TORONTO, 9 May — Since Sept. 11, Muslims all over North America have felt pressure to defend themselves and their religion against a variety of accusations. In western Canada, for example, Calgary is a medium-sized city with a population of almost one million. There are some 40,000 Muslims in the city who with their own money, established an Islamic center, several mosques and Islamic schools.

They created a peaceful community that, like many other Muslim communities in Canada, began with a small number of Muslims and grew over the years, contributing to Canadian development and diversity. The Muslims were proud of Canada’s just and tolerant society.

After Sept. 11, the Calgary Islamic Center, like many other Islamic centers, was a target of attacks. The center’s immediate response said Souheil Ali Merhi, its president, was to increase security and advise Muslims, who called complaining of threats of what they could do.

The most recent threats, recalls Merhi, came after the Muslim community organized a demonstration with thousands of people protesting the horrible events in Palestine.

Unfortunately, with so many people, it was difficult to control everyone and some shouted extremist slogans against Israel and Jews.

This provoked the Jewish community in Calgary to complain to officials and to the Islamic Center. In general, however, the Muslims received positive comments from many Canadians who shared their anger and dissatisfaction.

Since Sept. 11, the Calgary Islamic Center has worked hard to reach out to the entire Canadian community.

Immediately after the attacks, according to Merhi, the center published two full pages in local newspapers condemning the act and assuring the public that they were not involved in any way.

Since then the center has also participated in media programs, which discussed Islam, invited church groups to join them for Iftar in Ramadan, and held conferences to talk about current events in the Middle East.

The pressures felt by Muslim adults are perhaps even more difficult for Muslim children to bear. After Sept. 11 most Muslim children in Calgary said they had not problems at school. In fact they mentioned the incident of an elderly, Christian couple who had come to the center with flowers after hearing of slurs made against Islam and the center.

The children said that the couple told them it was wrong to blame them and that they should all try to get along together.

Things have changed now with the recent violence against the Palestinians. Some of the children have been asked about the suicide bombers and terrorists killing innocent civilians.

Merhi said that the children are not getting the truth from the media and we have to explain to them in language they can understand that there is a difference between a terrorist and a freedom fighter who is dying for his rights.

Trying to make children understand that Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance while a Muslim also has to defend his rights is a challenge for all Muslim parents. The children do feel, however, that there is a great injustice being committed against the Palestinians and this makes sometimes makes them feel that they don’t belong here.

I asked Merhi what he thought of grassroots efforts by Muslims to boycott US companies and products with Israeli and Jewish connections.

He said he didn’t think it would make much difference. He thinks that Arab governments and companies with large contracts must take the initiative.