"Freedom of speech also entails responsibilities. Among them is civility," said Dr. Naylor.

TORONTO, February 9, 2006 (IslamOnline.net) – Freedom of expression is being put to the test in the University of Toronto, Canada's largest and most distinguished university with over 60,000 students and 17 academic divisions.

"Freedom of speech also entails responsibilities. Among them is civility," University President Dr. David Naylor told the university’s Governing Council on Thursday, February 9.

His message came after debate was stirred up on the campus this week by a Jewish student group that is running a conference entitled, Know Radical Islam Week."Societies have nurtured the basic right to free expression by promoting other core values: acceptance of diversity, respect for the dignity of others and the right of each person to be a full participant in society," Naylor said.

The controversial conference is organized by Jewish students from the Betar-Tagar and Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies.

It includes a series of lectures on topics such as female genital mutilation, gay rights in the Middle East, slavery, suicide bombing and global terrorism.

The politically charged atmosphere on campus has prompted the Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) to advise its large student body to exercise restraint.

"MSA advises its membership to exercise restraint and dignity at a time when students may feel that their faith is being threatened," Safiyyah Ally, MSA Communications Director, said in a press release.

"The Muslim Students' Association supports the twin principles of freedom of expression and tolerance on campus," Ally asserted.

"Our aim is to foster a deep respect and appreciation for other faiths and cultures on campus."

The tense atmosphere on campus is expected to continue into next week as the Arab Students’ Collective is scheduled to hold its Israeli Apartheid Week conference.

The two events were given the go ahead after the organizers agreed to respect the law and honor the university's policies.

Bridge-building

A poster of one of the events on promoting dialogue on campus among faith groups including, Jews and Muslims.

As the debate rages on campus about freedom of speech, Muslim students have come together with other student groups to build bridges among the university’s religious communities.

"Most religious students have a lot in common and we face many of the same issues," MSA Vice President Aaida Mamuji told IslamOnline.net.

The students groups - which include the MSA and the Jewish student group Hillel - are currently running a series of public programs, entitled Spirituality and the Student Experience.

"Last December, the university’s anti-racism and cultural diversity office brought together the religious groups to look at how we can share our experiences," Mamuji said.

The result of the consultations is a series of programs that runs throughout this month with the aim of promoting dialogue on campus among faith groups including, Jews and Muslims.

The first event in the series, called Soul Food, was held on January 31 and brought together religious leaders to discuss dietary laws in Judaism, Islam and other faiths.

On February 7, speakers addressed the role of pilgrimage in Jewish, Islamic, and Native Canadian cultures in a session entitled Pilgrimage: A Unique Journey.

The final event in the series, The Feminine and the Divine, is slated for February 14 and speakers will discuss the role of women in different religions and their approach to faith.

Mamuji has found the experience of working with the Jewish student body rewarding.

"Working with Hillel has been a good experience and we have also cooperated in other things like writing a joint article in the student newspaper, the Varsity."