A recent survey showed that that Canadian Muslims were routinely singled out and harassed by police.

CAIRO, October 26, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – A leading Islamic organization in Canada is considering a lawsuit against the Canadian government for its "no-fly lists", calling on both Muslims and non-Muslims to report if any members of their communities are placed on such lists.

"No-fly listing would  impair a person's right to travel and could cause financial damage, as well as the loss of business or personal reputation in the world, not only in Canada," said the Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC) in a statement, a copy of which was obtained by IslamOnline.net Wednesday, October 26.

The Muslim group warned that placing any Canadian, whether Muslims or non-Muslims, on such lists mistakenly or on the basis of wrong information results in irreparable harm to the person.

"It is the responsibility of the federal transportation minister and our government to protect Canadians against abuse by foreign states, not to facilitate that abuse."

Although Canada does not yet have its own officially confirmed no-fly lists, the country is developing one and airlines operating in Canadian air space, including Air Canada, use those compiled by the US and other foreign countries.

The CIC urged the government to provide clear answers on means of how Canadians will be notified when their names are placed on any no-fly lists.

It also pressed for stating measures to ensure names could be removed from such lists and how long the personal information of Canadians placed on no-fly lists would be retained.

It further said that the government should clarify which body is responsible for placing a person's name on a no-fly list.

The CIC is a Muslim body committed to promote, advance, co-ordinate, facilitate, demonstrate and implement the teachings and practices of Islam amongst Muslims and Non-Muslims in Canada and abroad, according to its Web site.

Discrimination

Concerns on using the 'no-fly lists' on discriminatory bases have been fueled in the country after receiving a complaint from a non-Muslim professor who was placed on the lists for no apparent reason.

"They refuse to disclose how I got onto the list or how to get my name removed," the professor, whose identity is being protected, pending legal action, said in a letter to the Muslim organization.

The Canadian professor said that the Air Canada ticket agent talked to a person over the phone about his personal information.

"This is humiliating and degrading. It is intolerable in a self- professed democratic society that claims to protect the rights of its citizens," he said.

Six months ago, a Canadian Muslim family had found out that one of their children – an infant less than a one year old – had been placed on a no-fly list, according to the CIC.

A report by a leading Muslim group said in June that Canadian security agencies use unacceptable intimidation tactics, aggressive behavior and threats of arrest against Canadian Muslims while investigating allegations of terrorism.

The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN) has said the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) used intrusive tactics such as discouraging legal representation and threats of arrest under the Anti-Terrorism Act, to compel individuals to accept interviews.

A survey conducted by the Muslim civil liberties group showed that Canadian Muslims were routinely singled out and harassed by the security agencies.