Canada: Human rights commission chief under fire for Islamophobic book review

Community groups are condemning the appointment of the new chief of the Alberta Human Rights Commission and Tribunals, following the resurfacing of a 2009 academic book in which he made Islamophobic comments.

Calgary lawyer Collin May began his new five-year role as chief this week after serving on the commission since 2019.

“It was very shocking and hurtful and just troubling to see some of the statements Collin May expressed,” said Mr. Said, Alberta advocacy officer for the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM).

Collin May’s review of Israeli-British historian Efraim Karsh’s Islamic Imperialism: A History came to light again earlier this month in an article published by The Progress Report, an Alberta news outlet.

May’s commentary highlighted Karsh’s Islamophobic assertion that the religion is inherently militaristic in nature, under the guise of analysis.

“[Karsh] defies the multicultural illusion regarding pacific Islam and goes to the heart of the matter. Islam is not a peaceful religion misused by radicals. Rather, it is one of the most militaristic religions known to man, and it is precisely this militaristic heritage that informs the actions of radicals throughout the Muslim world,” May wrote in his 2009 review.

May’s review is problematic because it’s based on stereotypes of Islam that most — if not all — Muslims do not hold, and it is based on an understanding of Islam that is incorrect, Said said.

Opposition NDP justice critic Irfan Sabir has called for May’s resignation, saying Albertans would be better served by someone who is educated and connected with Muslim communities.

“That position should be filled by a person who understands the diversity of this province, who understands what challenges BIPOC communities, Indigenous communities face.” Sabir said.

It is important that such human rights-related positions be filled by individuals who are known for their impartiality and fairness when dealing with people’s rights; and to eliminate those whose rhetoric is pregnant with bigotry and discrimination.