The growing number of Muslim voices calling on John Rustad to fire Brent Chapman

FILE: John Rustad (Photo: Conservative Party of BC/Facebook)

By BC NDP Communications

Yesterday, John Rustad said that Muslims who work directly for him accepted Brent Chapman’s apology, and that was good enough for him.

Independent Muslim organizations have responded by calling for Chapman to resign or be fired.

In a statement posted this morning, Mohammed Asin with the BC Muslim Association called on Rustad to “act swiftly and decisively.” The BCMA is calling on Rustad to “ask Mr. Chapman to step down” and “demonstrate that such comments have no place in their ranks.” (BCMA statement)

Haroon Khan with the Al Masjid Al Jamia in Vancouver and Pakistan Canada Association is calling on Chapman to step aside. Khan said of Rustad: “If he can’t call that out within his own party, within a candidate who’s representing their party, what good is he for as a leader?” (Audio link)

The White Rock Muslim Association in Chapman’s own community: “Our community does not feel safe being represented by someone who would publicly make such hateful statements about Muslims on more than one occasion… we demand his resignation and withdrawal from candidacy.” (Link)

These three organizations join other prominent voices calling for Chapman to go.

Mo Amir: “All good, everyone! John Rustad — prominent spokesperson for Muslims and Palestinians in B.C. — has accepted Brent Chapman’s apology for being a prolific and vile racist.” (Link)

Kareem Allam on calls for Chapman’s resignation: “the only honourable thing to do. Sorry Brent… but the apology wasn’t good enough.” (Link)

Jinny Sims, Surrey-Panorama:

“There are a growing number of Muslim voices who are making it clear that Brent Chapman cannot continue as a candidate. John Rustad is proving that he doesn’t have the backbone to stand up to racism within his own party. He must fire Brent Chapman immediately.”