Coming to Canada for its Freedoms

Pakistan is arguably one of the most rigidly authentic Islamist of countries, its dedication to Islam fully reflective of its purity as it was introduced to the world in the 7th Century. Pakistan Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and Gaza appear to be living in the 7th Century, as barbaric, tribal Bedouin-based societies revelling in their backwardness, seeing little need to rouse themselves from the nightmare they impose upon their people of violence, oppression and misanthropy.

Pakistani citizens wishing to escape the suffocating cloister of Islamist precepts that dominate their lives seek haven elsewhere. And they find it in countries like Canada, finding it possible to live as Muslims worshiping the tenets of their religion, while melding as far as possible with the social and cultural values of the democratic West. Invariably, among the intellectually and psychologically flexible, incorporating democracy and Islam as best they can in their living experience, others too migrate to Canada.

One such is Mohammed Aqeeq Ansari with his collegially respectful relations with a jihadist cleric whose sensibilities he shared. Mr. Ansari came to Canada eight years ago on a student visa to pursue an academic aspiration. While here, he wrote of his beliefs on Internet social media sites; Canada is, after all, one of those places in the world that champions freedom of thought, association and speech, among other things.

On his Facebook page there is a photograph of a Toronto bank tower with the caption: "If I only had a plane". 

The Immigration and Refugee Board has determined that Mr. Ansari represents a danger to Canada's security as a member of a terrorist organization. It has ordered the man deported to his country of origin.  Mr. Ansari was living in his brother's home. He was unemployed, despite which he was able to spend tens of thousands of dollars in buying and stockpiling a variety of firearms. When his brother's home was raided by the Ontario Provincial Police the extensive gun collection was discovered, along with jihadist extremist materials.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Integrated National Security Enforcement Team launched an investigation into Mr. Ansari's activities when he travelled to Pakistan, finding that he was a member of the Pakistani terrorist organization Sipah-e-Sahaba; membership in such a group would make him persona non grata in Canada.

Which was when the CBSA was brought in, arresting Mr. Ansari in October of last year. Which was when deadly Islamist attacks against Canadian military personnel took place in Ottawa and Quebec. When Mr. Ansari depicted the killings on social media as police plants. "We are the Muslims and we are coming for you" he wrote online.

Denying all accusations against him, he asserted his purpose in coming to Canada was to "start a career, start my life in Canada because I was informed Canada was a country where you had freedom to express your views. ... I never had any ill intentions of breaking the law." Obviously Canadian authorities have been persecuting the poor man, but all is soon to be resolved, and he will be immensely relieved to return to Pakistan.