A local imam has withdrawn two human rights complaints against the Western Standard after the publication’s new owner apologized for comments that appeared on the Standard’s blog in December.
The comments in question were written in response to a blog posting written by former Standard publisher Ezra Levant. One commenter wrote “that [U.S. columnist] Ann Coulter was right — Muslims have to be converted to Christianity or killed if we are to survive.” The same writer likened Muslims to “disease-laden mosquitoes,” and another wrote that Muslims “must be KILLED. ALL OF THEM.” After discovering the comments, Syed Soharwardy filed a complaint against the Standard with both the Alberta and Canada human rights commissions.
However, Standard owner Matthew Johnston contacted Soharwardy shortly afterwards. In an e-mail, he apologized for the “insensitive and offensive comments that do nothing to further the important debates that take place on our site.” “I took offence to these comments as well, as did the vast majority of our readers,” wrote Johnston. He added that Soharwardy’s complaint “brought all of our existing concerns about the website into sharp focus.”
After receiving Johnston’s apology, Soharwardy withdrew his complaints. “I wanted to show, from my side, that we are also reasonable people,” says Soharwardy. “We are not arrogant or stubborn.” Soharwardy says he appreciated Johnston’s quick response to his complaints. “I think he’s a very courageous man,” says Soharwardy. “It takes a lot of courage to admit mistakes.”
Soharwardy says he still expects Calgary police to investigate the comments. “Whenever there is a hate issue against Muslims, I still believe that Calgary police need to do more,” he says.
Another human rights complaint filed by Soharwardy against the Standard is still pending. Soharwardy filed that complaint in 2006 after the Standard published the controversial Danish cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad. The complaint is currently in the investigation phase