounding the trials of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and 23 associates of former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. “It is difficult to understate the significance of these trials,” stated David  Comerford, President of NCCAR. “Neighbouring countries are closely monitoring these trials because they will have unparalleled reverberations in other Arab states.” Mubarak faces charges of corruption and killing anti-government protesters during the Egyptian revolution, while in Tunisia, the aides of Ben Ali are charged with trying to flee the country and the illegal possession of foreign currencies. “NCCAR, whose mandate is to increase understanding between Canadians and peoples of the Arab world and to celebrate the contributions of Canadians of Arab heritage, has heard from its many members that these developments are critical to the Diaspora, because these trials represent a golden opportunity for democratic development in their countries of origin,” said Mr. Comerford.  “Clearly, these trials set a new precedent in the Arab world where any individual irrespective of their political or economic status can be tried in accordance with the rules governing the state.  We are hopeful that the legal proceedings in these trials will produce a verdict that is just and consistent with international law.” – 30 – For more information, please contact: Imad Al-Sukkari Operations Adviser imad.alsukkari@nccar.ca www.nccar.ca Telephone: 613-983-4623 Or David Comerford President NCCAR 116 Promenade du Portage Gatineau, Qc www.nccar.ca Telephone:  613 796 8081 Spokespeople are available in the following locations: Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto. The National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR) is a charitable organization whose mission is to build ties between Canadians and people of the Arab World in order to develop stronger relations and cooperation between them as well as raise an appreciation of their common values. NCCAR is a member-driven organization supported by Canadians of diverse backgrounds across Canada.
Communiqué
Le 8 Août 2011 (Ottawa) : le Conseil National des Relations Canado-Arabes suit de près les récentes nouvelles sur les procès du président évincé Égyptien Hosni Mubarak et les 23 associés du président évincé Tunisien Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. «C’est difficile d’exagérer l’importance de ces procès» dit David Comerford, le président du CNRCA. «Les pays voisinant surveillent ces procès car ils auront un impact historique sur les autres états Arabes.»  Mubarak est accusé de corruption et de tuer des manifestants qui protestaient contre son gouvernement, tandis qu’en Tunisie les aides de Ben Ali sont accusés d’avoir essayé de quitter le pays et de la possession illégale de monnaie étrangère. «Le CNRCA, dont le mandat est d’accroître la compréhension entre les Canadiens et les peuples du monde Arabe et de célébrer les contributions des Canadiens Arabes, a entendu ses membres raconter que ces développements sont cruciaux pour le diaspora Arabe, car ces procès représentent une opportunité sans précédent pour le développement démocratique de ces pays,» a dit M. Comerford. «Clairement, ces procès crée une nouveau précédent dans le monde Arabe où chaque individu peut être jugé en accordance avec les lois de l’état, sans considération pour son statut politique ou économique. Nous espérons que ces procès produiront des jugements en accordance avec les lois internationaux.»
-30- Pour plus d’information ou pour toute demande d’interview, veuillez contacter: Imad Al-Sukkari Conseiller des opérations imad.alsukkari@nccar.ca www.nccar.ca Téléphone: 613-983-4623 David Comerford Président NCCAR 116 Promenade du Portage Gatineau, Qc www.nccar.ca Téléphone:  613 796 8081 Des représentants/portes-paroles sont disponibles dans les régions d’Ottawa, Montréal et Toronto. Le Conseil national des relations canado-arabes (CNRCA) est un organisme caritatif dont la mission est de tisser des liens entre les Canadiens et les peuples du monde arabe pour créer des relations et une collaboration plus étroites entre eux, ainsi que pour mieux apprécier leurs valeurs communes. Le CNRCA est un organisme dirigé par ses membres et appuyé par des Canadiens de diverses origines dans l’ensemble du Canada.

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Here is an excerpt:

“Canada “respected” rather than welcomed Mubarak’s resignation “in order to promote peace and stability.” Harper’s position stands in stark contrast with other prominent leaders such as Britain’s David Cameron and the U.S.’s Barack Obama, who understood the need and capacity of democracy to act as a vehicle of stability in the region. Not only did they do the right thing, but both U.S. and U.K. leaders positioned their countries as potential supporters of the Egyptian people on the road to democracy. As 2005 presidential candidate Ayman Nour told Al Jazeera “…This nation has been born again. These people have been born again…” — a term that is not meant to be foreign to Harper.”

Please check the full article here.

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NCCAR’s opinion piece entitled “Vent de Changement dans le monde arabe: Des Implications jusqu’au Canada” was published in Le Droit today.

Excerpt:

“Il se produit présentement dans le monde arabe des événements que les Canadiens de toutes les origines surveillent avec un grand intérêt.

Le fait que les peuples de la Tunisie et de l’Égypte se sont manifestés par centaines de milliers pour réclamer leurs droits en tant que citoyens libres constitue une grande source d’espoir. Ils ont réussi à se prononcer publiquement même face à une énorme résistance de l’État envers le changement politique et en dépit du considérable risque personnel encouru.

Des centaines de personnes ont péri lors de ces manifestations mais sans que cela décourage la mobilisation spontanée de la jeunesse et des citoyens de diverses classes socio-économiques dans les deux pays nord-africains.”

The published article written by NCCAR’s board members David Comerford, Rula Odeh and Doug Daniels can by found on Le Droit website. Subscription is required to access certain articles. However, a two week free trial version of the electronic newspaper is available now.

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National Council on Canada-Arab Relations | Conseil National des Relations Canado-Arabes
Communiqué
February 1st, 2011 / 1er Février, 2011	Pour version française, cliquez ici
NCCAR Calls for the Human Rights and Essential Freedoms of Egyptians to be Respected
February 1st, 2011 (Ottawa): Historic changes are taking place in Egypt. The grassroots uprising against autocratic rule and lack of freedom has inspired a generation of Egyptians who have never known such outspoken protest. The National Council on Canada Arab Relations (NCCAR), a group dedicated to the development of closer ties between Canadians and the people of the Arab world, calls for the human rights and the fundamental freedoms of Egyptians to be protected during this critical time. The Council demands that the Egyptian government restore all communications within Egypt including cell phone access and unimpeded internet access. Further, The Council demands that freedom of the press be respected. David Comerford, President of NCCAR expressed his concern with the current situation “It is vitally important that the people of Egypt be allowed to determine their own futures free from harassment and violence. The Canadian government must work alongside other countries to ensure a positive transition from the current government to free, open and democratically elected government. The global community at large must work with Egyptians to ensure that elections are held within a reasonable amount of time and that such elections are free of violence and political interference.” – 30 – For more information, please contact: David Comerford President NCCAR 116 Promenade du Portage Gatineau, Qc www.nccar.ca Telephone:  613 796 8081 Spokespeople are available in the following locations: Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto. The National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR) is a charitable organization whose mission is to build ties between Canadians and people of the Arab World in order to develop stronger relations and cooperation between them as well as raise an appreciation of their common values. NCCAR is a member-driven organization supported by Canadians of diverse backgrounds across Canada.
Communiqué
Le Conseil National des Relations Canado-Arabes lance un appel pour le respect des droits humains et des libertés fondamentales du peuple Égyptien.
1er février, 2011 (Ottawa): L’Égypte vit des moments historiques. Un soulèvement populaire a électrisé une génération d’Égyptiens contre un régime autocratique et contre un manque de liberté, une génération qui n’avait jamais connu un tel mouvement de protestations. Le Conseil National des Relations Canado-Arabes, un groupe dont la mission est de tisser les liens entre les Canadiens et le peuple du monde Arabe, lance un appel pour une protection des droits humains et des libertés fondamentales des Égyptiens dans cette période critique. Le Conseil exige que le gouvernement égyptien rétablisse les communications dans le pays incluant l’accès aux réseaux de téléphones mobiles et d’internet. Le Conseil exige aussi que la liberté de la presse soit respectée. David Comerford, le président de NCCAR, a exprimé ses craintes par rapport à la situation actuelle: “ Il est très important que le peuple égyptien puisse déterminer son propre avenir sans harcèlement ni violence de la part de ses dirigeants. Le gouvernement Canadien devrait travailler en coordination avec d’autres pays pour assurer une transition du gouvernement actuel vers un gouvernement démocratiquement élu. La communauté internationale devrait aider les Égyptiens pour que des élections libres soient organisées dans un délai raisonnable et dans une atmosphère dénudée de violence et libre d’interférence politique.” -30- Pour plus d’information ou pour toute demande d’interview, veuillez contacter: David Comerford Président NCCAR 116 Promenade du Portage Gatineau, Qc www.nccar.ca Téléphone:  613 796 8081 Des représentants/portes-paroles sont disponibles dans les régions d’Ottawa, Montréal et Toronto. Le Conseil national des relations canado-arabes (CNRCA) est un organisme caritatif dont la mission est de tisser des liens entre les Canadiens et les peuples du monde arabe pour créer des relations et une collaboration plus étroites entre eux, ainsi que pour mieux apprécier leurs valeurs communes. Le CNRCA est un organisme dirigé par ses membres et appuyé par des Canadiens de diverses origines dans l’ensemble du Canada.
About NCCAR: The National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR) is a charitable organization whose mission is to build ties between Canadians and people of the Arab World in order to develop stronger relations and cooperation between them as well as an appreciation of their common values. NCCAR is a member-driven organization supported by Canadians of diverse backgrounds across Canada. www.nccar.ca Le Conseil national des relations canado-arabes (CNRCA) est un organisme caritatif dont la mission est de tisser des liens entre les Canadiens et les peuples du monde arabe pour créer des relations et une collaboration plus étroites entre eux, ainsi que pour mieux apprécier leurs valeurs communes. Le CNRCA est un organisme dirigé par ses membres et appuyé par des Canadiens de diverses origines dans l’ensemble du Canada.

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Topics and questions asked covered whether the actions taken by M. Mubarak are sufficient, the west’s fear of fundamentalism, the expectations of the people of Egypt.

Watch the interview here: Egypt: NCCAR on Canada AM Jan 31st, 2011

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NCCAR invites you to a lecture by professor Earle Waugh from the faculty of Medicine at the University of Alberta.

New Therapies, New Caring in the Middle East

In a recent tour focusing on medical and cultural issues relative to health in the Middle East Dr. Earle Waugh visited Syria, Lebanon and Egypt. One aspect stands out: a shift to engagement with new ideas is underway. In this presentation, Dr. Waugh will survey some of the issues around stem cell therapy, the use of opioids at end-of-life care and developing caregiving structures in Canada and Middle East.

EVENT DETAILS:

Date: Wednesday May 26, 2010 at 6:00 PM (Coffee and sandwiches will be served)

Location: Canadian Druze Centre 14304 – 134 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta

Please RSVP: Ahmad Jawad, 7808-906-9845 or email: ahmad@intellimedia.ca

About our speaker:

Dr. Earl Waugh: http://www.familymed.med.ualberta.ca/Home/Administration/FacultyStaff/waugh.cfm

Earle H. Waugh, PhD

DESIGNATION: Director of the Centre for the Cross-Cultural Study of Health and Healing

Earle H. Waugh is Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies and Director of the Centre for the Cross-Cultural Study of Health and Healing in the Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta. He focused his early research and writing on two cultural areas critical today: Islamic studies and Aboriginal Studies. He has written or edited over a dozen books, dictionaries and studies; his awards include: Gold Medal, Best Documentary Films/Adult Educational, Houston International Film Festival, The Sacred Circle, Canadian Studies Book of the Year (Alberta Elders Cree Dictionary), and the Henry Kreisel Award of Excellence in Teaching, and the UA’s Middle East Studies Lifetime Achievement Award. His study on Morocco was short listed for the prestigious Albert Hourani Best book on the Middle East in 2007. Professor Waugh lectures and consults widely on health-care and culture and has provided seminars for hospitals, pharmacy seniors, graduate physicians and health care professionals throughout the province. His long commitment to education about minority groups and his promotion of understanding of Muslim and Indigenous cultures was recognized in 2005 by the awarding of the prestigious Salvos Prelorentzos Award for Peace Education by Project Ploughshares.

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