B’nai Brith Canada has called on police to take action against Victoria Muslim preacher Younus Kathrada for giving anti-Semitic sermons to his followers. .“It is important this extremist hate-monger is being vigorously investigated after this latest hate incident,” said B’nai Brith Canada CEO Michael Mostyn in a Friday press release. .“It’s appalling such noxious hate speech against Jews is allowed to continue in Canada, and we hope Kathrada will now face criminal charges.”.Kathrada leads an organization called Muslim Youth of Victoria, which was highlighted by MEMRI TV for recent comments demanding Allah “bring annihilation upon the plundering Jews” and calling for victory “over those criminal, plundering Jews.”.The press release said B’nai Brith Canada made a criminal complaint to Victoria police about his remarks. .He has been denounced by Victoria’s Muslim community. He has been subjected to criminal complaints by B’nai Brith Canada since 2004. .In 2019, he said wishing Christians a Merry Christmas is a sin worse than murder. A few months later, he advised congregants not to vote in the Canadian election, claiming all Jewish and Christian candidates were “filthy” and “evil.” .Kathrada was reported to police by B’nai Brith Canada in 2020 for making comments comparing Jews to monkeys and pigs and calling for their destruction. In a more recent incident, Kathrada described Jews and Christians to a group of Muslims as “our enemies” who were working to “spend mountains of gold to drive us away from Islam.”.“The insults and the ruthless rhetoric this person has hurled at the Jewish people and others over the years transcend acceptable behaviour, particularly for a religious leader, and is clearly hate-motivated,” said Mostyn. .“Our country cannot allow any individual or group to preach with such venom.”.Victoria police said it was reviewing videos forwarded by B’nai Brith Canada. .“The Victoria PD and several other agencies on Vancouver Island are very much aware of Kathrada’s statements and are monitoring him,” said Victoria police. .A new record was achieved for antisemitic incidents in Canada for the sixth year in a row in 2021, an increase of 7.2% from the previous year, according to the 40th Annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents by B’nai Brith Canada. .“Despite the dismal numbers posted in 2021, there is always hope for improvement,” said Mostyn. .“Better reporting of hate crimes and incidents, better training and resources for police departments to recognize and combat antisemitism, may all make a difference, if achieved.”.About eight antisemitic incidents happened every day in Canada in 2021. There was a 733% increase in violent antisemitic attacks compared to 2020. .Kathrada declined comment.
