Controversial Montreal imam denied permit for Islamic centre

WATCH ABOVE: A controversial imam has been denied a permit to open a community centre in the east end. According to Montreal mayor Denis Coderre, it’s a matter of public safety. Global’s Rachel Lau has more.

MONTREAL – The Islamic community centre that controversial imam Hamza Chaoui had hoped to open in east Montreal will not see the light of day, local officials said.

“It’s not about judging a religion,” said Denis Coderre, Montreal mayor.

“It’s about what an individual has in mind and what’s his plan.”

Real Menard, mayor of the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough, told a news conference Saturday he would not grant Chaoui an operating licence to open a centre in the neighbourhood.

“I’m not going to have any move that will give a place to this imam in my borough,” he said.

WATCH: Mayor Denis Coderre addresses media on controversial Islamic centre

The Ashabeb Centre won’t be receiving its permit as long as it has ties with the controversial imam, who in the past hasn’t been shy to share his thoughts on the fact that he thinks women shouldn’t be independent, music should be forbidden and the fact that he thinks Islam and democracy shouldn’t mix.

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“I don’t want to label any religion or any community in particular,” said Coderre.

“We’re talking about an individual who has some purposes, who has his own agenda and I’m not going to let that happen.”

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Global News went to the site where the centre was expected to be situated and it appears renovations in the building have already started.

Chaoui did not respond to our request for comment.

Some in the Muslim community were relieved to hear of the mayors’ decision.

“People that don’t know the community, it scares them,” explained Stephen Brown with the Canadian Muslim Forum.

“For me, when I see things like this I’m like ‘who the heck is this quack?'”

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He points out many have had enough of the few radicals giving the entire faith a bad name.

“The average person who’s a Muslim is not super practising and even if he is religious, the way that we understand our religion is not the way that these fear mongers understand religion,” said Brown.

After the violent events that happened in Ottawa, Sydney, Paris and in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu where Chaoui preached at the same most frequented by the man who ran over and killed Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, the city of Montreal insists it won’t be taking any chances.

“It has nothing to do with freedom of speech,” said Coderre.

“It’s a matter of public order. It’s a matter of public safety.”

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The two mayors insist they’re not worried about Chaoui contesting the denied permit.

If he does, Coderre is more than willing to take him on legally.

“They want to sue us? Sue us,” he said.

“We’re ready to rumble.”